Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Circumferential Sealing Structure of a Subsea Oil and Gas Pipeline Repair Clamp

  • Published:
Strength of Materials Aims and scope

A subsea oil and gas pipeline repair clamp and circumferential sealing structure are designed. Based on the principle of equal contact pressure on the contact surface and the thick-walled cylinder calculation, a formula for the contact pressure between the sealing ring and the outer wall of the pipeline is derived. An axisymmetric finite element model is constructed for circumferential sealing with an ABAQUS software suite. The model is used to calculate the contact pressure necessary for the sealing structure, which requires different sealing pressures, and to determine the respective bolt preload for a ∅219-mm clamp. The model also defines a maximum effective contact pressure and average effective contact pressure between the sealing ring and the outer wall of the pipeline. The prediction of the contact force caused by the deformation of a sealing ring due to the geometry restriction was experimentally verified. The finite element and experimental results confirm the validity of grounding in theory and derived formula. The calculations can provide the guidelines for the design of the seal structure of a clamp and the overall structure, as well as future engineering applications.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 6.
Fig. 7.
Fig. 8.
Fig. 9.
Fig. 10.
Fig. 11.
Fig. 12.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. B. J. Zhao, H. W. Zhu, D. Y. Tang, et al., “The clamp repair technology of subsea oil and gas pipeline,” Ocean Eng., 31, No. 3, 95–100 (2013).

    Google Scholar 

  2. A. Rebello and R. R. Ayers, “Deep water pipeline emergencies, managing risk and cost: the co-ownership solution,” in: Proc. of the 6th Int. Offshore Pipeline Forum (Oct. 19–20, 2011, Houston, Texas, USA), IOPF2011-6003 (2011).

  3. R. R. Ayers, S. Hoysan, A. Rebello, et al., “DW RUPE: A new deepwater pipeline repair capability for the gulf of Mexico and other deepwater regions,” in: Offshore Technology Conference (May 5–8, 2008, Houston, Texas, USA), OTC-19207-MS (2008), https://doi.org/10.4043/19207-MS.

  4. C. S. Cai, F. Gao, and Y. T. Zhang, “Application of clamp installation method in the leak point repair of subsea pipeline,” Mech. Engineer, No. 4, 9–11 (2013).

    Google Scholar 

  5. C. Ma, K. Sun, Y. Z. Huang, et al., “Study on repair methods for deepwater pipeline,” Ocean Eng. Equip. Technol., 2, No. 3, 168–174 (2015).

    Google Scholar 

  6. S. M. Zhang, X. T. Mei, G. C. Wang, et al., “Oil/gas pipeline maintenance and emergency repair method and its progress,” Oil Gas Stor. Transport., 33, No. 11, 1180–1186 (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Research on Maintenance Technology of Long Distance Oil & Gas Pipeline Storage and Transportation System [in Chinese], China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau, Langfang (2011).

  8. C. T. Zhang, J. L. Tian, Z. Fang, et al., “Clamping apparatus mechanics analysis and structure optimization design,” Oil Field Equip., 42, No. 10, 28–32 (2013).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. L. Gao and Z. Liang, “Optimized design of clamps for rush-repair of high-pressure pipeline,” Oil Gas Stor. Transport., 32, No. 7, 740–744 (2013).

    Google Scholar 

  10. G. C. Wang, Z. F. Jia, T. R. Wang, et al., The Sealing Structure of One Pipeline Repair Clamp [in Chinese], ZL200720149602.9 (2008).

  11. H. T. Li, S. M. Zhang, L. S. Zhao, et al., “The sealing performance analysis of underwater tap clamp,” Oil Field Equip., 43, No. 1, 11–13 (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  12. B. J. Zhao, H. W. Zhu, S. L. Zhang, et al., “Design of subsea oil and gas pipeline repair clamp,” in: Proc. of the ASME 2015 Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference (July 19–23, 2015, Boston, MA, USA) (2015), https://doi.org/10.1115/PVP2015-45004.

  13. B. J. Zhao, H. W. Zhu, S. L. Zhang, et al., “Research of sealing property to subsea oil and gas pipeline repair clamp,” in: Proc. of the ASME 2015 Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference (July 19–23, 2015, Boston, MA, USA) (2015), https://doi.org/10.1115/PVP2015-45049.

  14. B. J. Zhao, H. W. Zhu, Y. J. Zhang, et al., “Research of sealing structure to subsea oil and gas pipeline repair clamp,” China Petrol. Machin., 44, No. 5, 50–54 (2016).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. J. Chuan, and Y. C. Ma, “The design of high pressure clamp for plugging pipeline under water,” Jiangsu Ship, 32, No. 2, 11–14 (2015).

    Google Scholar 

  16. Pipeline Subsea Repair: DNV Recommended Practice DNV-RP-F113, Det Norske Veritas (2007).

  17. Theoretical Basis and Application of Packer [in Chinese], Oil Production Technology Research Institute of Jianghan Petroleum Administration Bureau, Petroleum Industry Press, Beijing (1983).

  18. X. R. Zhu, L. Z. Wu, and L. Z. Dai, Design Basis of Packer [in Chinese], China Petrochemical Press, Beijing (2012).

  19. S. D. Ju, R. Q. Ma, X. M. Hong, et al., “Design and sealing performance analysis of the offshore completion packer rubber sleeve,” China Petrol. Machin., 43, No. 6, 46–49 (2015).

    Google Scholar 

  20. S. K. Tong, “Mechanical Properties analysis of compressed packing rubber during axial compressing,” Oil Field Equip., 41, No. 12, 1–7 (2012).

    Google Scholar 

  21. G. T. Yang, Introduction to Elasticity and Plasticity [in Chinese], Tsinghua University Press, Beijing (2004).

  22. M. J. Mooney, “A theory of large elastic deformation,” J. Appl. Phys., 11, No. 6, 582–592 (1940).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. R. S. Rivlin, “Large elastic deformations of elastic material: IV: Further developments of the general theory,” Philos. T. R. Soc. S-A, 241, No. 835, 379–397 (1948).

    Google Scholar 

  24. J. Zhang and G. Jin, “Finite element analysis of contact pressure on O-ring,” Lubr. Eng., 35, No. 2, 80–83 (2010).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. X. J. Yang and H. L. Yang, “Numerical analysis of sealing process of hydraulic packer rubber,” J. Univ. Petrol., 27, No. 5, 84–87 (2003).

    Google Scholar 

  26. Y. P. Shi and Y. R. Zhou, The ABAQUS Finite Element Analysis Detailed Examples [in Chinese], China Machine Press, Beijing (2006).

  27. W. J. Guan, Q. G. Du, and P. Q. Liu, “Finite element analysis of the sealing performance of rubber O-ring,” Lubr. Eng., 37, No. 6, 60–64 (2012).

    Google Scholar 

  28. Pressure Vessels, Standards Press of China, Beijing (2011).

Download references

Acknowledgments

This project was supported by the PetroChina Innovation Foundation, China.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tianjin Key Laboratory for Advanced Mechatronic System Design and Intelligent Control, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, China

    B. J. Zhao

  2. National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Education, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, China

    B. J. Zhao

  3. College of Mechanical and Transportation Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, China

    H. W. Zhu & J. Y. Zhang

  4. CNOOC Safety Technology Services Co., Ltd, Tianjin, China

    S. L. Zhang

Authors
  1. B. J. Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. W. Zhu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. Y. Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. L. Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to B. J. Zhao.

Additional information

Translated from Problemy Prochnosti, No. 1, pp. 70 – 82, January – February, 2020.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhao, B.J., Zhu, H.W., Zhang, J.Y. et al. Circumferential Sealing Structure of a Subsea Oil and Gas Pipeline Repair Clamp. Strength Mater 52, 59–70 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11223-020-00150-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11223-020-00150-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation