Monitoring integrity of a riser pipe network
AssigneeOneSubsea IP UK Limited
InventorVincent Alliot
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems are described for monitoring the integrity of a subsea pipeline network to transport the production fluid from a subsurface wellhead to surface facilities. More specifically, the described methods and systems are for monitoring the integrity of a riser pipe network and can include installing one or more inclinometers to the buoyancy tank and/or vertical riser structures.
Claims17
A method for monitoring the integrity of a subsea riser system configured to lift a production fluid from a subsurface wellhead to a surface facility, the method comprising:
- receiving inclinometer data representing measurements from an inclinometer positioned and configured to measure tilt of at least one of a buoyancy tank of the subsea riser system and a vertical riser pipe of the subsea riser system;
- evaluating an amount of water within the buoyancy tank based at least in part on the inclinometer data;
- and
- issuing an alarm signal indicating to an operator that a loss of riser system integrity may have occurred, wherein the issuing of the alarm is based at least in part on the evaluation of the amount of water within the buoyancy tank.
A system for monitoring a subsea riser system configured to lift a production fluid from a subsurface wellhead to a surface facility, the system comprising:
- a vertical riser pipe configured to lift the production fluid from the subsurface wellhead;
- a buoyancy tank configured to provide an upward buoyancy force thereby exerting an uplift tension to the vertical riser so as to maintain the vertical riser pipe in a vertical orientation;
- a flexible pipe configured to transport the production fluid from the vertical riser pipe to the surface facility;
- an inclinometer configured to measure tilt of at least one of the buoyancy tank or the vertical riser pipe;
- and
- a data processing system configured to evaluate an amount of water within the buoyancy tank based at least in part on the data from said inclinometer, and to issue an alarm signal indicating to an operator that a loss of riser system integrity may have occurred, wherein the issuing of the alarm is based at least in part on the evaluation of the amount of water within the buoyancy tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.