FR3042811A1 - DEVICE FOR SUBAQUATIC LINE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (DL) for an underwater line (2,4,5), said device (DL) having a light (L), said light (L) having a longitudinal axis (Al), and comprising a one-piece body (21). To facilitate the installation of such a device (DL), the one-piece body (21) has an oblique opening (00) opening into the lumen (L) and extending from the first end (21e ') of the one-piece body ( 21) at the second end (21 '' ') of the same one-piece body (21), the opening (00) having a longitudinal axis (Ao), the projection of the longitudinal axis (Ao) of said opening in a plane ( PL) containing the longitudinal axis (Al) of the light (L) describing an angle (a) acute with said longitudinal axis (Al) of the light (L). Said device (DL) is preferably used to guarantee weighting or buoyancy functions.

Description

The invention relates to the field of devices for underwater lines in application with drilling systems, in the field of offshore. The latter are used for all types of use and preferably but not exclusively, to ensure ballasting functions (also known as ballast), also known as "buoyancy" (also known under the name of Anglo-Saxon "buoyancy"). ) or the removal of marine current (also known as the English name "VIV suppression strake").

Today, oil, a natural mineral oil and a mixture of hydrocarbons, is used extensively, thus being at the heart of everyone's life and therefore at the heart of the world economy. It is not for nothing that this source of fossil energy is nicknamed "black gold". Indeed, oil: provides most liquid fuels, such as, as non-limiting examples, LPG, fuel oil, gas oil, kerosene, gasoline; is at the base of many objects of everyday life, such as by way of non-limiting examples, textiles, cosmetics, fertilizers, detergents, etc., in the form of naphtha when it is produced by refining, then transformed thanks to petrochemicals; also included in the composition, among others, bitumens, lubricants and paraffins.

On the other hand, oil has many advantages, since being a source of liquid energy, it is easy to pump, store, transport and use. In addition, it offers a large amount of energy for a small volume.

Traditionally, oil is extracted through oil wells in fields or oil fields, areas where large quantities of oil are buried since the latter is a source of natural energy. Such fields or deposits are located in oil-producing regions or oil basins, on or below the ground, or below the sea floor, in which multiple natural resources or reservoirs of oil are present. Some oil fields may extend over areas of several hundred square kilometers, requiring the presence of multiple wells to allow the operation of an entire area. The presence of oil fields and the extraction of oil through wells make it possible to build up oil reserves. Thus, the exploitation of any oil field to obtain oil reserves is in principle composed of two main stages: first an exploration or prospecting stage, then a stage of oil production.

Advantageously, but not limitatively, the production step requires the use of oil wells. In the case of submarine deposits, such oil wells are used in subsea installations in association with oil platforms, advantageously fixed or mobile. Two non-limiting embodiments of such a system are described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

During operations, such as, as non-limiting examples of installation or maintenance operations, on submarine oil wells, a vessel or drilling platform 1 (also known by the English terminology Drilling Vessel ") is generally used. Such a platform 1 is, advantageously but not limitatively, connected to a well 6, positioned on the seabed SB, by a hollow tube 2 of large dimensions, in particular of considerable length (also known as "tube Bearer "and the English terminology" Marine Riser "), said support tube 2 allowing in particular the descent of various equipment to the seabed SB, sometimes several thousand meters below the surface. The connection between said carrier tube 2 and the vessel or the platform 1 is provided by an elastic coupling 3 (also known in the English terminology "Flex-Joint"). Indeed, the carrier tube 2 is fixed to the seabed and subjected to different conditions of temperature and pressure. The vessel or platform 1 is, in turn, subject to weather conditions, as non-limiting examples of wave movements. Inside said carrier tube 2 are inserted and lowered a hollow tube of small diameter 4 for drilling (also known as "Drilling conduit", under the English terminology "Drilling Riser Pipe" or under the abbreviation "DRP") and a so-called umbilical cable 5, said cable being advantageously attached to the drill pipe 4. Alternatively, said drill pipe 4 and umbilical cable 5 can be lowered directly to the open sea, without requiring the use of a carrier tube 2 as previously described.

The term "umbilical cable", any cable for the supply of consumables to a device. In the case of submarine deposits, such an umbilical cable 5, deployed closer to the seafloor SB, allows a connection between the host establishment, namely the platform 1, through which the necessary control commands and the energy, whether electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic, are transmitted or even different chemicals delivered to a subsea oil well 6. Such an umbilical cable 5 can also be used in connection with subsea manifolds or any underwater system requiring remote control. An umbilical cable usually consists of a long flexible assembly of tubes and / or cables contained within a protective sheath: in principle, electrical cables are thus contained within the umbilical cable for transmitting control commands and signals. energy and low or high pressure tubes for transporting hydraulic fluids to the control valves and chemicals for injection into the oil well 6. Such an umbilical cable is also referred to as an "electro-hydraulic cable". In addition, the umbilical cable 5 may also comprise other additional elements, such as by way of non-limiting examples, optical fiber cables, for tracking purposes. The design of an umbilical cable is modular, adaptable to each installation: it depends on several factors including water depth, function, environmental conditions and temperature.

Said drill pipe 4 generally comprises one or more sections or sections 4s tubular, preferably but not limited to twelve meters, the sections being fixed to each other by any means, by way of non-limiting examples screwed, bolted together. Advantageously, but not exclusively, the drilling pipe 4 can serve as a housing for various mechanical tools, such as by way of non-limiting examples of drills or drill bits, or else allow the injection of different chemicals, such as for example non-limiting examples of glycol or concrete.

During drilling or maintenance operations, the underwater drilling line comprising a column and / or a drill pipe 4 and at least one umbilical cable 5 must remain substantially fixed with respect to the well head 6 (also known in the Anglo-Saxon terminology "Wellhead").

The umbilical cable 5 is advantageously wound and / or unwound by means of a winch 7, possibly motorized, said winch being positioned on the deck of the vessel or platform 1. As a non-limiting example, the drill pipe 4 , as for him, is advantageously connected to the vessel or the platform 1, possibly by means of a mooring turret. In order to limit the efforts of the umbilical cable 5 on the winch 7 and to avoid possible friction and / or contact between the umbilical cable 5 and the drill pipe 4 and / or the support tube 2, the umbilical cable 5 and the drilling pipe 4 must cooperate or be bonded with each other, possibly at regular intervals.

According to the applications or more generally to the subsea installations, the umbilical cable 5, the drill pipe 4, the support pipe 2, also known generically as "underwater lines" and in the English terminology "pipelines", "Risers", etc., can be positioned in different ways. According to a first embodiment described in connection with FIG. 1, such underwater lines 2, 4 and 5 can be maintained substantially vertically, said lines cooperating at one end with the wellbore 6 and at a second end with the platform or a vessel 1. Alternatively, according to a first embodiment described in connection with FIG. 1, such underwater lines 2, 4 and 5 can be maintained substantially horizontally, said lines cooperating at a first end with the wellbore 6 and at a second end with the platform or vessel 1. According to other embodiments not shown in the figures, the underwater lines 2, 4 and / or 5 must in certain cases meet certain constraints because of the geographical location, the climate or production facilities by the realization of specific poses, such as non-limiting examples, po its known under the names Anglo-Saxon "Lazy Wave", "Steep Wave" or "W Wave".

Today, techniques already exist to ensure such positioning of underwater lines. The most widespread solutions consist of equipment or devices providing ballast functions, also known under the name "ballast", buoyancy, also known as "buoyancy", or marine current, also known under the name Anglo-Saxon "VIV suppression strake". In the remainder of the document, by way of a preferred but nonlimiting example, we will describe such an underwater line device in its application as a buoyancy device, also known by the common name "buoy" or in the English terminology. "Buoyancy module". However, the invention can not be limited to this single embodiment.

Such equipment or buoyancy devices are generally arranged and / or installed respectively on one or more underwater lines, said lines being able to be arranged as a network and providing a connection between an underwater installation, such as, for example, no limiting a wellbore, and an offshore platform and / or a vessel, such as those previously described in connection with Figures 1 and 2. Said equipment or buoyancy devices are in principle positioned during the immersion and descent of subaquatic lines, possibly as and when assembling the modules of some of the underwater lines. As specified above, they allow in particular to achieve specific poses, helping to lighten the weight of the underwater line in the water. Alternatively or in addition, said equipment or devices are installed horizontally, in a plane substantially parallel to the seabed, to prevent and / or prevent buckling phenomena, that is to say any deformation of the submarine line or lines subject to a compression force, during the stretching and / or contraction of said underwater lines.

A first example of an embodiment of a known buoyancy device is described in connection with FIG. 3. Such a buoyant device DL firstly comprises a fastening device 11, itself comprising one or more elements, cooperating with each other according to mechanical links, possibly articulated in one or more degrees of freedom, especially in rotation. The attachment device 11 thus has a light having a substantially identical section to the section of the outer wall of said underwater line. Throughout the document, the term "light" means any orifice, recess or central cavity (e) arranged in the device to allow the passage of one or more underwater lines, namely in the case of a drilling system, one or more umbilical cables and / or one or more drill pipes. According to Figure 3, said attachment arrangement 11 advantageously comprises two elements, cooperating advantageously with each other in appropriate pivot links. The elements can advantageously but non-limitatively be made of nylon. Such a fastening device 11 allows in particular to place and maintain by mechanical action the position of the buoyancy device DL along the underwater line. According to FIG. 3, the buoyancy device DL furthermore comprises two so-called floating elements 12a and 12b, also known under the name "hulls", advantageously independent of the attachment device 11 previously described. Said floating elements 12a and 12b are advantageously and mainly consist of a material adapted to ensure the buoyancy of the DL buoyancy device and consequently of a section of the underwater line 5 cooperating with said DL buoyancy device. Such a material may advantageously be an optionally semi-rigid polymer. The two floating elements 12a and 12b cooperate with each other, so that once assembled together, they no longer form one and the same entity, also having a light arranged to ensure the passage of the underwater line . In addition, the floating elements 12a and 12b respectively have central housings 12a, that is to say recesses or orifices, adapted to receive the attachment device 11 and allow the cooperation between the attachment device 11 and the floating elements 12a and 12b. Fixing and / or locking means may optionally be provided to ensure that the fastening device 11 is secured to the floating elements 12a and 12b. Such a configuration makes it possible to eliminate any degree of freedom in translation of the buoyancy device DL with respect to the underwater line. The buoyancy device DL further comprises one or more straps 13 optionally made of an aramid type polymer and advantageously circumferential, said straps being advantageously arranged to encase together the floating elements 12a and 12b, thus allowing the formation of a single and same entity.

Such a buoyancy device DL may further include locking means and / or fixing.

Traditionally, the installation on an underwater line of a so-called traditional buoyancy device, such as the device DL described in connection with FIG. 3, comprises chronologically and non-limitatively the following steps: the positioning and tightening of the device fastening 11; placing the first floating element 12a; setting up the second floating element 12b; the assembly of the first and second floating elements 12a and 12b by means of one or more circumferential straps 13, also known in the English terminology "straps", and optionally, in addition, locking and / or closing means . Such locking and / or closing means may advantageously comprise any bolt, fastening screw or equivalent means for clamping or locking the floating elements around the underwater lines and their attachments. At present, the arrangement and / or the configuration of the buoyancy devices, or more generally devices for underwater line, used have, among a large number of disadvantages, the following disadvantages, in particular because of number of important parts and a long and tedious process of assembly and installation: high installation times and costs, the use of numerous tools adapted to the various components of the traditional buoyancy device, the expertise of many operators. The invention makes it possible to meet the great majority of the disadvantages raised by the known solutions.

Among the many advantages provided by an underwater line device according to the invention, we can mention that it allows: to propose an assembly and a setting facilitated and fast, due to the presence of a minimum of component elements the device for underwater line and an innovative configuration; to minimize the risk of loss of components of the subaqueous line device according to the invention and to reduce the number of equipment and tools employed by facilitating installation by the use of pre-assembled devices; to guarantee a significant time saving of installation and maintenance for the complete system and consequently a significant reduction of the costs, in particular by reducing the installation times and the number of operators within the platform or the vessel ; to offer a device offering a wide range of applications and use, such as by way of non-limiting examples, buoyancy, ballasting; to guarantee the immobilization, and more particularly the absence of translation with respect to the longitudinal axis of the underwater line, of the device once installed, as well as the preservation of the integrity of said line and / or said device subjected to climatic conditions, especially marine currents, thanks to the possible presence of a degree of freedom in rotation to absorb shocks caused by weather conditions. To this end, a device for underwater line is provided, said device having a light, said light having a section of dimensions substantially greater than or equal to those of the section of said underwater line and having a longitudinal axis, and comprising a body piece. To facilitate and accelerate the installation of such a device on the underwater line, regardless of the position of said underwater line, and consequently significantly reduce the costs and installation time, the one-piece body of a device complies with to the invention has an oblique opening opening into the lumen and extending from the first end of the one-piece body to the second end of the same one-piece body, the oblique opening further having a width greater than or equal to the smallest of the dimensions section of the underwater line and having a longitudinal axis, the projection of the longitudinal axis of said oblique opening in a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the light describing an acute angle with said longitudinal axis of the light.

In a preferred but nonlimiting manner, the projection of the longitudinal axis of said oblique opening of said one-piece body in a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the light may describe an angle of between five and forty-five degrees with said longitudinal axis of the light.

In order to facilitate the insertion and / or removal of the underwater line of a device according to the invention, the one-piece body of the latter may have first and second transition surfaces and / or guide from the oblique opening towards the light, said transition surfaces and / or guide facing each other facing a transverse plane.

In addition, to also ensure the maintenance of the underwater line within a device according to the invention, the first and / or second transition surfaces of said one-piece body of the latter may respectively comprise a linear protrusion and / or discontinuous.

In order to accommodate any curvatures inherent in the external conditions of the underwater line, the sections of the light at the first and second ends of a device according to the invention may have dimensions greater than the section of the light in the center of said device .

In addition or alternatively, to possibly ensure the maintenance, or even the locking in translation of a device according to the invention, the one-piece body of the latter may have in its interior a recess arranged to receive a fastening device, said recess opening into the light.

Alternatively or additionally, advantageously, a device according to the invention may further comprise a fastening device itself comprising an inner wall, said inner wall having one or more contact pads with the outer wall of the underwater line, when said underwater line is inserted into the device by the oblique opening.

Alternatively or additionally, to provide an "all-in-one" device easy to install and set up, but also durable over time, the attachment device of a device according to the invention may comprise first and second elements, the second element being removable, and the oblique opening of the one-piece body may comprise a window arranged to allow radial insertion of said second element.

Advantageously but not limitatively, to increase the buoyancy or ballast function, depending on the material used to constitute mainly the one-piece body, on the underwater line of a device according to the invention, the latter may further comprise a complementary piece constituted mainly in a material substantially identical to that mainly comprising the one-piece body, the dimensions of said complementary part being adapted so that it can fill all or part of the oblique opening.

Preferably, but not exclusively, to facilitate the large scale manufacture of a device according to the invention, the one-piece body of the latter may consist of an open cylinder, the opening of the cylinder materializing the oblique opening opening into the light.

According to a first preferred but nonlimiting embodiment, in order to achieve one or more specific poses by helping to lighten the weight of the underwater line, the one-piece body of a device according to the invention may consist mainly of a material arranged to ensure the buoyancy of said device.

Thus, preferably but not limited to, the material constituting the one-piece body of said device may be mainly of a syntactic foam.

Alternatively, according to a second advantageous embodiment, the one-piece body of a device according to the invention may consist mainly of a material arranged to ensure the ballasting of said device.

Thus, preferably but not limited to, the material constituting the one-piece body of said device may be mainly cast iron, lead or polyurethane.

According to a second object, the invention also relates to an underwater line, cooperating with one or more devices for underwater line according to the invention, each device respectively enclosing a section of said underwater line.

According to a third object, the invention relates to a parapétrolier system, comprising a parapétrolière platform, an underwater line cooperating with said platform and an oil well cooperating with said underwater line. To ensure the proper functioning of an oil-based system according to the invention, the latter comprises at least one device according to the invention, said at least one device enclosing a respective section of said underwater line. Other characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows and on examining the figures which accompany it, among which: FIGS. 1 and 2, previously described, illustrate detailed views of platform systems or floating oil unit for drilling; FIG. 3, previously described, shows an embodiment of an underwater line buoyancy device according to the state of the art; FIGS. 4A to 4C show sectional and perspective views of a first embodiment of an underwater line device according to the invention; FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate sectional and perspective views of a second embodiment of an underwater line device according to the invention; FIG. 6 presents a graphic description of an element of a device for attaching an underwater line device according to the invention; FIGS. 7A and 7B show views in section and in perspective of the installation and / or installation of an underwater line device according to a third embodiment according to the invention; FIGS. 8A to 8C schematically illustrate sectional and perspective views of the third embodiment of an underwater line device according to the invention, advantageously installed on an underwater line.

FIGS. 4A to 4C and 5A to 5C show first and second embodiments of an underwater line device according to the invention. FIGS. 7A and 7B, in turn, show sectional and perspective views of the installation and / or implementation of a third embodiment of an underwater line device according to the invention. Finally, FIGS. 8A to 8C schematically illustrate sectional and perspective views of the third embodiment of an underwater line device according to the invention, advantageously installed on an underwater line.

A DL device according to the invention, for an underwater line, such as the underwater lines 2, 4, 5 described in connection with FIG. 1, advantageously has a light L. As preferred but nonlimiting examples, such a device DL advantageously allows the ballasting or buoyancy of an underwater line (not shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C and 5A to 5C) integrated in a drilling system, such as by way of non-limiting examples, those described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. Preferably, such an underwater line may consist of an umbilical cable or a drill pipe as previously described, but can not be limited to these examples alone. Thus, it may consist of any cable and / or any duct cooperating advantageously with an oil platform and / or with an oil well. As stated above, "light" means any orifice or central recess arranged in the device to allow the passage of an underwater line, namely in the case of a drilling system of an umbilical cable and / or a drill pipe. Thus, said light L advantageously has a section whose dimensions are substantially greater than or equal to those of the section of the underwater line. Furthermore, said section may advantageously be square, circular, oblong or any other section likely to be adapted for an underwater line, or in some cases several subaquatic lines. Throughout the document, the term "underwater line section" the section of the underwater line including the outer wall of said line. By way of a preferred but nonlimiting example, such as that described with reference to FIGS. 7A, 7B and 8A to 8C, such an underwater line may have a substantially cylindrical section. Thus, the light L can also have a substantially cylindrical section, similar to that of the underwater line 5. Said light L also has a longitudinal axis A1. Throughout the document, the term "longitudinal axis of the light" is understood to mean axis passing through the device DL in the direction of its length. In view of the configuration of the device, a longitudinal axis A1 traversing the latter is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of an underwater line 5, a linear section of said underwater line being pregnant by said device. By way of nonlimiting examples, when the light L has a circular and constant section, as described in connection with FIGS. 4A to 8C, the longitudinal axis A1 may be substantially parallel, or even coincidental with the axis of revolution. light L.

Furthermore, preferably, the device DL comprises a one-piece body 21, designed to encase a section of an underwater line, such as the line 2, 4 or 5 described in connection with FIG. 1. According to the various embodiments described in connection with FIGS. 4A to 8C, said one-piece body 21 consists of a single element. However, the invention can not be limited to these embodiments alone. As a variant, the one-piece body 21 could be subdivided into several, at least two, cooperating parts, that is to say, according to an embedding connection, with each other to form a single entity such as the one-piece body. 21. To facilitate and reduce the time for the installation of a DL device on a section of an underwater line, while minimizing as much as possible the human interventions and the number of operators necessary for the installation of such a device DL, said DL device being advantageously put in place to provide a buoyancy function, ballast or removal of marine current, the one-piece body 21 of a DL device according to the invention has an oblique opening 00 opening into the light L, that is to say that the opening ends in the light L. Within the meaning of the invention, the term "opening", any hole, orifice or slot made in the one-piece body 21 of a provision DL according to the invention. Said oblique opening 00 extends from the first end 21e 'of said one-piece body 21 to the second end 21e' 'of the same one-piece body, the first and second ends being defined as the distal points of the one-piece body 21, namely the points further away from the center of the one-piece body 21. Said oblique opening 00 thus defines two lips substantially parallel and opposite to one another. In this advantageous embodiment, the one-piece body 21 is called an "open one-piece body". The oblique opening 00 of said one-piece body 21 furthermore has a width greater than or equal to the smallest of the dimensions of the section of the underwater line, in order to allow the insertion of said underwater line into the one-piece body 21 and by way of consequence of the DL device. As a non-limiting example, when the underwater line advantageously has a substantially circular section, said smaller dimension consists of the diameter of said circular section. Alternatively, when the underwater line advantageously has a substantially rectangular section, said smaller dimension is the width of said rectangular section. Alternatively, according to another embodiment, the oblique opening 00 of said one-piece body 21 may also have a width greater than or equal to the largest dimension of the section of the underwater line. Referring to the previous examples, when the underwater line advantageously has a substantially circular section, said larger dimension consists of the diameter of said circular section. Alternatively, when the underwater line advantageously has a substantially rectangular section, said largest dimension is the length of said rectangular section. Finally, regardless of the width of the oblique opening 00 of said one-piece body 21 of a device according to the invention, said width and more generally the oblique opening 00 must be adapted, adjusted and / or arranged to the geometry, especially to the dimensions of the underwater line.

Said oblique opening 00 also has a longitudinal axis Ao. Like the longitudinal axis Al of the light L, we define "the longitudinal axis of the opening" as any axis crossing the latter in the direction of the length. Finally, as described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 5A, the projection of the longitudinal axis Ao of the oblique opening 00 in a plane PL, said plane PL containing the longitudinal axis A1 of the light L, describes an acute angle a, that is to say a lower salient angle, namely an angle α between zero and ninety degrees, with said longitudinal axis Al of the light L. In the remainder of the document, such a plane PL is also referred to as a "longitudinal plane". The opening 00 is qualified as oblique, since it is deflected at an acute angle α with respect to the longitudinal axis A1 of the light L. Preferably, but without limitation, the projection of the longitudinal axis Ao of said oblique opening 00 in a plane PL containing the longitudinal axis A1 of the light L can preferentially describe an angle α between five and forty-five degrees with said longitudinal axis A1 of the light L. Such a value of the angle a , advantageously in the range, facilitates the maintenance and insertion of the one-piece body 21 of a DL device according to the invention. By way of nonlimiting example, when said device DL is in the vertical position, such an acute angle has favored the alignment of the one-piece body 21, and consequently of the device DL, with the underwater line.

Depending on the type of subaquatic line to be encapsulated or the application to be considered, the one-piece body 21 of a device DL according to the invention may comprise different forms, said forms being adapted to the constraints to be respected. In a preferred but nonlimiting manner, in accordance with the different embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 8C, the one-piece body 21 may consist of an open cylinder. Such a cylinder is called open because of the presence of oblique opening 00 opening into the light L. Such a configuration is particularly advantageous since it offers the possibility of using conventional manufacturing processes and adapts to all underwater lines commonly used in the offshore field.

Alternatively or additionally, the one-piece body 21 of a device DL according to the invention may advantageously comprise first and / or second transition surfaces 21s', 21s' 'and / or guide. When they are present, such first and / or second transition and / or guiding surfaces are advantageously located from the oblique opening 00 towards the light L and thus make it possible to favor the insertion and the guiding of a section d an underwater line within the one-piece body 21, and consequently a DL device according to the invention, to ensure the positioning and optimum arrangement of said section of the underwater line within the latter. In addition, said first and / or second transition surfaces 21s', 21s' 'of transition and / or of guide can advantageously but not limitatively face each other, that is to say be arranged in mirror one of the other, with regard to a transverse plane PT. Throughout the document, a "transverse plane" is defined as a plane substantially normal to a longitudinal plane PL, that is to say any plane containing a longitudinal axis Al of the light L.

Moreover, as described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4C and 5A to 5C, such transition surfaces 21s', 21s' 'and / or guiding may advantageously be present in different forms, depending on whether the operator or the The user of a DL device according to the invention prefers to facilitate the insertion of an underwater line 2, 4 and 5 within said DL device or said operator chooses to maintain the DL device in a permanent position over time. According to FIGS. 4B, 4C, 5B and 5C, such transition surfaces 21s', 21s' 'of transition and / or of guide can, advantageously but not limitatively, consist respectively of two ranges (situation represented by dotted lines) of transition , advantageously curved to allow an unobstructed transition, ensuring easy and fast passage of the oblique opening 00 and the light L. According to this embodiment, the establishment of a DL device according to the invention is particularly fast and easy. Alternatively, said surfaces 21s', 21s' 'of transition and / or guide the one-piece body 21 of a device DL according to the invention may comprise respectively one or more protuberances forming a projection during the transition between the opening oblique 00 and light L. For the purposes of the invention and throughout the document, the term "protrusion", any protruding portion of the protruding body 21 protruding, possibly in the form of "hump". Such protuberances make it possible in particular to form one or more stops, that is to say a fulcrum for retaining and / or fix the DL device on a section of the underwater line or more generally to limit any movement of the underwater line with respect to said DL device. According to the first and second embodiments described respectively with reference to FIGS. 4B and 4C, 5B and 5C, said protuberances 21p may advantageously be linear, that is to say that said protuberances propagate respectively along the first and second surfaces 21s', 21s' 'of transition and / or guide. Alternatively (not shown in the figures), said first and second surfaces 21s', 21s' 'may respectively comprise one or more discontinuous protuberances, said protuberances being advantageously positioned respectively on one or more parts of the first and / or second surfaces, of preferred but not limiting manner, towards the ends 21e ', 21e' 'of the one-piece body 21 of a device DL according to the invention. In addition, more particularly when the protuberances 21p are linear, the latter may each respectively have a defined edge along the respective projections of said protuberances 21p. For the purposes of the invention and throughout the document, the term "edge" means the intersection line defined by the two surfaces forming the protuberance. According to a first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 4B and 4C, the respective edges of the protuberances 21p may advantageously have a rounded shape, said protuberances in rounded shape thus defining an attenuated angle. Such a rounded shape promotes and facilitates the insertion of an underwater line 5 within a DL device according to the invention and prevents any alteration of the integrity of the outer wall of the underwater line. Alternatively, according to a second embodiment described in connection with Figures 5B and 5C, the respective edges of the protuberances 21p may advantageously have a sharp shape, said protuberances in sharp form thus defining a very acute salient angle, such as a peak. However, the invention can not be limited to the shape of the respective edges of the protuberances 21p.

Alternatively or additionally, to accommodate the curve of an underwater line, such a curvature may be driven by certain climatic conditions or because of a specific pose, the sections of the light of a DL device according to the invention at the first and second ends 21e ', 21e' 'may have dimensions greater than the section of the light L in the center of said DL device. The sections at the first and second ends 21e ', 21e' 'can thus be described as flared, with regard to the section of the light L in the center of said device DL. Advantageously but not exclusively, the light L within the device DL can thus have a double cone shape, also called "hourglass".

Thanks to its clever arrangement, particularly because of the presence of the oblique opening 00, a DL device according to the invention makes it possible to ensure a quick and easy installation and installation of the latter on a section of a subaquatic line advantageously integrated in a drilling system, such as by way of non-limiting examples, those described in connection with Figures 1 and 2. Said DL device can then perform various functions according to the needs of the drilling system. According to the dimensions of the sections of the light L of a device DL according to the invention, the latter can optionally rotate, that is to say turn around, the underwater line according to a degree of rotation about the axis However, depending on the application cases, it is sometimes necessary to maintain such a fixed device DL with respect to the underwater line and thus to block the translation and / or rotation of said device DL respectively. long and / or around the underwater line. To do this, according to FIGS. 4A to 4c and 5A to 5C, the one-piece body 21 of said device DL may have in its center a recess 21h arranged to receive an attachment device, said recess 21h opening into the light L. Such a attachment device, also known by the English name "clamp", allows the attachment and maintenance of the DL device on the submerged line or a section of said line. Such a recess 21h is advantageously made on the inner wall of the one-piece body 21, said inner wall being defined by the light L of the device DL. For the purposes of the invention and throughout the document, the term "recess" means an orifice or a cavity adapted to accommodate the attachment device and allow cooperation between the fastening device and the one-piece body 21. Such a recess 21h can also be called housing. Said recess 21h may advantageously comprise dimensions substantially equal to or greater than the dimensions of the attachment device, in order to ensure proper positioning and maintenance of the various elements of the drilling system. Furthermore, the recess 21h may advantageously be practiced all along the inner wall of the one-piece body 21, from the first end 21e 'to the second end 21e' '. In a preferred but nonlimiting manner, according to an optimal arrangement described in connection with FIGS. 4B and 5B, said recess 21h may have central positioning and arrangement to ensure an optimal balance of said DL device on the underwater line. Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous since it does not require the presence of a particular fastener and is compatible with most existing fasteners.

As a variant or in addition, a device DL according to the invention may furthermore have an attachment device 22. FIG. 6 presents a graphic description of an element of a device for attaching a DL device for an underwater line according to the invention. Such an attachment device 22 itself comprises an inner wall, said inner wall having one or more contact pads with the outer wall of the underwater line when said underwater line is inserted into the device DL by the oblique opening 00 Within the meaning of the invention and throughout the document, the term "contact pad", any portion of the inner wall of the fastening device 22 arranged to come into contact with the outer wall of an underwater line during the establishment of said underwater line within the attachment device 22 and more generally DL device. Such a contact area makes it possible to create, between the attachment device 22 and the underwater line, a friction preventing any relative movement of the underwater line and the device DL and consequently to ensure the integral cooperation, or even the maintenance and the fixing, said DL device and said underwater line together. Furthermore, the fastening device 22 can cooperate with the one-piece body 21 in a recessed connection, permanently or removably. Such cooperation can be provided between the outer wall of said fastening device 22 and the inner wall of said one-piece body 21.

The fastening device 22 may advantageously be integrated within the one-piece body 21. As described with reference to FIG. 6, in addition or alternatively, fixing and / or locking means may optionally be provided to guarantee that the attachment device 22 with the one-piece body 21. Such a configuration eliminates any degree of freedom in translation, or even in rotation, of the device relative to the underwater line by friction. Such locking and / or closing means may advantageously comprise any bolt, fastening screw or equivalent means for clamping and / or locking the one-piece body 21 with the fastening device 22 and their fasteners. Advantageously, but not exclusively, to ensure the longevity of a device DL according to the invention, the locking and / or closing means may consist of galvanized steel, standard structural steel, steel with Nikaflex®, bronze and / or stainless steel. In addition, said locking and / or closing means may also comprise one or more inserts 22i, fastening elements possibly embedded in the one-piece body 21, cooperating at least in a recess connection with said one-piece body 21.

Although presenting a first solution to prevent or limit any translation of a DL device according to the invention with respect to the underwater line, the attachment device 22 is sometimes not sufficient to ensure permanent and permanent joining and fixing said DL device. To guarantee such securing and fixing, according to a third embodiment described in connection with FIGS. 7A, 7B and 8A to 8C, the attachment device 22 of a device DL in accordance with the invention may comprise first and second elements 22 ', 22' '. However, the invention can not be limited to the number of elements included within a fastening device 22. When they cooperate integrally with each other, removably or permanently, said first and second elements 22 ', 22' 'of said attachment device 22 may form a single entity, so that said entity has a light whose dimensions are adapted, that is to say substantially equal, or in some cases substantially higher than those of the underwater line that the attachment device 22 pregnant. Furthermore, preferably but not exclusively, the first and second elements 22 ', 22' 'have dimensions and similar arrangements, or even identical, so that said first and second elements 22', 22 '' can cooperate easily.

In addition, the second element 22 '' of said attachment device 22 may be removable, to allow the establishment of said DL device on site. Like the fastening device 22 described in a previous embodiment, the first element 22 'of said fastening device 22 can cooperate permanently, advantageously in a recessed connection, with the one-piece body 21. first element 22 'of said attachment device 22 may advantageously be included, integrated or pre-mounted within the one-piece body 21, possibly within the recess 21h when it is present. As described in connection with FIG. 6, in addition or alternatively, fastening and / or locking means may optionally be provided within the device DL, to ensure that the first element 22 'is secured to the one-piece body 21. such a configuration makes it possible to eliminate any degree of freedom in translation, or even in rotation, of the device DL with respect to the underwater line. Such locking and / or closing means may advantageously comprise any bolt, fastening screw or equivalent means for clamping or locking the one-piece body 21 with the first element 22 'and their fasteners. Advantageously, but not exclusively, to ensure the longevity of a device DL according to the invention, the locking and / or closing means may consist of galvanized steel, standard structural steel, steel with Nikaflex®, bronze and / or stainless steel. In addition, said locking and / or closing means may also comprise one or more inserts 22i, fastening elements possibly embedded in the one-piece body 21, cooperating at least in a recess connection with said one-piece body 21.

Furthermore, the oblique opening 00 of the one-piece body 21 may comprise a window 21f arranged to allow radial insertion of said second element 22 ''. Such a window 21f may consist of an opening, whose dimensions are substantially equal to or greater than the dimensions of the second element 22 '', in order to ensure adequate positioning and maintenance of said second element 22 '' on the underwater line and to allow a clamping and / or locking by means of any tooling adapted to a suitable material, such as, by way of non-limiting examples, all bolts, fixing screws or equivalent means. In addition, the window 21f may advantageously be made all along the oblique opening 00 of the one-piece body 21, from the first end 21e 'to the second end 21e' '. In a preferred but nonlimiting manner, according to an optimum arrangement described in connection with FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A to 8C, said window 21f can advantageously be positioned on the oblique opening 00, so that, when present, said 21f window can face the recess 21h and that the first and second elements 22 ', 22' 'can, after the radial insertion of said second removable element 22' ', cooperate together and form a single entity, namely an attachment device 22 adapted to embed an underwater line and allow the maintenance of a DL device according to the invention.

Whatever its arrangement, the attachment device 22 of a DL device according to the invention must be made of materials capable of performing its fastening and clamping functions. Furthermore, such a fastening device 22 must have specific physical and chemical properties and properties, in particular to withstand the deformations and wear imposed by the surrounding environment as well. Thus, according to the invention, such a fastening device 22 can be made of different materials. By way of nonlimiting examples, according to a first variant, like the known existing fastening devices, said fastening device 22 may consist mainly of a flexible polymer or of one of its derivatives. Indeed, flexible polymers are particularly suited to the functions of a fastening device, since the flexible polymers can be deformed in particular to ensure the clamping function. Preferably, the flexible polymer constituting said attachment device 22 may be polyurethane, since the polyurethane, especially in foam form, has many interesting physicochemical properties, such as by way of nonlimiting examples, a very good water tightness, resistance to pressure and certain temperatures, chemical inertness and wear resistance. Polyurethane also has particularly interesting plastic deformation properties, since polyurethane is considered a ductile material. Indeed, ductility can be defined as the ability of a material, including polymers, to deform plastically, without reaching a breaking point and therefore an irreversible deformation. The invention can not, however, be limited to the material constituting the fastening device 22.

A DL device according to the invention, thanks to its particular arrangement and in particular the presence of the oblique opening 00 within the one-piece body 21, ensures a quick and easy installation on site, with a reduced number of operators. Such a device DL, in comparison with the known devices, such as by way of example the device described in connection with Figure 3, exposes itself accordingly to a material deficit from the oblique aperture 00. Such a deficit of material, in some cases, may be penalizing, since it displaces, more or less according to the dimensions of said oblique opening, the center of gravity of the device DL towards the outer surface of the one-piece body 21 opposite the oblique opening 00. Such displacement of the center of gravity causes impacts on the functions provided by the device DL, especially when it operates for the buoyancy or weighting of elements, since the absence of material induced by the oblique opening 00 directly affects the buoyancy or weight of said DL device. To remedy such a disadvantage and thus allow the center of gravity to recover its position, a device DL according to the invention may further comprise one or more complementary parts (not shown in the figures). Advantageously but non-limitatively, said one or more complementary parts are advantageously constituted primarily of a material substantially identical to that mainly comprising the one-piece body 21. At least, said one or more complementary parts are advantageously mainly constituted of a material whose physicochemical properties, in particular the density and / or the density, are substantially similar to those of the material constituting the one-piece body 21. The said complementary piece or pieces respectively have dimensions adapted so that they can fill all or part of the oblique opening 00.

As described above, a device DL according to the invention makes it possible to ensure a quick and easy installation and installation of the latter on a section of an underwater line advantageously integrated into a drilling system, such as for example nonlimiting examples, those described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. Such a device DL is used for any type of use and preferably but not exclusively, to provide weighting, buoyancy or even current removal functions. marine. To do this, the one-piece body 21 of a DL device according to the invention is adapted and / or arranged to provide the desired function. Such an adaptation and / or arrangement may consist of a particular choice of material or the addition of additional elements. We will now describe three examples of preferred but non-limiting applications.

Thus, according to a first variant of application, to ensure buoyancy functions, the one-piece body 21 of a DL device according to the invention may consist mainly of a material arranged to ensure the buoyancy of said device. Such a material must have certain physico-chemical characteristics, in particular related to the density of the material. Indeed, for said material to guarantee the buoyancy of the device, it must have a density less than the density of water, seawater or more generally the fluid in which the device DL is introduced. Thus, the lower the density of the material with respect to the density of the seawater, for example, the greater the ability to float a DL device according to the invention will be important. As preferred but non-limiting examples, the material constituting the one-piece body 21 of said DL device may consist mainly of a syntactic foam. For the purposes of the invention and throughout the document, a "syntactic foam" is defined as a cellular composite material constituted by a matrix, such as, by way of non-limiting examples, a polymer matrix, in which injected hollow microspheres. Preferably, but not exclusively, the syntactic foam may comprise a matrix consisting mainly of a polyepoxide, said matrix being charged with spheres of hollow glasses, said spheres thus having a low density and then allowing the matrix to be lightened. In addition, to improve the buoyancy of a DL device according to the invention, the syntactic foam may further comprise polymeric macroelements, the polymers may be thermoplastic polymers or thermosetting: in this case, the foam is qualified as syntactic composite foam. The use of such foams is particularly advantageous, since they have particularly interesting physico-chemical properties, such as a very high resistance to high pressures, imposed for example in deep water. Alternatively or in addition, a one-piece body 21 of a DL device may advantageously comprise an envelope. Such an envelope makes it possible, in particular, to encase the material constituting the one-piece body, by serving as a coating for said one-piece body 21. By way of a preferred but nonlimiting example, such an envelope may advantageously and mainly consist of polyethylene. The use of polyethylene is particularly interesting, since in its presence, the manufacturing processes of the one-piece body 21 of a DL device according to the invention are numerous: rotational molding, cutting and welding, etc. However, the invention can not be limited to these only examples of materials constituting the one-piece body 21, and possibly the envelope of said body, of a DL device according to the invention. Any material capable of providing a buoyancy function to said DL device may be employed.

Furthermore, according to a second variant of application, to ensure weighting functions, the one-piece body 21 of a DL device according to the invention may consist mainly of a material arranged to ensure the ballasting of said device. Like materials ensuring the buoyancy of a DL device according to the invention, such a material must have certain physico-chemical characteristics, in particular related to the density of the material. Indeed, for said material can guarantee the ballasting of the device, it must have a density greater than the density of the water, sea water or more generally the fluid in which the device DL is introduced. Thus, the greater the density of the material will be important with regard to the density of seawater, for example, the greater the ability to ballast a DL device according to the invention will be important. As preferred but non-limiting examples, the material constituting the one-piece body 21 of said DL device is mainly cast iron, lead or, to a lesser extent, polyurethane. Alternatively, such a material may also be concrete loaded or not, brass. However, the invention can not be limited to this single list of materials. Any material capable of providing a ballast function to said DL device may be used.

Finally, according to a third variant of application, to guarantee the functions of suppressing the marine current, the one-piece body 21 of a device DL according to the invention may comprise means for suppressing the marine current. Indeed, due to environmental conditions, the underwater lines tend to oscillate and vibrate, resulting in an increase in drag and consequently structural fatigue. As a result, means for suppressing the current are necessary in order to reduce the wear of the elements of a drilling system or more generally of any petroleum system, such as that described with reference to FIGS. 1 or 2. Non-limiting examples, such means for suppressing the marine current may include one or more strakes or strakes (also known under the name "strakes").

Furthermore, the invention provides an underwater line. Preferably, said underwater line may be advantageously but not limitatively an umbilical cable 5, a drill pipe 4 or a support tube 2, as described above in connection with FIG. 1. To reduce the costs and installation time of the said line, it cooperates with one or more DL devices according to the invention, each DL device respectively enclosing a section of said underwater line 2, 4, 5. The invention also provides a petroleum system including a parapétrolière platform 1, a subaquatic line 2, 4, 5 cooperating with said platform 1 and an oil well 6 cooperating with said underwater line 2, 4, 5. To reduce the costs and installation time of said system, said system comprises at least one DL device according to the invention enclosing a respective section of said underwater line. Preferably, said underwater line can be advantageously but not limitatively an umbilical cable 5, a drill pipe 4 or a support tube 2, as described above. Said oil platform can advantageously be fixed or mobile, or even be a floating unit. The invention can not be limited to the type of platform comprised by said system. The invention has been described when used in connection with buoyancy or weighting applications of an umbilical cable, a drill pipe or a carrier tube, that is to say advantageously of a subaqueous line, associated with wells in oilfields or fields. It can also be implemented for any type of underwater or underwater lines that require weighting, buoyancy or water current removal functions.

It could also be envisaged that the device according to the invention guarantees other functions and / or applications than those previously described and / or mentioned. The invention can not be limited to the application in which the device according to the invention is used. Other modifications may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims (16)

1. Device (DL) for underwater line (2,4,5), said device (DL) having a light (L), said light (L) having a section of dimensions substantially greater than or equal to those of the section of said underwater line (2,4,5) and having a longitudinal axis (Al), and comprising a one-piece body (21), said device (DL) being characterized in that the one-piece body (21) has an oblique opening (00) opening into the lumen (L) and extending from the first end (21e ') of the one-piece body (21) to the second end (21e' ') of the same one-piece body (21), the oblique opening (00) having in addition a width greater than or equal to the smallest dimension of the section of the underwater line (2,4,5) and having a longitudinal axis (Ao), the projection of said longitudinal axis (Ao) of said oblique opening (00 ) in a plane (PL) containing the longitudinal axis (Al) of the light (L) describing an acute angle (a) with the edit longitudinal axis (Al) of the light (L). 2. Device (DL) according to the preceding claim, wherein the projection of the longitudinal axis (Ao) of said oblique opening (00) in a plane (PL) containing the longitudinal axis (Al) of the light (L) preferably describes an angle (a) between five and forty-five times with said longitudinal axis (A1) of the light (L). 3. Device (DL) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one-piece body (21) has first and second surfaces (21s', 21s' ') of transition and / or quidaqe since the oblique opening ( 00) to the light (L), said transition surfaces and / or guide facing each other facing a transverse plane (PT). 4. Device (DL) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first and / or second surfaces (21s', 21s' ') of transition of said one-piece body (21) respectively comprise a protrusion (21p) linear and / or discontinuous. 5. Device (DL) according to any preceding claim, wherein the sections of the light (L) at the first and second ends (21e ', 21e' ') of said device (DL) have dimensions greater than the section light (L) in the center of said device (DL). 6. Device (DL) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one-piece body (21) of said device (DL) has within it a recess (21h) arranged to receive a fastening device, said recess (21h ) opening into the light (L). 7. Device (DL) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a fastening device (22) itself comprising an inner wall, said inner wall having one or more contact pads with the outer wall of the underwater line (2,4,5) when said underwater line (2,4,5) is inserted within the device (DL) by the oblique opening (00). 8. Device (DL) according to claim 7, wherein the fastening device (22) comprises first and second elements (22 ', 22' '), the second element (22' ') being removable, and the oblique opening (00) of the one-piece body (21) comprises a window (21f) arranged to allow radial insertion of said second element (22 ''). 9. Device (DL) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a complementary part consisting mainly of a material substantially identical to that mainly comprising the one-piece body (21), the dimensions of said complementary part being adapted so that it can fill all or part of the oblique opening (00). 10. Device (DL) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one-piece body (21) consists of an open cylinder. 11. Device (DL) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one-piece body (21) of said device (DL) consists mainly of a material arranged to ensure the buoyancy of said device. 12. Device (DL) according to the preceding claim, wherein the material constituting the one-piece body (21) of said device (DL) is mainly a syntactic foam. 13. Device (DL) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the one-piece body (21) of said device (DL) consists mainly of a material arranged to ensure the ballasting said device. 14. Device (DL) according to the preceding claim, wherein the material constituting the one-piece body (21) of said device (DL) is mainly cast iron, lead or polyurethane. 15. Underwater line (2,4,5), cooperating with one or more devices (DL) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, each device (DL) enclosing a section of said underwater line (2, 4,5 ). 16. Oil-services system, comprising an oil-drilling platform (1) / an underwater line (2,4,5) cooperating with said platform (1) and an oil well (6) cooperating with said underwater line (2,4,5) , said system being characterized in that it comprises at least one device (DL) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 enclosing a section of said underwater line (2,4,5).