How to connect a new riser pipe
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docellen
Jul 12, 2010, 11:40:04 AM7/12/10
to blowout
The connection must be quick and easily accomplished by underwater
robots. See the file riser_sleeve.png for one suggestion.
The new connection should have minimum effect on existing flows and
pressures in a damaged well. It should work on even a bent and torn
piece of riser pipe, jammed with drill pipes inside, spewing oil and
gas, and forming hydrates the instant the gas hits water. The idea is
to bring the new riser close to the torn end of the old one, and
slowly squeeze this sleeve around the two ends. As the gaps narrow,
the hydrates will be flushed out.
robots. See the file riser_sleeve.png for one suggestion.
The new connection should have minimum effect on existing flows and
pressures in a damaged well. It should work on even a bent and torn
piece of riser pipe, jammed with drill pipes inside, spewing oil and
gas, and forming hydrates the instant the gas hits water. The idea is
to bring the new riser close to the torn end of the old one, and
slowly squeeze this sleeve around the two ends. As the gaps narrow,
the hydrates will be flushed out.
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MacQuigg
Jul 15, 2010, 5:06:33 PM7/15/10
to blowout
I've added one improvement to Dr. Ellen's original idea. Some teeth
along the inside edges would be helpful to keep the sleeve from
slipping off the riser pipes. If the sleeve is tightened with some
strong cable around the outside, we should be able to make these teeth
bite deeply into the steel pipe, and hold against a few hundred psi of
pressure over the outside seawater. That should be enough to get the
flow going into the bottom of the riser, then as the gas expands, it
will provide lift for the additional push to the surface.
This sketch was done using Google SketchUp. If anyone else has a good
idea, I'll be glad to help with the artwork.
along the inside edges would be helpful to keep the sleeve from
slipping off the riser pipes. If the sleeve is tightened with some
strong cable around the outside, we should be able to make these teeth
bite deeply into the steel pipe, and hold against a few hundred psi of
pressure over the outside seawater. That should be enough to get the
flow going into the bottom of the riser, then as the gas expands, it
will provide lift for the additional push to the surface.
This sketch was done using Google SketchUp. If anyone else has a good
idea, I'll be glad to help with the artwork.
MacQuigg
Jul 18, 2010, 11:06:29 PM7/18/10
to blowout
One last improvement - spikes instead of grip teeth. The shearing
force on these spikes could be enormous. 100 psi overpressure in a 20-
inch pipe will generate 31,000 pounds total shearing force. The
previous plan might get only a small penetration of the teeth into the
old riser, even with really strong clamps around the sleeve. An
explosively-driven spike can easily penetrate a half-inch steel pipe.
Note the collar around the end of the spike, so it stops at the
outside surface of the sleeve. This will keep the spikes from rolling
out and tearing loose when the pressure increases.
force on these spikes could be enormous. 100 psi overpressure in a 20-
inch pipe will generate 31,000 pounds total shearing force. The
previous plan might get only a small penetration of the teeth into the
old riser, even with really strong clamps around the sleeve. An
explosively-driven spike can easily penetrate a half-inch steel pipe.
Note the collar around the end of the spike, so it stops at the
outside surface of the sleeve. This will keep the spikes from rolling
out and tearing loose when the pressure increases.
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