RHS Riser System

Designed & patented by:

Members of Polo Offshore

Patent Numbers UD2013A000037 - UD2013A000038 - UD2013A000039

THE INNOVATIVE RISER HANDLING SYSTEM

Patent Numbers UD2013A000037 - UD2013A000038 - UD2013A000039

Fincantieri and Navalimpianti Tecnimpianti Group have designed an innovative machinery, the RHS Risers Handling System, developed to meet a specific need of the offshore drilling rigs in particular Semisubmersible drilling rigs (SSDR) and drillships (DS).

In the drilling technique, as it is known, the riser string connects the subsea BOP stack to the floating surface rig to take mud returns to the surface. This string of risers is a catenary of tubular elements normally flanged, consisting of a main large-diameter pipe and a number of auxiliary lines for the passage of control services and emergency fluids and completed by some floating thrust elements. Each riser is a delicate element which must be properly handled both in the phases of the BOP landing and recovery

THE INNOVATIVE RISER HANDLING SYSTEM

02-03

The concept of the new RHS Risers Handling System has been initially developed as part of to the new generation of ultra deep water drillship developed by Fincantieri Offshore, the Overdrill class. It has been designed to optimize the process of risers raising from their horizontal storage position to the “catwalk” or “riser feeding machine”, a transporting cart which drives the risers into the drilling tower where they are verticalized.

Patent Numbers UD2013A000037 - UD2013A000038 - UD2013A000039

The OVERDRILL class is a unique design of ultra deep water drillship developed by Fincantieri Offshore.

The vessel was conceived and designed around its specific purpose: the ultra deep water drilling.

The innovative RHS, together with other patented solutions as well as a deep integration between the hull and drilling systems, result in a sensible, optimized and more efficient vessel THE INNOVATIVE RISER HANDLING SYSTEM

04-05

STATE OF THE ART

First part of the risers handling sequence

Patent Numbers UD2013A000037 - UD2013A000038 - UD2013A000039

In a drillship design where often the risers are stored in a risers’ hold into the vessel, the process generally involves the following machines: • hold crane, typically positioned in the hold, designed to raise the risers from their position and load them on the elevator • elevator, that lifts the risers out of the hold to allow the raising by external cranes • deck crane, typically a crane of “knuckle boom” kind that is a stiff-arm crane or an additional overhead crane, whose task is to take the riser from the elevator and place it on the catwalk.

The three machines described above are conventional lifting systems, raising the risers by means of steel wires and blocks, that are operated manually by the crew.

THE INNOVATIVE RISER HANDLING SYSTEM

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A

The main components of the new RHS system are:

B

A

The tilter consists of two rotating arms fitted with lifting spins, as the hold elevators.

B

The deck elevator consists of two lifting columns, with two “spoons� to lift the riser; this system is similar to

C

a machine for the previous basic technology but it allows only vertical movement

C

The hold elevator consists of two shifting columns, positioned at the two ends of the hold, which perform the

same function as the traditional hold crane. The risers lifting elements, consisting of telescopic pins that fit into the two ends of the riser, can shift both transversely to the vessel and in the vertical direction, being able to reach any position of the hold. The two shifting columns carrying these lifting shifts are not physically linked together, as in a typical hold crane, but their alignment is guaranteed by the automation system of the machinery.

This brings the advantage that, for the same function, the system is lighter and less bulky, which allows a reduction in height of the hold.

2. The deck elevator is characterized by having also a telescopic lower section of its vertical guides. This allows the lifting elements, consisting of saddles sized to lift the riser at its ends, to descend within the hold.

This feature consents to eliminate the hold elevator present in the conventional systems using the saved space to store other risers.

The result is a clear benefit in that, at equal number of risers columns stored, it is possible to reduce the hold dimension or to increase the number of risers columns by reducing the rows, again to the advantage of a further reduction in height of the hold.

The peculiarity of the different lifting system characterized by the pins for the columns and the saddles for the deck elevator allows the passage of the riser between the two machines without never leaving it free to advantage of the safety of the operation.

1. The riser is picked from his position by the shifting columns positioned at the end of the hold

The deck elevator can thus lift the riser bringing it out of the hold as far as the

by means of the telescopic pins.

elevation of the catwalk.

