Flexible pipe connector suitable for effecting control and forced circulation of anticorrosive fluids through the annulus of the flexible pipe

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11549634-B2
Application number	US-201816618693-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 30, 2018
Priority date	May 30, 2017
Publication date	Jan 10, 2023
Grant date	Jan 10, 2023

Abstract

A flexible pipe connector for effecting control and forced circulation of corrosion-inhibiting fluids through an annulus between inner and outer sheaths of a flexible pipe having multiple connected segments includes an attachment mechanism for connecting to an end of a segment of flexible pipe and at least two distributing rings for distributing corrosion-inhibiting fluid. The rings are configured to be positioned in the annulus of the flexible pipe, wherein at least one distributing ring has fluidic access to the annulus of the flexible pipe. This distributing ring is configured to be connected fluidically to at least one distributing ring, in an adjacent connector, that does not have fluidic access to the annulus, A distributing ring that does not have fluidic access to the annulus of the flexible pipe is configured to be connected fluidically to at least one distributing ring, in an adjacent connector, that comprises fluidic access to the annulus.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. Flexible pipe connector for effecting control and forced circulation of corrosion-inhibiting fluids through an annulus between inner and outer sheaths of a flexible pipe comprising multiple connected segments, the flexible pipe connector comprising:
at least two distributing rings for distributing corrosion-inhibiting fluid, the at least two rings positioned in an annular space of the flexible pipe connector and aligned with the annulus of the flexible pipe;
wherein at least one first distributing ring has fluidic access to the annulus of the flexible pipe, the at least one first distributing ring being configured to be connected fluidically to at least one third distributing ring in an adjacent connector that does not have fluidic access to a second flexible pipe annulus of the adjacent connector; and
at least one second distributing ring that does not have fluidic access to the annulus of the flexible pipe, the at least one second distributing ring being configured to be connected fluidically to at least one fourth distributing ring in the adjacent connector that comprises fluidic access to the second flexible pipe annulus of the adjacent connector.

2. The flexible pipe connector according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a first manifold configured to control the flow of corrosion-inhibiting fluid to or through the at least one first distributing ring of the flexible pipe connector having fluidic access to the annulus of the flexible pipe; and
a second manifold configured to control the flow of corrosion-inhibiting fluid to or through the at least one second distributing ring of the flexible pipe connector that does not have fluidic access to the annulus of the flexible pipe.

3. The flexible pipe connector according to claim 2 , wherein the at least first distributing ring of the flexible pipe connector that comprises access to the annulus comprises two annular chambers, wherein:
a first annular chamber is configured to be in fluid communication with: a fluidic communication channel that is configured to be connected to the adjacent connector; at least one collecting or injection pipe; and the first manifold; and
a second annular chamber is configured to be in fluid communication with: the first manifold; and with the annulus of the flexible pipe via holes in one face.

4. The flexible pipe connector according to claim 2 , wherein: the second manifold of the flexible pipe connector comprises channels configured for fluidic communication with a first manifold of the adjacent connector; and the first manifold of the flexible pipe connector comprises channels configured for fluidic communication with a second manifold of the adjacent connector.

5. The flexible pipe connector according to claim 2 , wherein the first and second manifolds of the flexible pipe connector are actuatable by a remotely operated underwater vehicle.

6. The flexible pipe connector according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one second distributing ring of the connector that does not have access to the annulus comprises an annular chamber, a communication channel with the second manifold of the flexible pipe connector, and one or more of: at least one injection pipe connected to one face; at least one collecting pipe connected to one face; ducts fluidically connecting the annular chamber of the at least one second distributing ring to an auxiliary annular chamber; and at least one collecting or injection pipe connected to at least one extension of the annular chamber of the at least one second distributing ring, wherein the collecting or injection pipes are distributed helicoidally along a tensile armor of the flexible pipe.

7. The flexible pipe connector according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one second distributing ring of the flexible pipe connector that does not have access to the annulus of the flexible pipe is in fluid communication with two fluidic communication channels, which are configured for fluidic communication with two adjacent flexible pipe connectors.

8. The flexible pipe connector according to claim 1 , further comprising an access hatch.

9. The flexible pipe connector according to claim 8 , further comprising a removable cover for the access hatch.

10. The flexible pipe connector according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one access channel for injection or collection of corrosion-inhibiting fluid inside said flexible pipe connector.

11. The flexible pipe connector according to claim 1 , further comprising a protective element that includes one of a group consisting of:
a first clamping ring configured to be fixed to an end of the flexible pipe adjacent the flexible pipe connector, and a second clamping ring fixed to an opposite end of the flexible pipe connector; and
a first clamping ring configured to be fixed to the end of the flexible pipe adjacent the flexible pipe connector, and a second clamping ring configured to be fixed to an end of a flexible pipe adjacent the adjacent connector;
wherein the clamping rings are connected via protecting bars distant from the flexible pipe connector, and plates for laying on a seabed are fixed on protecting bars.

12. Method of connecting segments of flexible pipe to effect control and forced circulation of corrosion-inhibiting fluids through an annulus between inner and outer sheaths of the flexible pipe, the method comprising:
attaching an end of a segment of flexible pipe to a first connector, including positioning two distributing rings of the first connector, for distributing corrosion-inhibiting fluid, in an annular space of the flexible pipe connector aligned with the annulus of the flexible pipe segment, the two distributing rings comprising a first distributing ring and a second distributing ring;
wherein the first distributing ring has fluidic access to the annulus of the flexible pipe, and the method further comprises connecting the first distributing ring fluidically to a third distributing ring in an adjacent connector, the third distributing ring in the adjacent connector not having fluidic access to a second flexible pipe annulus of the adjacent connector; and
wherein the second distributing ring does not have fluidic access to the annulus of the flexible pipe, and the method further comprises connecting the second distributing ring fluidically to a fourth distributing ring in the adjacent connector, the fourth distributing ring in the adjacent connector having fluidic access to a second flexible pipe annulus of the adjacent connector.

Assignees

• Petroleo Brasileiro S A —Petrobras

Inventors

• Carpigiani De Almeida Marcos
• Carneiro Campello George
• Ribeiro Jonatas
• Mello Sobreira Rafael Guimarães De
• Loureiro Junior Walter Carrara
• Piza Paes Marcelo Torres

Classifications

• E21B17/02 Primary

  Couplings; joints {(expandable couplings or joints E21B43/106)} · CPC title

• E21B41/02

  in situ inhibition of corrosion in boreholes or wells · CPC title

• F16L58/00

  Protection of pipes or pipe fittings against corrosion or incrustation (compound tubes F16L9/14) · CPC title

• F16L33/01

  specially adapted for hoses having a multi-layer wall · CPC title

• F16L11/081

  comprising one or more layers of a helically wound cord or wire (in combination with braided layers F16L11/088) · CPC title