System and method for connecting and aligning a compliant guide

Abstract

A technique enables subsea intervention operations in which a compliant guide is deployed for connection with a subsea installation. A tool is provided to engage a lower end of the compliant guide in a manner that enables selective movement of the lower end between desired positions. For example, the tool may comprise a displacement mechanism that can be actuated to move the lower end of the compliant guide between an engaged position with the subsea installation and a remote parked position relative to the subsea installation.

1 . A system for use in a subsea intervention operation, comprising:
 a subsea installation;   a compliant guide; and   a tool coupled between the subsea installation and the compliant guide, the tool further comprising a displacement mechanism including one of (i) an articulated arm that is actuatable to separately apply both vertically and horizontally directed forces on a lower end of said compliant guide to selectively raise, lower and laterally shift the compliant guide between an engaged position and a remote parked position relative to the subsea installation, and (ii) a four bar linkage that is actuatable to apply both vertically and horizontally directed forces on a lower end of said compliant guide to selectively raise, lower and laterally shift the compliant guide between an engaged position and a remote parked position relative to the subsea installation.   
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the compliant guide comprises a spoolable compliant guide. 
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the subsea installation comprises a lubricator package, a lower end of the spoolable compliant guide being engaged with the lubricator package when in the engaged position. 
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the spoolable compliant guide extends down to the subsea installation from a surface vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the displacement mechanism comprises the articulated arm being of two pieces and coupled between a lower end of the spoolable compliant guide and the subsea installation capable of separately applying both vertically and horizontally directed forces on said lower end of said compliant guide. 
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the displacement mechanism comprises the four bar linkage coupled between a lower end of the spoolable compliant guide and the subsea installation capable of applying both vertically and horizontally directed forces on said lower end of said compliant guide. 
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the tool further comprises a guide member mounted on the subsea installation and an alignment member coupled to the spoolable compliant guide, the guide member being positioned to engage the alignment member when the spoolable compliant guide is initially lowered to the subsea installation. 
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the guide member rotationally orients the spoolable compliant guide with respect to the subsea installation. 
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the guide member comprises a guide funnel and the alignment member comprises an alignment pin sized for receipt in the guide member. 
     
     
         10 . The system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the tool further comprises a hydraulic actuator to selectively move the four bar linkage. 
     
     
         11 . A method for facilitating an intervention operation, comprising:
 coupling a tool between a lower end of a compliant guide and a subsea installation capable of one of (i) separately applying via an articulated arm both vertically and horizontally directed forces on said lower end of said compliant guide, and (ii) applying via a four bar linkage mechanism both vertically and horizontally directed forces on said lower end of said compliant guide; and   operating the tool to raise, lower and shift the lower end relative to the subsea installation between an engaged position and a remote parked position.   
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising delivering an intervention tool through the compliant guide and through the subsea installation to a wellbore while the tool is in the engaged position. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising delivering an intervention tool through open water and into the subsea facility while the tool is in the remote parked position. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein coupling comprises coupling the tool, between the lower end of the compliant guide and the subsea installation. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein coupling comprises coupling the tool between the lower end of the compliant guide and a lubricator of the subsea installation. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein operating the tool comprises operating the articulated arm. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein operating the tool comprises operating the four bar linkage mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein operating comprises utilizing hydraulics to operate the tool. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising utilizing a guide member to orient the tool when the tool is delivered to the subsea installation via the compliant guide. 
     
     
         20 . A method, comprising:
 mounting a tool at a subsea installation capable of one of (i) separately applying via an articulated arm both vertically and horizontally directed forces on said lower end of said compliant guide, and (ii) applying via a four bar linkage both vertically and horizontally directed forces on said lower end of said compliant guide; and   using the tool to raise, lower and shift a lower end of a compliant guide to a plurality of selected positions relative to the subsea installation.   
     
     
         21 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein using comprises using the tool to move the lower end of a spoolable compliant guide. 
     
     
         22 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein using comprises using the tool to move the lower end between an engaged position, in which an intervention tool can be delivered into the subsea installation through the compliant guide, and a remote parked position. 
     
     
         23 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein mounting comprises mounting the tool directly to the subsea installation. 
     
     
         24 . The method as recited in  claim 23 , wherein mounting comprises mounting a hydraulic actuator. 
     
     
         25 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the displacement mechanism is actuatable to selectively raise, lower and shift the compliant guide between the engaged position being lower than the parked position that is shifted and higher relative to the subsea installation. 
     
     
         26 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 operating the tool to raise, lower and shift the lower end between the engaged position being lower than the parked position that is shifted and higher relative to the subsea installation.   
     
     
         27 . The method as recited in  claim 22 , further comprising:
 using the tool to raise, lower and shift the lower end of the compliant guide between the engaged position being lower than the parked position that is shifted and higher relative to the subsea installation.