Aluminum riser apparatus, system and method

A riser apparatus for use in offshore drilling for oil or other fossil fuels, the riser apparatus comprising a plurality of riser sections coupled serially end-to-end, wherein each of the riser sections comprises:

• a pipe having a first end and a second end;
• a first flanged coupling welded to the first end of the pipe;
• a second flanged coupling welded to the second end of the pipe;
• wherein the pipe is constructed of an aluminum alloy having a strength-to-weight ratio greater than that of steel and wherein the flanges are constructed of the aluminum alloy;
• wherein the pine, the first flanged coupling and the second flanged coupling are composed of an aluminum alloy known as Russian Designation AL 1980;
• and
• wherein the riser apparatus is subjected to post-welding thermal treatment during manufacture.

A riser apparatus for use in offshore drilling for oil or other fossil fuels, the riser apparatus comprising a plurality of riser sections coupled serially end-to-end, wherein each of the riser sections comprises:

• a pipe having a first end and a second end;
• a first flanged coupling welded to the first end of the pipe, wherein the first flanged coupling includes a first set of one or more openings for holding one or more auxiliary lines;
• a second flanged coupling welded to the second end of the pipe, wherein the second flanged coupling includes a second set of one or more openings for holding the one or more auxiliary lines;
• one or more telescoping joints coupled to the one or more auxiliary lines;
• wherein the pipe, the first flanged coupling, and the second flanged coupling are constructed of a first aluminum alloy having a strength-to-weight ratio greater than that of steel;
• and
• wherein the material used for welding is composed of a second aluminum alloy that is different from the first aluminum alloy.

A riser apparatus for use in offshore drilling for oil or other fossil fuels, the riser apparatus comprising a plurality of riser sections coupled serially end-to-end, wherein each of the riser sections comprises:

• a pipe having a first end and a second end;
• a first flanged coupling welded to the first end of the pipe, wherein the first flanged coupling includes a first set of one or more openings for holding one or more auxiliary lines;
• a second flanged coupling welded to the second end of the pipe, wherein the second flanged coupling includes a second set of one or more openings for holding the one or more auxiliary lines;
• one or more telescoping joints coupled to the one or more auxiliary lines;
• wherein the pipe, the first flanged coupling, and the second flanged coupling are constructed of a first aluminum alloy having a strength-to-weight ratio greater than that of steel;
• wherein the material used for welding is composed of a second aluminum alloy that is different from the first aluminum alloy;
• and
• wherein the riser apparatus is subjected to post-welding thermal treatment during manufacture.

A riser apparatus for use in offshore drilling for oil or other fossil fuels, the riser apparatus comprising a plurality of riser sections coupled serially end-to-end, wherein each of the riser sections comprises:

• a pipe having a first end and a second end;
• a first flanged coupling welded to the first end of the pipe, wherein the first flanged coupling includes a first set of one or more openings for holding one or more auxiliary lines;
• a second flanged coupling welded to the second end of the pipe, wherein the second flanged coupling includes a second set of one or more openings for holding the one or more auxiliary lines;
• one or more telescoping joints coupled to the one or more auxiliary lines;
• wherein the pipe, the first flanged coupling, and the second flanged coupling are constructed of a first aluminum alloy having a strength-to-weight ratio greater than that of steel;
• wherein the material used for welding is composed of a second aluminum alloy that is different from the first aluminum alloy;
• and
• wherein the riser apparatus has a length of approximately 3,000 meters or greater.

A riser apparatus for use in offshore drilling for oil or other fossil fuels, the riser apparatus comprising a plurality of riser sections coupled serially end-to-end, wherein each of the riser sections comprises:

• a pipe having a first end and a second end;
• a first flanged coupling welded to the first end of the pipe, wherein the first flanged coupling includes a first set of one or more openings for holding one or more auxiliary lines;
• a second flanged coupling welded to the second end of the pipe, wherein the second flanged coupling includes a second set of one or more openings for holding the one or more auxiliary lines;
• one or more telescoping joints coupled to the one or more auxiliary lines;
• wherein the pipe, the first flanged coupling, and the second flanged coupling are constructed of a first aluminum alloy having a strength-to-weight ratio greater than that of steel;
• wherein the material used for welding is composed of a second aluminum alloy that is different from the first aluminum alloy;
• and
• wherein the auxiliary lines comprise choke and kill pipes.

A riser apparatus for use in offshore drilling for oil or other fossil fuels, the riser apparatus comprising a plurality of riser sections coupled serially end-to-end, wherein each of the riser sections comprises:

• a pipe having a first end and a second end;
• a first flanged coupling welded to the first end of the pipe, wherein the first flanged coupling includes a first set of one or more openings for holding one or more auxiliary lines;
• a second flanged coupling welded to the second end of the pipe, wherein the second flanged coupling includes a second set of one or more openings for holding the one or more auxiliary lines;
• one or more telescoping joints coupled to the one or more auxiliary lines;
• wherein the pipe, the first flanged coupling, and the second flanged coupling are constructed of a first aluminum alloy having a strength-to-weight ratio greater than that of steel;
• wherein the material used for welding is composed of a second aluminum alloy that is different from the first aluminum alloy;
• and
• wherein the auxiliary lines comprise hydraulic pipes.

A riser apparatus for use in offshore drilling for oil or other fossil fuels, the riser apparatus comprising a plurality of riser sections coupled serially end-to-end, wherein each of the riser sections comprises:

• a pipe having a first end and a second end;
• a first flanged coupling welded to the first end of the pipe, wherein the first flanged coupling includes a first set of one or more openings for holding one or more auxiliary lines;
• a second flanged coupling welded to the second end of the pipe, wherein the second flanged coupling includes a second set of one or more openings for holding the one or more auxiliary lines;
• one or more telescoping joints coupled to the one or more auxiliary lines;
• wherein the pipe, the first flanged coupling, and the second flanged coupling are constructed of a first aluminum alloy having a strength-to-weight ratio greater than that of steel;
• wherein the material used for welding is composed of a second aluminum alloy that is different from the first aluminum alloy;
• and
• wherein the auxiliary lines comprise booster pipes.

A system for offshore drilling or production comprising:

• a floating platform;
• a derrick coupled to the platform;
• and
• a riser coupled to the platform, the riser comprising a plurality of riser sections serially coupled end-to-end, wherein each the riser section comprises:
• a pipe having a first end and a second end wherein the pipe is constructed of an aluminum alloy having a strength-to-weight ratio greater than steel;
• a first flanged coupling welded to the first end of the pipe;
• a second flanged coupling welded to the second end of the pipe;
• and
• wherein the first flanged coupling and the second flanged coupling are composed of an aluminum alloy known as Russian Designation AL 1980.

A system for offshore drilling or production comprising:

• a floating platform;
• a derrick coupled to the platform;
• and
• a riser coupled to the platform, the riser comprising a plurality of riser sections serially coupled end-to-end, wherein each the riser section comprises:
• a pipe having a first end and a second end wherein the pipe is constructed of an aluminum alloy having a strength-to-weight ratio greater than steel;
• a first flanged coupling welded to the first end of the pipe;
• a second flanged coupling welded to the second end of the pipe;
• and
• wherein the riser is subjected to post-welding thermal treatment during manufacture.