Apparatus and method for shearing tubes of a lattice structure, in particular subaqueously

Abstract: Pipe shears for cutting tubes of a subaqueous structure, comprising means for fastening (36) to a suspension means, such as a stick or a cable (10), at least two clamping jaws (13,14), hingedly about a first hinge axis (15) connected to each other, means for moving the clamping jaws towards each other and away from each other and cutting means (23,24) for shearing a tube clamped between the clamping jaws.

Description: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for shearing tubes of a structure, such as in particular a substructure of an oil or gas platform, also called jacket structure. Such structures have been placed in for instance the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea. An apparatus and a method as described in the preamble of claim 1 and 12, Resp., are known from US-A-3.669.515. When the exploitation of oil or gas fields is terminated, the platforms set up on those fields loose their function. Leaving the platform behind can cause future damage to the environment, but can also constitute a danger for shipping traffic. For that reason, it is increasingly often required that after the exploitation of an oil or gas field has been terminated, the platform is completely removed. The superstructure, which is clearly visible, can herein be removed in a known manner, whether after having been split up into separate parts or not. Removing the substructure, which has been secured on the seabed, is more difficult, however. These lattice structures are removed by divers, who subaqeously cut the tubes with cutting torches, water jet cutters or explosives or the like, after which the detached pieces of tube can be raised. This work is dangerous, expensive and time-consuming, while moreover the subaqueous employment of people is often not allowed for reasons of safety in the case of heavy seas and swell, as a consequence of which the position of the crane ship may be insufficiently controllable. It is an object of the invention to improve upon this, which is achieved by means of an apparatus as described in claim 1, preferably as described in claim 2, and by means of a method, as described in claim 12. The apparatus according to the invention can be lowered from an auxiliary vessel, if necessary provided with stabilizing means, to near the tube portion to be sheared. Herein, positioning means and/or video means (ROV), known to a person skilled in the art, can be used to bring the apparatus to the right location prior to cutting. Due to the hinge structure by which the clamping jaws are connected to each other, the clamping jaws are positioned obliquely relative to each other, by which, on the one hand, a large receiving opening is realized and, on the other hand, a guide means is provided for the tube after it has entered the receiving opening, so that the tube is securely positioned within the clamping jaws. These clamping jaws can thereafter be closed to flatten the tube between them. During the subsequent cutting, the clamping jaws continue to keep the tube clamped in the flattened condition, so that the apparatus substantially maintains its orientation and the cutting action can be optimum, wherein the reaction forces can be transferred to the (still secured) tube structure. The shearing means preferably comprise a cutting tool and a knife, the cutting tool being formed by one of to the clamping jaws and the knife being arranged adjacent the other clamping jaw. In this context, a cutting tool is first of all meant to be a counter knife, that is to say a supporting edge along which the actual knife can move in order to, in this case, actually shear the tube. The knife is preferably hingedly supported about a second hinge axis arranged on the apparatus, the second hinge axis being situated in or near the plane in which the clamping faces of the clamping jaws are also located if they are in their fully closed position. The second hinge axis of the knife can be located between the clamping faces of the clamping jaws and the first hinge axis of the clamping jaws, which is preferred in consideration of the equilibrium of forces and structural simplicity. The first hinge axis is preferably located on the side of the apparatus situated away from the clamping faces. Consequently, relatively small opening angles are attainable between the clamping faces. The fastening means, considered in projection on the said plane in which the clamping faces will be situated, can also be located in a horizontal sense between both said hinge axes. In order to promote the positioning of the apparatus on the tube to be sheared, the clamping jaws are provided on their ends with pilot edges for the tube to be sheared. This facilitates the reception of the tube in the receiving opening. The positioning of the tube in the space between the clamping jaws is furthered if, in the opened position of the clamping jaws, the knife aids to form the boundary of that receiving space. Morever, the knife is then at once positioned against the tube and upon activating the control means for the knife, it can immediately be active. Further advantageous aspects will become apparent during the following discussion of the examplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention shown in the accompanying drawings. The following is shown in: figure 1: a schematic survey of the start of an operation in which a so-called jacket structure will be removed by means of an apparatus according to the invention, i.a. by shearing the tubes constituting the jacket structure; figures 2A and 2B: a side view and a rear view, respectively, of an examplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention; figures 3A, 3B and 3C: the schematical representations of three stages in the use of the apparatus of figures 2A and 2B; figure 3D: the schematical representation of the stage of use corresponding to figure 3A, in the case of a tube to be sheared with a small diameter; and figure 4: a schematic cross-section of the apparatus of figures 2A and 2B, showing the hydraulic drive for the clamping jaws. Figure 1 shows a jacket structure 1 which is secured on the bottom 2 of the sea 3. A working vessel or crane vessel 5 which can be provided with dynamic positioning means is floating on the water surface 4. The working vessel 5 is provided with a crane 6 from which a cable 9 runs down into the sea 3 to continue into suspension cables 10, on the lower ends of which an apparatus 8 for shearing the tubes of the jacket structure 1 is suspended, such that the cable 10 is located above the centre of gravity of the apparatus 8. The rear end of the apparatus 8 is connected to winch 7 on the working vessel 5 by means of stabilizing or positioning cable 11. Furthermore, hydraulic control lines 12a and 12b extend from the working vessel 5, along the jib of the crane 6, to a diversion roller situated halfway that jib and from there downward into the apparatus 8. In response to positioning means, not shown, such as for instance an R.O.V., the crane 6 is operated to bring the apparatus 8 to the correct height and to the correct location along a jacket structure tube to be sheared, wherein the stabilizing cable 11 in cooperation with the position of the vessel 5 ensures a correct orientation in the horizontal plane. The examplary embodiment of the apparatus 8 according to the invention shown in figure 2A and 2B is provided at its upper side with raised lugs 36 for connection with the lower ends of the suspension cables 10 and at its rear with a lug 37 for connection with stabilizing cable 11. The apparatus 8 moreover comprises an upper clamping jaw 13 and a lower clamping jaw 14, connected to each other at a rear end by means of hinge connection 15. At their front ends, the clamping jaws 13 and 14 are provided at their front ends with clamping faces 16 and 17, respectively, and at a location further towards the front provided with pilot edges 18 and 19. As can be seen in figure 2B, the upper jaw 13 is wider than the lower jaw 14. On one side, a retaining plate 20 hangs from the upper jaw 13, which retaining plate 20 covers hinge 21. Hinge 21 constitutes the hinge connection between the upper jaw 13 and a sleeve 22, on the outside of which a knife 23 is provided. The knife 23 has a cutting edge 24 which, seen in the plane of drawing of figure 2A, is somewhat convex. In order too reinforce the knife 23 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of drawing of figure 2A, a rib 25 is provided. This slopes obliquely to the outer end of the knife edge 24. On the side turned away from the knife edge 24, the knife 23 is connected via hinge connection 26 to the rod 27 of a piston cylinder assembly 28, which is connected on the other side via hinge connection 29 with the depending portion 30 of upper jaw 13 and is in fluid connection with hydraulic control line 12a via means, not shown. Piston cylinder assemblies have also been provided, between the upper jaw 13 and the lower jaw 14, which piston cylinder assemblies can be operated to move the jaws 13 and 14 towards each other and away from each other. These assemblies have been schematically represented in figure 4. Next to the hinge 21 room has been created for hydraulic piston cylinder assembly 33, which is hingedly connected to the upper jaw 13 and the lower 14 by means of pins 34 and 35, respectively. The cylinder 33 is in fluid connection with hydraulic control line 12b via means, not shown. The apparatus shown in figures 2A and 2B can have a length of 9 meter and in the opened position a height of almost 4 metre and in the closed position a height of about 3 metre. The width, discernible in figure 2B, can therein be approximately 2½ metre. Such an apparatus is suitable for shearing tubes having an outer diameter of 1.20 metre. When the apparatus 8 has been brought at the correct height in front of the tube to be sheared, the cable 9 is moved towards that tube and the pilot edges 18 and 19 will guide the tube into the opening 31 between the clamping faces 16 and 17. Subsequently, the clamping faces 16 and 17, which in the opened position of the clamping jaws 13 and 14 are at an angle of 15° (in case of a tube diameter of 1.20 metre) provide for further guiding of the tube in the receiving opening 31, until the tube abuts the cutting edge 24 of the knife 23. It is remarked that the apparatus is adjusted in weight and dimensions to the diameter and the wall thickness of the tubes to be sheared. In particular the angle between the clamping faces in the opened position of the apparatus 8 will be adjusted to the outer diameter of the tube to be sheared. An illustration hereof has been shown in figure 3D. When the tube abuts the cutting edge 24, the tube is positioned such relative to the apparatus 8, that the subsequent action will be positively performed. This includes activating the cylinder 33 arranged between the upper and lower jaw 13 and 14, respectively (figure 4), by which the jaws 13 and 14 and thereby the clamping faces 16 and 17 are pressed forcefully towards each other. The angle between the clamping faces 16 and 17 is so small in relation to the diameter of the tube, that during the movement towards each other of the clamping faces, the tube will not slide out from the opening between the clamping faces. The location of the hinge 15, relatively far away from the clamping faces, renders small angels between the clamping faces in the receiving position possible. The closing force is so great that the tube is almost completely flattened in that location. When operation of the cylinders connecting the upper jaw and the lower jaw is continued, the apparatus 8 is clamped securely on the tube and is thereby substantially kept static. Subsequently (see figure 3C) the cylinder 28 is operated by which the piston rod 27 is extended and the knife 23 is rotated about the hinge connection 22, whereby the cutting edge 24 is moved through the tube, immediately next to the flattened portion thereof, to cut the tube in two in that location. The result of the location of hinge connection 22 is, that the cutting moment increases over a significant part of the cutting stroke. After shearing the tube, the cylinders can be released to move the knife and the clamping jaws back to their initial position. It can, however, also be advantageous, in particular when the tube part concerned has already been sheared elsewhere, to continue to clamp the tube which has just been sheared between the clamping faces 16 and 17 during raising of the cable 9 to thereby raise the clamped and cut-off portion of the tube. It will be understood that the apparatus according to the invention forms a safe and reliable provision for shearing jacket structures into pieces for removal, above water level, but in particular also subaqueously. It will moreover be clear that the apparatus can simply be adapted to also shear vertical tubes.

Claims: Apparatus (8) for cutting tubes of a subaqueous structure, comprising means (36) for fastening to a suspension means, such as a stick or a cable, and cutting means (13, 23) for shearing a tube, characterized by at least two clamping jaws (13, 14) hingedly arranged about a first hinge axis (15) connected to each other for clamping a said tube to be cut between each other and means (33) for moving the clamping jaws towards each other and away from each other, said moving means comprising a hydraulic cilinder (33) for urging said clamping jaws (13, 14) towards each other, the clamping jaws (13, 14) and the moving means (33) being adapted for clamping said tube between clampling faces (16, 17) of the clamping jaws in a flattened state. Apparatus according to claim 1, the cutting means (13, 23) comprising a cutting tool (13) and a knife (23), the cutting tool being formed by one of the clamping jaws (13) and the knife (23) being arranged adjacent to the other clamping jaw (14). Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, the first hinge axis (15) being located on the end of the apparatus situated away from the clamping faces of the clamping jaws (13, 14). Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, the knife being hingedly supported about a second axis (21) arranged on the apparatus, the second hinge axis (21) being parallel to the first hinge axis (15) and being situated in or near the plane containing the clamping faces (16, 17) of the clamping jaws (13, 14). Apparatus according to claim 4, the second hinge axis (21) being located between the clamping faces (16, 17) and the first hinge axis (15). Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, the fastening means, considered in projection on a plane containing the clamping faces (16, 17), are located between both hinge axes (15, 21). Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, the clamping jaws (13, 14) being provided with pilot edges (18, 19) for the tube to be cut. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the opened condition of the clamping jaws (13, 14), the clamping jaws (13, 14) and the cutting means (13, 23) define a receiving space for the tube to be cut. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a hydraulic cylinder (28) for operating said cutting means said hydraulic cylinder being linked to one of said clamping jaws (13). Apparatus according to any one of the claims 3-10 wherein the clamping jaws are arranged one above the other, said cutting tool (13) being included in the upper one (13) of said clamping jaws. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said hydraulic cylinder (33) is hingedly connected with said jaws (13, 14) for moving said jaws away from each other. Method for subaqueously cutting tubes of a structure, such as a jacket structure, wherein on a suspension means such as a cable, a pipe shears comprising, a knife and a cutting tool is lowered, characterized in that use is made of an apparatus comprising one pair of cooperating clamping jaws, the suspension means being manipulated to place the pipe shears with the space defined by the two clamping jaws and preferably also by the knife on the tube to be cut, the clamping jaws are operated to move towards each other while flattening the tube between them, the knife is operated to cut the tube immediately next to the clamped portion thereof and the pipe shears is raised again by the suspension means. Method according to claim 12, wherein after cutting the tube and during the raising of the pipe shears, the clamping jaws are kept in the clamping position to raise a completely separated piece of tube from a remainder of the tube.

Inventors: VAN STEIJN THEODORUS G W, VAN STEIJN, THEODORUS G.W.
Applicants: IHC HANDLING SYSTEMS VOF
Application year: 1995
Main classification: E02D9
IPC codes: E02D9