NO20210762A1 - An umbilical cable system and appurtenant method - Google Patents
An umbilical cable system and appurtenant method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NO20210762A1 NO20210762A1 NO20210762A NO20210762A NO20210762A1 NO 20210762 A1 NO20210762 A1 NO 20210762A1 NO 20210762 A NO20210762 A NO 20210762A NO 20210762 A NO20210762 A NO 20210762A NO 20210762 A1 NO20210762 A1 NO 20210762A1
- Authority
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- Norway
- Prior art keywords
- cable
- umbilical
- junction box
- fiberoptic
- cable system
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 5
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 11
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 9
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 6
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000007667 floating Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- AOSZTAHDEDLTLQ-AZKQZHLXSA-N (1S,2S,4R,8S,9S,11S,12R,13S,19S)-6-[(3-chlorophenyl)methyl]-12,19-difluoro-11-hydroxy-8-(2-hydroxyacetyl)-9,13-dimethyl-6-azapentacyclo[10.8.0.02,9.04,8.013,18]icosa-14,17-dien-16-one Chemical compound C([C@@H]1C[C@H]2[C@H]3[C@]([C@]4(C=CC(=O)C=C4[C@@H](F)C3)C)(F)[C@@H](O)C[C@@]2([C@@]1(C1)C(=O)CO)C)N1CC1=CC=CC(Cl)=C1 AOSZTAHDEDLTLQ-AZKQZHLXSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920000049 Carbon (fiber) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229940126657 Compound 17 Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004917 carbon fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003989 dielectric material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009661 fatigue test Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012774 insulation material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000003534 oscillatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002028 premature Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002035 prolonged effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010079 rubber tapping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/02—Surface sealing or packing
- E21B33/03—Well heads; Setting-up thereof
- E21B33/035—Well heads; Setting-up thereof specially adapted for underwater installations
- E21B33/0355—Control systems, e.g. hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, acoustic, for submerged well heads
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Bridges Or Land Bridges (AREA)
- Ropes Or Cables (AREA)
- Near-Field Transmission Systems (AREA)
Description
An umbilical cable system
Technical Field
The invention relates to an umbilical cable system for subsea deployment. More particularly the invention relates to an umbilical cable system that when in use is at least partly influenced by external forces, such as wind, waves or currents.
Background Art
The umbilical cable system that exists today uses separately arranged umbilical and direct current fiberoptic cables that extends simultaneously from an offshore construction towards the seabed.
A direct current fiberoptic (DC/FO) cable comprises concentric conductors arranged outside of a fiberoptic core. The outer concentric conductor comprises an unwelded seam which has led to premature failures during fatigue testing.
The seam of the concentric conductor cause wear on the insulation more easily.
This makes the cable unsuitable for certain dynamic applications, where the cable is exposed to external forces, like wind, current and waves. The present invention would eliminate the need for the problematic cable in the dynamic section or zones.
This invention provides a reliable solution for the dynamic bending and tension that occurs in dynamic power cables and control umbilical due to wind, waves, and current acting on offshore floating platforms.
The invention provides a cable solution system that provides a DC/FO pigtail or cable as the outward interface to downstream equipment while still having qualified, dynamic umbilical components in the umbilical cross section.
The invention provides a solution to that it allows a cable and cable accessory system that is developed for concentric electrical conductors to be used with a dynamic umbilical with more reliable single-core electrical conductors. The invention is arranging components in a new way to solve the problem above.
The components will be described further in the detailed description and the accompanying figures
Summary of invention
The invention relates to an umbilical cable system for subsea deployment including an extension of the umbilical cable system through a dynamic section where the umbilical cable system being exposed to external forces, such as current of waves, the umbilical cable system comprises an umbilical having at two power core cables and at least one fiberoptic cable adapted to be extending in the dynamic section when in use. The umbilical cable system being distinctive in that the umbilical cable system further comprises a direct current fiberoptic cable adapted to be extending along a static section, when in use, said direct current fiberoptic cable being transitioned from the at two power core cables and the at least one fiberoptic cable.
This is beneficial in that it provides a cost effective and safe handling of a DC/FO cable. It further increases the lifetime of the cable by preventing wear and tear of the cable.
Preferably, the umbilical cable system further comprises a junction box for performing the transition. This preferable performed by connecting the respective cables from the umbilical cable to the direct current fiber optic cable.
Preferably, the at least one fiberoptic cable and the two power core cables is connected to the junction box at one end, said direct current fiberoptic cable is connected to the junction box at an opposite end.
Preferably, the umbilical comprises two power core cables connected to the junction box for use in the transition.
Preferably, the junction box is arranged at or near the seabed dividing the umbilical and the direct current fiberoptic cable.
The invention further provides a method for laying the umbilical cable system through a dynamic section influenced by external forces, like current or waves, wherein the method comprises the step of
arranging the umbilical in the dynamic section between the sea surface and a seabed,
connecting the two power cables and the at least one fiberoptic cable to a direct current fiber optic cable in a junction box,
extending the direct current fiber optic cable from the junction box along a static section less influenced by external forces, such as the seabed.
The invention further relates to a use of a junction box, as a transition device for an umbilical comprising the two power cores and at least one fiberoptic cable into a direct current fiber optic cable.
Brief description of drawings
Figure 1 is illustrating an umbilical with power core cables, fiber optic cable and tubes arranged inside the umbilical,
Figure 2 is illustrating a power core cable to be arranged in an umbilical, in isolation,
Figure 3 is illustrating a fiber optic cable to be arranged in an umbilical, in isolation,
Figure 4 is illustrating a direct current fiberoptic cable 20 in isolation.
Figure 5-8 is illustrating the umbilical cable system with junction box viewed from different angles.
Figure 9-10 is illustrating both ends of the junction box connecting respectively the direct current fiber optic cable and the various cables of the umbilical
Figure 11-12 is illustrating the ends from figure 9-10, perspective viewed.
Detailed description of the invention
With the term umbilical, is meant a cable intended for use between an offshore construction and the seabed. The umbilical usually has various elements such as tubes, electric cables, fiberoptic cable and similar. The umbilical is normally arranged between a topside construction and the seabed for supplying of high power, fluid and/or signals between the end points.
The offshore construction may be different constructions, both floating and fixed installations. This may for instance be oil platforms, offshore wind turbines or similar. The offshore constructions are known per se.
The umbilical extends normally different zones between the construction and along the seabed. These zones have different impact on the cable. The zones are divided in dynamic and static sections.
A dynamic section or zone is the part where the umbilical or other elements extending between the offshore construction and seabed may be highly influenced by external forces, like wind wave and currents. An element that is extending in this zone must thus be able to withstand these forces to avoid fatigue.
A static section is the part where the umbilical or other elements is less influenced by external forces and thus less exposed to fatigue. The static section is typically where the element is extending along the seabed. The static section is more specifically typically situated on the seabed where the umbilical or element is resting.
Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an umbilical 1 according to the invention. The umbilical 1 is illustrated with two power core cables 2a, 2b and a fiberoptic cable 3. Further the umbilical may have a number of tubes 4. The elements 2a, 2b, 3, 4 may be embedded in a filler material or materials 5 or in other ways kept in place and protected in the umbilical 1. A sheath 6 is surrounding the umbilical 1 and keeping the elements and filler material(s) 5 within the umbilical 1.
The elements 2a, 2b, 3, 4 may for instance supply high power or other electric signals, hydraulic fluid and/or fiberoptic signal. The umbilical may include one or more of traditional umbilical elements such as one or more filler elements, one or more steel pipes, one or more signal cables, one or more fiber optics, one or more electrical power cables or one or more load carrying elements like carbon fiber rods. The one or more longitudinally elements may also be laid in a continuous helix or alternating /oscillatory laid. The umbilical is known per se.
