# US 2022/0034747 A1 · System and method for detecting watertightness in the annular space of flexible lines > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0034747 A1 - Document ID: US20220034747A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/298,482 - Filed: 2019-12-02 - Published: 2022-02-03 - Earliest claimed: 2018-12-03 - Assignees: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras - Applicants: PetróLeo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras - Inventors: Paulo Roberto SANTOS POLI; Joao Marcio DE CASTILHO SANTOS; Gustavo PINTO PIRES; Cassio KUCHPIL; Carlos Eduardo MAIA DE SOUZA - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220034747A1 ## CPC - G01M 3/2815: {using pressure measurements} - G01M 3/2853: {for pipe joints or seals (G01M3/30 takes precedence)} - E21B 41/0007: {for underwater installations (E21B41/005, E21B41/04, E21B41/06, E21B41/08, E21B41/10 take precedence)} - E21B 47/06: Measuring temperature or pressure - E21B 47/117: Detecting leaks, e.g. from tubing, by pressure testing - G01L 7/18: using liquid as the pressure-sensitive medium, e.g. liquid-column gauges - G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) ## Abstract The present invention relates to a system for detecting the watertightness or flooding of the annulus of flexible lines from a connector, comprising: an assembly of plunger (3) and cylinder (4) that are connected by a rod to a chamber (19) that acts as a pilot valve, connected directly to the outlet of a safety valve of a connector of the flexible line, in which same are fitted using a sealing system (6). The system is operated by commands sent to the ROV (2) that has an arm (21) and that controls the system using a handle (9). The present invention also describes the operating method of the device and how the obtained results lead to a preprogrammed conclusion regarding the watertightness (or otherwise) of the annulus. Other methods are provided to obtain fluid samples in the annulus for subsequent analysis and enable the safety valve to be removed from the connectors. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for detecting the water tightness of the annulus in a flexible line from a connector comprising: a device containing a plunger and a cylinder, a sealing system, a pressure gauge and a rod, the rod is connected to another chamber for controlled piston-cylinder-type actuation, the face of the cylinder is open and can be fitted into the safety valve of the connector of the flexible line, an ROV including an arm that moves a handle, a control chamber, a coupling and anchoring system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the sealing system is formed by energizing polymer or metal rings against the wall and the base of the recess, as well as by opening threads in the wall of the recess or another mechanical device enabling permanent or non-permanent fastening. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the ROV is connected to any control device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the connector of a flexible line includes pressure safety valves (PSV). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the device contains a sampling chamber and a valve. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the device contains a hexagonal socket, a rod and a handle, and the chamber of the control device is replaced by the chamber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method for detecting watertightness in a flexible line from a connector according to the system in claim 1, comprising: positioning the device in the seat including the pressure safety valve in the connector, activating the seals against the wall of the seat, moving the plunger forwards using the hydraulic action of the ROV, checking operation of the seal by the fluctuation of the pressure value in the pressure gauge, withdrawing the plunger to cause a pressure drop, verified by the pressure gauge, If the indicated pressure is equal to the hydrostatic pressure, then the annulus is flooded with seawater, but if the pressure indicated by the pressure gauge is less than the hydrostatic pressure, then the annulus is watertight. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the induced pressure is preferably at least 20 bar less than the hydrostatic pressure, or any other value from 2 bar. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein a loss of watertightness is indicated by the pressure in the pressure gauge not dropping when the plunger is withdrawn. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the presence of the sampling chamber and the valve, and in that the watertightness result enables the following steps to be carried out: connecting a valve and a vacuumized sampling chamber to the connection of the pressure gauge, withdrawing the plunger, causing the safety valve to open, and thereby filling the cylinder with fluid from the annulus, opening the valve, filling the sampling chamber with samples, allowing the pressure to equalize with the cylinder, closing the valve and removing the sampling chamber. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, comprising: removing the control chamber, engaging the uncontrolled chamber, moving the assembly comprising the hexagonal socket, the rod and the handle to the position of the valve using commands given to the ROV, rotating the handle to remove the valve that is screwed on, withdrawing the socket with the engaged valve to remove said valve from the seat, where applicable, removing the uncontrolled chamber to swap the valve.