US20160376855A1 - Fluid conduit connection system - Google Patents
Fluid conduit connection system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20160376855A1 US20160376855A1 US14/771,691 US201414771691A US2016376855A1 US 20160376855 A1 US20160376855 A1 US 20160376855A1 US 201414771691 A US201414771691 A US 201414771691A US 2016376855 A1 US2016376855 A1 US 2016376855A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- bearing
- fluid conduit
- element stack
- pipe
- fluid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 116
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 claims description 19
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- 239000002648 laminated material Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 11
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 229910000851 Alloy steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
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- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 3
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- RWSOTUBLDIXVET-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dihydrogen sulfide Chemical compound S RWSOTUBLDIXVET-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229910000037 hydrogen sulfide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229920000049 Carbon (fiber) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
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- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 1
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- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 description 1
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- 238000007667 floating Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000010445 mica Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052618 mica group Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000003345 natural gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002825 nitriles Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000020477 pH reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
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Images
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
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/002—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables specially adapted for underwater drilling
- E21B19/004—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables specially adapted for underwater drilling supporting a riser from a drilling or production platform
-
- 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
- E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
- E21B17/01—Risers
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L27/00—Adjustable joints, Joints allowing movement
- F16L27/10—Adjustable joints, Joints allowing movement comprising a flexible connection only, e.g. for damping vibrations
- F16L27/103—Adjustable joints, Joints allowing movement comprising a flexible connection only, e.g. for damping vibrations in which a flexible element, e.g. a rubber-metal laminate, which undergoes constraints consisting of shear and flexure, is sandwiched between partly curved surfaces
Definitions
- Offshore hydrocarbon production systems may comprise a riser, such as a steel catenary riser (SCR), that serves as a fluid conduit between a subsea hydrocarbon source and a structure located relatively shallower than the riser.
- the structure may comprise a stationary platform supported by a sea floor, a floating platform, a ship, and/or any other structure located relatively closer to a surface of the water as compared to the fluid conduit.
- the weight of the riser may be supported by the relatively more shallow structure.
- risers and the structures that support risers may be moved relative to each other by water currents, vortex induced vibrations, waves, and/or a variety of other perturbing forces.
- riser support bearings may be utilized to transfer weight of the riser to the structure while also allowing some level of flexibility and/or relative movement between the riser and the structure
- some riser support bearings achieve the above-described flexibility by allowing translational movement between components of the riser support bearings.
- an interface between the components that move relative to each other may at least partially define a fluid flow path of the riser support bearing.
- the fluid received from the riser may escape the fluid flow path through a leak path between the components that move relative to each other. Such leakage of fluid may result in an environmental concern and/or may cause deterioration of riser support bearing elements.
- a fluid conduit connection system comprising a bearing assembly comprising a bearing pipe comprising a fluid flow path and a bearing element stack located exterior to the bearing pipe and disposed substantially annularly about the bearing pipe, wherein the bearing element stack is configured to receive a compressive force from the bearing pipe and wherein the bearing element stack is configured to allow rotation of the bearing pipe about a center of rotation of the bearing assembly.
- a fluid conduit connection method comprising providing a bearing pipe comprising a continuous inner wall that defines a flow path, providing a tension force to a tension end of the bearing pipe, disposing at least one bearing element stack external to the bearing pipe and annularly about the bearing pipe, and transferring at least a portion of the tension force to the at least one bearing element stack, wherein the bearing pipe is allowed to move about a center of rotation as a function of asymmetrical compression of the at least one bearing element stack.
- a hydrocarbon production system comprising a fluid conduit, a fluid system, and a fluid conduit connection system comprising an annular bearing element stack, the fluid conduit connection system being configured to (1) connect the fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid system and (2) provide a flexible connection between the fluid conduit and the fluid system.
- a device comprising a fluid conduit comprising a central axis and a fluid conduit flange associated with an end of the fluid conduit and a split flange having an assembled configuration and a disassembled configuration, the split flange comprising a first arcuate portion comprising a body and two arcuate protrusions extending circumferentially from the body, and a second arcuate portion comprising a body and two arcuate protrusions extending circumferentially from the body, wherein when the split flange is in the assembled configuration, the arcuate protrusions of the first arcuate portion at least partially longitudinally overlap the arcuate protrusions of the second arcuate portion and the split flange substantially encircles the fluid conduit, wherein when the split flange is in the disassembled configuration, the split flange does not substantially encircle the fluid conduit, and wherein the split flange is moveable between the assembled configuration and the disassembled configuration by moving at
- a method of disassembling a bearing assembly comprising decoupling a split flange of a bearing assembly from a fluid conduit of the bearing assembly and removing the fluid conduit from the bearing assembly by displacing the fluid conduit through a central bore of a bearing element stack of the bearing assembly.
- FIG. 1 is an orthogonal side view of an hydrocarbon production system according to an embodiment of the disclosure
- FIG. 2 is an oblique top view of a fluid conduit connection system of the hydrocarbon production system of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3A is an oblique top view of a bearing assembly of the fluid conduit connection system of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 3B is an oblique bottom view of the bearing assembly of FIG. 3A ;
- FIG. 3C is an orthogonal top view of the bearing assembly of FIG. 3A ;
- FIG. 4 is an orthogonal cross-sectional front view of the bearing assembly of FIG. 3A taken along line 4 - 4 of FIG. 3C ;
- FIG. 5A is an oblique exploded top view of a portion of the bearing assembly of FIG. 3A ;
- FIG. 5B is an oblique exploded bottom view of the portion of the bearing assembly of FIG. 5A ;
- FIG. 6 is an oblique top view of a bearing assembly including an exploded view of a split flange according to an embodiment of the disclosure
- FIG. 7 is an orthogonal cut-away side view of a portion of an alternative bearing assembly according to another embodiment the disclosure.
- FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of disassembling a fluid conduit connection system (FCCS).
- FCCS fluid conduit connection system
- FCCS fluid conduit connection system
- HCL high-capacity laminate
- the hydrocarbon production system 100 comprises a fluid conduit 102 , a support structure 104 configured to support at least a portion of the weight of the fluid conduit 102 , a fluid system 106 to which the fluid conduit 102 is selectively joined to in fluid communication, and a fluid conduit connection system (FCCS) 108 that connects the fluid conduit 102 to the fluid system 106 .
- the fluid conduit 102 may comprise a riser, such as, but not limited to, a steel catenary riser.
- the support structure 104 may be a buoyant hydrocarbon production rig or platform, a freestanding hydrocarbon production rig, a ship, a helicopter, and/or any other structure that may be located and/or moved relative to the fluid conduit 102 in a manner that may cause a tensile force along the fluid conduit 102 when the fluid conduit 102 is connected to the fluid system 106 .
- the above-described tensile force may be partially attributable to a weight of the fluid conduit 102 and/or fluids within the fluid conduit 102 .
- the above-described tensile force may be partially attributable movement of the fluid conduit 102 relative the support structure 104 .
- the FCCS 108 may be carried, supported, and/or restrained by the support structure 104 and the FCCS 108 may be configured to transfer the above-described tensile force to the support structure 104 while also allowing movement of the fluid conduit 102 relative to at least one of the support structure 104 and the fluid system 106 .
- FCCS 108 generally comprises a flexible conduit 110 and a bearing assembly 112 connected in fluid communication with the flexible conduit 110 .
- Bearing assembly 112 may generally comprise a bearing element stack 114 captured between an upper or inner member 116 and a lower or outer member 118 , a bearing pipe 120 , and a bracket 122 .
- Flexible conduit 110 may comprise a fluid system connection end 124 and a bearing assembly connection end 126 .
- Bearing pipe 120 may comprise a tension end 128 and a flexible conduit connection end 130 .
- FCCS 108 may be configured to operate in environments ranging in temperature from about ⁇ 10° C.
- tension end 128 of bearing pipe 120 includes a split flange 250 , which will be described in greater detail below.
- bearing assembly 112 is shown disposed above the waterline 105 . However, in other embodiments, the bearing assembly 112 may be disposed below the water line. In this embodiment, bearing assembly 112 may be coupled directly to support structure 104 .
- bearing assembly 112 may be described as comprising a central axis 132 shared by or coincident with central axes of bracket 122 , bearing pipe 120 , and bearing element stack 114 .
- Bracket 122 may be configured to support the weight of the remainder of the FCCS 108 and any other tension applied to the tension end 128 of the bearing pipe 120 in a direction generally away from the flexible conduit connection end 130 .
- bracket 122 may be described as generally comprising a bracket receiver 134 and a bracket mount 136 .
- Bracket receiver 134 may comprise a receiver upper end 138 and a receiver lower end 140 .
- Bracket receiver 134 may further comprise an annular wall 142 comprising a wall inner surface 144 and a wall outer surface 146 .
- bracket receiver 134 further comprises a floor plate 148 that extends both radially inward toward central axis 132 beyond the annular wall inner surface 144 and radially outward away from central axis 132 beyond the annular wall outer surface 146 .
- the floor plate 148 may comprise an upper floor plate surface 150 and a lower floor plate surface 152 .
- a plurality of floor bolts 154 may extend through floor plate 148 and the floor bolts 154 may serve as jacking screws to decouple the outer member 118 from the bracket receiver 134 .
- bracket mount 136 may be described as comprising a radially inner mount end 156 and a radially outer mount end 158 .
- the radially inner mount end 156 may be connected to the bracket receiver 134 while the radially outer mount end 158 may be configured for connection to the support structure 104 .
- bearing pipe 120 may comprise a tubular wall 160 having a bearing pipe inner surface 162 defining a flow path 164 extending through the bearing assembly 112 . More specifically, the flow path 164 may extend through central apertures in each of the bearing element stack 114 , inner member 116 , and outer member 118 .
- bearing pipe 120 may further comprise a bearing pipe flange 166 extending radially outward from a generally frustoconical tubular wall outer surface 168 having a tubular wall outer surface central diameter 169 .
- tubular wall outer surface 168 is generally frustoconical, the outer surface central diameter 169 may be tapered along central axis 132 such that diameter 169 is greater at bearing pipe flange 166 than at split flange 250 .
- the bearing pipe flange 166 may comprise a flange lower surface 170 configured to selectively abut against the inner member 116 .
- flow path 164 may comprise a diameter within a range of values of about 7′′ and about 10′′.
- tubular wall 160 may comprise a tubular wall outer diameter within a range of values of about 9′′ and about 12′′. However, in other embodiments, tubular wall 160 may comprise a tubular wall outer diameter within a range of values of about 9′′ to about 24′′.
- bearing pipe 120 may be configured to operate at fluid pressures up to about 20,000 pounds per square inch (psi). As will be discussed further herein, bearing pipe 120 may rotate about a bearing assembly 112 center of rotation 172 that may lie coincident with the bearing assembly 112 central axis 132 and a plane 171 that extends laterally (relative to central axis 132 ) and which may be generally coincident with flexible conduit connection end 130 .
- an insulative material comprising a relatively low thermal conductivity may be disposed between the bearing pipe 120 and the bearing element stack 114 . For example, a sleeve of mica which has relatively high strength, relative high stiffness, and relatively low thermal conductivity may be used to thermally insulate the bearing element stack 114 from the potentially very hot bearing pipe 120 .
- the bearing element stack 114 may comprise a bearing stack outer profile 174 and an inner profile 175 , where profiles 174 and 175 may each be exposed to the ambient environment.
- the bearing element stack 114 may comprise a plurality of flexible elements 176 , a plurality of intermediate shims 178 disposed between adjacent flexible elements 176 , an upper bonding shim 180 , and a lower bonding shim 182 .
- the cooperation of the bearing element stack 114 , inner member 116 , and outer member 118 may generally allow limited rotation of the bearing pipe 120 about the center of rotation 172 in orbital-type movements about the center of rotation 172 and torsional rotation about the central axis of the bearing pipe 120 and/or the bearing assembly 112 central axis 132 while the bracket 122 remains substantially stationary relative to the support structure 104 .
- the bearing element stack 114 may comprise no upper bonding shim 180 so that flexible elements 176 may interface directly with the inner member 116 .
- the bearing element stack 114 may comprise no lower bonding shim 182 so that flexible elements 176 may interface directly with the outer member 118 .
- the flexible elements 176 may be coated by materials different from the material of the base and/or primary flexible element material to impart a greater chemical resistance to the bearing element stack 114 .
- the flexible elements 176 may be at least partially coated by a high performance coating (HPC) comprising hydrocarbon fluid resistive properties.
- HPC high performance coating
- intermediate shims 178 , upper bonding shim 180 , and lower bonding shim 182 may be coated by materials different from the base and/or primary shim 178 , 180 , 182 materials to impart greater chemical and/or corrosion resistance to the bearing element stack 114 .
- the shims 178 , 180 , 182 may be coated by paint, adhesive, ceramics, and/or metallized coatings.
- inner member 116 may comprise an inner member body 184 having a central bore 186 with a generally frustoconical inner member inner surface 187 having an inner member central bore diameter 188 .
- the inner member 116 may further comprise a substantially flat inner member upper surface 190 and a substantially convex inner member lower surface 192 .
- Central bore diameter 188 of frustoconical central bore 186 may be tapered along central axis 132 such that central bore diameter 188 is greater at inner member upper surface 190 than at inner member lower surface 192 .
- Inner member 116 may further comprise an inner flange 194 that projects upward from inner member upper surface 190 and which may be disposed adjacent to inner member central bore 186 .
- the frustoconical inner member inner surface 187 of inner member 116 may be configured for selective abutment with the tubular wall outer surface 168 of bearing pipe 120 when bearing pipe 120 is placed in tension by a force applied to the tension end 128 of the bearing pipe 120 .
- the inner member inner flange 194 may also be configured for selective abutment with the bearing pipe flange lower surface 170 when the bearing pipe 120 is placed in tension by a force applied to the tension end 128 of the bearing pipe 120 .
- bearing pipe flange 166 may be configured to transmit only enough of a seating force 242 (see FIG.
- the physical engagement between frustoconical surfaces 187 and 168 via the seating force may be configured to resist a vertical force (e.g., a force in the direction opposite of the tension force) along bearing pipe 120 that may act to unseat bearing pipe 120 from inner member 116 .
- the frustoconical surfaces 187 and 168 may act as the primary load path for a tension force applied to the tension end 128 of bearing pipe 120 .
- outer member 118 may generally comprise an outer member body 198 comprising an outer member central bore 200 having an outer member central bore diameter 202 .
- the outer member body 198 may comprise a substantially concave outer member upper surface 204 and a substantially flat outer member lower surface 206 .
- the inner member central bore diameter 188 may generally be smaller in size than the outer member central bore diameter 202 .
- Outer member 118 may further comprise a generally frustoconical outer member outer surface 244 having a tapered outer diameter 246 that is greater at outer member upper surface 204 than at outer member lower surface 206 .
- inner member 116 and outer member 118 may be formed from low alloy steel such as steel alloys 4130 and 4140 and/or any other suitable material.
- upper bonding shim 180 and lower bonding shim 182 may be configured as interfaces between the bearing element stack 114 and inner member 116 and outer member 118 to reduce manufacturing complexity of bearing assembly 112 and improve reparability of bearing assembly 112 .
- Upper bonding shim 180 and lower bonding shim 182 may be formed from a steel alloy, such as alloys 4130 and 4140 , stainless steel, and/or any other suitable material.
- Upper bonding shim 180 and lower bonding shim 182 may be bonded to adjacent flexible elements 176 to reduce relative translational movement between the adjacent flexible elements 176 and the upper bonding shim 180 and the lower bonding shim 182 .
- Upper bonding shim 180 may comprise an upper bonding shim body 208 comprising an upper bonding shim central bore 210 having a diameter 212 .
- the upper bonding shim body 208 may comprise a substantially concave upper bonding shim upper surface 214 and a substantially convex upper bonding shim lower surface 216 .
- the lower bonding shim 182 may comprise a lower bonding shim body 218 comprising a central bore 220 having a diameter 222 .
- the lower bonding shim body 218 may comprise a substantially concave lower bonding shim upper annular surface 224 and a substantially convex lower bonding shim lower surface 226 .
- the bearing element stack 114 may be configured to pliably deform in response to compression of the bearing element stack 114 between the upper bonding shim 180 and the lower bonding shim 182 .
- the bearing element stack 114 may deform by longitudinally compressing and/or radially expanding (relative to central axis 132 ) in response to being compressed between the upper bonding shim 180 and the lower bonding shim 182 .
- each flexible element 176 may comprise a flexible element central bore 228 having a flexible element central bore diameter 230 , a substantially concave upper surface 232 and a substantially convex lower surface 234 .
- the flexible element central bore diameter 230 of the flexible elements 176 may increase in size moving from higher to lower while maintaining a substantially constant annular thickness and/or width of the flexible elements 176 .
- flexible elements 176 may comprise elastomeric materials.
- the bearing element stack 114 may comprise a high capacity laminate (HCL) bearing manufactured by LORD Corporation located at 111 Lord Drive Cary, NC 27511. It will be appreciated that because fluids which may contain hydrogen sulfide and other chemicals will not leak onto the flexible elements 176 via a leak path through the bearing pipe 120 , a wide variety of elastomeric or pliable materials may be used in forming the bearing element stack 114 without concern of premature degradation of the bearing element stack 114 due to a fluid leak from within the bearing pipe 120 .
- HCL high capacity laminate
- the fluid seals that join the bearing pipe 120 to the fluid conduit 102 and flexible conduit 110 do not allow movement at the sealing junctions between the bearing pipe 120 and the fluid conduit 102 and/or flexible conduit 110 , there is reduced opportunity for movement to cause wear at the seals that may lead to seal failure and potential exposure to hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbon fluids, natural gas, acidification injection fluids, injected solvents, and/or incrustation removal fluids.
- the bearing element stack 114 is not enclosed in a pressurized housing the bearing stack outer profile 174 and inner profile 175 may be easily visually inspected from above and below, respectively.
- the bearing element stack 114 is generally exposed to the environment, the heat generated by flexure of the bearing element stack 114 may be readily dissipated to the environment (i.e. surrounding air and/or water) thereby allowing the bearing element stack 114 to comprise relatively stronger elastomeric materials than could be used in an enclosed housing.
- the reduced potential for leaks allows construction of the bearing element stack to comprise metals which may be stronger but otherwise are not as resistant to degradation in response to exposure to one or more of the above-described leaked fluids.
- the bearing assembly 112 overall weight may be low because it requires no pressurized housing to enclose the bearing element stack 114 .
- the bearing pipe 120 tension end 128 may be coupled to a fluid conduit 102 , such as a steel catenary riser, in a manner that provides a tensioning force 236 having a longitudinal force component 238 and a lateral force component 240 to the bearing pipe 120 .
- Tensioning force 236 may be transferred from bearing pipe 120 to inner member 116 via physical engagement between the tubular wall outer surface 168 and the inner member 116 inner surface 187 .
- the lateral force component 240 may be transferred from bearing pipe 120 , through inner member 116 and the bearing element stack 114 , thereby resulting in asymmetrical deformation of the bearing element stack 114 and the above-described movement of the bearing pipe 120 about the center of rotation 172 .
- Tension force 236 may be transferred from the bearing element stack 114 to the outer member 118 which may then transfer substantially all forces to the support structure 104 via the bracket 122 .
- the FCCS 108 may allow for easy visual inspection as a function of the bearing element stack 114 not being fully enclosed and/or obscured from view. Further, in some embodiments, bearing pipes 120 of different sizes may be accommodated by the FCCS 108 by alternating a size of the inner member 116 and/or optionally portions of the bearing element stack 114 to create a greater diameter central aperture.
- split flange 250 may generally comprise a first arcuate portion 252 and a second arcuate portion 254 , where first arcuate portion 252 and second arcuate portion 254 may be configured to couple about bearing pipe 120 at tension end 128 .
- Bearing pipe 120 may comprise a lower bearing pipe flange 256 extending radially outward from the tubular wall outer surface 168 at tension end 128 .
- Lower bearing pipe flange 256 may comprise a generally cylindrical lower pipe flange outer surface 258 , an annular lower pipe flange upward facing surface 260 and an annular lower pipe flange downward facing surface 262 .
- lower pipe flange downward facing surface 262 may be configured to interface with a standard American Petroleum Institute (API) 6 A flange geometry. In other embodiments, lower pipe flange downward facing surface 262 may be configured to interface with other flange geometries.
- API American Petroleum Institute
- the split flange first arcuate portion 252 may generally comprise a body 264 having a first arcuate lower inner surface 266 and a first arcuate upper inner surface 268 disposed axially above the first arcuate lower inner surface 266 and extends radially inward from first arcuate lower inner surface 266 .
- First arcuate portion 252 may further comprise first arcuate protrusions 270 that extend circumferentially from body 264 and a first arcuate downward facing flanged surface 272 .
- a cut 274 may extend partially into first arcuate upper inner surface 268 at a terminal end of each the first arcuate protrusion 270 .
- split flange second arcuate portion 254 may generally comprise a body 276 having a second arcuate lower inner surface 278 and a second arcuate upper inner surface 280 disposed axially above second arcuate lower inner surface 278 and extends radially inward from second arcuate lower inner surface 278 .
- Second arcuate portion 254 may further comprise two second arcuate protrusions 282 that extend circumferentially from body 276 and a second arcuate downward facing flanged surface 284 .
- a chamfer 286 may extend partially into the second arcuate lower inner surface 278 at a terminal end of each of the second arcuate protrusions 282 .
- split flange 250 may include a disassembled configuration as shown in FIG. 6 and an assembled configuration as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B .
- first arcuate protrusions 270 and second arcuate protrusions 282 may overlap such that one or more of a plurality of holes 288 extending through first arcuate protrusions 270 and 282 may axially align.
- First arcuate portion 252 and second arcuate portion 254 may be selectively coupled together about lower bearing pipe flange 256 via a bolt or other generally cylindrical body (not shown) disposed in one or more of the plurality of holes 288 .
- split flange 250 may be configured to selectively abut against the lower pipe flange upward facing surface 260 of lower bearing pipe flange 256 .
- first arcuate downward facing flanged surface 272 and second arcuate downward facing flanged surface 284 may be configured for selective abutment with the annular lower pipe flange upward facing surface 260 when the bearing pipe 120 is placed in tension by a force applied to the tension end 128 of the bearing pipe 120 .
- cuts 274 and chamfers 286 may be configured to provide radial clearance so as to allow first arcuate portion 252 and second arcuate portion 254 , respectively, to disengage from lower bearing pipe flange 256 via displacing laterally outward from central axis 132 , as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the bearing assembly 300 may comprise a bearing element stack 302 captured between an outer member 304 and an inner member 306 .
- the bearing assembly 300 may further comprise a bearing pipe 308 that comprises a tension end 310 configured to receive a tension force, such as tension force 312 , from a fluid conduit, such as, but not limited to a catenary riser.
- a flexible conduit such as, but not limited to, a flexible conduit 110 may be connected to the pipe end 314 .
- a center of rotation 316 of the bearing assembly 300 is located nearer the tension end 310 rather than nearer the pipe end 314 .
- the lower members may be supported by a platform floor of a rig rather than by the above-described bracket.
- the upper members may be bolted or otherwise fastened to the bearing pipes.
- one or more components of the fluid conduit connection systems disclosed herein may be disposed within a body of water, and as a result, may dissipate heat to the body of water. In some embodiments, installing the fluid conduit connection systems does not require significant preloading and/or compression of the bearing assembly components.
- the bearing assembly may allow a bearing pipe to rotate within a cone of rotation of up to about 25 degrees.
- the bearing pipe outer diameters may range from about 4 inches outer diameter to about 25 or more inches outer diameter.
- the fluid conduit connection systems may be able to withstand tensile forces of up to about 5,000-11,000 kips.
- the flexible conduits may comprise carbon fiber and/or composite materials.
- first member encompasses inner member 116 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 . Additionally, as used herein, first member encompasses outer member 304 of the embodiment of illustrated in FIG. 7 . Similarly, as used herein, second member encompasses outer member 118 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 . Additionally, as used herein, second member encompasses inner member 306 of the embodiment of illustrated in FIG. 7 .
- decoupling a fluid conduit from a bearing assembly may comprise disengaging and/or removing bolts or other fasteners coupling the fluid conduit to the bearing assembly.
- the bearing assembly may comprise a HCL elastomeric bearing assembly, such as the bearing assembly 112 .
- the fluid conduit may comprise a flexible conduit, such as the flexible conduit 110 .
- the FCCS may comprise a support structure configured to support at least a portion of the weight of the fluid conduit and a fluid system coupled to the fluid conduit, such as the support structure 104 of FCCS 108 .
- the method 400 may continue at block 420 where the bearing assembly may be removed from the bracket.
- Removing the bearing assembly from the bracket may generally comprise displacing the bearing assembly vertically and/or longitudinally along a central axis of the bearing assembly, such as central axis 132 , and then laterally displacing the bearing assembly from the bracket.
- removing the bearing assembly from the bracket may also comprise retrieving the bearing assembly top side (i.e., above the water line) to a surface vessel, such as an offshore hydrocarbon production rig or platform.
- removing the bearing assembly may further comprise visually inspecting the bearing assembly for damage or wear.
- removing the bearing assembly from the bracket may comprise decoupling the bearing assembly from the bracket.
- the bracket may be disposed either above or below a water line and may be supported by a buoyant hydrocarbon production platform or other support structure, such as support structure 104 .
- the bracket may be configured to support at least a portion of the weight of the FCCS and any other tension forced applied to the bearing assembly.
- the bracket may generally comprise a bracket receiver and a bracket mount, such as bracket 122 .
- the method 400 may continue at block 430 where a split flange of the bearing assembly may be disassembled.
- the split flange may be coupled to a bearing pipe of the bearing assembly, such as bearing pipe 120 .
- the split flange may comprise two arcuate portions coupled about a bearing pipe of the bearing assembly, such as first arcuate portion 252 and second arcuate portion 254 of split flange 250 .
- Disassembling the split flange may further comprise removing a bolt or other fastener disposed at least partially within a hole extending axially through the split flange.
- the bolt may extend through a first arcuate portion and a second arcuate portion of the split flange.
- the first and second arcuate portions may be displaced laterally from the bearing pipe relative to a central axis of the bearing assembly (shown in FIG. 6 ).
- the method 400 may continue at block 440 where a bearing pipe of the bearing assembly may be extracted or removed from the bearing assembly.
- extracting the bearing pipe from the bearing assembly may comprise vertically or axially displacing the bearing pipe through a central bore of the bearing assembly along a central axis of the bearing assembly, such as central axis 132 .
- the bearing pipe may comprise a lower bearing pipe flange, such as lower bearing pipe flange 256 .
- an outer surface of the lower pipe flange such as lower pipe flange outer surface 258 , may be configured such that it has a diameter that is the same size or smaller than a diameter of the central bore of the bearing assembly, allowing the lower pipe flange to be displaced axially through the central bore of the bearing assembly.
- the method 400 may continue at block 450 where a bearing element stack, such as bearing element stack 114 , may be inspected and/or replaced.
- the method 400 may comprise replacing the bearing element stack 114 as a unit, reassembling the bearing assembly 112 , and installing the bearing assembly 112 into a hydrocarbon production system 100 to at least partially form the FCCS 108 .
- Reassembling the bearing assembly may comprise extending the bearing pipe 120 through the bearing element stack 114 and assembling a split flange 250 of the bearing assembly 112 .
- Installing the bearing assembly 112 into the hydrocarbon production system 100 may comprise installing and coupling the bearing assembly 112 to the bracket 122 and coupling a flexible conduit 110 to the bearing assembly 112 .
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- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
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- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
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Abstract
A fluid conduit connection system includes a bearing assembly comprising a bearing pipe comprising a fluid flow path, and a bearing element stack located exterior to the bearing pipe and disposed substantially annularly about the bearing pipe, wherein the bearing element stack is configured to receive a compressive force from the bearing pipe and wherein the bearing element stack is configured to allow rotation of the bearing pipe about a center of rotation of the bearing assembly.
Description
- The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/776,348 filed on Mar. 11, 2013 by John P. Smid, et al., entitled “FLUID CONDUIT CONNECTION SYSTEM,” which is incorporated by reference herein as if reproduced in its entirety.
- Offshore hydrocarbon production systems may comprise a riser, such as a steel catenary riser (SCR), that serves as a fluid conduit between a subsea hydrocarbon source and a structure located relatively shallower than the riser. In some cases, the structure may comprise a stationary platform supported by a sea floor, a floating platform, a ship, and/or any other structure located relatively closer to a surface of the water as compared to the fluid conduit. In some cases, the weight of the riser may be supported by the relatively more shallow structure. In some cases, risers and the structures that support risers may be moved relative to each other by water currents, vortex induced vibrations, waves, and/or a variety of other perturbing forces. While riser support bearings may be utilized to transfer weight of the riser to the structure while also allowing some level of flexibility and/or relative movement between the riser and the structure, some riser support bearings achieve the above-described flexibility by allowing translational movement between components of the riser support bearings. In some cases, an interface between the components that move relative to each other may at least partially define a fluid flow path of the riser support bearing. In some cases, the fluid received from the riser may escape the fluid flow path through a leak path between the components that move relative to each other. Such leakage of fluid may result in an environmental concern and/or may cause deterioration of riser support bearing elements.
- In some embodiments of the disclosure, a fluid conduit connection system is disclosed as comprising a bearing assembly comprising a bearing pipe comprising a fluid flow path and a bearing element stack located exterior to the bearing pipe and disposed substantially annularly about the bearing pipe, wherein the bearing element stack is configured to receive a compressive force from the bearing pipe and wherein the bearing element stack is configured to allow rotation of the bearing pipe about a center of rotation of the bearing assembly.
- In other embodiments of the disclosure, a fluid conduit connection method is disclosed as comprising providing a bearing pipe comprising a continuous inner wall that defines a flow path, providing a tension force to a tension end of the bearing pipe, disposing at least one bearing element stack external to the bearing pipe and annularly about the bearing pipe, and transferring at least a portion of the tension force to the at least one bearing element stack, wherein the bearing pipe is allowed to move about a center of rotation as a function of asymmetrical compression of the at least one bearing element stack.
- In yet other embodiments of the disclosure, a hydrocarbon production system is disclosed as comprising a fluid conduit, a fluid system, and a fluid conduit connection system comprising an annular bearing element stack, the fluid conduit connection system being configured to (1) connect the fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid system and (2) provide a flexible connection between the fluid conduit and the fluid system.
- In still other embodiments of the disclosure, a device is disclosed as comprising a fluid conduit comprising a central axis and a fluid conduit flange associated with an end of the fluid conduit and a split flange having an assembled configuration and a disassembled configuration, the split flange comprising a first arcuate portion comprising a body and two arcuate protrusions extending circumferentially from the body, and a second arcuate portion comprising a body and two arcuate protrusions extending circumferentially from the body, wherein when the split flange is in the assembled configuration, the arcuate protrusions of the first arcuate portion at least partially longitudinally overlap the arcuate protrusions of the second arcuate portion and the split flange substantially encircles the fluid conduit, wherein when the split flange is in the disassembled configuration, the split flange does not substantially encircle the fluid conduit, and wherein the split flange is moveable between the assembled configuration and the disassembled configuration by moving at least one of the first arcuate portion and the second arcuate portion radially relative to the central axis of the fluid conduit.
- In other embodiments of the disclosure, a method of disassembling a bearing assembly is disclosed as comprising decoupling a split flange of a bearing assembly from a fluid conduit of the bearing assembly and removing the fluid conduit from the bearing assembly by displacing the fluid conduit through a central bore of a bearing element stack of the bearing assembly.
- For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description:
-
FIG. 1 is an orthogonal side view of an hydrocarbon production system according to an embodiment of the disclosure; -
FIG. 2 is an oblique top view of a fluid conduit connection system of the hydrocarbon production system ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3A is an oblique top view of a bearing assembly of the fluid conduit connection system ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 3B is an oblique bottom view of the bearing assembly ofFIG. 3A ; -
FIG. 3C is an orthogonal top view of the bearing assembly ofFIG. 3A ; -
FIG. 4 is an orthogonal cross-sectional front view of the bearing assembly ofFIG. 3A taken along line 4-4 ofFIG. 3C ; -
FIG. 5A is an oblique exploded top view of a portion of the bearing assembly ofFIG. 3A ; -
FIG. 5B is an oblique exploded bottom view of the portion of the bearing assembly ofFIG. 5A ; -
FIG. 6 is an oblique top view of a bearing assembly including an exploded view of a split flange according to an embodiment of the disclosure; -
FIG. 7 is an orthogonal cut-away side view of a portion of an alternative bearing assembly according to another embodiment the disclosure; and -
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of disassembling a fluid conduit connection system (FCCS). - In some cases, it may be desirable to provide a fluid conduit connection system (FCCS) that is free of internal seals and/or potential leak paths while also being suitable for both supporting weight of a fluid conduit and providing a movable connection between the fluid conduit and another component or system. In some embodiments of the disclosure, an FCCS is provided to allow the above-described connection by providing a closed fluid flow path through a high-capacity laminate (HCL) elastomeric bearing assembly. In some embodiments, the closed fluid flow path may be provided by disposing a bearing pipe comprising a continuous inner wall through an aperture of the bearing assembly.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 , an orthogonal side view of ahydrocarbon production system 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure is shown. Most generally, thehydrocarbon production system 100 comprises afluid conduit 102, asupport structure 104 configured to support at least a portion of the weight of thefluid conduit 102, afluid system 106 to which thefluid conduit 102 is selectively joined to in fluid communication, and a fluid conduit connection system (FCCS) 108 that connects thefluid conduit 102 to thefluid system 106. In some embodiments, thefluid conduit 102 may comprise a riser, such as, but not limited to, a steel catenary riser. In some embodiments, thesupport structure 104 may be a buoyant hydrocarbon production rig or platform, a freestanding hydrocarbon production rig, a ship, a helicopter, and/or any other structure that may be located and/or moved relative to thefluid conduit 102 in a manner that may cause a tensile force along thefluid conduit 102 when thefluid conduit 102 is connected to thefluid system 106. In some cases, the above-described tensile force may be partially attributable to a weight of thefluid conduit 102 and/or fluids within thefluid conduit 102. In some cases, the above-described tensile force may be partially attributable movement of thefluid conduit 102 relative thesupport structure 104. In some cases, the FCCS 108 may be carried, supported, and/or restrained by thesupport structure 104 and the FCCS 108 may be configured to transfer the above-described tensile force to thesupport structure 104 while also allowing movement of thefluid conduit 102 relative to at least one of thesupport structure 104 and thefluid system 106. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , an oblique top view of anFCCS 108 according to an embodiment of the disclosure is shown. In this embodiment, the FCCS 108 generally comprises aflexible conduit 110 and abearing assembly 112 connected in fluid communication with theflexible conduit 110.Bearing assembly 112 may generally comprise abearing element stack 114 captured between an upper orinner member 116 and a lower orouter member 118, abearing pipe 120, and abracket 122.Flexible conduit 110 may comprise a fluidsystem connection end 124 and a bearingassembly connection end 126.Bearing pipe 120 may comprise atension end 128 and a flexibleconduit connection end 130. In some embodiments, FCCS 108 may be configured to operate in environments ranging in temperature from about −10° C. to about 200° C. In this embodiment,tension end 128 ofbearing pipe 120 includes asplit flange 250, which will be described in greater detail below. In the embodiment ofFIG. 2 ,bearing assembly 112 is shown disposed above thewaterline 105. However, in other embodiments, thebearing assembly 112 may be disposed below the water line. In this embodiment,bearing assembly 112 may be coupled directly to supportstructure 104. - Referring now to
FIGS. 3A-3C andFIG. 4 , an oblique top view, an oblique bottom view, an orthogonal top view, and an orthogonal cross-sectional front view of thebearing assembly 112 are shown, respectively. In this embodiment,bearing assembly 112 may be described as comprising acentral axis 132 shared by or coincident with central axes ofbracket 122,bearing pipe 120, andbearing element stack 114.Bracket 122 may be configured to support the weight of the remainder of the FCCS 108 and any other tension applied to thetension end 128 of thebearing pipe 120 in a direction generally away from the flexibleconduit connection end 130. - In this embodiment,
bracket 122 may be described as generally comprising abracket receiver 134 and abracket mount 136.Bracket receiver 134 may comprise a receiverupper end 138 and a receiverlower end 140.Bracket receiver 134 may further comprise anannular wall 142 comprising a wallinner surface 144 and a wallouter surface 146. In this embodiment,bracket receiver 134 further comprises afloor plate 148 that extends both radially inward towardcentral axis 132 beyond the annular wallinner surface 144 and radially outward away fromcentral axis 132 beyond the annular wallouter surface 146. Thefloor plate 148 may comprise an upperfloor plate surface 150 and a lowerfloor plate surface 152. In some embodiments, a plurality of floor bolts 154 (seeFIGS. 3B and 4 ) may extend throughfloor plate 148 and thefloor bolts 154 may serve as jacking screws to decouple theouter member 118 from thebracket receiver 134. In this embodiment,bracket mount 136 may be described as comprising a radiallyinner mount end 156 and a radiallyouter mount end 158. The radiallyinner mount end 156 may be connected to thebracket receiver 134 while the radiallyouter mount end 158 may be configured for connection to thesupport structure 104. - Still referring to
FIGS. 3A-3C andFIG. 4 , in this embodiment, bearingpipe 120 may comprise atubular wall 160 having a bearing pipeinner surface 162 defining aflow path 164 extending through the bearingassembly 112. More specifically, theflow path 164 may extend through central apertures in each of thebearing element stack 114,inner member 116, andouter member 118. In this embodiment, bearingpipe 120 may further comprise a bearingpipe flange 166 extending radially outward from a generally frustoconical tubular wallouter surface 168 having a tubular wall outer surfacecentral diameter 169. Because tubular wallouter surface 168 is generally frustoconical, the outer surfacecentral diameter 169 may be tapered alongcentral axis 132 such thatdiameter 169 is greater at bearingpipe flange 166 than atsplit flange 250. The bearingpipe flange 166 may comprise a flangelower surface 170 configured to selectively abut against theinner member 116. In an embodiment,flow path 164 may comprise a diameter within a range of values of about 7″ and about 10″. In an embodiment,tubular wall 160 may comprise a tubular wall outer diameter within a range of values of about 9″ and about 12″. However, in other embodiments,tubular wall 160 may comprise a tubular wall outer diameter within a range of values of about 9″ to about 24″. In an embodiment, bearingpipe 120 may be configured to operate at fluid pressures up to about 20,000 pounds per square inch (psi). As will be discussed further herein, bearingpipe 120 may rotate about a bearingassembly 112 center ofrotation 172 that may lie coincident with the bearingassembly 112central axis 132 and aplane 171 that extends laterally (relative to central axis 132) and which may be generally coincident with flexibleconduit connection end 130. In some embodiments, an insulative material comprising a relatively low thermal conductivity may be disposed between the bearingpipe 120 and thebearing element stack 114. For example, a sleeve of mica which has relatively high strength, relative high stiffness, and relatively low thermal conductivity may be used to thermally insulate thebearing element stack 114 from the potentially veryhot bearing pipe 120. - Referring now to
FIGS. 5A and 5B , exploded oblique top and exploded oblique bottom views, respectively, of thebearing element stack 114,inner member 116, andouter member 118 are shown. In this embodiment, the bearingelement stack 114 may comprise a bearing stackouter profile 174 and aninner profile 175, whereprofiles element stack 114 may comprise a plurality offlexible elements 176, a plurality ofintermediate shims 178 disposed between adjacentflexible elements 176, anupper bonding shim 180, and alower bonding shim 182. When the bearingassembly 112 is assembled, the cooperation of thebearing element stack 114,inner member 116, andouter member 118 may generally allow limited rotation of the bearingpipe 120 about the center ofrotation 172 in orbital-type movements about the center ofrotation 172 and torsional rotation about the central axis of the bearingpipe 120 and/or the bearingassembly 112central axis 132 while thebracket 122 remains substantially stationary relative to thesupport structure 104. In some embodiments, the bearingelement stack 114 may comprise noupper bonding shim 180 so thatflexible elements 176 may interface directly with theinner member 116. In some embodiments, the bearingelement stack 114 may comprise nolower bonding shim 182 so thatflexible elements 176 may interface directly with theouter member 118. Theflexible elements 176 may be coated by materials different from the material of the base and/or primary flexible element material to impart a greater chemical resistance to thebearing element stack 114. For example, when theflexible elements 176 comprise nitrile, rubber, and/or other elastomers, theflexible elements 176 may be at least partially coated by a high performance coating (HPC) comprising hydrocarbon fluid resistive properties. Similarly,intermediate shims 178,upper bonding shim 180, andlower bonding shim 182 may be coated by materials different from the base and/orprimary shim bearing element stack 114. For example, theshims - In this embodiment,