Patent Numbers UD2013A000037 - UD2013A000038 - UD2013A000039

The RHS system has been developed to manage the whole process of handling the single riser joint from its storage position to the feeding machine in a fully automated way and remotely controlled by the operators. In detail the process consists of three phases:

Each of the two shifting columns is also equipped with a basket dimensioned to accommodate one / two operators, and this allows to use them independently and singularly as

3. At this point, the tilter can raise the riser by means of the telescopic pins identical to

conventional “cherry pickers� to lift the operators as far as the chosen riser and perform

those of the shifting columns and tilt it down on the catwalk completing the process.

in complete safety and convenience, the normal activities of inspection and maintenance

In a similar way, the use of two different coupling systems of the risers by the two

of the riser connections.

machines involved allows a passage of the riser extremely safe and controlled.

THE INNOVATIVE RISER HANDLING SYSTEM

08-09

Second part of the risers handling sequence

sees normally involved a single machinery consisting of a overhead crane that, after removing the riser from its storage position, deposits it on the catwalk.This, however, implies the necessity of a structure of the hold overhead crane large enough and developed in height capable of reaching the whole area dedicated to the storage and to lift the riser up to the level of the catwalk.

In this case, the new system allows to minimize the obstruction of the open deck area rapresented by the lifting equipment and their support structures, making the deck cranes operation easier and safer. Again, the full automatization of the process alone justifies the use of this new solution.

THE INNOVATIVE RISER HANDLING SYSTEM

Patent Numbers UD2013A000037 - UD2013A000038 - UD2013A000039

If the riser joints are stored outside the process is extremely simpler because it

10-11

In order to offer a complete and full cycle, the RHS system can be integrated by a Catwalk, a risers transporting system which safely and easily can transport up to 90-foot risers back and forth from the hold.

Optionally, the catwalk can be equipped with a pipe-lifter to enhance the uplifting of the risers; the catwalk is designed to receive the risers supplied by the tilters positioned on the both sides, in case a 100% redundancy of the machines is chosen.

(The average weight for a 90-foot risers’ catwalk can be approximately 30t, the runways’ weight depends on the length but it is approximately 450/500 Kilos/m; of course any Catwalk is normally tailor-made according to client specifications).

THE INNOVATIVE RISER HANDLING SYSTEM

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Patent Numbers UD2013A000037 - UD2013A000038 - UD2013A000039

OUTLOOK ON THE MAIN ADVANTAGES OF THE RHS SYSTEM

• reduction, at same capacity of risers stored, of the height of the hold being the vertical dimensions of the machinery reduced compared to conventional overhead crane systems. It has been conceived with an intrinsically redundancy of the main components in order to assure the maximal reliability avoiding any undesirable downtime • increase of the flexibility of the process of storage and removal of the riser from the hold • automation of the operation minimizing the need for human intervention, limiting it to pure control • integration into the automation system of the monitoring of the risers loading in the hold to consent the check of the position of the single joints and their inspection and maintenance • integration of elevator function for the staff dedicated to maintenance and inspection. In this mode the two shifting columns can operate independently one from the other

Advantages offered by the deck elevator: • the characteristic of having telescopic lower sections of the vertical guides allows the elevator to move the riser vertically and with a single operation from the hold to the desired position outside the ship • this allows also to eliminate the elevator from the process which in turn allows to use the gained space in the hold to store other risers. So, at same loaded risers capacity, the hold can have smaller dimensions

Patent Numbers UD2013A000037 - UD2013A000038 - UD2013A000039

Advantages offered by the shifting columns:

• the particular structure of the lifting saddles, if integrated in the system, consents the passage of the riser from a machine to another in a highly secure manner because the riser is never left free during the whole process • due to the fact that the deck elevator is able to bring the riser up to the level of the catwalk, the tilter has then only the task of picking the riser from the elevator and deposit it on the catwalk by a rotation

THE INNOVATIVE RISER HANDLING SYSTEM

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These features allow to complete the process of handling the risers without ever using the onboard cranes hence eliminating completely suspended loads in the interest of personnel safety and the preservation of the riser from damages. At the same time the system utilizes very simple and reliable technologies for all critical mechanical parts.

It has been conceived with an intrinsically redundancy of the main components in order to assure the maximal reliability avoiding any undesirable downtime

Benefits arising from the integration of the developed systems: • elimination of the traditional lifting means such as integrated system hold cranes, deck elevators and deck cranes • reduction of passages of the riser between different types of machines at the same time making them more secure and automatically driven without the need for staff • automation of the entire process, minimizing the need for human intervention which becomes limited to functions of pure control. The system could help the user to plan the right storage and pick up sequence of each joint in view of a specifical drilling campaign.

• possible implementation of a Riser maintenance management system where to collect all the fatigue data, certificates and other information related to each joint.

The new RHS in fact, being fully automatic in its complete cycle, requires only 2 operators to supervise the operations (namely 1 responsible at the command console, 1 assistant operator on the deck) with a consequent evident direct saving on the crew costs.

Furthermore, the new RHS system offers and added value since it supports and lifts the risers by means of mechanical elevators equipped with saddles, and not as it happens conventionally by means of hold-cranes and lifting cables which might swing, thus the RHS can be used also in hard and harsh weather an water conditions while, on the contrary, the traditional systems cannot operate.

THE INNOVATIVE RISER HANDLING SYSTEM

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Patent Numbers UD2013A000037 - UD2013A000038 - UD2013A000039

The best choice to upgrade existing rigs While for new buildings this system optimizes the space on board dedicated to the riser storage allowing to reduce the hold volume compared to the standard solutions, it is especially interesting for the refitting market. The system is relatively simple to install because its single components are quite small and don’t require compex installation or alignment procedures.

This basic concept, being so strong and easily adaptable also in term of the redoundancy of the system, can be certainly broadened and developed in the offshore sector more generally.

The offshore Pipelay Vessels, for example, are used to construct and lay on the seabed subsea pipelines. These vessels need to move, during the operations, large quantities of tubes (which constitute the pipelines to be laid on the seabed). In this case, the element to be moved is no- longer a composed tube as the riser tubes, but it is a proper tube, with diameter and length highly variable. In this case also the

Other offshore applications

handling needs are different: the aim is no longer to move the pipes from the hold to a catwalk, but in a similar way, to allow the loading into the hold by dedicated support vessels or to raise them from the hold to move the welding line where they

Further than the case of the risers stored horizontally in the hold, this project can

are pre-assembled and then pick them up again to take them on the launch line

be applied also to the solution of risers stored horizontally outdoors; both these

where they are connected with the section of the piping which has been launched to

solutions refer to offshore drilling means.

be lowered to the seabed.

The RHS Risers Handling System is a project designed, developed and patented nationally and internationally (UD2013A000037 - UD2013A000038 UD2013A000039) by Fincantieri and Navalimpianti Tecnimpianti Group.

Fincantieri, heir to the great tradition of Italian shipbuilding and one of the largest shipbuilding groups in

Navalimpianti Tecnmpianti established in 1971 is leader, at international level, in the

the world, operates in the design and construction of complex ships with high technological content such

design and supply of marine equipment for passengers and merchant ships, navy, offshore

as merchant and naval vessels, offshore and mega yachts.

and mega yachts.

Fincantieri Offshore owes its successful foundation to the firm basis of Fincantieri Group, and in the last 30

The Group designs and co-ordinates projects using the most advanced technologies in order

years it has produced and delivered more than 30 offshore units.

to obtain optimal solutions to satisfy any customer’s specific requirements. Navalimpianti, with its specialized teams, provides advanced designs solutions, “turn-key” contracts,

During this time the Company, naturally oriented to the market innovation, has developed and refined its

commissioning, after-sale services and inspections.

own business model in this market, offering high-value, state-of-the-art offshore solutions: • drillships and semi-submersible drilling rigs

The experience matured through the years permits today to include a wide range of offshore

• pipe-laying vessels

custom made products among which:

• accommodation vessel • construction ships and specialized supply vessels for offshore activity

• PLV high speed pipe deck receivers, handling and storage combined systems

innovatiove products, tools and solutions to improves the safety end efficiency of the operations

• Design and fabrication (Turn Key) of accommodation prefabricated units

Patent Numbers UD2013A000037 - UD2013A000038 - UD2013A000039

REFERENCES

• ESD and combined Fire & Gas systems for FPSO and RIGS Fincantieri Offshore plays the role of “Main Contractor” and guarantees reliability not exceeding budget

• Valves Remote Control System & Cargo Monitoring Automation Systems

and delivery time. Fincantieri Offshore bases its capability to deliver custome made innovatiove products

• ROV, Divers and Maintenance Shell and Side Doors and Hatch Covers, ballast and quick

on its widely appreciated design capability as well as it own consolidated abiloity to deeply interact with

ballast Valve Remote Control

the Clients providing responses to their most distinguishing needs. The products and the processes carried

• Divers cranes and special cranes

out by Fincantieri Offshore ensure the highest quality, environmental and safety standards with

• Davits (free-fall outrigger); davits winches with twin braking system and hydraulic lowering speed control

www.fincantieri.it www.fincantierioffshore.com

The Group’s Offshore Division, Navalimpianti Norge AS is located in Sola (Stavanger) Norway.

www.navim.com

THE INNOVATIVE RISER HANDLING SYSTEM

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THE INNOVATIVE RISER HANDLING SYSTEM

Designed & patented by:

Members of Polo Offshore