High Power Laser Offshore Decommissioning Tool, System and Methods of Use

Abstract

There is provided high power laser systems, high power laser tools, and methods of using these tools and systems for cutting, sectioning and removing structures objects, and materials, and in particular, for doing so in difficult to access locations and environments, such as offshore, underwater, or in hazardous environments, such as nuclear and chemical facilities. Thus, there is also provided high power laser systems, high power laser tools, and methods of using these systems and tools for removing structures, objects, and materials located offshore, under bodies of water and under the seafloor.

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         14 . A decommissioning tool high power laser pad, the pad comprising;
 a. a sealed optics package, having a connector having a distal end and a proximal end, the connector proximal end in optical association with a high power laser fiber; a reflector; and a window, whereby the connector distal end, the reflector and the window define an optical path;   b. a fluid flow passage having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a fluid flow path;   c. the fluid flow passage distal end in fluid communication with a laser nozzle; and,   d. wherein the fluid flow path and the optical path do not coincide within the sealed optics.   
     
     
         15 . The laser pad of  claim 14 , comprising a focusing optics. 
     
     
         16 . The laser pad of  claim 14 , wherein the reflector is a focusing optic. 
     
     
         17 . The laser pad of  claim 14 , comprising: optics defining a laser beam path having a bend from about 85 degrees to about 95 degrees 
     
     
         18 . The laser pad of  claim 14 , comprising a temperature sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The laser pad of  claim 14  comprising a heat sink. 
     
     
         20 . The laser pad of  claim 14  comprising a heat sink, the heat sink defining a cavity open to the outside environment and thermally associated with a component in the sealed optics package, whereby as deployed the ambient environment cools the component. 
     
     
         21 . The laser pad of  claim 14  comprising a heat sink, the heat sink defining a cavity open to the outside environment and thermally associated with the reflector, whereby as deployed the ambient environment cools the reflector. 
     
     
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         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A high power laser decommissioning tool, the tool comprising:
 a. a body, comprising a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is rotationally associated with the second section;   b. the first section comprising: an anchor assembly; a first motor, operationally connected to the second section, whereby the first motor operates to rotate the second section; and a high power laser fiber;   c. the second section comprising: a laser pad; the high power laser fiber, having a distal end; the distal end of the high power laser fiber in mechanical and optical association with the laser pad; and,   d. the laser pad comprising: a sealed optics package, defining a laser beam path within the package; a fluid flow passage defining a fluid flow path; wherein the fluid flow path and the laser beam path do not coincide within the sealed optics package.   
     
     
         35 . The decommissioning tool of  claim 34 , wherein the high power laser fiber is in a wrapped configuration, whereby as the second second section is rotated in a first direction the fiber will unwind, and when the second section is rotated in a second direction the fiber will wind. 
     
     
         36 . The decommissioning tool of  claim 34 , wherein the high power laser fiber is in a helical configuration, whereby as the second second section is rotated in a first direction the fiber will unwind, and when the second section is rotated in a second direction the fiber will wind. 
     
     
         37 . The decommissioning tool of  claim 34 , wherein the high power laser fiber is in a helical configuration, whereby as the second second section is rotated in a direction the fiber will unwind. 
     
     
         38 . The decommissioning tool of  claim 34 , wherein the high power laser fiber is in a wrapped configuration, whereby as the second second section is rotated in a first direction the fiber will unwind, and when the second section is rotated in a second direction the fiber will wind; and the pad comprises optics defining a laser beam path having a bend from about 85 degrees to about 95 degrees. 
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
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         42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . A method of decommission a structure comprising a tubular, the method comprising:
 a. providing a laser decommissioning system in operable proximity to a tubular to be removed, the decommissioning system comprising a laser having a power of at least about 10 kW, a spool, an umbilical, and a laser decommissioning tool, wherein the laser, the umbilical and the tool are in optical association and thereby define a laser beam path upon with the laser beam travels;   b. positioning a mounting assembly on the tubular;   c. lowering the laser decommissioning tool into the tubular;   d. locking the decommissioning tool at a predetermined location within the decommissioning tool;   e. fixing the umbilical with respect to the mounting assembly;   f. propagating a laser beam having at least about 10 kW along the laser beam path and toward a surface of the tubular; and,   g. the laser beam cutting the tubular.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the tool is locked first in the tubular and then the umbilical is fixed with respect to the mounting assembly. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the tubular is completely severed in one pass of the laser beam.