Helical bend restrictor

摘要

An offshore system for drilling or production comprises a buoyant hull. In addition, the system comprises a topside mounted to the hull and positioned above the surface of the water. Further, the system comprises a conductor having a lower end disposed in the sea bed below the sea floor and an upper end coupled to the topside. Still further, the system comprises a bend restrictor disposed about the conductor. The bend restrictor comprises a first sleeve having a lower end positioned in the sea bed below the sea floor, an upper end positioned above the sea floor, an inner surface extending between the upper end and the lower end, an outer surface extending between the upper end and the lower end, and a slit extending helically about the first sleeve. The slit extends radially from the inner surface to the outer surface of the first sleeve.

主权项

1. An offshore system for drilling production, the system comprising:
a buoyant hull; a topside mounted to the hull and positioned above the surface of the water; a conductor having a lower end disposed in the sea bed below the sea floor and an upper end coupled to the topside; a bend restrictor disposed about the conductor, wherein the bend restrictor comprises a first sleeve having a lower end positioned in the sea bed below the sea floor, an upper end positioned above the sea floor, an inner surface extending between the upper end and the lower end, an outer surface extending between the upper end and the lower end, and a slit extending helically about the first sleeve; wherein the slit extends radially from the inner surface to the outer surface of the first sleeve, and wherein the slit has a helical pitch P that varies along the slit.