Operations Vessel for the Maintenance, Installation and/or Disassembly of Offshore Structures

Abstract

The invention relates to an operations vessel for the maintenance, installation and/or disassembly of offshore structures, comprising: a hull equipped with ballast means connected to a control system; at least one working platform supported on the hull by means of one or more support elements; and at least one system for coupling to an offshore structure, wherein said coupling system can adopt, at least, a state in which it is coupled to said offshore structure and a state in which it is not coupled to said offshore structure. Advantageously, the control system and the coupling system are configured in a cooperating manner, in order to adopt at least two working positions of the vessel, wherein the hull adopts an above-water state with the coupling system decoupled, and at least a second working position wherein the hull adopts a submerged state in which the coupling system is coupled to the offshore structure.

Claims

1. An operations vessel for the maintenance, installation and/or disassembly of offshore structures, comprising: at least one hull that can be submerged equipped with ballast means, wherein said ballast means are connected to a control system in order to provide to said hull, in an adjustable manner, at least, an above-water state and a submerged state; at least one working platform supported on the hull by means of one or more support elements such that, in one or more working positions of the vessel, when said hull adopts a submerged state, said working platform remains above-water and said support elements are partially submerged; at least one system for coupling to an offshore structure, wherein said coupling system can adopt, at least, a state in which it is coupled to said offshore structure and a state in which it is not coupled to said offshore structure; said vessel being characterized in that the control system and the coupling system are configured in a cooperating manner, such that: in at least a first working position of the vessel, the hull adopts an above-water state in which the coupling system is not coupled to the offshore structure and, in at least a second working position of the vessel, the hull adopts a submerged state in which the coupling system is coupled to the offshore structure.

2. The vessel according to claim 1, wherein the coupling system comprises safety means adopted for preventing the vessel from decoupling from the offshore structure if the hull is in a submerged state.

3. The vessel according to claim 1, wherein the coupling system comprises means for blocking and/or limiting lateral displacement and at least one rotational movement from among the roll, pitch, and yaw of said vessel with respect to the offshore structure.

4. The vessel according to claim 1, wherein the coupling system comprises means for vertical displacement of said vessel with respect to the offshore structure.

5. The vessel according to claim 4, wherein the means for vertical displacement comprise means for displacement by sliding and/or skidding; and/or means for blocking and/or limiting said displacement.

6. The vessel according to claim 1, wherein the coupling system comprises an articulated ring configured for opening and closing around at least one element of the offshore structure.

7. The vessel according to claim 1, comprising elevating means for adjustably elevating the working platform with respect to the hull.

8. A method for the installation, service, maintenance, and/or disassembly of offshore structures, using a vessel according to claim 1, and characterized in that it comprises performing the following steps in any order that is technically possible: a) displacing the vessel, adopting a first working position with the hull above-water and the coupling system decoupled, to the offshore structure; b) coupling the vessel to the offshore structure by means of the operation of the coupling system; c) ballasting the hull, sinking it until adopting a second working position with said hull in a submerged state; d) performing operations for the installation, service and/or maintenance of the offshore structure from the working platform; e) deballasting the hull until it again adopts an above-water state; f) releasing the coupling structure from the offshore structure, returning the vessel to the first working position; g) withdrawing the vessel from the offshore structure.

9. The method according to claim 8, comprising the additional step of adjusting the elevation of the working platform with respect to the hull.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the vessel comprises a crane and wherein the method comprises the additional step of deploying, retracting and/or operating said crane, during step d).

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the crane comprises, at least, a deployed position and a stowed position, wherein the length of the jib of said crane in the stowed position is reduced with respect to the deployed position, and wherein the height of the center of gravity of the crane in the stowed position is less than its height in the deployed position.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the crane is stowed at least during step a) and deployed at least during step d).

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein during step d), the vertical position of the vessel is fixed by means of the coupling system.

14. The method according to claim 8, wherein during step d), the working platform is elevated to a minimum height with respect to the water level greater than half the maximum significant wave height intended and/or allowed for the installation, service, or maintenance of the offshore structure.

15. The method according to claim 8, wherein during step d), the hull is submerged to a minimum depth with respect to the water level greater than half the maximum significant wave height intended and/or allowed for the installation, service, or maintenance of the offshore structure.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] The preceding and other features and advantages will be better understood from the detailed description of the invention, as well as from the preferred embodiments referring to the attached drawings, in which:

[0055] FIG. 1 shows the vessel of the invention in a preferred embodiment thereof, wherein the hull of said vessel is in the above-water position.

[0056] FIG. 2 shows the vessel of the invention in a preferred embodiment thereof, wherein the hull of said vessel is in the submerged position.

[0057] FIG. 3 shows the vessel of the invention in a preferred embodiment thereof, wherein said vessel comprises elevating means for elevating its support elements, and wherein the hull of the vessel is in the submerged position, with its coupling system in the position in which it is not coupled to the offshore structure.

[0058] FIG. 4 shows the vessel of the invention in a preferred embodiment thereof, wherein said vessel comprises elevating means for elevating its support elements, and wherein the hull of the vessel is in the submerged position, with its coupling system in the position in which it is coupled to the offshore structure.

[0059] FIGS. 5a-5g depict different steps of a method for the installation, service, or maintenance of offshore structures according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS OF FIGURES

[0060]

TABLE-US-00001 (1, 1′) Hull, hull compartments (2) Water level (3) Offshore structure (4) Working platform (5, 5′) Support elements (6) Crane (7) Means for access (8) Coupling system (9) Articulated ring

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0061] A detailed description of the invention in reference to the different preferred embodiments thereof is described below based on FIGS. 1-5 herein. Said description is provided for the purposes of illustrating but not limiting the claimed invention.

[0062] FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a general view of the vessel of the invention, wherein said vessel preferably comprises at least one hull (1) that can be submerged, equipped with ballast means which allow the depth of said hull (1) to be regulated by means of the filling or emptying thereof. Water is typically used as ballast, although ballasting materials of another type can also be used in the scope of the invention.

[0063] Preferably, the ballast means are connected to a control system which adjusts the ballasting and deballasting operations of the hull (1), by means of the control of the intake or expulsion of ballast in the interior thereof. The ballast control system thereby allows the above-water or submerged state of the hull (1) to be configured in an adjustable manner. In this sense, the vessel of the invention essentially contemplates at least two preferred working states of the hull (1): [0064] above-water state: in this state, the hull (1) is floating, completely or partially above-water with respect to the water level (2), such that most of the deck of the hull (1) is positioned above the mean water level. [0065] submerged state: in this state, the hull (1) is substantially below the water level (2), such that at least part of the decks of the hull (1) that are out of water in the above-water state come to be below the mean water level.

[0066] In different embodiments of the invention, the vessel can also be self-supporting when the hull (1) is ballasted, in its submerged state. Likewise, the vessel can comprise two (for example, in catamaran-type vessels) or more submergible hulls (1). In other embodiments of the invention, the hull (1) can comprise one or more leak-tight compartments (1′), wherein the control system is configured for the selective and adjustable ballasting of said compartments (1′).

[0067] The mentioned above-water and submerged states of the hull (1) allow the vessel of the invention to be effectively adapted to the two general situations in which it will be used, namely, a situation of travelling to/from an offshore structure (3) (which is preferably performed with the hull (1) above-water, like a conventional vessel, as shown in FIG. 3), and a situation of operations coupled to the offshore structure (in which the hull (1) will preferably remain submerged, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4). In that way, when the corresponding operations in the offshore structure (3) are performed, the hull (1) will be located below the water level (2), thus preventing it from being exposed to waves, which substantially improves its stability and facilitates the performance of the mentioned operations, as well as the transit of personnel between the vessel and the offshore structure (3).

[0068] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vessel comprises at least one working platform (4) supported on the hull (1) by means of one or more support elements (5, 5′) such that, in one or more working positions of the vessel, when said hull (1) adopts a submerged state, said working platform (4) remains above-water and said support elements (5, 5′) are partially submerged (this situation is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4).

[0069] The working platform (4) of the ship preferably comprises an operations crane (6), suitable for use in maintenance tasks of the offshore structure (3). The improved stability of the ship of the invention as a result of being able to submerge its hull (1) allows cranes (6) which are taller than those used in other maintenance ships of the state of the art to be used, which facilitates performing sizable corrective operations requiring high-capacity external cranes (6). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the crane (6) is of the telescopic type.

[0070] Likewise, in different embodiments of the invention, the working platform (4) can include one or more surfaces or spaces for stockpiling spare parts or components of the offshore structure (3), and/or one or more surfaces or spaces for housing power-generating sets. It is also possible to provide the working platform (4) with anchoring means for anchoring another vessel and/or means for the access (7) of personnel to/from the vessel.

[0071] In different embodiments of the invention, the vessel can be self-propelled, towed or a combination, such that it is towed but is able to perform a maneuver when it is close to the offshore structure (3).

[0072] Preferably, and as shown in FIGS. 1-4, the connection between the hull (1) and the working platform (4) provided by the support elements (5, 5′) is performed by means of lattice structures, members and/or legs. However, configurations or elements of another type are likewise usable in the scope of the invention, such that they provide an improved stability against waves with respect to that provided by the hull (1) in its above-water state. The support elements (5, 5′) will typically have a vertical dimension that is larger than the horizontal dimension.

[0073] In a preferred embodiment of the invention (FIGS. 3-4), the vessel can also incorporate elevating means for adjustably elevating the working platform (4) with respect to the hull (1), wherein said elevating means allow varying the relative height of the platform (4) above the hull (1), for example by means of adjusting the length of the support elements (5, 5′). The elevating means can typically comprise rack and pinion type systems, as well as other mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic elements. Complementarily, the elevating means can comprise means for deploying the support elements (5, 5′), for example by telescoping.

[0074] Moreover, and as described in preceding sections, the vessel of the invention comprises, at least, a system (8) for coupling to the offshore structure (3), wherein said coupling system (8) can adopt, at least, a state in which it is coupled to said offshore structure (3) and a state in which it is not coupled to said offshore structure (3). Different embodiments of said coupling system (8), as well as of the mentioned states of being coupled/not being coupled, are shown in FIGS. 5-8.

[0075] The main function of the coupling system (8) is to assure the integral attachment of the vessel to the offshore structure (3) while performing operations on said structure (3). For this purpose, the system can comprise any means intended for that purpose, such as, for example, gripping or holding means based on mechanical, hydraulic, and/or pneumatic elements.

[0076] Likewise, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coupling system (8) can comprise means for vertical displacement of said vessel with respect to the offshore structure (3). Said means for vertical displacement are preferably based on means for displacement by sliding and/or skidding. In this manner, and as is shown in FIG. 4, the vessel can be coupled to the offshore structure (3) and the vertical relative displacement thereof with respect to said structure is initially allowed, which generates an impact of waves against the vessel during the steps of approaching and coupling to the offshore structure (3). Likewise, in this embodiment, the coupling system (8) comprises means for blocking and/or limiting vertical displacement. As a result of said means for blocking, it is possible to fix the position of the vessel in a manner that is integral with the offshore structure (3) and to give way to the operations to be performed therein by operators. Alternatively or complementarily, the coupling system (8) can comprise also means for blocking and/or limiting lateral displacement and at least one rotational movement from among the roll, pitch, and yaw of said vessel with respect to the offshore structure (3). The means for blocking and/or limiting displacement typically comprise tightening, engaging, suction, clamping means, as well as any other mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic and/or electromagnetic means.

[0077] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coupling system (8) comprises an articulated ring (9), configured for opening and closing around at least one element of the offshore structure (3). An example of said ring (9) is shown in FIGS. 1-4. Likewise, in different embodiments of the invention, the ring (9) can comprise an active guide subsystem, configured for tightening said ring (9) against the offshore structure (3).

[0078] As described hereinabove, the vessel of the invention is advantageously configured such that the ballast control system of the hull (1) and the system (8) for coupling the vessel to the offshore structure (3) are configured in a cooperating manner, such that: [0079] in at least a first working position of the vessel, the hull (1) adopts an above-water state in which the coupling system (8) is not coupled to the offshore structure (3) and, [0080] in at least a second working position of the vessel, the hull (1) adopts a submerged state in which the coupling system (8) is coupled to the offshore structure (3).

[0081] As a result of the cooperation between the ballast control system and the coupling system (8), it is assured that the vessel can work, in its first position, in the above-water state and be displaced like a conventional ship, with maximum buoyancy. This state is the one that will preferably be used for the vessel to travel from the port to the offshore structure (3), and vice versa. Likewise, in its second position, the vessel can work integrally coupled to the offshore structure (3), and at the same time with its hull (1) arranged in a submerged state. As a result of this configuration, the vessel will experience a substantially smaller impact of waves than what other vessels of the state of the art experience, given that the only elements exposed to said waves in the mentioned second position will be the support elements (5, 5′), with the hull (1) belonging below the waterline (2). At the end of the operations performed in the offshore structure (3), the hull (1) returns to its above-water position and the coupling system (8) is decoupled from said structure (3), such that the vessel can again travel in the first working position back to the port or to a second offshore structure in which new operations will be performed.

[0082] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ballast control system of the vessel can comprise safety means (not shown in the figures), for preventing the ballasting of the hull (2) if the coupling system (8) is decoupled from the offshore structure (3). Likewise, the coupling system (8) can be equipped with safety means for preventing the vessel from decoupling from the offshore structure (3) when the hull (1) is in a submerged state. The mentioned safety means therefore assure that the coupling and decoupling operations of the vessel to/from the offshore structure (3) are performed in a suitable order that does not jeopardize the stability and/or buoyancy of the vessel, providing enhanced safety to its occupants than the other known alternatives do.

[0083] In different embodiments of the invention, the offshore structure (3) to which the vessel is coupled is an offshore wind tower. More preferably, said wind tower has a substantially constant section and/or presents a polygonal section. Likewise, in other embodiments of the invention, the offshore structure (3) can be a structure supported, moored and/or anchored to the seabed, or can be a semi-submerged floating structure. Additionally, the offshore structure can be of the self-propelling or towable type.

[0084] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for the installation, service, or maintenance of offshore structures (3), using a vessel according to any of the embodiments described herein.

[0085] A preferred embodiment of said method is illustrated in FIGS. 5a-5g. In this embodiment, the following steps are carried out in any order that is technically possible: [0086] a) displacing the vessel, adopting a first working position with the hull (1) above-water and the coupling system (8) decoupled, to the offshore structure (3); [0087] b) coupling the vessel to the offshore structure (3) by means of the operation of the coupling system (8); [0088] c) ballasting the hull (1), sinking it until adopting a second working position with said hull (1) in a submerged state; [0089] d) performing operations for the installation, service and/or maintenance of the offshore structure (3) from the working platform (4); [0090] e) deballasting the hull (1) until it again adopts an above-water state; [0091] f) releasing the coupling structure (8) from the offshore structure (3), returning the vessel to the first working position; [0092] g) withdrawing the vessel from the offshore structure (3).