Pipe retrieval
AssigneeBaker Hughes Energy Technology UK Limited
InventorFabio De Souza PIRES
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for retrieving an underwater flexible pipe and a method for retrieving a subsea pipeline are disclosed. The apparatus for providing data during a flexible pipe retrieval process for an underwater flexible pipe comprises an annulus connection member comprising a housing connectible to a purge outlet of an end fitting of a flexible pipe and a fluid communication passageway having a first end that is connected to and is in fluid communication with the annulus connection member and a further end connected to and in fluid communication with an annulus pressure sensor in a waterproof housing.
Claims20
A method of retrieving an underwater flexible pipe, comprising:
- urging an end region of a flexible pipe towards a floating platform at a flexible pipe retrieval velocity thereby lifting the flexible pipe through water;
- as the flexible pipe is lifted, determining a relationship between an annulus pressure in an annulus region of the flexible pipe and a local water pressure proximate to at least one purge outlet on an end fitting of the flexible pipe;
- and
- responsive to the relationship, selecting the flexible pipe retrieval velocity.
Apparatus for providing data during a flexible pipe retrieval process for an underwater flexible pipe, comprising:
- an annulus connection member comprising a housing connectible to a purge outlet of an end fitting of a flexible pipe;
- and
- a fluid communication passageway having a first end that is connected to and is in fluid communication with the annulus connection member and a further end connected to and in fluid communication with an annulus pressure sensor in a waterproof housing.
A method of retrieving a subsea pipeline, comprising:
- one-by-one, urging an end of a flexible pipe, of each of a plurality of flexible pipes of a pipeline that comprises a plurality of flexible pipes disposed in an end-to-end configuration, towards a surface platform thereby lifting the pipeline through the water;
- and
- varying a flexible pipe retrieval velocity responsive to an annulus pressure in an annulus region of a current uppermost flexible pipe of the pipeline as the flexible pipes of the pipeline are lifted, to maintain at least a predetermined average flexible pipe retrieval velocity for the pipeline.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.