ANNULAR JUNCTION PORTION OF A PIPELINE AND LAYING VESSEL COMPRISING SAID SYSTEM"

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority from italian patent application no. 102018000007550 filed on 27/07/2018, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system and a method for carrying out operations along an annular junction portion of a pipeline, and a laying vessel comprising said system. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and a method for carrying out operations along an annular junction portion of a pipeline for transporting hydrocarbons .

STATE OF THE ART

Hydrocarbon transport pipelines are laid on the bed of a body of water by laying vessels, on board of which the pipeline is progressively assembled and then laid as the assembly is carried out.

The laying vessel therefore includes assembly equipment and a launch ramp for the so-called S-laying, or a launch tower for the so-called J-laying. The letters "S" and "J" identify the type of laying in relation to the shape taken by the pipeline during the launch due to the reactions transmitted between the pipeline, the laying vessel, and the bed of the body of water. The so-called S- laying is particularly suitable for laying pipelines in medium shallow water, whereas the so-called J-laying is suitable for laying the pipeline in deep water.

The pipelines are laid on the bed of the body of water by the laying vessel seamlessly.

In fact, hydrocarbon transport pipelines are composed of pipe sections joined together to cover overall lengths in the order of hundreds of kilometres.

The pipe sections have a unit length, generally 12 metres, and relatively large diameters of between 0.2 and 1.5 metres. Each pipe section comprises a steel cylinder; a first single-layer and/or multilayer coating made of a polymeric material, which has the function of protecting the steel pipe; and optionally a second coating made of Gunite or concrete, the function of which is to weigh down the pipeline. Sometimes, in some applications, the second coating is not necessary and the pipe sections and underwater pipelines don't have it.

The opposite free ends of each pipe section are devoid of the first and the second coating to allow the steel cylinders to be welded together. The end portion without the coating is called cutback.

On board the laying vessel, the pipe sections are joined to unit-length pipe sections or multiple-length pipe sections (i.e. pipe sections already joined to other pipe sections) . In other words, on board the vessel discrete portions of pipes are coupled by means of joints.

Jointing the pipe sections involves welding the steel cylinders, usually with several welding passes. Once a welding ring has been completed between two steel cylinders, an annular junction portion devoid of the first and the second coating straddles the weld. The annular junction portion is substantially defined by the free ends of the pipe sections and extends axially between two end edges of the first coating.

Several operations are performed on the annular junction portion.

For instance, the annular junction portion must be appropriately treated and coated with at least one protective coating which adheres to the annular junction portion and to the edges of the pre-existing coatings. These operations are generally referred to as "Field Joint Coating" .

The operations on the annular junction portion are carried out on board the laying vessel in a limited number of work stations distributed along a path for the advancing of the pipe sections. Moreover, other different working processes are also carried out in these stations.

Normally, the space available on laying vessels is extremely limited. As a result, the work stations are particularly congested.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for carrying out operations along an annular junction portion of a pipeline, which has a small size and requires little manoeuvring space, and at the same time ensures that the operations are carried out with precision and reliability.

In accordance with these objects, the present invention relates to a system for carrying out operations along an annular junction portion of a pipeline, the system comprising :

a frame comprising a C-shaped structure, which is configured to be selectively clamped about a pipeline extending along a longitudinal axis and near an annular junction portion, and at least one driving device arranged along an arc of an annular path and coupled to the structure ;

a support arm configured to rest on the pipeline and connected to the structure for maintaining the laying plane of the driving device substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis; and

a carriage coupled to the driving device in a slidable manner; and

at least one operating device configured to carry out operations along the annular junction portion and cantilever supported by said annular segment.

Thanks to this solution, operations can be carried out in a reliable and precise manner despite the fact that other operating devices coexist in the work station of the laying vessel.

In fact, the overall dimensions of the system according to the present invention are limited.

Moreover, the presence of the support arm allows rapid and stable positioning of the frame on which the carriage supporting the operating device can move.

In greater detail, the support arm is configured to rest on the pipeline on the opposite side of the annular junction portion.

In this way, the support arm provides a second support which is offset with respect to the frame in a position that does not hinder the operations carried out by the operating device on the annular junction portion.

In greater detail, the carriage comprises an annular segment coupled to the driving device in a slidable manner.

In greater detail, the driving device comprises a plurality of driving elements arranged along the arc of an annular path. In this way, the guide in which the annular segment slides is made up of several elements, preferably pairs of rollers and driving pins.

In greater detail, the system comprises a transmission configured to move the carriage with respect to the frame along the arc of an annular path in one direction and in the opposite direction. In this way, the operating device can perform operations around the pipeline in both directions .

In greater detail, the annular segment of the carriage is toothed along the outer surface and the transmission comprises at least one toothed belt; an actuating device; and at least one driving pulley for the toothed belt.

In greater detail, the structure comprises at least two adjustable spacers configured to be arranged in contact with the pipeline. In this way, the structure can be easily adapted to different pipe sizes.

In greater detail, the structure comprises two jaws, which are movable between an operative position wherein the pipeline is clamped and a rest position, and two actuators configured to control the position of the jaws.

In this way, the C-shaped structure is clamped by simply actuating the vice actuators.

In greater detail, the support arm comprises a first portion, which is articulated to the structure, and a second portion, which has one end articulated to the first portion and a free end configured to rest on the pipeline.

Preferably, the first portion has an adjustable length. In this way, the support arm can be adapted to different axial lengths of the annular junction portion.

Preferably, the second portion has an adjustable length. In this way, the support arm can be adapted to different diameters of the pipeline.

In greater detail, the carriage comprises a guide, which is orthogonal to the annular segment and cantilever supported with respect to the annular segment, the operating device being movably mounted along the guide. In this way, the operating device operates without hindrance and with flexibility on the annular junction portion.

In greater detail, the carriage comprises at least one slide engaging the guide in a slidable manner and configured to support at least one respective operating device; and at least one actuating device configured to move the slide along the guide. In this way, the movement of the slide allows the operating device to be suitably moved along the annular junction portion.

In greater detail, the system comprises two operating devices, which are cantilever supported by the carriage and arranged at 180° with respect to each other. In this way, processing times are reduced.

In greater detail, the annular segment extends along an arc of a circle greater than 180°. In this way, the annular junction portion can be worked completely with a carriage displacement of as little as 180°.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a laying vessel provided with the system described above for carrying out operations along an annular junction portion of a pipeline.

In this way, thanks to the reduced overall dimensions of the system, more space is available on the laying vessel for carrying out other operations as well.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for carrying out operations along an annular junction portion of a pipeline, comprising:

clamping a C-shaped structure of a frame about a pipeline extending along a longitudinal axis and near an annular junction portion; the frame comprising at least one driving device arranged along an arc of an annular path and coupled to the structure;

resting a support arm coupled to the structure on the pipeline so as to maintain the laying plane of the driving device substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis; and

moving a carriage coupled to the driving device in a slidable manner; and

carrying out operations along the annular junction portion by means of at least one operating device cantilever supported by the annular segment.

In this way, operations can be carried out in a reliable and precise manner. Moreover, the support arm allows rapid and stable positioning of the frame on which the carriage supporting the operating device can move.

In greater detail, clamping the structure comprises moving two jaws of the structure from a rest position to an operating position wherein the pipeline is clamped. In this way, the positioning of the structure is carried out in a simple and quick manner.

In greater detail, the step of resting a support arm on the pipeline comprises regulating the length of a first portion of the support arm articulated to the structure, and regulating the length of a second portion of the support arm, which has one end articulated to the first portion and one free end configured to rest on the pipeline .

In greater detail, the method comprises the step of adjusting the position of the frame with respect to the pipeline. Preferably, the step of adjusting the position of the frame with respect to the pipeline comprises arranging at least two adjustable spacers of the structure into contact with the pipeline and adjusting the length of said spacers on the basis of the dimensions of the pipeline. In this way, the adaptation to different pipe diameters is carried out in a quick and easy manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of a non-limiting embodiment thereof, with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of a system for carrying out operations along an annular junction portion of a pipeline in accordance with the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a front view, with parts removed for clarity, of the system in Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a perspective view, with exploded parts and parts removed for clarity, of the system in Figure 1;

- Figures 4-6 are schematic, rear view representations of the system of Figure 1 in three different configurations ;

- Figures 7, 9, 11, 13, 14 are schematic, front view representations of the system of Figure 1 in different operating positions;

Figures 8, 10, 12 are schematic, side view representations of the system of Figure 1 in different operating positions. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In Figure 1, reference number 1 indicates a system for carrying out operations along an annular junction portion 2 of a pipeline 3 in accordance with the present invention.

The pipeline 3 extends along a longitudinal axis A and comprises at least two cylindrical sections 5 coupled together .

Preferably, the sections 5 are made of steel.

In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein, the sections 5 are coated with a first polymeric coating 6, which has the function of protecting the steel pipe from corrosion, and with a second optional coating 7 made of Gunite or concrete, the function of which is to weigh down the pipeline.

The coupling area between the two sections 5 defines the annular junction portion 2.

In the annular junction portion 2, there are a central portion 8, without coating and comprising a welding ring 9 between the two sections 5, and two annular side portions 10, arranged at the sides of the first central portion 8, in which, preferably, only the first coating 6 is present.

The system 1 comprises a frame 12, a support arm 13, a carriage 14, at least one operating device 15, and a transmission 16 for advancing the carriage 14.

The frame 12 comprises a C-shaped structure 17, and a driving device 18 coupled to the structure 17 and arranged along an arc of a circle.

The structure 17 is configured to be selectively clamped about the pipeline 3 near the annular junction portion 2.

In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein, the structure 17 comprises two support plates 19, at least two adjustable spacers 20, at least two movable jaws 21, and at least two actuators 22 for controlling the position of the jaws 21.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the support plates 19 are substantially C-shaped and coupled together so as to be spaced apart and parallel to one another. Preferably, the two support plates 19 are substantially identical.

The spacers 20 are housed between the two support plates 19 and arranged in contact with the pipeline 3.

The spacers 20 extend along respective axes B1 B2 and have an adjustable length.

Preferably, the axes B1 and B2 are arranged along distinct radial directions with respect to the axis A of the pipeline 3.

More preferably, the axes B1 and B2 are symmetrical with respect to a median plane m, which passes through the axis A of the pipeline 3 and substantially divides the pipeline 3 and the support plates 19 in two. In detail, each spacer 20 is provided with a first end 23 suitable to be placed in contact with the outer surface of the pipeline 3, and with a second end 24 opposite the first end along the respective axis B1 or B2 and provided with adjustment means 25 for adjusting the length of the spacer 20.

In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein, the first end 23 is suitable to be placed in contact with the outer surface of the second coating 7 of the pipeline 3.

Preferably, the first end 23 is substantially L-shaped so that, in use, the inner surface 26 of the first end 23 can be placed resting on the edge of the second coating 7 facing the annular junction portion 2 (a configuration that is more clearly visible in Figure 3) .

The jaws 21 are coupled to at least one of the support plates 19 and movable between an operating position wherein the pipeline 3 is clamped (configurations schematically shown in Figures 5-7, 9 and 11), in which the jaws 21 are arranged in abutment against the outer surface of the pipeline 3, and a rest position (configurations in Figures 1, 2, 4), in which the jaws 21 are not in contact with the outer surface of the pipeline 3.

In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein, each jaw 21 comprises one arm 27 provided with one end 28 that has a support element 29, preferably made of a high friction coefficient material (for example rubber), and one end 30 hinged around a pin 31 (partially visible in Figure 3) coupled to a respective actuator 22.

Each actuator 22 comprises a rod-crank system 32 provided with a piston 33, which preferably is a pneumatic piston .

The actuators 22 are regulated by a control system, not shown in the attached figures, configured to operate the actuators 22 so as to coordinate the gripping action of both j aws 21.

With reference to Figure 1, the support arm 13 is coupled to the frame 12 and resting on the pipeline 3. The support arm 13 is configured to provide a further support for the frame 12 offset with respect to the supports defined by the spacers 20.

The support arm 13 is configured so as to maintain the laying plane of the driving device 18 substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A of the pipeline 3.

In detail, the support arm 13 is provided with a first portion 35 and a second portion 36.

With reference to Figure 3, the first portion 35 is provided with a first end 37 articulated to the structure 17, and with a second end 38 coupled to the second portion 36. The second portion 36 has one part 39 articulated to the second end 38 of the first portion 35, and a free end 40 configured to be placed in contact with the pipeline 3.

The first portion 35 has an adjustable length to allow the axial distance between the structure 17 and the second contact point defined by the free end 40 to be adjusted.

The second portion 36 has an adjustable length to allow the height of the support arm to be adjusted based on the diameter of the pipeline 3 on which it rests.

In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein, the support arm 13 is configured to rest on the pipeline 3 on the opposite side of the annular junction portion 2.

In other words, the structure 17 is clamped to the outer surface of the second coating 7 of a section 5 of the pipeline 3, the support arm 13 extends over the annular junction portion 2, and the free end 40 is placed resting on the outer surface of the second coating 7 of the other section 5 of the pipeline 3.

A variant, not shown, provides that the support arm 13 is placed resting on the same section 5 of the pipeline 3 to which the structure 17 is clamped.

The frame 12 is also provided with lightening holes 34 made on the support plates 19.

The driving device 18 comprises a plurality of driving elements 42 arranged along an outer face 41 of the structure 17 facing the annular junction portion 2 so as to create a guide in which the carriage 14 can slide.

With particular reference to Figures 2 and 3, the driving elements 42 comprise pairs of rollers 43 and driving pins 44.

Each pair of rollers 43 comprises one roller 43 arranged along a first circumferential direction Cl, and one roller 43 arranged along a second circumferential direction C2. The first circumferential direction Cl and the second circumferential direction C2 are defined on the basis of the dimensions of the carriage 14 so that the carriage 14 can be arranged between the rollers 43 of each pair and in contact therewith.

Preferably, the rollers 43 of each pair face radial directions .

Preferably, the pairs of rollers 43 are evenly distributed along the arc of a circle.

Preferably, some driving pins 44 are arranged along the first circumferential direction Cl and others along the second circumferential direction C2.

Preferably, the driving pins 44 along the first circumferential direction Cl are radially offset with respect to the driving pins 44 along the second circumferential direction C2.

The carriage 14 is coupled to the driving device 18 in a slidable manner.

In particular, the carriage 14 comprises an annular segment 45 coupled to the driving device 18 in a slidable manner, a guide 46 orthogonal to the annular segment and cantilever supported with respect to the annular segment 45, a slide 47 engaging the guide 46 in a slidable manner, and at least one actuating device 48 to move the slide 47 along the guide.

The annular segment 45 is moved by the transmission 16 along the annular path in one direction and in the opposite direction .

Preferably, the annular segment 45 extends along an arc of a circle greater than 180°.

In particular, the annular segment 45 is provided with an outer annular toothed surface 50 suitable for cooperating with the transmission 16.

In fact, the transmission 16 is a toothed belt transmission and comprises at least one toothed belt 51, an actuating device 52 and at least one driving pulley 53 for driving the toothed belt 51.

In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein, the transmission 16 comprises two toothed belts 51 and two driving pulleys 53 actuated by the actuating device 52.

The driving pulleys 53 are arranged side by side in contact with the actuating device 52 and coupled to the respective toothed belts 51 so that when a driving pulley 53 causes one toothed belt 51 to be wound, the other toothed belt 51 is unwound. In this way, the carriage 14 can perform angular movements up to 180° in both directions .

The transmission 16 is coupled to the structure 17, in particular to the outer face 41 of the structure 17.

The guide 46 protrudes in a cantilever fashion orthogonally to the laying plane of the annular segment 45.

In other words, since the support arm 13 supports the frame 12 so that the driving device 18 is orthogonal to the axis A of the pipeline 3, the guide 46 extends in a direction parallel to the axis A of the pipeline 3.

The guide 46 has an opening 55 extending in the direction orthogonal to the laying plane of the annular segment 45.

The slide 47 is coupled to one or more operating devices 15 and moves along the opening 55 in the direction orthogonal to the laying plane of the annular segment 45 by means of a movement device 56.

In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein, the carriage 14 comprises two guides 46 arranged at 180° with respect to each other, and two movable slides 47 in the respective guides 46, and two operating devices 15 respectively associated with each slide 47.

Each operating device 15 comprises at least one machining head 57, which is coupled to the slide 55.

Preferably, the coupling between the slide 55 and the machining head 57 is a quick-release coupling. In the non limiting example described and illustrated herein, the coupling between the slide 55 and the machining head 57 is a tightening coupling with a quick-release lever (not shown in the attached figures) .

Preferably, each machining head 57 is coupled to the respective slide 55 so as to be able to perform a movement orthogonal to the axial direction of the pipeline 3 and adjust the distance between the machining head 57 and the pipeline 3. In this way, when the machining head 57 faces the pipeline 3, the machining head 57 can be moved closer to or away from the pipeline 3 based on the type of processing being carried out.

In detail, the coupling between the slide 55 and the machining head 57 can be made so that the adjustment of the distance between the machining head 57 and the pipeline 3 is passive (a solution wherein the distance is adjustable manually and only if necessary) or active (wherein the distance is adjustable automatically) . In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein, the coupling between the slide 55 and the machining head 57 is of the passive type and is achieved by means of a longitudinal bar 58 of the slide 55 on which the machining head 57 is slidable and fixable when tightened.

