Gas venting

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9546751-B2
Application number	US-201214129129-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 27, 2012
Priority date	Jul 4, 2011
Publication date	Jan 17, 2017
Grant date	Jan 17, 2017

Abstract

An end fitting ( 300 ), flexible pipe ( 100 ), riser ( 203 ), and method of producing the same are disclosed. A method of venting gas from annuli ( 312, 319 ) of a flexible pipe is also disclosed. The end fitting includes a first vent flow fluid communication path ( 311 ) and a further vent flow fluid communication path ( 318 ). The end fitting is capable of enabling gas to be vented from a flexible pipe body with two annulus regions ( 312, 319 ).

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An end fitting suitable for venting gas from annuli of a flexible pipe body connected thereto, comprising:
a first vent flow fluid communication path connecting in fluid communication an inner annulus region of the flexible pipe body and an exit port at an exterior of the end fitting;
a further vent flow fluid communication path connecting in fluid communication an outer annulus region of the flexible pipe body and either the said exit port or a further exit port at the exterior of the end fitting; and
a non-return valve provided in the further vent flow fluid communication path for inhibiting gas from entering the outer annulus region from the end fitting.

2. The end fitting as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the further vent flow fluid communication path is suitable for connecting in fluid communication the outer annulus region of the flexible pipe body and the exit port.

3. The end fitting as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the further vent flow fluid communication path is fluidly connected to the first vent flow fluid communication path.

4. The end fitting as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the non-return valve is provided in the further vent flow fluid communication path at a location between the outer annulus region and a section of the further vent flow fluid communication path at which the first vent flow fluid communication path connects therewith; and
further comprising a further non-return valve provided at a location between the exit port and the section of the further vent flow fluid communication path at which the first vent flow fluid communication path connects therewith.

5. The end fitting as claimed in any of claim 1 , further comprising a chamber region within the end fitting, wherein the first and further vent flow fluid communication paths each connect the respective inner and outer annulus regions to the chamber region, and wherein the chamber region is fluidly connected to the exit port.

6. The end fitting as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising a further non-return valve provided in the first vent flow fluid communication path for inhibiting gas from entering the inner annulus region from the end fitting.

7. The end fitting as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the further vent flow fluid communication path is suitable for connecting in fluid communication the outer annulus region of the flexible pipe body and the further exit port at the exterior of the end fitting.

8. The end fitting as claimed in claim 7 , further comprising a further non-return valve provided in the first vent flow fluid communication path for preventing gas from entering the inner annulus region from the end fitting.

9. The end fitting as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and further vent flow fluid communication paths each comprise a fluid conducting tube element.

10. The end fitting as claimed in claim 1 wherein the end fitting comprises a substantially cup-shaped body portion comprising an open mouth region at an end thereof into which the flexible pipe body is locatable.

11. A flexible pipe comprising an end fitting as claimed in claim said flexible pipe body comprising the inner annulus region and the outer annulus region.

12. The flexible pipe as claimed in claim 11 further comprising a fluid retaining layer defining a bore along which transfer fluids can be transferred, an outer sheath layer defining an outer surface of the flexible pipe body, and a seal layer provided between the fluid retaining layer and the outer sheath layer, with an inner annulus between the fluid retaining layer and seal layer, and an outer annulus between the seal layer and outer sheath layer.

13. A riser comprising the flexible pipe as claimed in claim 11 .

14. A method of providing an end fitting suitable for venting gas from annuli of a flexible pipe body connected thereto, comprising:
providing a first vent flow fluid communication path connecting in fluid communication an inner annulus region of the flexible pipe body and an exit port at an exterior of the end fitting;
providing a further vent flow fluid communication path connecting in fluid communication an outer annulus region of the flexible pipe body and either the said exit port or a further exit port at the exterior of the end fitting; and
providing a non-return valve in the further vent flow fluid communication path for inhibiting gas from entering the outer annulus region from the end fitting.

15. A method of venting gas from annuli of a flexible pipe, comprising:
connecting in fluid communication an inner annulus region of the flexible pipe body and an exit port of an end fitting assembly in which an end of the flexible pipe body is terminated;
connecting in fluid communication an outer annulus region of the flexible pipe body and either the exit port or a further exit port of the end fitting assembly; and
inhibiting gas from entering the outer annulus region from the end fitting assembly via a non-return valve.

Assignees

• Roberts Andrew Peter
• Clevelario Judimar
• Ge Oil & Gas Uk Ltd

Inventors

• Roberts Andrew Peter
• Clevelario Judimar

Classifications

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title

• F16L11/083

  three or more layers · CPC title

• B23P11/00

  Connecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques not otherwise provided for  (connecting sheet metal or metal tubes, rods or profiles B21D39/00; riveting B21J; soldering, unsoldering, welding B23K; hand tools for connecting wire or strip B25B25/00; connecting metal parts by adhesives F16B11/00) · CPC title

• F16L55/00 Primary

  Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems (F16L1/00 - F16L53/00, F16L57/00, F16L59/00 take precedence; repairing or joining pipes on or under water F16L1/26; cleaning of pipes B08B9/02, e.g. removal of blockages B08B9/027; devices for preventing bursting of water pipes by freezing E03B7/10) · CPC title

• F16L33/01 Primary

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