inner member 116 may comprise aninner member body 184 having acentral bore 186 with a generally frustoconical inner memberinner surface 187 having an inner membercentral bore diameter 188. Theinner member 116 may further comprise a substantially flat inner memberupper surface 190 and a substantially convex inner memberlower surface 192. Central borediameter 188 of frustoconicalcentral bore 186 may be tapered alongcentral axis 132 such thatcentral bore diameter 188 is greater at inner memberupper surface 190 than at inner memberlower surface 192.Inner member 116 may further comprise aninner flange 194 that projects upward from inner memberupper surface 190 and which may be disposed adjacent to inner membercentral bore 186. - The frustoconical inner member
inner surface 187 ofinner member 116 may be configured for selective abutment with the tubular wallouter surface 168 of bearingpipe 120 when bearingpipe 120 is placed in tension by a force applied to thetension end 128 of the bearingpipe 120. The inner memberinner flange 194 may also be configured for selective abutment with the bearing pipe flangelower surface 170 when the bearingpipe 120 is placed in tension by a force applied to thetension end 128 of the bearingpipe 120. However, bearingpipe flange 166 may be configured to transmit only enough of a seating force 242 (seeFIG. 4 ) between bearing pipe flangelower surface 170 and inner memberinner flange 194 in order to seat or wedge inner memberinner surface 187 against tubular wallouter surface 168. The physical engagement betweenfrustoconical surfaces pipe 120 that may act to unseatbearing pipe 120 frominner member 116. In this embodiment, thefrustoconical surfaces tension end 128 of bearingpipe 120. - In this embodiment,
outer member 118 may generally comprise anouter member body 198 comprising an outer membercentral bore 200 having an outer membercentral bore diameter 202. Theouter member body 198 may comprise a substantially concave outer memberupper surface 204 and a substantially flat outer memberlower surface 206. In this embodiment, the inner membercentral bore diameter 188 may generally be smaller in size than the outer membercentral bore diameter 202.Outer member 118 may further comprise a generally frustoconical outer memberouter surface 244 having a taperedouter diameter 246 that is greater at outer memberupper surface 204 than at outer memberlower surface 206. - In this embodiment,
inner member 116 andouter member 118 may be formed from low alloy steel such as steel alloys 4130 and 4140 and/or any other suitable material. In this embodiment,upper bonding shim 180 andlower bonding shim 182 may be configured as interfaces between thebearing element stack 114 andinner member 116 andouter member 118 to reduce manufacturing complexity of bearingassembly 112 and improve reparability of bearingassembly 112.Upper bonding shim 180 andlower bonding shim 182 may be formed from a steel alloy, such as alloys 4130 and 4140, stainless steel, and/or any other suitable material.Upper bonding shim 180 andlower bonding shim 182 may be bonded to adjacentflexible elements 176 to reduce relative translational movement between the adjacentflexible elements 176 and theupper bonding shim 180 and thelower bonding shim 182.Upper bonding shim 180 may comprise an upperbonding shim body 208 comprising an upper bonding shimcentral bore 210 having adiameter 212. The upperbonding shim body 208 may comprise a substantially concave upper bonding shimupper surface 214 and a substantially convex upper bonding shimlower surface 216. Thelower bonding shim 182 may comprise a lowerbonding shim body 218 comprising acentral bore 220 having adiameter 222. The lowerbonding shim body 218 may comprise a substantially concave lower bonding shim upperannular surface 224 and a substantially convex lower bonding shimlower surface 226. - Referring now to
FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B , the bearingelement stack 114 may be configured to pliably deform in response to compression of thebearing element stack 114 between theupper bonding shim 180 and thelower bonding shim 182. In some cases, the bearingelement stack 114 may deform by longitudinally compressing and/or radially expanding (relative to central axis 132) in response to being compressed between theupper bonding shim 180 and thelower bonding shim 182. In this embodiment, eachflexible element 176 may comprise a flexible elementcentral bore 228 having a flexible element central bore diameter 230, a substantially concaveupper surface 232 and a substantially convexlower surface 234. The flexible element central bore diameter 230 of theflexible elements 176 may increase in size moving from higher to lower while maintaining a substantially constant annular thickness and/or width of theflexible elements 176. - In this embodiment,
flexible elements 176 may comprise elastomeric materials. The bearingelement stack 114 may comprise a high capacity laminate (HCL) bearing manufactured by LORD Corporation located at 111 Lord Drive Cary, NC 27511. It will be appreciated that because fluids which may contain hydrogen sulfide and other chemicals will not leak onto theflexible elements 176 via a leak path through the bearingpipe 120, a wide variety of elastomeric or pliable materials may be used in forming thebearing element stack 114 without concern of premature degradation of thebearing element stack 114 due to a fluid leak from within the bearingpipe 120. More specifically, because the fluid seals that join thebearing pipe 120 to thefluid conduit 102 andflexible conduit 110 do not allow movement at the sealing junctions between the bearingpipe 120 and thefluid conduit 102 and/orflexible conduit 110, there is reduced opportunity for movement to cause wear at the seals that may lead to seal failure and potential exposure to hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbon fluids, natural gas, acidification injection fluids, injected solvents, and/or incrustation removal fluids. Further, because thebearing element stack 114 is not enclosed in a pressurized housing the bearing stackouter profile 174 andinner profile 175 may be easily visually inspected from above and below, respectively. Also, because thebearing element stack 114 is generally exposed to the environment, the heat generated by flexure of thebearing element stack 114 may be readily dissipated to the environment (i.e. surrounding air and/or water) thereby allowing the bearingelement stack 114 to comprise relatively stronger elastomeric materials than could be used in an enclosed housing. Similarly, the reduced potential for leaks allows construction of the bearing element stack to comprise metals which may be stronger but otherwise are not as resistant to degradation in response to exposure to one or more of the above-described leaked fluids. Still further, the bearingassembly 112 overall weight may be low because it requires no pressurized housing to enclose thebearing element stack 114. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , in operation, the bearingpipe 120tension end 128 may be coupled to afluid conduit 102, such as a steel catenary riser, in a manner that provides atensioning force 236 having alongitudinal force component 238 and alateral force component 240 to thebearing pipe 120. Tensioningforce 236 may be transferred from bearingpipe 120 toinner member 116 via physical engagement between the tubular wallouter surface 168 and theinner member 116inner surface 187. Because of the angled physical engagement betweenfrustoconical surfaces lateral force component 240 may be transferred from bearingpipe 120, throughinner member 116 and thebearing element stack 114, thereby resulting in asymmetrical deformation of thebearing element stack 114 and the above-described movement of the bearingpipe 120 about the center ofrotation 172.Tension force 236 may be transferred from the bearingelement stack 114 to theouter member 118 which may then transfer substantially all forces to thesupport structure 104 via thebracket 122. - In some embodiments, the
FCCS 108 may allow for easy visual inspection as a function of thebearing element stack 114 not being fully enclosed and/or obscured from view. Further, in some embodiments, bearingpipes 120 of different sizes may be accommodated by theFCCS 108 by alternating a size of theinner member 116 and/or optionally portions of thebearing element stack 114 to create a greater diameter central aperture. - Referring now to
FIG. 6 , an oblique top view of bearingassembly 112 including an exploded view ofsplit flange 250 is shown. In this embodiment, splitflange 250 may generally comprise a firstarcuate portion 252 and a secondarcuate portion 254, where firstarcuate portion 252 and secondarcuate portion 254 may be configured to couple about bearingpipe 120 attension end 128.Bearing pipe 120 may comprise a lowerbearing pipe flange 256 extending radially outward from the tubular wallouter surface 168 attension end 128. Lowerbearing pipe flange 256 may comprise a generally cylindrical lower pipe flangeouter surface 258, an annular lower pipe flange upward facingsurface 260 and an annular lower pipe flange downward facingsurface 262. In an embodiment, lower pipe flange downward facingsurface 262 may be configured to interface with a standard American Petroleum Institute (API) 6A flange geometry. In other embodiments, lower pipe flange downward facingsurface 262 may be configured to interface with other flange geometries. - In this embodiment, the split flange first
arcuate portion 252 may generally comprise abody 264 having a first arcuate lowerinner surface 266 and a first arcuate upperinner surface 268 disposed axially above the first arcuate lowerinner surface 266 and extends radially inward from first arcuate lowerinner surface 266. Firstarcuate portion 252 may further comprise firstarcuate protrusions 270 that extend circumferentially frombody 264 and a first arcuate downward facingflanged surface 272. In an embodiment, acut 274 may extend partially into first arcuate upperinner surface 268 at a terminal end of each the firstarcuate protrusion 270. - In this embodiment, split flange second
