The invention relates to a subsea connection device and assembly for mating and making up a connection between a first pipeline end and a second pipeline end at a subsea installation.

BACKGROUND

Tie-in systems are essential building blocks in subsea installations. They provide safe and leak-proof connections between subsea infrastructure and flow-lines, umbilicals, modules and pipelines for import or export of oil or gas. Tie-in systems may be designed for quick, cost-effective installations in shallow or deep waters, and they provide a large range of possible applications.

A common type of tie-in system is a horizontal connection system, HCS. HCS may be a diverless tie-in system made for subsea connection of horizontal rigid jumpers and spools, flexible flow lines and umbilicals. HCS can be installed with or without guidewires and allows landing and wet storing of jumpers and terminations prior to manifold or XT installation, or retrieval of tree or manifold without removal of the spool or jumper. An HCS may be available with insulation.

However, HCSs today do not allow much movement of a first pipeline relative to a second pipeline to be connected, making the actual connection a cumbersome process where the pipelines must have a preferred angle and direction prior to and during connection, and only small deviations are allowed. There are specific requirements related to the positioning of the pipelines, making such a tie-in operation a complex task.

Documents which may be useful for understanding the field of technology include US6481504B1 , US6098715A, US5593249A, and US4615646A.

There is therefore a need for an improved connection device to reduce or eliminate the above mentioned disadvantages of known techniques. It is an objective of the present invention to achieve this and to provide further advantages over the state of the art. SUMMARY

In an embodiment, there is provided a connection device for mating and making up a subsea connection, the connection device having a first pipeline end configured to be fixed to an end of subsea pipeline, the connection device comprising: a first connection element connected to the first pipeline end; a second connection element connected to the first connection element; wherein the first connection element is rotatably connected to the second connection element.

In an embodiment, there is provided a connection device assembly for mating and making up a connection between a first pipeline end and a second pipeline end comprising a connection device, a pile and a funnel for receiving the pile.

The appended claims and the detailed description below outline further embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other characteristics will become clear from the following description of embodiments, given as non-restrictive examples, with reference to the attached schematic figures.

Figure 1a is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a connection device and first and second pipeline ends. Figure 1 b is a side view of the first embodiment of the connection device and first and second pipeline ends of figure 1a.

Figure 2 is a section view of the first embodiment of a connection device and first and second pipeline ends, where a “tie-in tool” is connected to the connection device. Figure 3 is a section view of the first embodiment of a connection device, where the first and second pipeline ends are connected.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a pigable connection device and first and second pipeline ends. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description may use terms such as “horizontal”, “vertical”, “lateral”, “back and forth”, “up and down”, ’’upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “forward”, “rear”, etc. These terms generally refer to the views and orientations as shown in the figures and that are associated with a normal use of the invention. The terms are used for the reader’s convenience only and shall not be limiting.

Referring initially to figures 1a and 1b, the figures illustrate a connection device 1, a first pipeline end 2 and a second pipeline end 3, viewed from different angles in the two figures. The connection device 1 is connected to the first pipeline end 2 and is configured for mating and making up a connection between the first pipeline end 2 and the second pipeline end 3. The first pipeline end 2 may be positioned at the end of a first pipeline 4, indicated with dotted lines in the figures, and the second pipeline end 3 may be positioned at the end of a second pipeline 5, also indicated with dotted lines in the figures. The connection device 1 is configured for being in a mating state where the first pipeline end 2 can be mated with the second pipeline end 3 and a connected state where the first pipeline end 2 is connected to and in fluid communication with the second pipeline end 3. In figures 1a and 1b, the connection device 1 is in the mating state where the first pipeline end 2 and connection device 1 is brought towards the second pipeline end 3.

The connection device 1 comprises a first connection element 6. The first connection element 6 is connected to the first pipeline end 2, and is configured for forming fluid communication between the first and second pipeline ends 2,3. The connection element 6 may be connected to the first pipeline end 2 by fastening means such as screws, bolts, or other means known in the art for securing two flanges to each other. The connection element 6 may comprise an end portion 7 (not visible in figure 1b) that may protrude perpendicularly from the body of the connection element 6, as in the illustrated embodiment. A longitudinal axis A1 of the first pipeline end 2 is thus generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis A2 of the end portion 7. The end portion 7 also provides fluid communication between the first and second pipeline ends 2,3 when they are connected with the connection device 1.

