US4023371A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Riser for an offshore platform
Assignee: Gulf Research and Development Co
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Filing: 1976-05-27
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Granted: 1977-05-17
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Expires: 1996-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A riser having a 90° bend at its lower end is installed at an offshore platform by mounting the riser within casing with a horizontal leg from the 90° bend extending through a hole in the wall of the casing and lowering the casing through guide funnels extending inwardly from the framework of the platform. The guides have openings in their side walls facing inwardly through which the 90° bend passes as the casing and riser are lowered. When the 90° bend is a short distance above the ocean bottom, a lug on the casing enters an oblique slot in an orienting funnel. Further lowering of the casing causes orientation of the casing as the lug travels through the oblique slot to a position with the horizontal leg of the bend in the riser extending along the desired azimuth.
Inventors
- 👤 Randolph Bryant, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:05
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/0107; F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/12; F16L1/14; F16L1/15; E02; E02B; E02B17/00; E02B2017/0095
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
Apparatus for installing a flow line riser pipe at an offshore platform comprising a plurality of vertically spaced guide funnels mounted in alignment on the frame of the platform, a casing extending downwardly through the guide funnels, said casing having a hole in the wall thereof near its lower end, a riser extending downwardly through the casing, said riser having a substantially 90° bend at its lower end and a substantially horizontal leg extending outwardly through the hole in the wall of the casing, an inwardly facing opening in the wall of each guide funnel extending the full length thereof through which the horizontal leg passes on lowering the riser, an orienting funnel in alignment with the guide funnels, an oblique orienting slot in the wall of the orienting funnel, and a lug extending outwardly from the casing positioned to enter the slot and turn the casing on downward movement of the casing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
Apparatus for installing a flow line riser pipe at an offshore platform comprising a plurality of vertically spaced guide funnels mounted in alignment on the frame of the platform, a casing extending downwardly through the guide funnels, said casing having a hole in the wall thereof near its lower end, a riser extending downwardly through the casing, said riser having a substantially 90° bend at its lower end and a substantially horizontal leg extending outwardly through the hole in the wall of the casing, an inwardly facing opening in the wall of each guide funnel extending the full length thereof through which the horizontal leg passes on lowering the riser, an orienting funnel in alignment with the guide funnels, an oblique orienting slot in the wall of the orienting funnel, and a lug extending outwardly from the casing positioned to enter the slot and turn the casing on downward movement of the casing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the orienting funnel is located below the lowest guide funnel, the upper end of the orienting slot is in alignment with the openings in the guide funnel and the lug is directly below the hole in the casing through which the bend extends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which the orienting slot is adapted to rotate the casing for the substantially horizontal leg of the bend to extend outwardly from the platform.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which the openings in the side walls of the guide funnels have a width larger than the outside diameter of the riser pipe and smaller than the outside diameter of the casing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which the casing is tapered at its lower end and has an opening of smaller diameter forming a nozzle at said lower end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 characterized by a notch in the lower surface of the orienting slot at the lower end thereof forming a chamber locking the casing in the desired orientation.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of installing a riser pipe at an offshore platform comprising assembling a riser pipe including a 90° bend within casing with a substantially horizontal leg of the bend extending laterally through an opening in the wall of the casing, lowering the casing into and through guide funnels extending inwardly from the frame of the platform, said guide funnels having an opening facing inwardly generally toward the center of the platform through which the 90° bend in the riser pipe passes, connecting additional joints of pipe to the riser and casing as the casing is lowered toward the ocean bottom until the 90° bend in the riser pipe is just above the ocean bottom, lowering the casing to insert a lug thereon into an oblique slot in an orienting funnel mounted on the frame of the platform in alignment with the guide funnels, continuing to lower the casing whereby the lug travels in the oblique slot and rotates the casing to orient the casing with the horizontal leg of the riser pipe extending outwardly from the platform.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of installing a riser pipe at an offshore platform comprising assembling a riser pipe including a 90° bend within casing with a substantially horizontal leg of the bend extending laterally through an opening in the wall of the casing, lowering the casing into and through guide funnels extending inwardly from the frame of the platform, said guide funnels having an opening facing inwardly generally toward the center of the platform through which the 90° bend in the riser pipe passes, connecting additional joints of pipe to the riser and casing as the casing is lowered toward the ocean bottom until the 90° bend in the riser pipe is just above the ocean bottom, lowering the casing to insert a lug thereon into an oblique slot in an orienting funnel mounted on the frame of the platform in alignment with the guide funnels, continuing to lower the casing whereby the lug travels in the oblique slot and rotates the casing to orient the casing with the horizontal leg of the riser pipe extending outwardly from the platform.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-05-16 | 1980-11-15 | 1981-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-16 | 1984-11-15 | 1985-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-16 | 1988-11-15 | 1989-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |