Method and device for sampling pressure barrier of flexible pipes

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12474235-B2
Application number	US-202218086381-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 21, 2022
Priority date	Dec 29, 2021
Publication date	Nov 18, 2025
Grant date	Nov 18, 2025

Abstract

The present invention proposes a split clamp ( 7 ), typical of trepanning operations in pipes, which allows the intervention with a tool ( 3 ) that makes a circular hole in the pipe ( 1 ) under analysis, removing layer by layer, until reaching the pressure barrier ( 2 ). With this, a sample of the layer of interest is removed to be forwarded for analysis. Such a clamp ( 7 ) has means to isolate the pipe ( 1 ) from the external environment, introduce the tool ( 3 ) and remove the same with the sample, also allowing tightness repair of the pipe ( 1 ).

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A method for sampling pressure barrier of flexible pipes comprising:
a) shutting down production, depressurizing, and cleaning a pipe to be evaluated; b) coupling a split clamp on an external side of the pipe; c) intervening with a circular hole tool through a socket of the split clamp; d) removing layer by layer of the pipe until reaching a pressure barrier; e) removing the circular hole tool and introducing a knife; f) collecting a sample from the pressure barrier using a collection tool; g) removing the split clamp; h) introducing a repair device and expand the repair device inside a hole made in the pipe; i) bending an upper edge of the repair device; j) injecting sealing polymer through a first injection channel present in the repair device; k) inserting a sealing disk and a sealing plug; l) Injecting sealing polymer through a second injection channel present in the sealing plug; m) installing a final clamp.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning of the pipe takes place through water and pigs.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the coupling of the split clamp takes place in a vicinity of an end connector close to a Christmas tree.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein temperature control of a cutting process takes place with control and use of low rotation of the circular hole tool and forced circulation of sea water at a cutting point.

5 . A device for sampling pressure barrier of flexible pipes in the method of claim 1 , wherein the split clamp is provided to fix a rotating equipment and introduce the circular hole tool in order to remove the pipe layers until reaching a layer of interest.

6 . The device of claim 5 , wherein the split clamp has a branch with a flange or quick coupling connector.

7 . The device of claim 6 , wherein the circular hole tool is attached to the flange or quick coupling connector.

8 . The device of claim 7 , wherein the circular hole tool is provided with a stop structure adjustable for each pipe.

9 . A device for sampling pressure barrier of flexible pipes in the method of claim 1 , wherein the device introduces the knife to cut a rest of a layer at a point of a circular cut made by the circular hole tool.

10 . A device for sampling pressure barrier of flexible pipes in the method of claim 1 , wherein the device introduces a tool with a magnet to collect pieces of cut metal profiles.

11 . A device for sampling pressure barrier of flexible pipes in the method of claim 1 , wherein the device introduces a sample extractor to recover a cut part.

12 . A device for sampling pressure barrier of flexible pipes in the method of claim 1 , wherein the device has the repair device.

13 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the repair device expands and allows injection of the sealing polymer through the first injection channel to restore tightness of the pipe.

14 . A device for sampling pressure barrier of flexible pipes in the method of claim 1 , wherein the device has the sealing plug and the sealing disk.

15 . A device for sampling pressure barrier of flexible pipes in the method of claim 1 , wherein the sealing plug allows injection of sealing polymer through the second injection channel to restore tightness of the pipe.

16 . A device for sampling pressure barrier of flexible pipes in the method of claim 1 , wherein the device has the final clamp to ensure maintenance of ability of the pipe to be pressurized.

17 . The device of claim 5 , wherein the device is manipulated by ROV or by diver.

Assignees

• Petroleo Brasileiro S A —Petrobras

Inventors

• Fiorenza De Lima Henri

Classifications

• F16L55/175

  by using materials which fill a space around the pipe before hardening · CPC title

• F16L47/34

  Tapping pipes, i.e. making connections through walls of pipes while carrying fluids; Fittings therefor · CPC title

• F16L2011/047

  with a diffusion barrier layer · CPC title

• F16L55/172

  the ring, band or sleeve being tightened by a tangentially arranged threaded pin and a nut · CPC title

• F16L41/06

  making use of attaching means embracing the pipe · CPC title