A lifting element 8 such as a shackle or a padeye may be connected to the connection element 6. The lifting element 8 may be rotatably connected to the connection element 6, and provides for a single interface and easy lifting of the connection element 6 and first pipeline end 2. The lifting element 8 may be lifted by a crane, a winch, or similar means, as is known in the art of lifting subsea components.

The connection device 1 further comprises a second connection element 9. The second connection element 9 is connected to the first connection element 6 and is configured for connecting the first connection element 6 to the second pipeline end 3. The second connection element 9 may be a clamp configured for retaining the first connection element 6 and the second pipeline end 3 in the connected state as in the illustrated embodiment. Alternatively, the second connection element 9 may comprise, for example, a hydraulic collet, a clamp, a split ring, locking dogs, or any other suitable type of connector. In the mating state, the connection element 9 may be open such as to allow the second pipeline end 3 to easily enter and be accommodated in the connection element 9, and in the connected state the connection element 9 may abut flanges (not shown in figures 1a and 1b, see figure 2) provided on the end portion 7 and on the second pipeline end 3 such as to force the end portion 7 and second pipeline end 3 together in a leak-tight manner.

The second connection element 9 may be supported in a housing 10. When the first pipeline end 2 and connection element 6 is lifted, the second connection element 9 and alternatively the housing 10 is consequently also lifted, because the second connection element 9 is connected to the first connection element 6. In this state, when the connection device 1 does not make up a connection between the first and second pipeline ends 2,3, the connection device 1 is in a mating state where it is either about to mate and make up a connection, or is removed from such a connection.

The first connection element 6 is rotatably connected to the second connection element 9, and the second connection element 9 may thus rotate relative to the first connection element 6. The rotatable connection may be arranged so as to aloow the first connection element 6 to rotate about the axis A2, i.e. about the longitudinal axis of the end portion 7 and the second connection element 9. Optionally, the housing 10 may comprise fluid channels such that the orientation of the second connection element 9 is different, in which case the first connection element 6 may be arranged to rotate about a different axis. This rotatable connection allows the first pipeline 4 to be angled relative to the second pipeline 5. The size of the angle is not of significant importance as the first connection element 6 can rotate and adapt to the angle of the pipeline 4. Because the first connection element 6 is rotatably connected to the second connection element 9, virtually zero moment is transferred from the first pipeline 4 to the connection device 1.

A connection device assembly 11 may comprise the connection device 1 and a pile 12. The pile 12 may be connected to the housing 10 as in the illustrated embodiment, and may be hingedly connected to the connection device 1, such that when the connection device 1 is lifted and suspended, the pile 12 is naturally suspended in a position in which it points straight down due to its weight. In the illustrated embodiment, the pile 12 is connected to the connection device 1 on the underside of the housing 10. The connection device 1 and pile 12 is provided at a first pipeline end side S1 (indicated in figure 1b) of the connection device assembly 11 , and the other side of the connection device assembly 11 is the second pipeline end side S2, also indicated in figure 1b. The two sides S1,S2 are indicated in figure 1b and separated by a dotted line. The first pipeline end side S1 is the side of the connection device assembly 11 related to and connected to the first pipeline end 2. The second pipeline end side S2 of the assembly 11 is the side related to and being in vicinity of the second pipeline end 3, such as a subsea installation.

A funnel 13 for receiving the pile 12 may be provided at the second pipeline end side S2 of a connection device assembly 11. The funnel 13 may be retractable in a direction towards the second pipeline end 3 by means of a retractable element 14. The retractable element 14 is described further with reference to figure 2. When the connection device 1 and first pipeline end 2 is lifted and hoisted towards the second pipeline end 3, the pile 12 may be aimed at the funnel 13. The connection device 1 and first pipeline end 2 may be lowered and the pile 12 thus enters the funnel 13 and may come to rest when the pile 12 is fully inserted into the funnel 13 (illustrated in figure 2). This provides for easy guiding and positioning of the first pipeline end 2 relative to the second pipeline end 3.

Figure 2 illustrates a section view of the connection device assembly 11 and connection device 1 when the pile 12 is completely installed in the funnel 13. The end portion 7 of the first connection element 6 and the second pipeline end 3 rest at the same elevation and are aligned, but spaced apart. In order to align the end portion 7 and the second pipeline end 3, the connection device 1 may be rotated such that the pile 12 is rotated within the funnel 13 until the longitudinal axis A2 (illustrated in figures 1a and 1b) of the end portion 7 are coincident with a longitudinal center axis of the second pipeline end 3. The second connection element 9 may be in a mating state ready to receive and accommodate the second pipeline end 3. The rotation of the connection device 1 may be effected by, for example, a front face or structural part of the housing 10 engaging a corresponding front face or structural part of a support component 33 (see Figs 1a and 1b) which holds (or is otherwise connected to or fixed in relation to) the second pipeline end 3. Alternatively, guide pins or bars, or a different type of guide and alignment mechanism may be used to rotate the connection device 1. Consequently, when the connection device 1 is moved towards the second pipeline end 3, it may be guided into the correct orientation before make-up of the fluid connection.

A stroke tool 15 may be provided in the vicinity of the second pipeloine end 3, i.e. at the second pipeline end side, descried previously with reference to figure 1b. Alternatively, the stroke tool 15 may also be provided or be a part of the connection device 1, i.e be provided at the first pipeline end side. The stroke tool 15 is configured for extending and connecting to the connection device 1, and the stroke tool 15 can thus pull the connection device 1 and first pipeline end 2 towards the second pipeline end 3.

In the illustrated embodiment, the stroke tool 15 omprises an engagement arm 16 that may extend from the stroke tool 15 and engage with the connection device 1. When the stroke tool 15 retracts the engagement arm 16, the connection device 1 and first pipeline end 2 is pulled towards the second pipeline end 3.

In the illustrated embodiment, the retractable element 14 provides support and stability to the connection device assembly 11. The retractable element 14 may thus be a telescopic arm or similar means capable of providing lateral support to the connection device 1 and first pipeline. Alternatively, the retractable element 14 may be a piston or similarly powered retractable element, in which case the stroke tool 15 may be incorporated into the retractable element 14.

Figure 3 illustrates a section view of the connection device assembly 11 and connection device 1 when the connection device 1 is mated with the second pipeline end 3. In this connected state, the second connection element 9 connects the first connection element 6 and the second pipeline end 3 such that a fluid communication is provided between the first and second pipeline ends 2,3. The end portion 7 of the first connection element 6 abuts the pipeline end 3, and the connection element 9 forces the two elements together and provides a leak-tight connection. The retractable element 14 has been retracted, and there is no longer need for a stroke tool, as the second connection element 9 is sufficient to provide the pipeline ends 2,3 in the connected state. In this connected state, the first pipeline (not illustrated in the figure, see figures 1a, 1b) has settled on the seabed, and there is as such basically no moment transferred from the first pipeline end (not illustrated in the figure, see figures 1a, 1b) to the second pipeline end 3.

Figure 4 illustrates a second embodiment of a connection device 101 and a connection device assembly 111. The connection device 101 is connected to a first pipeline end 2, and is configured for mating and making up a connection between the first pipeline end 2 and the second pipeline end 3 similarly to the first embodiment. Unless otherwise described, the features and functions of the first embodiment of the connection device and connection device assembly are also provided in the second embodiment.

The connection device 101 comprises a first connection element 106. The first connection element 106 is connected to the first pipeline end 2, and is configured for forming fluid communication between the first and second pipeline ends 2,3 similarly to the first embodiment. The connection element 106 may comprise an end portion 107 that provides fluid communication between the first and second pipeline ends 2,3 when they are connected. A longitudinal axis A1 of the first pipeline end 2 may be generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis A2 of the end portion 107.

The first connection element 106 according to the second embodiment comprises a bend 120 provided between the end portion 107 and the connection to the first pipeline end 2. The bend 120 provides a fluid communication through the connection element 106, and the bend 120 allows a pig to be communicated through the first connection element 106. A pig is known in the art as a device for performing various maintenance operations in pipelines. The connection device 101 comprising the bend 120 may thus be a pigable connection device 101.

Embodiments according to the present disclosure may thus provide improvements to known solutions, for example by reducing or avoiding problems associated with bending moments. This reduces the requirements for the connector device and/or stroking system, in that they must be designed with higher capacity and strength, which may, for example, increase size and weight of the components. In some applications, there may be a need to include additional components, such as isolation valves, in the system. Such components may contribute to increase bending moments and structural requirements in conventional systems. Embodiments of the present disclosure may allow inclusion of such components with less requirements on the other components. Additionally, or alternatively, embodiments may provide a system which is less sensitive to alignment of the pipeline 4 in relation to the second pipeline end 3.

While the invention has been described with reference to the embodiment(s) mentioned above, it is to be understood that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations shall remain within the field and scope of the invention.