Development of the Development of the Ballgrab Technology Ballgrab Technology Concept to Assist in ROV Concept to Assist in ROV Subsea InterventionSubsea Intervention

Stephen Stephen DunbarDunbar

Cranfield Cranfield UniversityUniversity

IntroductionIntroduction As the depth of oil and gas field developments has increased As the depth of oil and gas field developments has increased

the use of divers for subsea intervention has become the use of divers for subsea intervention has become impractical.impractical.

For Ultra-deep water field developments all intervention tasks For Ultra-deep water field developments all intervention tasks must be carried out remotely – Remotely Operated Vehicles must be carried out remotely – Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs).(ROVs).

In-water operational time of ROVs must be maximised to be In-water operational time of ROVs must be maximised to be cost effective.cost effective.

ROVs have many advantages over human divers, however a ROVs have many advantages over human divers, however a number of challenges are still yet to be successfully overcome. number of challenges are still yet to be successfully overcome.

IntroductionIntroduction

BSW Ballgrab Limited are based in Lancaster, U.K.BSW Ballgrab Limited are based in Lancaster, U.K.

BSW have developed a ball and taper mechanism which BSW have developed a ball and taper mechanism which provides an excellent grip mechanism.provides an excellent grip mechanism.

BSW Ballgrab’s main commercial successes have been with BSW Ballgrab’s main commercial successes have been with Subsea Mooring Connectors, Pipeline Recovery Tools and Subsea Mooring Connectors, Pipeline Recovery Tools and Umbilical Repair kits.Umbilical Repair kits.

The company is keen to expand the uses of the Ballgrab The company is keen to expand the uses of the Ballgrab design. design.

BSW Ballgrab

IntroductionIntroductionBSW Ballgrab

Project AimsProject Aims

Review currently available Ballgrab technology based Review currently available Ballgrab technology based products and the success of their use in the oil and gas products and the success of their use in the oil and gas industry.industry.

Consider the development of Ballgrab technology based Consider the development of Ballgrab technology based design concepts for further use in Subsea Applications.design concepts for further use in Subsea Applications.

Overall Aim was to use the Ballgrab technology to Assist in Overall Aim was to use the Ballgrab technology to Assist in ROV Subsea Intervention tasks to reduce operating costs.ROV Subsea Intervention tasks to reduce operating costs.

RepairRepair Umbilical Intervention Umbilical Intervention

Connector.Connector.

Successful use in Malampaya Successful use in Malampaya Umbilical Repair Project.Umbilical Repair Project.

Prepared umbilical ends fed Prepared umbilical ends fed into double ended Autoswage into double ended Autoswage device.device.

Little ROV intervention Little ROV intervention required.required.

Cheaper Manufacturing Costs.Cheaper Manufacturing Costs.

Autoswage Technology

Installation Installation TechniquesTechniques

Minimal Subsea Intervention is Minimal Subsea Intervention is required – reduce OPEX.required – reduce OPEX.

Autoswage based Stab and Autoswage based Stab and Hinge Layover Installation Hinge Layover Installation technique.technique.

High Integrity Connection High Integrity Connection Allowing High Pressure Fluid Allowing High Pressure Fluid Flow.Flow.

Little or no ROV Intervention Little or no ROV Intervention Required.Required.

Autoswage Technology

ROV ToolingROV Tooling ROV Manipulator Technology is ROV Manipulator Technology is

insufficiently developed to insufficiently developed to avoid damage being caused to avoid damage being caused to small bore pipelines – such as small bore pipelines – such as hydraulic fluid control lines.hydraulic fluid control lines.

Lack of dexterity – Force Lack of dexterity – Force feedback developments.feedback developments.

Repair tasks are very difficult Repair tasks are very difficult to complete without removal of to complete without removal of the damaged subsea unit.the damaged subsea unit.

Small Bore Pipeline Handling Tool

ROV ToolingROV Tooling Down hole safety valve repair kit Down hole safety valve repair kit

– Failure of this valve causes – Failure of this valve causes complete system shutdown.complete system shutdown.

Female Autoswage type Female Autoswage type connector and Male small bore connector and Male small bore bare pipeline.bare pipeline.

Simple push on connection – Simple push on connection – Work Hardens the small bore Work Hardens the small bore pipeline.pipeline.

Designed with low Manipulator Designed with low Manipulator dexterity in mind.dexterity in mind.

Consideration of use of repair kit Consideration of use of repair kit as small bore pipe handling tool as small bore pipe handling tool – Female Autoswage mounted on – Female Autoswage mounted on an ROV Manipulator.an ROV Manipulator.

Small Bore Pipeline Handling Tool

ROV Docking ROV Docking TechnologyTechnology

Docking is used to provide a secure base from which subsea Docking is used to provide a secure base from which subsea operations can be carried out.operations can be carried out.

Perry Slingsby Dual Docking Latch Approach.Perry Slingsby Dual Docking Latch Approach.

Latch Fingers are driven out hydraulically once initial Latch Fingers are driven out hydraulically once initial docking connection is made.docking connection is made.

In the case of loss of hydraulic power the fingers release via In the case of loss of hydraulic power the fingers release via a spring allowing recovery of the ROV back to the surface a spring allowing recovery of the ROV back to the surface vessel.vessel.

Current Technology

ROV Docking ROV Docking TechnologyTechnology

Single Docking Latch could be employed which is able to resist Single Docking Latch could be employed which is able to resist forces transmitted from tooling operations.forces transmitted from tooling operations.

Standard Ballgrab’s ability to withstand torque forces is Standard Ballgrab’s ability to withstand torque forces is unknown as it has not been required to date.unknown as it has not been required to date.

Spiral Ballgrab system could be employed – Two different Spiral Ballgrab system could be employed – Two different approaches to create the Spiral Effect.approaches to create the Spiral Effect.

Ballgrab Technology

ROV Docking ROV Docking TechnologyTechnology

Castellated Tip would resist unwanted forces with a standard Ballgrab Castellated Tip would resist unwanted forces with a standard Ballgrab connection mechanism hence reducing manufacturing costs.connection mechanism hence reducing manufacturing costs.

Fail safe and Quick Release design requirements are more complex to Fail safe and Quick Release design requirements are more complex to achieve when using a Ballgrab technology based docking connector.achieve when using a Ballgrab technology based docking connector.

The use of a Ballgrab based ROV docking connector may at present The use of a Ballgrab based ROV docking connector may at present not be a commercially viable business opportunity for BSW Ballgrab. not be a commercially viable business opportunity for BSW Ballgrab.

Ballgrab Technology

AUV Docking AUV Docking TechnologyTechnology

Complete Remote Sensing Projects such as the New Jersey Shelf Complete Remote Sensing Projects such as the New Jersey Shelf Observation Systems will require remote docking and recharging of Observation Systems will require remote docking and recharging of AUVs.AUVs.

Current designs employ arrestor hook approaches similar to that of an Current designs employ arrestor hook approaches similar to that of an Aircraft Carrier – Complex Deployment System.Aircraft Carrier – Complex Deployment System.

Ballgrab Docking System attached to the AUV nose could be a Ballgrab Docking System attached to the AUV nose could be a commercially successful solution. commercially successful solution.

Ballgrab Technology

ConclusionConclusion Use of the Autoswage as a Permanent Repair Technique.Use of the Autoswage as a Permanent Repair Technique.

Development of an Autoswage based Stab and Hinge Development of an Autoswage based Stab and Hinge Layover Installation Method.Layover Installation Method.

Design of an ROV mounted Small Bore Pipeline Handling Design of an ROV mounted Small Bore Pipeline Handling Tool.Tool.

Design of ROV and AUV Docking Systems. Design of ROV and AUV Docking Systems.