The present invention relates to a process and relative system for the installation of pipelines in shallow water (less than 10 m, for example) or very shallow water (typically less than 3 m), particularly in zones with difficult access (shallow coastal water, lagoons, difficult landing sites, periodically iced areas, etc.). The installation of underground pipes in very shallow water zones, for considerable lengths (more than 3 km, for example), does not allow the use of conventional floating laying and digging systems, whereas the methods normally used for landing sites (land dragging) can only be used for limited lengths.
For the construction of pipelines and sealines in areas with difficult access, typically due to the fact that they are on the border between the sea and dry land, huge dredging machines are normally used to create a channel for the pipe-laying vessel (which would have an excessive draught with respect to the seabed), or the dry land is extended with embankments to allow the use of land equipment (excavators) thus enabling the pipe to be dragged inside the prepared area (through “pre-trenching”).
“Back-filling” is required to guarantee protection of the pipeline, effected with the same dredgers, with specific excavators or with filling material from embankments.
The water depth does not allow the use of dry land installation methods (excavator, side-boom), and neither is marine equipment suitable, due to the shallowness of the water.
Extensive dredging and excavation operations have a high environmental impact and high costs (mobilization and operative). The use of embankments or spiles is only possible for limited distances, less than one kilometer.
Furthermore, adverse meteorological or marine conditions can damage the “pre-trenching” and support operations, even after the insertion of the pipe in the trench.
The main problem is the preparation of a “channel” in which the pipe can move easily (usually partially floating) and the subsequent securing of the pipe by the “back-filling” of the channel.
The problem has been solved by means of a process and the relative system, characterized by the coordinated use of various specialized machines, having a modular structure and of an amphibious nature.
The process claimed defines the operations and necessary instrumentation for preparing a trench, carrying the pipe in loco, placing the pipe on the seabed, positioning it at the required depth and covering it, also for extremely long distances (for example, over 3 km) and also in very shallow water (typically less than 3 m).
The process claimed allows the reduced movement of material, with a minimum environmental impact and minimum exposure of the excavated area (of the channel and, subsequently, of the pipe)to any possible adverse meteorological conditions.
The process, object of the present invention, for the installation of pipes in shallow or very shallow water essentially comprising the following steps:
When the pipe dragging and/or “back-filling” steps are present, the group of vehicles used will also include dragging and/or “back-filling” equipment.
A further object of the present invention relates to the system for installing pipes in shallow or very shallow water, characterized in that it comprises a single vehicle or more vehicles essentially consisting of:
The dragging (T) and/or “back-filling” (F) equipment can be present in the vehicle(s), said equipment being installed alone or together with one or more of the above-mentioned items of equipment.
When all of the above equipment is to be used, it preferable for it to be installed by distributing it on at least three vehicles.
It is preferable for at least one of the vehicles to have “pre-trenching” and dragging equipment, for at least one of the vehicles to have trench maintenance and dragging equipment, for at least one of the vehicles to have “back-filling” and dragging equipment, and for at least one of the vehicles to have “post-trenching” equipment.
Said vehicles can operate both on dry land and in water up to 10 meters deep, which means from the waterline to typically offshore water, thanks to the special transport vehicle, which always operates moving on the seabed, and to the central autonomous module of power and control, carried by the vehicle, said module, as it can only operate above water, being placed on the vehicle chassis, at a suitable height (up to a few meters, according to the maximum water seal allowed) or, for higher water seals, detached from the vehicle chassis and placed on a floating craft from which it supplies power to the vehicle, even when this is completely immersed in the water, through an umbilical duct. In this way, the use of the system is extended to deep water even several tens of meters deep.
The covering of the pipeline is mainly effected through digging operations after the pipe has been laid, whereas the “pre-trenching” allows the pipe to float in the direction chosen for its laying.
The process claimed introduces the concept of functional specialization of the system components, thus allowing a modular solution, which can be easily adapted to several different situations, and also a time sequence of the operations (even if not all of them are necessary).
The system described is modular and can therefore be reproduced whenever desired, by dividing the laying zone into several areas and operating simultaneously. This allows a reduction in the time necessary for completing the work, which is very important for particularly short operating periods.
The main role of the single tracked vehicle is to transport one or more items of equipment specifically designed for the pipeline installation (dragging winches, excavating tools, earth movement devices, etc.).
The advantage of the method is to minimize the amount of ground removed when the pipeline is inserted underground (which means a reduction in time, costs and environmental impact) and consequently the functional distribution between the “pre-trenching” phase (digging of the channel without the pipes, maintenance before the laying and/or during the dragging of the pipeline) and the “post-trenching” phase (underground insertion of the pipe), is particularly important.
“Pre-trenching” does not necessarily position the tube at the desired level (which is effected in the “post-trenching” phase) but mainly guarantees the floating and guiding of the pipe during its dragging, when the water depth is not sufficient. In zones with a very low seabed, in fact, the pipe can also reach its installation position by pulling while floating, i.e. with the pipe (partially) suspended, thanks to the buoyant force, so as to reduce friction against the seabed. The “pre-trenching” can be effected with a single run, moving a small amount of ground. In this case it is necessary to guarantee the integrity of the trench until dragging has been completed. The same floating-pulling operation can also be effected directly by one or more tracked vehicle(s) equipped with winches.
The “pre-trenching” can therefore be carried out by the tracked vehicle using a single run excavation device (for example a braking chain with suction pumps) installed at the back, and powered by the power module of the vehicle itself. In this way, the tracks are constantly laid on fresh ground, without entering into the trench.
Alternatively, the tracked vehicle can carry suction pumps destined for the cleaning and maintenance of the trench before and during the pipe laying.
The post trenching operation has a low environmental impact and is carried out using a special light vehicle which moves clamped to the pipe by means of driving wheels and carries digging equipment only (for example, tow milling cutters with suction pumps). In very low seabeds, this vehicle is powered by a short umbilical duct connected to the power module, which is positioned on a tracked vehicle which accompanies the above vehicle at its side. The vehicle can be alternatively equipped with hoisting equipment suitable for installing and transporting the vehicle itself.
In higher seabeds, on the contrary, the power module alone is installed on a floating craft, which assists the “post-trenching” by powering the vehicle through a suitable umbilical duct.
The vehicle can be equipped with stabilizing arms when operating in very low seabeds, whereas in deeper water it can be stabilized by means of suitable floating devices.
The excavating devices guarantee multiple runs, adequate for positioning the pipe at ditching levels of more than 4 meters.
In particular areas (for example, those periodically covered with ice), in addition to the ditching level of the pipe, it is also very important for the trench covering to be aligned to the ground (it is often required to use the same earth removed for the digging of the trench). For this purpose, a tool (for example a cochlea) can be installed on two tracked vehicles, for collecting the earth at the sides of the trench and throwing it into the trench itself. This kind of vehicle can also operate in very low seabeds or in deeper water (by removing the power and control module from the vehicle itself and positioning it on a floating craft).
The tracked vehicles can also be used for further functions, either for powering other equipment (for example, excavators, pneumatic drills, specific equipment), or they can act as assistant vehicles (for refueling, logistic support, transporting of materials and equipment, maintenance, towing and mooring of floating devices, etc.).
It is possible to use four vehicles (special tracked machines) for the embodiment of the proposed method, three of which to be prepared according to the function, equipped with the tools for the specific purposes, the fourth destined for “post-trenching”.
These machines can be used with a local configuration, consequently with the power and control module positioned on the same machine, for low seabed operations, or with a remote configuration, with the power module detached from the vehicle and connected to the same, through an umbilical duct. For example, possible configurations are as follows:
The power/control vehicle can move on the ground parallel to the digging module or it can be positioned on a lighter for excavations in deep water.
Auxiliary equipment can also be installed on the base vehicle, such as a digging arm for specific needs.
Vehicles for general interventions and logistic services may also be necessary, in addition to the above-mentioned machines.
A further object of the present invention relates to the “post-trenching” vehicle, characterized in that it essentially consists of:
Some preferred embodiments are provided below, in accordance with the invention, with the help of
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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MI2002A002714 | Dec 2002 | IT | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP03/14779 | 12/5/2003 | WO | 2/24/2005 |