arcuate portion 254 may generally comprise abody 276 having a second arcuate lowerinner surface 278 and a second arcuate upperinner surface 280 disposed axially above second arcuate lowerinner surface 278 and extends radially inward from second arcuate lowerinner surface 278. Secondarcuate portion 254 may further comprise two secondarcuate protrusions 282 that extend circumferentially frombody 276 and a second arcuate downward facingflanged surface 284. In an embodiment, achamfer 286 may extend partially into the second arcuate lowerinner surface 278 at a terminal end of each of the secondarcuate protrusions 282. - Referring now to
FIGS. 3A, 3B and 6 , splitflange 250 may include a disassembled configuration as shown inFIG. 6 and an assembled configuration as shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B . In an embodiment, when in the assembled configuration, firstarcuate protrusions 270 and secondarcuate protrusions 282 may overlap such that one or more of a plurality ofholes 288 extending through firstarcuate protrusions arcuate portion 252 and secondarcuate portion 254 may be selectively coupled together about lowerbearing pipe flange 256 via a bolt or other generally cylindrical body (not shown) disposed in one or more of the plurality ofholes 288. In the assembled configuration, splitflange 250 may be configured to selectively abut against the lower pipe flange upward facingsurface 260 of lowerbearing pipe flange 256. - In an embodiment, first arcuate downward facing
flanged surface 272 and second arcuate downward facingflanged surface 284 may be configured for selective abutment with the annular lower pipe flange upward facingsurface 260 when the bearingpipe 120 is placed in tension by a force applied to thetension end 128 of the bearingpipe 120. In this embodiment, cuts 274 andchamfers 286 may be configured to provide radial clearance so as to allow firstarcuate portion 252 and secondarcuate portion 254, respectively, to disengage from lowerbearing pipe flange 256 via displacing laterally outward fromcentral axis 132, as shown inFIG. 6 . - Referring now to
FIG. 7 , an orthogonal cut-away view of a portion of an alternative embodiment of a bearingassembly 300 is shown. The bearingassembly 300 may comprise abearing element stack 302 captured between anouter member 304 and aninner member 306. The bearingassembly 300 may further comprise abearing pipe 308 that comprises atension end 310 configured to receive a tension force, such astension force 312, from a fluid conduit, such as, but not limited to a catenary riser. As compared to the bearingassembly 112, the directionality of the concave and convex features of each of thebearing element stack 302, theouter member 304, and theinner member 306 are reversed relative to a direction of a source of a tension load applied to thebearing pipe 308. In this embodiment, a flexible conduit, such as, but not limited to, aflexible conduit 110 may be connected to thepipe end 314. Additionally, as compared to the bearingassembly 112, a center ofrotation 316 of the bearingassembly 300 is located nearer thetension end 310 rather than nearer thepipe end 314. - In yet other alternative embodiments, the lower members (
outer member 118 and inner member 306) may be supported by a platform floor of a rig rather than by the above-described bracket. In some embodiments, the upper members (inner member 116 and outer member 304) may be bolted or otherwise fastened to the bearing pipes. In some embodiments one or more components of the fluid conduit connection systems disclosed herein may be disposed within a body of water, and as a result, may dissipate heat to the body of water. In some embodiments, installing the fluid conduit connection systems does not require significant preloading and/or compression of the bearing assembly components. In some embodiments, by not having a potential leak path within the bearing assembly, relatively higher working pressure may be achieved within the bearing assembly without causing fluid leakage from the bearing assembly. In some embodiments, the bearing assembly may allow a bearing pipe to rotate within a cone of rotation of up to about 25 degrees. In some embodiments, the bearing pipe outer diameters may range from about 4 inches outer diameter to about 25 or more inches outer diameter. In some embodiments, the fluid conduit connection systems may be able to withstand tensile forces of up to about 5,000-11,000 kips. In some embodiments, the flexible conduits may comprise carbon fiber and/or composite materials. - As used herein, first member encompasses
inner member 116 of the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-6 . Additionally, as used herein, first member encompassesouter member 304 of the embodiment of illustrated inFIG. 7 . Similarly, as used herein, second member encompassesouter member 118 of the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-6 . Additionally, as used herein, second member encompassesinner member 306 of the embodiment of illustrated inFIG. 7 . - Referring now to
FIG. 8 , a block diagram depicting amethod 400 of disassembling a FCCS, such asFCCS 108, is shown. The method may begin atblock 410 by decoupling a fluid conduit from a bearing assembly. In an embodiment, decoupling a fluid conduit from a bearing assembly may comprise disengaging and/or removing bolts or other fasteners coupling the fluid conduit to the bearing assembly. The bearing assembly may comprise a HCL elastomeric bearing assembly, such as the bearingassembly 112. The fluid conduit may comprise a flexible conduit, such as theflexible conduit 110. The FCCS may comprise a support structure configured to support at least a portion of the weight of the fluid conduit and a fluid system coupled to the fluid conduit, such as thesupport structure 104 ofFCCS 108. - The
method 400 may continue atblock 420 where the bearing assembly may be removed from the bracket. Removing the bearing assembly from the bracket may generally comprise displacing the bearing assembly vertically and/or longitudinally along a central axis of the bearing assembly, such ascentral axis 132, and then laterally displacing the bearing assembly from the bracket. In an embodiment, removing the bearing assembly from the bracket may also comprise retrieving the bearing assembly top side (i.e., above the water line) to a surface vessel, such as an offshore hydrocarbon production rig or platform. In this embodiment, removing the bearing assembly may further comprise visually inspecting the bearing assembly for damage or wear. - In an embodiment, removing the bearing assembly from the bracket may comprise decoupling the bearing assembly from the bracket. The bracket may be disposed either above or below a water line and may be supported by a buoyant hydrocarbon production platform or other support structure, such as
support structure 104. The bracket may be configured to support at least a portion of the weight of the FCCS and any other tension forced applied to the bearing assembly. In an embodiment, the bracket may generally comprise a bracket receiver and a bracket mount, such asbracket 122. - The
method 400 may continue atblock 430 where a split flange of the bearing assembly may be disassembled. The split flange may be coupled to a bearing pipe of the bearing assembly, such asbearing pipe 120. The split flange may comprise two arcuate portions coupled about a bearing pipe of the bearing assembly, such as firstarcuate portion 252 and secondarcuate portion 254 ofsplit flange 250. Disassembling the split flange may further comprise removing a bolt or other fastener disposed at least partially within a hole extending axially through the split flange. In this embodiment, the bolt may extend through a first arcuate portion and a second arcuate portion of the split flange. The first and second arcuate portions may be displaced laterally from the bearing pipe relative to a central axis of the bearing assembly (shown inFIG. 6 ). - The
method 400 may continue atblock 440 where a bearing pipe of the bearing assembly may be extracted or removed from the bearing assembly. In an embodiment, extracting the bearing pipe from the bearing assembly may comprise vertically or axially displacing the bearing pipe through a central bore of the bearing assembly along a central axis of the bearing assembly, such ascentral axis 132. The bearing pipe may comprise a lower bearing pipe flange, such as lowerbearing pipe flange 256. In this embodiment, an outer surface of the lower pipe flange, such as lower pipe flangeouter surface 258, may be configured such that it has a diameter that is the same size or smaller than a diameter of the central bore of the bearing assembly, allowing the lower pipe flange to be displaced axially through the central bore of the bearing assembly. - The
method 400 may continue atblock 450 where a bearing element stack, such as bearingelement stack 114, may be inspected and/or replaced. In this embodiment, themethod 400 may comprise replacing the bearingelement stack 114 as a unit, reassembling the bearingassembly 112, and installing the bearingassembly 112 into ahydrocarbon production system 100 to at least partially form theFCCS 108. Reassembling the bearing assembly may comprise extending the bearingpipe 120 through the bearingelement stack 114 and assembling asplit flange 250 of the bearingassembly 112. Installing the bearingassembly 112 into thehydrocarbon production system 100 may comprise installing and coupling the bearingassembly 112 to thebracket 122 and coupling aflexible conduit 110 to the bearingassembly 112. - Other embodiments of the current invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein. Thus, the foregoing specification is considered merely exemplary of the current invention with the true scope thereof being defined by the following claims.
Claims (22)
1. A fluid conduit connection system, comprising:
a bearing assembly, including:
a bearing pipe having a fluid flow path; and
a bearing element stack located exterior to the bearing pipe and disposed substantially annularly about the bearing pipe;
wherein the bearing element stack is configured to receive a compressive force from the bearing pipe and wherein the bearing element stack is configured to allow rotation of the bearing pipe about a center of rotation of the bearing assembly.
2. The fluid conduit connection system of claim 1 , the bearing assembly further comprising a first member disposed between the bearing pipe and the bearing element stack.
3. The fluid conduit connection system of claim 1 , the bearing assembly further comprising:
a bracket configured to receive the bearing element stack; and
a second member disposed between the bracket and the bearing element stack.
4. The fluid conduit connection system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a flexible conduit connected to a first end of the bearing pipe;
wherein a second end of the bearing pipe is configured to receive a tension force.
5. The fluid connection system of claim 4 , wherein the center of rotation is located closer to the first end of the bearing pipe than the second end of the bearing pipe.
6. The fluid connection system of claim 1 , wherein the center of rotation is coincident with a central axis of the bearing pipe.
7. The fluid connection system of claim 1 , wherein the bearing pipe further comprises a continuous inner wall.
8. The fluid connection system of claim 7 , wherein the continuous inner wall extends longitudinally through an entire longitudinal length of the bearing element stack.
9. A fluid conduit connection method, comprising:
providing a bearing pipe including a continuous inner wall that defines a flow path;
providing a tension force to a tension end of the bearing pipe;
disposing at least one bearing element stack external to the bearing pipe and annularly about the bearing pipe; and
transferring at least a portion of the tension force to the at least one bearing element stack;
wherein the bearing pipe is allowed to move about a center of rotation as a function of asymmetrical compression of the at least one bearing element stack.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
transferring at least a portion of the tension force to a support structure via a bracket configured to retain the bearing element stack relative to the support structure.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the location of the center of rotation is determined as a function of the shape of the bearing element stack.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the center of rotation is coincident with a central axis of the bearing pipe.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the center of rotation is located longitudinally along the central axis of the bearing pipe at a location exterior to an aperture of the bearing element stack.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the bearing element stack is configured to allow rotation of the bearing pipe relative to the bearing element stack about a central axis of the bearing pipe by elastically deforming the bearing element stack.
15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the tension force is provided to the bearing pipe from a riser.
16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the center of rotation is located nearer an end of the bearing pipe opposite the tension end than the tension end.
17. A hydrocarbon production system, comprising:
a fluid conduit;
a fluid system; and
a fluid conduit connection system including an annular bearing element stack, the fluid conduit connection system being configured to (1) connect the fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid system and (2) provide a flexible connection between the fluid conduit and the fluid system.
18. The hydrocarbon production system of claim 17 , wherein the annular bearing element stack further comprises a high-capacity laminate material.
19. The hydrocarbon production system of claim 18 , wherein the fluid conduit connection system further comprises a bearing pipe having a continuous inner wall and wherein the continuous inner wall extends through a central aperture of the annular bearing element stack.
20. The hydrocarbon production system of claim 19 , wherein the fluid conduit further comprises a catenary riser connected to the bearing pipe, the fluid system is associated with a support structure and is connected to the bearing pipe, and at least a portion of the weight of the catenary riser is transferred to the support structure via the fluid conduit connection system.
21. A device, comprising:
a fluid conduit comprising a central axis and a fluid conduit flange associated with an end of the fluid conduit; and
a split flange having an assembled configuration and a disassembled configuration, the split flange including:
a first arcuate portion including a body and two arcuate protrusions extending circumferentially from the body; and
a second arcuate portion including a body and two arcuate protrusions extending circumferentially from the body;
wherein when the split flange is in the assembled configuration, the arcuate protrusions of the first arcuate portion at least partially longitudinally overlap the arcuate protrusions of the second arcuate portion and the split flange substantially encircles the fluid conduit;
wherein when the split flange is in the disassembled configuration, the split flange does not substantially encircle the fluid conduit; and
wherein the split flange is moveable between the assembled configuration and the disassembled configuration by moving at least one of the first arcuate portion and the second arcuate portion radially relative to the central axis of the fluid conduit.
22. A method of disassembling a bearing assembly, comprising:
decoupling a split flange of a bearing assembly from a fluid conduit of the bearing assembly; and
removing the fluid conduit from the bearing assembly by displacing the fluid conduit through a central bore of a bearing element stack of the bearing assembly.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/771,691 US20160376855A1 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2014-03-11 | Fluid conduit connection system |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201361776348P | 2013-03-11 | 2013-03-11 | |
PCT/US2014/023186 WO2014164673A2 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2014-03-11 | Fluid conduit connection system |
US14/771,691 US20160376855A1 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2014-03-11 | Fluid conduit connection system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20160376855A1 true US20160376855A1 (en) | 2016-12-29 |
Family
ID=50549414
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/771,691 Abandoned US20160376855A1 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2014-03-11 | Fluid conduit connection system |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20160376855A1 (en) |
EP (2) | EP2971448B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2014164673A2 (en) |
Citations (8)
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US5269629A (en) * | 1991-07-29 | 1993-12-14 | Shell Oil Company | Elastomeric swivel support assembly for catenary riser |
US5447392A (en) * | 1993-05-03 | 1995-09-05 | Shell Oil Company | Backspan stress joint |
US5482406A (en) * | 1993-04-15 | 1996-01-09 | Continental Emsco Company | Variable spring rate compression element and riser tensioner system using the same |
US5641248A (en) * | 1993-04-15 | 1997-06-24 | Continental Emsco Company | Variable spring rate compression element and riser tensioner system using the same |
US5951061A (en) * | 1997-08-13 | 1999-09-14 | Continental Emsco Company | Elastomeric subsea flex joint and swivel for offshore risers |
US7341283B2 (en) * | 2004-01-29 | 2008-03-11 | Oil States Industries, Inc. | High temperature flexible pipe joint |
US7373986B2 (en) * | 2004-10-06 | 2008-05-20 | Single Buoy Moorings, Inc. | Riser connector |
US7914234B2 (en) * | 2008-05-21 | 2011-03-29 | Seahorse Equipment Corporation | Method and apparatus for restraining a tendon top connector in reverse loading conditions |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US4040690A (en) * | 1975-11-17 | 1977-08-09 | Lord Corporation | Laminated bearing |
US4708525A (en) * | 1982-02-25 | 1987-11-24 | Amoco Corporation | Multiterminators for riser pipes |
US20030019625A1 (en) * | 2001-07-25 | 2003-01-30 | Olivier Moog | Simple flexible joint for high pressure and high temperature |
US7559723B2 (en) * | 2006-02-24 | 2009-07-14 | Technip France | Hull-to-caisson interface connection assembly for spar platform |
US7621698B2 (en) * | 2007-10-03 | 2009-11-24 | Vetco Gray Inc. | Rotating lock ring bottom tendon connector |
US8016324B2 (en) * | 2008-02-25 | 2011-09-13 | Oil States Industries, Inc. | Two-element tandem flexible joint |
-
2014
- 2014-03-11 US US14/771,691 patent/US20160376855A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2014-03-11 WO PCT/US2014/023186 patent/WO2014164673A2/en active Application Filing
- 2014-03-11 EP EP14719411.2A patent/EP2971448B1/en active Active
- 2014-03-11 EP EP17176134.9A patent/EP3282085A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5269629A (en) * | 1991-07-29 | 1993-12-14 | Shell Oil Company | Elastomeric swivel support assembly for catenary riser |
US5482406A (en) * | 1993-04-15 | 1996-01-09 | Continental Emsco Company | Variable spring rate compression element and riser tensioner system using the same |
US5641248A (en) * | 1993-04-15 | 1997-06-24 | Continental Emsco Company | Variable spring rate compression element and riser tensioner system using the same |
US5447392A (en) * | 1993-05-03 | 1995-09-05 | Shell Oil Company | Backspan stress joint |
US5951061A (en) * | 1997-08-13 | 1999-09-14 | Continental Emsco Company | Elastomeric subsea flex joint and swivel for offshore risers |
US7341283B2 (en) * | 2004-01-29 | 2008-03-11 | Oil States Industries, Inc. | High temperature flexible pipe joint |
US7373986B2 (en) * | 2004-10-06 | 2008-05-20 | Single Buoy Moorings, Inc. | Riser connector |
US7914234B2 (en) * | 2008-05-21 | 2011-03-29 | Seahorse Equipment Corporation | Method and apparatus for restraining a tendon top connector in reverse loading conditions |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2014164673A2 (en) | 2014-10-09 |
EP2971448B1 (en) | 2017-10-18 |
EP3282085A1 (en) | 2018-02-14 |
WO2014164673A3 (en) | 2015-06-11 |
EP2971448A2 (en) | 2016-01-20 |
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Owner name: LORD CORPORATION, NORTH CAROLINA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SMID, JOHN P.;OWENS, JONATHAN M.;CUNE, GREGG;SIGNING DATES FROM 20140313 TO 20140319;REEL/FRAME:032596/0228 |
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Owner name: LORD CORPORATION, NORTH CAROLINA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SMID, JOHN P.;OWENS, JONATHAN M.;CUNE, GREGG;SIGNING DATES FROM 20140313 TO 20150314;REEL/FRAME:036541/0310 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |