Nkt Flexibles I/s

National Oilwell Varco Denmark I/s

Jakob Wedel-Heinen

Kristian Glejbol

Kristian Glejbøl

Jan Christian Rytter

Kristian Glejb&oslash;l

For use in the manufacture of reinforcement layers for flexible pipes which are capable of absorbing compressive or tensile forces, and which are used for the transport of oil and gas, a thermoplastic material is applied to a strength-imparting layer. The strength-imparting layers are reeled on reels, and following unreeling, are laminated by application of heat and in direct continuation applied to the pipe. The strength-imparting layer includes a polymer reinforced with at least 20% by volume of fibers. The thermoplastic is of a reversible type (it may change from being relatively soft, but non-sticky to being sticky by changes in temperature). The method allows manufacture of very strong reinforcements for flexible pipes which cannot be manufactured using solid material, e.g., steel, since high performing bending forces are required in shaping. A reinforcement element is provided which is capable of resisting instantaneous shock loads as the thermoplastic material is protective.

Method of manufacturing a reinforcement element for a flexible pipeline

For use in the manufacture of reinforcement layers for flexible pipes which are capable of absorbing compressive or tensile forces, and which are used for the transport of oil and gas, a thermoplastic material is applied to a strength-imparting layer. The strength-imparting layers are reeled on reels, and following unreeling they are laminated by application of heat and in direct continuation applied to the flexible pipe. The strength-imparting layer expediently consists of a polymer which is reinforced with at least 20% by volume of fibres. The thermoplastic material is of a reversible type, i.e. it may change from being relatively soft, but non-sticky by changes in temperature. The use of the method according to the invention allows manufacture of very strong reinforcements for flexible pipes which cannot be manufactured using a solid material, such as steel, since high performing bending forces are required in the shaping. In addition, a reinforcement element is provided which is capable of resisting instantaneous shock loads as the thermoplastic material is protective.

A reinforced flexible pipeline (), which has an inner liner () whose inner side engages an inner reinforcement layer () that may be formed by a so-called carcass, and on whose outer side at least a strength-imparting reinforcement layer () is provided, has an additional barrier layer () which is arranged between the inner liner and the inner reinforcement layer. The additional barrier layer is thermally insulating and/or chemically protecting. The additional barrier layer may be formed as a tape () which is wound around the inner reinforcement layer, or may be composed of locking profiles () which are wound around the flexible pipeline in a helix. The additional barrier layer () may be made completely or partly of a polymer which may be thermoplastic, or is cross-linked completely or partly. Hereby, the pipe may be protected against temperatures above e.g. 13&#xb0; C. and may also be protected against attacks from methanol that contains water. By constructing the additional barrier layer of profiles it is additionally ensured that it can transfer great compressive forces to the inner reinforcement layer, without any risk of the liner being caused to float since it is supported evenly by the additional barrier layer.

Reinforced flexible pipeline having a thermal barrier

An armoured flexible pipe consists of an inner liner (), which surrounds a carcass (). On the other side of the inner liner () there are two armour layers, where the innermost () is a pressure armour layer, while the outermost () is a tensile armour layer. An outer sheath () is finally applied around the armour layers. With the object of ensuring a low transport of heat through the walls of the pipe, one or more thermally-insulating layers () are extruded on the outside of the inner liner, where, depending on the use of the pipe, the layers can consist, for example, of a polymer or polymeric mixture, polyolefin, such as a polypropylene, or a polyketon. The flexible pipe according to the invention is especially applicable for use in the extraction, transport or refining of mineral oil or related fluids.

Flexible armoured pipe and use of same

Flexible, armored pipes and methods of using the same are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible, armored pipe includes an inner liner which is surrounded by a pressure armor. The inner liner may be built-up by joining together profiles that have a number of recesses. In one embodiment, the profiles are configured as K-profiles, which have recesses that are arranged in adjoining surfaces of the profile. When the profiles are brought together, the recesses form a cavity in which a locking element can be inserted, the function of which is to prevent displacement of the K-profiles at right-angles to the axial direction of the pipe when exposed to axial, compressive forces. The locking element can be I-shaped, circular or configured as a wire with a C-shaped cross-section. The locking element can also be made either of a rigid or an elastic, deformable material. With a C-shaped locking element, the whole of the cavity, which is formed by the recesses, is not filled out. A channel is thereby formed through which undesired fluids can be led away or through which cleaning fluids can be introduced.

Armoured, flexible pipe and use of same

An armoured flexible pipe consists of an inner liner ( ), on the inside of which a carcass ( ) is provided, while the outer side of the inner liner is surrounded by a layer of pressure armour and a layer of tensile armour, which in turn are surrounded by one or more layers of thermally insulating bands which are shielded from the surroundings by an outer sheath. With the object of ensuring a sufficiently low transport of heat through the walls of the pipe, on the outside of the pressure and tensile armour layers ( ) thermally insulating bands are provided, which bands are made of a polymer or a polymeric composition, such as a polymer containing at least 50% polypropylene. The armoured flexible pipe according to the invention is especially advantageous for use in the extraction, transport or refining of mineral oil or related fluids.

Growing community of inventors

Charlottenlund, Denmark

Jakob Wedel-Heinen