Figure 2 shows a detailed view of an embodiment of the power core cables 2a, 2b according to the invention, illustrated by one of them. The power core cable 2a, 2b comprises typically a conductor 7 as a core. The power core cable 2, 2b has further a layer of conductor screen 8, insulation 9, insulation screen 10, metallic insulation screen 11, and an outer sheath 12. It is to be noted that only a conductor, insulation and a sheath are mandatory features in the power core cables 2a, 2b.
Figure 3 shows a detailed view of an embodiment of the fiberoptic cable 3 according to the invention. The fiberoptic cable 3 comprises typically fiber(s) 14 embedded in a filling compound 17. Further layers arranged outside of the core may be a buffer tube 15, wires 16 and a sheath 13.
Figure 4 shows the DC/FO cable 20 comprises an inner core of fiberoptic structure 27. Outside of the fiberoptic structure, surrounding the structure 27, there is arranged a power conductor 26. This may for instance be made of copper or aluminium. The DC/FO cable 20 may further have one or more layers of dielectric or insulation materials 25, 23 and an additional copper power conductor 24. There may further be arranged wires 22 and a cover sheath 21.
The elements 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 are arranged concentrically as shown in the figure 4. It is to be noted that the DC/FO cable may vary from the design illustrated in the figure. However, a fiber optic structure 27, one or more power layers and an insulation layer must be present in the cable to have the function as a DC/FO cable. The power layer may preferably be of copper.
The purpose of the DC/FO cable is a cable that combines high bandwidth communications with reliable electrical power supply adapted to have nearly unlimited distance. The DC/FO cable has the main purpose of connecting a production facility with subsea nodes (not shown). The nodes may be placed inside or outside subsea structure(s) for distribution of power and fiberoptic signal(s) to the subsea structure(s).
Figure 5-8 shows the umbilical cable system with junction box viewed from different angles. The figures illustrate that the three cables from the umbilical 1; two power core cables 2a, 2b and the fiberoptic cable 3 are connected to the junction box 31 at one end 31a. At the opposite end 31b, the direct current fiberoptic cable 20 is connected to the junction box 31. The cables 2a, 2b, 3, 4 are thus transitioned into the direct current fiber optic cable 20.
The figure 7 further indicates the positioning of the dynamic zone D where the umbilical 1 is positioned, and the static zone S where the DC/FO cable 20 is positioned.
The umbilical cable system according to the invention comprises a cable termination of the two power core cables 2a, 2b and fiberoptic cable 3 into the junction box 31 that combines the three functions back into the DC/FO cable 20. This is important and possible because most of the technology that makes the DC/FO cable 20 advantageous is related to adding nodes by tapping into a length of the DC/FO cable 20 that is already on the seabed. The DC/FC cable technology has inline splices, y-splices, DC power converters and AC power inverters.
The DC/FO cable 20 may then be used in the static zone on the seabed, while the umbilical can be used in the harsh dynamic zone between the offshore construction and the junction box 31 arranged on the seabed.
The transition is performed at the inside of the junction box 31, by connecting the power core cables 2a, 2b and the fiber optic cable 3 from the umbilical 1 to the power conductors 26, 24 and the fiber optic structure 27, respectively. The transition of a cable part into a corresponding cable part in a junction box is known, but it has not been perform or suggested between an umbilical and DC/FO cable.
Summarized, the invention thus provides an opportunity to use the existing qualified cables to do the same function as the DC/FO cable while inside the umbilical. Once the umbilical gets to the seabed, the cables can be fed into a cable termination that transitions from the power core cables 2a, 2b and the fiberoptic cable 3 to the DC/FO cable 20. The umbilical system 30 will due to have a prolonged life because the part less robust parts are protected from or less influenced by the outer forces.
Figure 9 and 11 shows the connection between the junction box 31 and the DC/FO cable 20, viewed from the end 31b of the junction box 31. As shown in the figure, the DCFO cable 20 may enter the junction box 31 through an opening in the end 31b. the connection is further sealed through a sealed connection 32.
Similarly, figure 10 and 11 shows connection between the junction box 31 and the two power core cables 2a, 2b and the fiberoptic cable 3, viewed from the end 31a of the junction box 31. As shown in the figure, the cable parts 2a, 2b, 3 may enter the junction box 31 through respective openings in the end 31a. The connections are sealed through sealed connections 33, 34, 35
Claims (7)
1. An umbilical cable system (30) for subsea deployment including an extension of the umbilical cable system (30) through a dynamic section (D) where the umbilical cable system (30) being exposed to external forces, such as current or waves, the umbilical cable system (30) comprises an umbilical (1) having two power core cables (2a, 2b) and at least one fiberoptic cable (3) adapted to be extending in the dynamic section when in use, characterised in that said umbilical cable system (30) further comprises a direct current fiberoptic cable (20) adapted to be extending along a static section (S), such as the seabed, when in use, said direct current fiberoptic cable (20) being transitioned from the two power core cables (2a, 2b) and the at least one fiberoptic cable (3).
2. The umbilical cable system (30) according to claim 1, wherein the umbilical cable system (30) further comprises a junction box (31) for performing the transition.
3. The umbilical cable system (30) according to claim 2, wherein the at least one fiberoptic cable (3) and the two power core cables (2a, 2b) is connected to the junction box (31) at one end (31a), said direct current fiberoptic cable (20) is connected to the junction box (31) at an opposite end (31b).
4. The umbilical cable system (30) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the umbilical (1) comprises two power core cables (2a, 2b) connected to the junction box (31) for use in the transition.
5. The umbilical cable system (30) according to any of the claims 2-4, wherein the junction box (31) is arranged at or near the seabed dividing the umbilical (1) and the direct current fiberoptic cable (20).
6. Method for laying an umbilical cable system (30) according to any one of the claims 1-5, through a dynamic section (D) influenced by external forces, like current or waves, wherein the method comprises the step of
-arranging the umbilical (1) in the dynamic section (D) between the sea surface and a seabed,
-connecting the two power core cables (2a, 2b) and the at least one fiberoptic cable (3) to a direct current fiber optic cable (20) in a junction box (31),
-extending the direct current fiber optic cable (20) from the junction box (31) along a static section (S) less influenced by external forces, such as the seabed.
7. Use of a junction box (31), as a transition device for an umbilical (1) comprising two power core cables (2a, 2b) and at least one fiberoptic cable (3) into a direct current fiber optic cable (20).
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NO20210762A NO346905B1 (en) | 2021-06-11 | 2021-06-11 | An umbilical cable system and appurtenant method |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NO20210762A NO346905B1 (en) | 2021-06-11 | 2021-06-11 | An umbilical cable system and appurtenant method |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| NO20210762A1 true NO20210762A1 (en) | 2022-12-12 |
| NO346905B1 NO346905B1 (en) | 2023-02-20 |
Family
ID=84634627
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| NO20210762A NO346905B1 (en) | 2021-06-11 | 2021-06-11 | An umbilical cable system and appurtenant method |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| NO (1) | NO346905B1 (en) |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6538198B1 (en) * | 2000-05-24 | 2003-03-25 | Timothy M. Wooters | Marine umbilical |
| WO2011147459A1 (en) * | 2010-05-28 | 2011-12-01 | Statoil Asa | Subsea hydrocarbon production system |
-
2021
- 2021-06-11 NO NO20210762A patent/NO346905B1/en unknown
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6538198B1 (en) * | 2000-05-24 | 2003-03-25 | Timothy M. Wooters | Marine umbilical |
| WO2011147459A1 (en) * | 2010-05-28 | 2011-12-01 | Statoil Asa | Subsea hydrocarbon production system |
Non-Patent Citations (2)
| Title |
|---|
| ESONEWS "Neptune Canada", winter 2009. [From the internet May 2022], Dated: 01.01.0001 * |
| MICHEL, R. et. al. «DC/FO. A Lean and Powerful DC Subsea Control Infrastructure". OTC-27997-MS, 2017 , Dated: 01.01.0001 * |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| NO346905B1 (en) | 2023-02-20 |
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