Moreover, the machining heads 55 are coupled to the respective slide 55 so that the distance between the machining heads 57 coupled to the same slide 55 is adj ustable .

The machining heads 57 may be different depending on the applications.

In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein, the machining heads 57 are sandblasting heads fed by a feed line in which air and abrasive material ejected by respective nozzles 59 are mixed.

The slide 55 can also support cleaning tools, such as, for example, cleaning wire brushes or omnidirectional wheel cleaning tools. These tools can be associated with brush support devices advantageously provided with automatic mechanisms designed to compensate for ovalization, which keep the brushes in contact with the surface of the pipeline to be cleaned.

In use, the positioning of the frame 12 around the pipeline 3 is carried out by an operator using a bridge crane .

The frame 12 is clamped to the pipeline 3 through actuation of the actuators 22 which move the jaws 21 from the rest position (Figure 4) to the operating position wherein the pipeline 3 is clamped (Figure 5), wherein the support elements 29 of the jaws 20 are arranged in abutment against the outer surface of the pipeline 3. The actuators 22 are preferably actuated by an operator by pressing a special key for actuating the pistons 33 of the actuators 22.

Subsequently, adjusting the position of the frame 12 comprises adjusting the length of the spacers 20 (Figure 6) and the length of the second portion 36 of the support arm 14 (Figure 7) based on the diameter of the pipeline 3, and adjusting the length of the first portion 35 of the support arm 13 (Figure 8) based on the axial dimensions of the annular junction portion 2.

During the steps of positioning, clamping and adjusting the position of the frame 12, the carriage 14 is coupled to the frame 12 in a "rest" position in which it does not protrude from the structure 17 of the frame 12. In this way, the carriage 14 is protected from possible damage .

Once the frame 12 has been positioned, it is possible to proceed with the processing of the annular junction portion 2.

The processing involves a step of positioning the carriage 14 and the machining heads 57 in a "starting" position .

In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein, the starting position for the carriage 14 is shown in Figure 9. In this position, the carriage 14 is rotated from the rest position counterclockwise by approximately 90° so that the machining heads 57 supported by the slides 55 are arranged along the median plane which passes through the axis A and substantially divides the frame 12 in two. The starting position for the machining head 57 is shown in Figure 12 and corresponds to the position in which the machining heads 57 are arranged proximal to the carriage 14.

It should be understood that the starting position is arbitrary and may be different from those shown in figures 9 and 12.

Once the carriage 14 and the machining heads 57 have been positioned in the "starting" position, the machining heads 57 are actuated and the slide 55 is moved axially towards the position distal to the carriage 14, the carriage 14 is then rotated clockwise by a certain angle (Figure 11), and the slide 55 is moved axially towards the position proximal to the carriage 14 (Figure 12) .

These steps are repeated until the area of the annular junction portion 2 has been completely covered by the machining heads 57 until the final position shown in Figure 13 is reached, in which the carriage 14 is rotated 180° with respect to the starting position.

Once the processing is complete, the carriage 14 is repositioned in the rest position (Figure 14) by a 90° counterclockwise rotation.

The starting position, the final position, the rest position and the intermediate processing positions are determined automatically thanks to the presence of endstops set by switches (limit switches) .

Finally, the frame 12 is released from the pipeline 3 by moving the jaws 21 to the rest position, and removed from the work station by means of a bridge crane.

Advantageously, the system according to the present invention allows processing on the annular junction portion 2 to be carried out in a short time. In fact, the lightness of the system 1 according to the present invention guarantees important performances, with a longitudinal speed of about 150 mm/ s and a tangential speed of about 150 mm/ s .

Thanks to the extreme flexibility in terms of adjusting the positioning of the frame 12, the system 1 according to the present invention can be adopted on pipelines 3 having different axial lengths of the annular junction portion 2 and/or different diameters and/or different coatings. Moreover, thanks to the compact and light structure of the system 1 according to the present invention, the movement of the parts of the system 1 is safe even in difficult working conditions, with major rolling and pitching movements of the laying vessel.

Handling is also simple and fast (it only requires the use of a bridge crane and basic lashings) and does not interfere with the other equipment present in the work station .

Lastly, the system 1 according to the present invention can also be advantageously adopted on pipelines 3 which have a minimum gap, equal to about 0.5 m, between the lower part of the pipeline 3 and the floor.

It is clear that the present invention includes further variants that are not explicitly described, without however departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.