Patent US4098091A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4098091A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Riser guide member
Assignee: Brown and Root Inc
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Filing: 1977-08-01
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Granted: 1978-07-04
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Expires: 1997-08-01
Abstract
Abstract A guide member having the advantage of the "J-tube" and "bending shoe" risers, for installing a riser pipeline between a submerged pipeline and an above water facility of an offshore apparatus, is disclosed. The guide member has a J-shape and has three sections: a long, tubular, vertically extending upper section, a short, tubular, substantially horizontal lead-in section, and a curved channel section extending between the upper and lead-in sections. The curved channel section is open on a side away from the lead-in section. The resulting guide member requires a substantially smaller pulling force than would be required with a comparable J-tube riser and avoids the manipulative complications of conventional "bending shoe" risers.
Inventors
- 👤 Ardeshir R. Desai
- 👤 Dayton M. Simpson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:42
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/12; F16L1/14; F16L1/15; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/0107; E21B43/013; E21B43/0135
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
Apparatus for guiding installation of a riser member which connects an underwater pipeline lying substantially on the bottom of a body of water to an above water facility of an offshore apparatus comprising a J-shaped riser guide member having a long tubular, vertically extending upper section, a short tubular substantially horizontal lead-in section, and a curved channel section connecting said vertical section and said lead-in section, said curved channel section being open on a side away from the lead-in section, means for securing said J-shaped member to said offshore apparatus, said lead-in section being positioned substantially at the bottom of said body of water, and a pipeline pulling apparatus for pulling a riser pipeline through said J-shaped member starting at said lead-in section, whereby said pipeline pulling apparatus requires less pulling force than would be required if said J-shaped member were a tubular member for its entire length, said lead-in section provides initial control and guidance during riser installation, and said upper section provides stabilizing control of said riser during installation as said riser leaves said curved channel section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
Apparatus for guiding installation of a riser member which connects an underwater pipeline lying substantially on the bottom of a body of water to an above water facility of an offshore apparatus comprising a J-shaped riser guide member having a long tubular, vertically extending upper section, a short tubular substantially horizontal lead-in section, and a curved channel section connecting said vertical section and said lead-in section, said curved channel section being open on a side away from the lead-in section, means for securing said J-shaped member to said offshore apparatus, said lead-in section being positioned substantially at the bottom of said body of water, and a pipeline pulling apparatus for pulling a riser pipeline through said J-shaped member starting at said lead-in section, whereby said pipeline pulling apparatus requires less pulling force than would be required if said J-shaped member were a tubular member for its entire length, said lead-in section provides initial control and guidance during riser installation, and said upper section provides stabilizing control of said riser during installation as said riser leaves said curved channel section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vertically extending upper section, at an end near the channel section, has a bell mouth to aid in guiding said pipeline when it is being pulled.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
242 words
Apparatus for connecting an underwater pipeline lying substantially on the bottom of a body of water to an above water facility of an offshore apparatus comprising a J-shaped riser guide member having a long tubular, vertically extending upper section, a short tubular substantially horizontal lead-in section, and a curved channel section connecting said vertical section and said lead-in section, said curved channel section being open on a side away from the lead-in section, means for securing said J-shaped member to said offshore apparatus with said lead-in section being positioned substantially at the bottom of said body of water, a riser pipeline contained longitudinally within said J-shaped riser guide member, a plug at the bottom of said vertically extending upper section between an exterior wall of said riser pipeline and an interior wall of said vertically extending section, and a hardenable material between the exterior wall of said riser pipeline and the interior wall of said vertical section for encasing a portion of said riser pipeline in said vertically extending upper section, whereby a pipeline pulling apparatus requires less pulling force than would be required if said J-shaped member were a tubular member for its entire length, said lead-in section provides initial control and guidance during riser installation, said upper section provides stabilizing control of said riser during installation as said riser leaves said curved channel section, and said upper section is sealed against the corrosion and wearing effects of the water environment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
242 words
Apparatus for connecting an underwater pipeline lying substantially on the bottom of a body of water to an above water facility of an offshore apparatus comprising a J-shaped riser guide member having a long tubular, vertically extending upper section, a short tubular substantially horizontal lead-in section, and a curved channel section connecting said vertical section and said lead-in section, said curved channel section being open on a side away from the lead-in section, means for securing said J-shaped member to said offshore apparatus with said lead-in section being positioned substantially at the bottom of said body of water, a riser pipeline contained longitudinally within said J-shaped riser guide member, a plug at the bottom of said vertically extending upper section between an exterior wall of said riser pipeline and an interior wall of said vertically extending section, and a hardenable material between the exterior wall of said riser pipeline and the interior wall of said vertical section for encasing a portion of said riser pipeline in said vertically extending upper section, whereby a pipeline pulling apparatus requires less pulling force than would be required if said J-shaped member were a tubular member for its entire length, said lead-in section provides initial control and guidance during riser installation, said upper section provides stabilizing control of said riser during installation as said riser leaves said curved channel section, and said upper section is sealed against the corrosion and wearing effects of the water environment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said plug is comprised of a flexible, deformable material and said hardenable material is grout.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said plug is neoprene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said plug is comprised of a flexible material and wherein said plug is inflatable.
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) | 1981-07-03 | 1982-01-02 | 1982-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-03 | 1986-01-02 | 1986-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-03 | 1990-01-02 | 1990-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |