Oil States Industries (UK) Ltd is a world leader in the design and manufacture of advanced connection systems for offshore use. As the industry moves to ever deeper waters, the company has applied its expertise to the development of connector technology for applications such as floating production, storage and offloading system (FPSOs), tension leg platforms (TLPs) and pipelines.
One of the new generation of connections available from Oil States is the Lynx Bend Stiffener Installation and Hang-Off System.
This connection system is a cost-effective method of joining the risers to the turret sections of FPSOs. The Lynx connector, which is at the heart of the system, has already been proven in conductor applications world-wide. The challenge for Oil States engineers was to incorporate the basic connector into a system that enabled risers to be pulled up from the sea-bed and, upon the release of the pull-in system. Working closely with our client, the challenge was met and 24 Hang-Off units were installed on the BP Schiehallion FPSO in January 1997.
The complete system is made-up of a number of components, the following which are designed and manufactured by Oil States Industries.
• Hang-Off Unit
• Lynx Box
• Lock-ring
• Pull-In Assembly
• Lynx Pin
• Upper centraliser
• Lower centraliser
• Riser release shear pin assembly
• Bend stiffener interface
• Hydraulic Release Mechanism
• No special tooling or personnel
• Hydraulic quick-release option
• Automatic make-up during riser pull-in
• Visual confirmation of make-up
• Diverless operation (safety)
• Cost saving due to dramatically reduced riser
installation time in comparison with alternative
systems
• Suitable for range of riser and I-tube
configurations
• Remote-release capability for fast emergency
response
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Hang-off unit during testing
During Pull in
Pull in complete
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The system is rapidly assembled using the weight of the joint to weight set connector. No external tools are required. The three main components of the connector, i.e. the pin, box and locking, are contoured to ensure easy stab-in.
The riser has been pulled up from the seabed and is now poised for alignment with the funnel. The guide nose, followed by the upper centraliser, then enters the funnel.
The riser is then fully centralised and the Lynx connector engaged. The riser pull-in head is sheared free, using over pull. On remote release this can be re-latched into the riser hang-off unit and the complete assembly then released hydraulically from the I-tube by activating the lock ring release mechanism.
An extensive testing programme, including assembly and pull-in of the riser into the hull of the FPSO, has been undertaken by Oil States.
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Oil States Industries, Inc.
Oil States International, Inc.