INTERNAL JACKET LEVELING TOOL

Abstract

A jacket leveling tool may comprise a substantially cylindrical central body and a plurality of hydraulic cylinders disposed about the body. Disposed about an exterior surface of the central body may be a radial skirt and radial collar, each of which may also be attached to one end of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders. A cap may be attached to an upper end of the central body, with first and second links configured to attach to connection points on an outer surface of a jacket, such that the relative vertical position of the jacket may be adjusted through the injection of hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic cylinders.

Claims

1. A jacket leveling tool comprising: a substantially cylindrical central body comprising a central longitudinal axis; a plurality of hydraulic cylinders disposed about the body; a radial skirt attached to a lower portion of an exterior surface of the central body and to a lower portion of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a radial collar disposed about an upper portion of the exterior surface of the central body and attached to an upper end of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a cap attached to an upper end of the central body; and first and second links attached to the cap.

2. The jacket leveling tool of claim 1, wherein the radial skirt further comprises a plurality of radially extending fins.

3. The jacket leveling tool of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders further comprise an extension member connected to one of the plurality of radially extending fins.

4. The jacket leveling tool of claim 1, further comprising pins configured to engage the first and second links.

5. A system for leveling a jacket leg surrounding a pile of an offshore structure, the system comprising: a pile comprising a hollow interior space with a central longitudinal axis; a jacket leveling tool comprising: a substantially cylindrical central body disposed within the hollow interior space of the pile; a plurality of hydraulic cylinders disposed about the body; a radial skirt attached to a lower portion of an exterior surface of the central body and to a lower portion of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a radial collar disposed about an upper portion of the exterior surface of the central body and attached to an upper end of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a cap attached to an upper end of the central body; and first and second links attached to the cap; a substantially cylindrical jacket disposed around the pile and comprising an inner surface and an outer surface.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the radial skirt further comprises a plurality of radially extending fins.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders further comprise an extension member connected to one of the plurality of radially extending fins.

8. The system of claim 5, further comprising pins configured to engage the first and second links.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the jacket further comprises first and second connection points attached to the outer surface.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the pins are configured to connect the first link to the first connection point and the second link to the second connection point.

11. A method of leveling a jacket leg surrounding a pile of an offshore structure, the method comprising: placing a substantially cylindrical jacket around a pile comprising a hollow interior space; placing within the pile a jacket leveling tool comprising: a substantially cylindrical central body disposed within the hollow interior space of the pile; a plurality of hydraulic cylinders disposed about the body; a radial skirt attached to a lower portion of an exterior surface of the central body and to a lower portion of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a radial collar disposed about an upper portion of the exterior surface of the central body and attached to an upper end of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a cap attached to an upper end of the central body; and first and second links attached to the cap; connecting the first and second links to an outer surface of the jacket; and injecting hydraulic fluid into one or more of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of connecting the first and second links to an outer surface of the jacket comprises the insertion of pins.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of removing the jacket leveling tool from the jacket and the pile.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of removing the jacket leveling tool comprises withdrawing a pin from the first and second links.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of removing the jacket leveling tool further comprises lifting the cap away from the pile.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein an inner surface of the jacket substantially abuts an outer surface of the pile.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the disclosure. In the drawings, like reference numbers may indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the jacket leveling tool.

[0024] FIG. 2A illustrates a cut-away side view of the jacket leveling tool shown in FIG. 1 taken along line A-A, in an initial unretracted position.

[0025] FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the jacket leveling tool shown in FIG. 2A.

[0026] FIG. 3A illustrates a cut-away side view of the jacket leveling tool shown in FIG. 1 taken along line A-A, in a fully retracted position.

[0027] FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the jacket leveling tool shown in FIG. 3A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the jacket leveling tool 100 in relation to pile 10. As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand, pile 10 comprises a substantially cylindrical body with a hollow interior space 15. As shown in FIG. 2B, hollow interior space 15 comprises a central longitudinal axis X.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, jacket leveling tool 100 comprises a plurality of hydraulic cylinders 130 disposed about a substantially cylindrical central body 115. Central body 115 is configured to be disposed within hollow interior space 15 of pile 10, and substantially coaxial about central longitudinal axis X. Central body 115 is sized such that hydraulic cylinders 130 are also disposed within hollow interior space 15 of pile 10.

[0030] As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand, the diameter of central body 115 and the size of hydraulic cylinders 130 may be adjusted based on the diameter of hollow interior space 15 for a particular pile 10. In addition, the size of hydraulic cylinders 130 will vary depending on the amount of force required to adjust a particular jacket, as discussed in more detail below.

[0031] Attached to a lower portion of an exterior surface of central body 115 is skirt 140. Skirt 140 may comprise radially extending fins 145. As shown in FIG. 2A, fins 145 may be configured to connect to a portion of hydraulic cylinders 130, as discussed in more detail below.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2B, each hydraulic cylinder 130 may comprise chamber 135, within which is disposed piston 136. Piston 136 may also comprise extension member 138. As shown in FIG. 2A, extension member 138 may connect to one of the fins 145 extending radially outward from skirt 140. In the position shown in FIG. 2B, piston 136 is disposed at the bottom end of chamber 135. This is the initial or unretracted position in which jacket leveling tool 100 has not yet been actuated to adjust the vertical position of jacket 20 in relation to pile 10.

[0033] Disposed about an upper portion of the exterior surface of central body 115 is collar 125. As shown in FIG. 2B, collar 125 may comprise connection points 126 configured to connect to an upper portion of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders 130. Collar 125 may further comprise annular surface 127, which is substantially horizontal and configured to abut an upper end of pile 10. Because jacket leveling tool is in the unretracted position, vertical distance DI separates collar 125 from the upper end of jacket 20.

[0034] Attached to an upper end of central body 115 is cap 110. As shown in FIG. 2B, cap 110 may be generally annular with an outer periphery 112 that extends radially outward beyond pile 10, in relation to central longitudinal axis X.

[0035] Attached to cap 110 at points 122 proximate to outer periphery 112 are first and second links 120. Although more than two links may be used consistent with the present disclosure, the preferred embodiment comprises two links on opposite sides of cap 110, i.e., spaced 180 degrees apart from each other.

[0036] The lower end of each of first and second links 120 may attached at point 124 to connection point 105. Connection point 105 may be a pad-eye welded or otherwise attached to an outer surface of jacket 20. Point 124 may comprise a pin used to connect the lower end of link 120 to pad-eye 105. Because the preferred embodiment includes only two links 120, only two connection points 105 are required on jacket 20. As noted above, this configuration is substantially easier to use and install than existing external jacket leveling tools, which require more connection points and/or greater access to the exterior of jacket 20.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2B, jacket leveling tool 100 may be installed without any particular difference in diameter between jacket 20 and pile 10. Indeed, the outer surface of pile 10 may essentially abut the inner surface of jacket 20, provided there is no interfering engagement that would prevent relative axial movement of the two components. This is so because, unlike existing external jacket leveling tools, no portion of jacket leveling tool 100 is required to be disposed within an annular space between jacket 20 and pile 10.

[0038] In operation, hydraulic fluid is injected into the lower portion of chamber 135 of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders 130. As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand, the injection of hydraulic fluid causes piston 136 to move upward within chamber 135. Due to the connection between extension member 138 and radially extending fin 145, the force exerted by the hydraulic fluid results in a corresponding upward force exerted on the outer surface of central body 115. Due to the connection between cap 110 and central body 115, as well as the connection between first and second links 120 and connection points 105 (which are attached to the outer surface of jacket 20), the upward force exerted on the outer surface of central body 115 results in a corresponding upward force on the outer surface of jacket 20.

[0039] This upward force results in the vertical movement of jacket 20 in relation to pile 10. As shown in FIG. 3B, when piston 136 has been moved to the upper end of chamber 135, the vertical distance between collar 125 and the upper end of jacket 20 has decreased from D1 to D2. This relative movement may be used to adjust the vertical position of jacket 20, to ensure that each individual jacket is at a location such that the platform or other installation is substantially horizontal.

[0040] Although FIG. 3A-3B shows jacket leveling tool 100 in a fully retracted position, such that piston 136 is at the extreme upper end of chamber 135, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that this is not necessarily the case. The amount of hydraulic fluid injected into each hydraulic cylinder 130 may be varied such that the vertical movement of jacket 20 is controlled to allow for the precise leveling of jacket 20.

[0041] Once jacket leveling tool 100 has been retracted to the point that jacket 20 is at the desired location, the tool may be easily removed prior to construction of the remaining portions of the installation. In particular, jacket leveling tool 100 may be removed by removing the pins at points 124, separating first and second links 120 from connection points 105 on jacket 20, and lifting cap 110 away from pile 10.

[0042] It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In several exemplary embodiments, the elements and teachings of the various illustrative exemplary embodiments may be combined in whole or in part in some or all of the illustrative exemplary embodiments. In addition, one or more of the elements and teachings of the various illustrative exemplary embodiments may be omitted, at least in part, and/or combined, at least in part, with one or more of the other elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments.

[0043] Any spatial references, such as, for example, upper, lower, above, below, between, bottom, vertical, horizontal, angular, upwards, downwards, side-to-side, left-to-right, right-to-left, top-to-bottom, bottom-to-top, top, bottom, bottom-up, top-down, etc., are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the specific orientation or location of the structure described above. Similarly, references to the general shape of certain components, such as for example, planar or cylindrical, are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the specific configuration of the structure described above.

[0044] In several exemplary embodiments, while different steps, processes, and procedures are described as appearing as distinct acts, one or more of the steps, one or more of the processes, and/or one or more of the procedures may also be performed in different orders, simultaneously and/or sequentially. In several exemplary embodiments, the steps, processes, and/or procedures may be merged into one or more steps, processes and/or procedures.

[0045] In several exemplary embodiments, one or more of the operational steps in each embodiment may be omitted. Moreover, in some instances, some features of the present disclosure may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Moreover, one or more of the above-described embodiments and/or variations may be combined in whole or in part with any one or more of the other above-described embodiments and/or variations.

[0046] Although several exemplary embodiments have been described in detail above, the embodiments described are exemplary only and are not limiting, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many other modifications, changes and/or substitutions are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications, changes, and/or substitutions are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, any means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Moreover, it is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the word means together with an associated function.