Flexible pipe and a method of manufacturing a flexible pipe
A flexible pipe and a method of manufacturing a flexible pipe, the flexible pipe comprising a pipe body comprising first and second pipe layers. The pipe body delimits a bore for conveying a fluid, e.g., a fluid relating to oil and gas operations or mining operations, along the length thereof and the first pipe layer is disposed radially inward of the second pipe layer. The flexible pipe further comprises an end fitting to which a first end of the pipe body is connected. The end fitting comprises a tubular connector member concentric to the pipe body and disposed intermediate the first and second pipe layers.
1 . A flexible pipe comprising:
a pipe body comprising first and second pipe layers, the pipe body delimiting a bore for conveying a fluid along a length thereof and the first pipe layer disposed radially inward of the second pipe layer; and
an end fitting to which a first end of the pipe body is connected, the end fitting comprising a tubular connector member concentric to the pipe body and disposed intermediate the first and second pipe layers,
wherein the innermost surface of the entire end fitting is provided at least in part by the tubular connector member, and
wherein the first pipe layer extends into the end fitting over a length at least equal to the total length of the innermost surface of the entire end fitting.
2 . A flexible pipe according to claim 1 , wherein the first pipe layer is a polymeric pipe layer providing an impervious liner.
3 . A flexible pipe according to claim 1 , wherein the first pipe layer delimits the bore and therefore separates the tubular connector member from the bore.
4 . A flexible pipe according to claim 1 , wherein the second pipe layer is a composite pipe layer formed of a composite comprising a reinforcement embedded in a thermoplastic matrix material.
5 . A flexible pipe according to claim 4 , wherein the second pipe layer is formed of one or more helically wrapped tapes formed of the composite, and optionally wherein the reinforcement comprises a plurality of metallic wires.
6 . A flexible pipe according to claim 1 , wherein the end fitting comprises a further tubular connector member disposed radially outward of the second pipe layer.
7 . A flexible pipe according to claim 6 , wherein the second pipe layer is clamped between the tubular connector member and the further tubular connector member.
8 . A flexible pipe according to claim 1 , wherein the pipe body comprises a third pipe layer disposed radially outward of second pipe layer.
9 . A flexible pipe according to claim 8 , wherein the third pipe layer is a polymeric pipe layer providing a protective sheath.
10 . A flexible pipe according to claim 1 , wherein the bore has substantially constant diameter along a total length of the pipe body.
11 . A flexible pipe according to claim 1 , wherein the pipe body is a reinforced thermoplastic pipe for conveying oil and gas field fluids and/or mining fluids.
12 . A method of manufacturing a flexible pipe, the method comprising:
providing a pipe body comprising first and second pipe layers, the pipe body delimiting a bore for conveying a fluid along the length thereof and the first pipe layer disposed radially inward of the second pipe layer;
providing an end fitting comprising a tubular connector member; and
introducing the tubular connector member intermediate, and concentric to, the first and second pipe layers at a first end of the pipe body to form a connection of the pipe body to the end fitting,
wherein the innermost surface of the entire end fitting is provided at least in part by the tubular connector member, and
wherein the first pipe layer extends into the end fitting over a length at least equal to the total length of the innermost surface of the entire end fitting.
13 . A method according to claim 12 , wherein introducing the tubular connector member comprises separating a length of the second pipe layer from the first pipe layer at the first end of the pipe body and inserting the first pipe layer into the tubular connector member such that the tubular connector member is radially outward of the first pipe layer.
14 . A method according to claim 13 , wherein the second pipe layer is formed of one or more helically wrapped tapes and separating the length of the second pipe layer comprises unwrapping the helically wrapped tapes over the length of the second pipe layer.
15 . A method according to claim 14 , wherein introducing the tubular member comprises wrapping the tapes about the tubular connector member after inserting the first pipe layer into the tubular connector member.
16 . A method according to claim 12 , wherein the method comprises securing a free end of the first pipe layer to the end fitting and/or to a corresponding pipe layer of a further pipe.
17 . A method according to claim 12 , wherein the pipe body comprises a third pipe layer disposed radially outward of second pipe layer, and introducing the tubular connector member comprises removing a length of the third pipe layer.
18 . A method according to claim 12 , wherein the end fitting comprises a further tubular connector member disposed radially outward of the tubular connector member and an annular gap extending therebetween, and the method comprises clamping the second pipe layer in the annular gap.
19 . A method according to claim 18 , wherein clamping the second pipe layer comprises crimping or swaging the further tubular connector member.