IP Library Granted Patent US 8,821,070
Granted Patent B2
US 8,821,070 · App. 13/577,350 · Granted Sep 2, 2014

Method for constructing a riser assembly from a vessel and on a seabed

Inventors: Cornelis Benard (Leiden, NL); Cristian Rogier Koene (Leiden, NL); Eduard Wiersema (Leiden, NL); Frank Cornelis Lange (Leiden, NL)
Assignee: Heerema Marine Contractors Nederland SE
E21B17/01E21B17/012E21B19/002
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,821,070
App. No.
13/577,350
Granted
Sep 2, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for constructing a riser assembly ( 1 ) for transporting a fluid from a vessel and on a seabed includes providing an elongate frame ( 4 ) having a first frame end ( 5 ) and a second frame end ( 6 ), where the first frame end is connected to the seabed ( 3 ) and the second frame end is connected to a buoy ( 7 ), providing at least one riser ( 9 ) for transporting a fluid, and connecting the at least one riser to the second frame end and/or the buoy.

Claims (16)

1. A method for constructing a riser assembly for transporting a fluid from a vessel and on a seabed, comprising:

providing an elongate frame comprising a first frame end, a second frame end, and a longitudinal frame axis, wherein the first frame end is connected to the seabed and the second frame end is connected to a buoy;

providing at least one riser for transporting a fluid; wherein the method comprises moving the at least one riser located besides the frame or the buoy in a direction transverse to the longitudinal frame axis of the elongate frame into a position wherein the at least one riser is located adjacent to the second frame end or the buoy, and

connecting the at least one riser to the second frame end or the buoy.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method comprises connecting the at least one riser to the second frame end or the buoy at a location near the circumference of the buoy.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method comprises moving the at least one riser located besides the frame and the buoy in a direction transverse to the longitudinal frame axis of the elongate frame into a position wherein the at least one riser is located adjacent to the second frame end and the buoy.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method comprises connecting the at least one riser to the second frame end or the buoy by lowering the at least one riser on a support device provided on the second frame end or the buoy.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method comprises connecting the frame to the seabed while the frame is suspending from a lifting device provided on the vessel.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method comprises placing the at least one riser in an installed position wherein the movement of at least one riser relative to the frame and in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal frame axis of the frame is limited.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the elongate frame comprises multiple spacers for holding at least one riser, the spacers being positioned at a distance from each other along the longitudinal frame axis and the method comprises placing the at least one riser in the installed position wherein the at least one riser is held by the spacers.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the spacers comprise limiters for limiting the movement of a riser located in the installed position and the limiters comprise a limiter opening and the method comprises moving the at least one riser located besides the frame or the buoy in a direction transverse to the longitudinal frame axis of the elongate frame into a received position, and wherein the limiters at least partly surround the at least one riser, and moving the at least one riser in the received position by passing the at least one riser through the limiter opening.

9. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the spacers comprise limiters for limiting the movement of a riser located in the installed position and the limiters comprise a limiter opening and the method comprises moving the at least one riser located besides the frame or the buoy in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal frame axis of the elongate frame into a received position, and wherein the limiters at least partly surround the at least one riser, and moving the at least one riser in the received position by passing the at least one riser through the limiter opening.

10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the at least one riser comprises radial extending protruding members located at a distance from each other along a longitudinal riser axis of the at least one riser, the dimensions of the protruding members are chosen such that the protruding members can be placed in the received position wherein a passage of the protruding members through the limiter opening is blocked and the method comprises placing the riser in the received position and lowering the riser such that the protruding members are placed in the received position so that the riser is located in the installed position.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the method comprises positioning the protruding members and the limiters such that by moving the at least one riser in a direction of the longitudinal riser axis, the protruding members are successively placed in or removed out of the received position.

12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method comprises installing oil or gas processing equipment on top of the buoy.

13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises connecting the at least one riser to the second frame end and the buoy.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 30, 2013
From: HEEREMA MARINE CONTRACTORS NEDERLAND B.V.
To: HEEREMA MARINE CONTRACTORS NEDERLAND SE
Reel/Frame 030901/0675 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 7, 2012
From: BENARD, CORNELIS; KOENE, CRISTIAN ROGIER; WIERSEMA, EDUARD; LANGE, FRANK CORNELIS
To: HEEREMA MARINE CONTRACTORS NEDERLAND B.V.
Reel/Frame 028736/0086 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 61303114 · Feb 10, 2010
Provisional Application 61393490 · Oct 15, 2010
Related Publication 20120318379A1 · Dec 20, 2012