Cage Deployment System

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority through U.S. Provisional Application 63/701,645 filed on Oct. 1, 2024, incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are several problems with current deployment systems including a lack of a subsea crane and of a tugger winch to deploy a subsea basket. There is also often a lack of deck space for a subsea basket. Current remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) do not have capacity to deploy units that offer enough stability. In addition, conventional ROV systems and hangars lack support systems for heavy loads and the ROV industry (most of the offshore industry) base topside rigging on sub-optimal manual handling and cranes in hangars are expensive and fixed.

Further, using ROVs to move heavy loads subsea is not sustainable in part because many existing and, as designed, future ROVs struggle to handle equipment heavier than ˜100 kg but a resident tooling platform needs to be close to 1 metric ton (MT).

There is also a suction problem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Various figures are included herein which illustrate aspects of embodiments of the disclosed inventions.

FIG. 1 is a view in partial perspective with some blocks illustrating an exemplary embodiment cage deployment system;

FIG. 2 is a side view in partial perspective illustrating an exemplary embodiment cage deployment system;

FIG. 3 is a side view in partial perspective illustrating an exemplary embodiment cage deployment system; and

FIG. 4 is a side view in partial perspective illustrating an exemplary embodiment cage deployment system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment, referring generally to FIG. 1, in an embodiment cage deployment system 1 comprises remotely powered/controlled lift 100, which can act as a lowering and/or raising mechanism; module guide 300 which can act as a guiding mechanism and is adapted to ensure that selectively removable and insertable seabed module 400 self-aligns into cage extension 204 (FIG. 2); and subsea cage 200, which can function as a subsea in-field cage, operatively connected to remotely powered/controlled lift 100.

In certain embodiments, cage deployment system 1 does not require a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 500 for support. In embodiments, cage deployment system 1 may be field cage installable.

Referring additionally to FIG. 2, in embodiments subsea cage 200 typically comprises housing 201, quick connect lifting interface 202 which is operatively connected to housing 201 and configured to selectively connect or disconnect to subsea module 400; and skid slot 203 disposed at least partially within housing 200 where skid slot 203 at least partially defines cage extension 204. Subsea cage 200 typically weighs less than two metric tons.

Typically, housing 201 comprises a substantially rectangular or cuboid frame dimensioned to accept selectively removable and insertable seabed module 400 therein and an upper domed area. The frame typically comprises elevator 201A (FIG. 3) and elevator mover 201B which may further comprise subsea module interlock 220. In embodiments, subsea module interlock 220 may comprise movable flap 201C (FIG. 3), a scissor jack, a linear jack, or the like, or a combination thereof. Elevator mover 201B may be operatively connected to lift line 230 that is used to lower/retrieve subsea module 400 and which can be rerouted to function as a handling/lifting system using ROV 500 (FIG. 1) or subsea cage 200 as a counter weight or counter force.

In the operation of exemplary methods, referring back to FIG. 1, installation of cage deployment system 1, which is as described herein, typically comprises positioning remotely operated vehicle ROV 500 in or proximate to subsea cage 200; inserting subsea module 400 into skid slot 203 of subsea cage 200; deploying cage deployment system 1 to a predetermined location at sea; using remotely powered/controlled lift 100 as a lowering mechanism to lower subsea cage 200 to seabed 2; deploying subsea cage 200 subsea; allowing ROV 500 to exit subsea cage 200; allowing subsea cage 200 to release subsea module interlock 220 and thereby secure seabed module 400; and lowering seabed module 400 from subsea cage 200 to a seabed location. In addition, lift line 230 may be retrieved back into subsea cage 200, e.g., by spooling. Subsea cage 200 may continue to pay out lift line 230, e.g., in cases where there is no heave compensation, such that subsea cage 200 may pay out more lift line 230 than what is needed. Thus, subsea cage 200 may be used to bring down seabed module 400 in skid slot 203 and lower it to seabed 2. Seabed module 400 may also retrievable by cage system 1 which is typically configured to not be in conflict with skids, a feature that will allow utilization of a skid envelope when cage system 1 is not in use.

If present, ROV 500 may provide support or cage system 1 can be designed to avoid or eliminate ROV (500) support.

The position of subsea cage 200 may be shifted to vertically align subsea cage 200 with subsea module 400 and subsea cage 200 used to pay out lift line 230; ROV 500 used to connect lift line 230 to subsea module 400 and to drive/operate an extension/stability mechanism to a docking position; and subsea cage 200 used to hoist seabed module 400 into subsea cage 200 to lock subsea module 400 in place within subsea cage 200.

In embodiments, ROV 500 may be deployed and used to disconnect lifting interface 202 from subsea cage 200 and used to drive/operate an extension system to lift subsea module 400 and subsea cage 200 shifted to a predetermined position which may be or otherwise comprise an optimal operational location subsea. In these embodiments, ROV 500 may be allowed to continue work or to dock into subsea cage 200 after subsea module 400 is locked in place.

It will be appreciated that the disclosed cage system 1 and its method of use can achieve its functions while not requiring high power currently required from an ROV (500) based system, which can be especially important as there will likely be restrictions on power draw in the future from all offshore systems e.g., to minimize diesel/gas turbine generator usage. Further, the disclosed cage system 1 provides an increased overall efficiency when a subsea crane or tugger winch is not available; reduces deck space compared to subsea basket; and can be used to perform heavy lift without crane/tugger. In embodiments which comprise ROV 500, ROV 500 can position subsea module 400 to void current 1 metric tonne MT restrictions.

In embodiments, subsea cage 200 is field cage installable with a total weight lower than 2MT. Cage system 1 can provide a robust and tangle free lowering system and simplified seabed elevation, including seabed penetration prevention, without protruding outside cage frame and maximum extensions

The foregoing disclosure and description of the inventions are illustrative and explanatory. Various changes in the size, shape, and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrative construction and/or an illustrative method may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.