GB2514200A

GB2514200A - Offshore pile seals, pile sleeves and offshore conductor supported wells

Info

Publication number: GB2514200A
Application number: GB1317087.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Biggs
Original assignee: Aquaterra Energy Ltd
Current assignee: Aquaterra Energy Ltd
Priority date: 2013-09-26
Filing date: 2013-09-26
Publication date: 2014-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 2033-09-26
Also published as: GB2514200B; GB201317087D0

Abstract

The invention relates to offshore pile seals, pile sleeves and offshore conductor supported wells. The pile seal comprises a body that is locatable about an offshore pile, an inflatable seal element 26 and a tongue seal 25 both of which are arranged about the outer surface of the body. In use the inflatable seal and tongue protrude from the body and co-operate with an inner surface of a pile sleeve. The body may comprise an upper centralizer body 23 and a lower centralizer body 24, with the seal pack 22 located between the centralizers. The upper and lower bodies may be welded to the pile. In use the tongue seal is located below the inflatable seal and wipes the inner surface of the pile sleeve prior to the inflatable seal to provide a clean surface and ensure a good seal.

Description

Offshore Pile Seals, Pile Sleeves and Offshore Conductor Supported Welts

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to offshore piLe seals, pile sleeves and offshore conductor supported wells.

In certain embodiments, the invention relates to an Offshore Pile Seal which is located between a resource extracting conductor and a structure supporting piLe, preferably the pile seal is an offshore grout seal.

Background to the Invention

Known grout seals are typically constructed from two centraliser "cans" which are manufactured from rolled and fabricated steel. The two cans are clamped onto a resource extracting conductors by using the compressive force of a bolted flange incorporated within each can. The two centraliser cans are arranged in an upper and Lower configuration, which has a seal pack clamped between the two cans. The seal pack typicaLly comprises two Nitrite rubber rings.

The disadvantages of the known grout seats are: The dimensional control of the fabricated centratiser is difficult to achieve; * there is great potentiaL for the seaLing ring to be damaged during the instaLLation of the seaL onto a resource extracting conductor; * the assembLy of the seaL is compLex and time-consuming.

Figure 1 provides a perspective view of this known grout seaL arrangement, which is generaLLy indicated by 1 and is Located on a resource extracting conductor 2. The seaL pack 6 is Located between an upper centraliser 4 and a Lower centraLiser 7. The seaL pack 6 comprises two annuLar rings 8. The upper and Lower centraLiser cans 4 and 6 further comprise an array of protruding fins 9 and a boLted fLange 10.

It is an objective of the cLaimed invention to overcome at Least some of these disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention

In a broad independent aspect, the invention provides an offshore piLe seaL comprising a body that is LocatabLe about an offshore piLe, an infLatabLe seaL eLement and a tongue seaL both of which are arranged about the outer surface of said body; in use, said infLatabLe seaL and said tongue protrude from said body and cooperate with an inner surface of a piLe sLeeve. This configuration may provide a seaL Located between an offshore pile and a cooperating piLe sleeve that is integraL to a structure which is supported above the sea.

The tongue seaL provides simpLe and effective primary mechanicaL seaL, whereby a deformabLe tongue eLement is tocated between the body of the seaL and the inner surface of a cooperating pipe sLeeve. The infLatabLe seal provides a simpLe and effective secondary seaL, whereby an infLatabLe eLement is subsequentLy infLated and depLoyed between the body of the seaL and the inner surface of a cooperating piLe sLeeve. The subsequent infLation of the infLatabLe seaL prevents it from getting damaged during the assembLy and subsequent instaLLation of the seal.

PreferabLy, said body further comprises a top body eLement and a bottom body eLement, whereby said infLatabLe seaL and said tongue seaL are arranged between them. This configuration provides a seat with a simpLe and robust structure which is simpLe and not compLicated to assembLe or produce.

PreferabLy, both said top and bottom body eLements are annuLar in shape.

This configuration a seaL which is compact, robust and which wiLL provide tighter dimensionaL controL for pLacing the seaL within a piLe sLeeve.

PreferabLy, said infLatable seaL is arranged between said top body eLement and said tongue seaL. This configuration enabLes the tongue seal to wipe any foreign object! materiaL (i.e. mud) away from the inner surface of a cooperating piLe sLeeve, prior to coming into contact with the infLated infLatabLe seaL. This ensures the infLatabLe seaL provides a more reLiabLe seaL with the inner surface of the piLe sLeeve, when infLated.

PreferabLy, said bottom body etement further comprises an annuLar supporting member that cooperates with an outer diameter of a piLe sLeeve. This configuration enables the seaL to be more compact, robust design, which supports and retains both the top and bottom eLements of the seaL body, cLose to the outer surface of the offshore piLe.

PreferabLy, said annuLar supporting member is formed from a roLLed, weLded and machined metaLLic materiaL. This configuration enabLes the supporting member to be weLded to the outer surface of the offshore pipe.

PreferabLy, said top body eLement is fastened to said bottom body eLement.

This configuration enabLes the top body eLement to be removeabLy attached to the bottom body eLement.

PreferabLy, said top body eLement is formed from a roLLed, weLded and machined metaLLic materiaL. This configuration enabLes the top member to be weLded to the outer surface of the off shore pipe.

PreferabLy, said top body eLement further comprises a beveLLed surface Located between a top surface and an outer side surface. This configuration cooperates with the inner surface of a piLe sLeeve so that the seaL can be removed from the piLe sLeeve without jamming or catching an edge of the seaL, against the inner surface of the piLe sLeeve. Therefore providing improved 360 degree guidance for any cooperating centraLising cone.

PreferabLy, said bottom body etement further comprises a beveLLed surface Located a bottom surface and an outer side surface. This configuration cooperates with the inner surface of a piLe sLeeve so that the seaL can be inserted into the piLe sLeeve without jamming or catching an edge of the seaL, against the inner surface of the piLe sLeeve.

Therefore providing improved 360 degree guidance for any cooperating centratising cone.

PreferabLy, said infLatable seaL is retained to said seaL by a nyLon housing.

This configuration retains and supports the infLatabLe seaL to the seaL itseLf, whiLst enabLing it the seaL to expand and contract during its infLation.

PreferabLy, said tongue seaL is retained to said seaL by a fastened fixing pLate.

This configuration enabLes the tongue seaL to be removeabLey attached to the seaL itseLf, therefore enabLing it to be repLaced if the tongue eLement becomes irreparabLy damaged.

PreferabLy, an offshore piLe comprising a seaL according to any the above features.

This configuration provides an offshore piLe with an offshore piLe seaL attached.

PreferabLy, a piLe sLeeve comprising a seaL according to any of the above features.

This configuration provides a piLe sLeeve with an offshore piLe seaL attached, which is intended to support a structure on an offshore piLe PreferabLy, an offshore conductor supported weLL comprising one or more conductors equipped with a seaL according to any of the above features. This configuration provides an offshore conductor supported weLL with an offshore piLe seaL attached.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows a side perspective view of a known group seaL arranged on a resource extracting conductor.

Figure 2 shows a side perspective view of the invention arranged on a resource extracting conductor.

DetaiLed Description of the Invention

Figure 2 shows a grout seal arrangement, generally indicated by 20 Located on a resource extracting conductor 21. A seal pack arrangement 22 is Located between an upper centraliser body 23 and a Lower centraliser body 24.

The seal arrangement 22 comprises a primary tongue seal 25 and a secondary inflatable seal 26, whereby the secondary seal 26 is Located above the primary seaL 25. In use, the primary tongue seal 25 wipes the inner surface of a co-operating pile sleeve of a supported structure (not shown) prior to the secondary seal 26, thereby ensuring the inner surface of the cooperating piLe sleeve is clean for when the secondary seal is inflated against it and thereby providing a good seal.

The inflatable secondary seal 26 is supported above the primary tongue seal by a nylon housing. The primary tongue seal 25 is supported and held in place by a bolted fixing plate 27.

The Lower centralising body 24 of the seaL 20 further comprises a mounting ring. The mounting ring is manufactured from a roLled, welded and machined metalLic ring. When installing the seal, the metaLlic body of the lower centraLising body 20 is welded to the outer surface of a resource extracting conductor 21, which provides the seal with the ability to withstand high axial loadings. The upper centraLiser body 23 is then fastened to the lower centraliser body 24 via one or more bolts. The upper and Lower centraliser bodies 23 and 24 are manufactured from a metaLlic material, therefore enabLing them to be weLded to the outer surface of the resource extracting conductor, which again provides the seaL body 20 with the ability of withstanding higher axiaL loadings. The upper centraliser body 23 further comprises a bevelled edge between its upper and side surfaces.

This enables the grout seaL to be moved freeLy within a co-operating pile sleeve, whereby any protruding edges within the piLe sLeeve are deflected by the bevelLed edge.

The Lower centraLiser body 24 further comprises a beveLLed edge between its bottom and side surfaces, which enabLes the seaL 20 to pass freeLy within the co-operating piLe sLeeve whereby any protruding edges from the inner surface of the piLe sLeeve are defLected by the bevelLed edge.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the infLatabLe secondary seaL 26 is infLated by a gas from an infLation Line that is run within the resource extracting conductor, from the seaL 20 to the supported structure (not shown).

In an aLternative embodiment of the invention, the inflatabLe secondary seaL 26 is infLated by a Liquid from an infLation Line that is run within the resource extracting conductor.

The advantages of the grout seaL are: * more compact, robust and better protected; * the abiLity to withstand higher axiaL loadings; * tighter dimensionaL controL can be achieved of the seaL; * improved 360° guidance is provided by the centraLising cones incorporated within the upper and Lower centraLising bodies of the seaL 20.

Claims

CLaims 1. An offshore piLe seal comprising a body that is locatabLe about an offshore pile, an inflatable seal element and a tongue seal both of which are arranged about the outer surface of said body; in use, said infLatable seal and said tongue protrude from said body and cooperate with an inner surface of a pile sleeve.
2. A seaL according to claim 1, wherein said body further comprises a top body element and a bottom body element, whereby said inflatable seal and said tongue seal are arranged between them.
3. A seaL according to claims 2, wherein both said top and bottom body elements are annular in shape.
4. A seaL according to claim 2, wherein said infLatable seal is arranged between said top body element and said tongue seal.
5. A seaL according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said bottom body element further comprises an annular supporting member that cooperates with an outer diameter of a pile sleeve.
6. A seaL according to claim 5, wherein said annuLar supporting member is formed from a roLLed, welded and machined metaLlic materiaL.
7. A seaL according to any of the preceding claims 2 to 5, wherein said top body element is fastened to said bottom body element.
8. A seaL according to any of the preceding claims 2 to 7, wherein said top body element is formed from a rolLed, welded and machined metaLlic material.
9. A seaL according to any of the preceding claims 2 to 8, wherein said top body element further comprises a bevelled surface located between a top surface and an outer side surface.
10. A seat according to any of the preceding cLaims 2 to 8, wherein said bottom body eLement further comprises a beveLLed surface Located a bottom surface and an outer side surface.
ii. A seat according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein said infLatabLe seaL is retained to said seaL by a nyLon housing.
12. A seat according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein said tongue seaL is retained to said seaL by a fastened fixing pLate.
13. An offshore piLe comprising a seaL according to any of the preceding cLaims.
14. A piLe sLeeve comprising a seaL according to any of the preceding cLaims ito 9.
15. An offshore conductor supported weLL comprising one or more conductors equipped with a seaL according to any of cLaims 1 to 12.
16. An offshore piLe seaL as substantiaLLy hereinbefore described and/or ilLustrated in any appropriate combination of the accompanying text and/or Figure 2.