Flexible pipe

Abstract

A riser or jumper assembly for transporting production, exportation or injection fluids is disclosed as is a method for providing buoyancy to such an assembly. The riser or jumper assembly includes a first segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a first and second end fitting, a further segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a first and second end fitting and an intermediate segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a first and second end fitting and at least one buoyancy element

1 . A riser or jumper assembly for transporting production, exportation or injection fluids from a source location to a target location, comprising:
 a first segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a first and second end fitting;   a further segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a first and second end fitting; and   an intermediate segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a first and second end fitting and at least one buoyancy element.   
     
     
         2 . The riser or jumper assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the first segment of flexible pipe comprises first and second end fittings terminating respective first and second ends of the portion of flexible pipe body of the first segment and a first and second bend stiffener each secured to a respective end fitting of the first segment.   
     
     
         3 . The riser or jumper assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the second segment of flexible pipe comprises first and second end fittings terminating respective first and second ends of the portion of flexible pipe body of the second segment and a first and second bend stiffener each secured to a respective end fitting of the second segment.   
     
     
         4 . The riser or jumper assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the intermediate segment comprises first and second end fittings terminating respective first and second ends of the portion of flexible pipe body of the intermediate segment and a first and second bend stiffener each secured to a respective end fitting of the intermediate segment.   
     
     
         5 . The riser or jumper assembly as claimed in  claim 4 , further comprising:
 the at least one buoyancy element is secured at a respective location between the first and second bend stiffeners of the intermediate segment.   
     
     
         6 . The riser or jumper assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , further comprising:
 each buoyancy element is clamped to an outer surface of the portion of flexible pipe body of the intermediate section.   
     
     
         7 . The riser or jumper assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the length of the intermediate segment is equal to a combined length of two end fittings plus a required buoyancy length. 
     
     
         8 . The riser or jumper assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one still further segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a respective first and second end fitting.   
     
     
         9 . A method for providing buoyancy to a jumper or riser assembly, comprising the steps of
 providing lift to at least one portion of flexible pipe via at least one buoyancy element located between first and second end fittings of an intermediate segment of flexible pipe comprising said first and second end fittings and a portion of flexible pipe body.   
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing lift to the intermediate segment of flexible pipe between a first and further segment of flexible pipe.   
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:
 identifying a failure of a buoyancy element; and   subsequently replacing the intermediate segment with a replacement intermediate segment comprising a replacement portion of flexible pipe body, replacement first and second end fittings and at least one replacement buoyancy element.   
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the step of identifying a failure comprises:
 identifying when a clamp clamping the buoyancy element to an outer surface of flexible pipe body has failed; or 
 identifying when the buoyancy element has become saturated; or 
 identifying that the riser or jumper assembly is not adopting a predetermined shape. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the replacement intermediate segment comprises a spare, previously assembled, segment of flexible pipe. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled)