Installation of subsea pipelines
US11796086B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 27, 2019 |
| Grant date | Oct 24, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 27, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L1/24
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of installing a subsea pipeline supports at least one elongate pipe stalk at the surface of the sea at a first, relatively shallow-water location by virtue of buoyancy added to the pipe stalk. The pipe stalk is then towed at the surface to a second location that is in deeper water. There, with the pipe stalk supported between leading and trailing towing vessels, at least some of the added buoyancy is removed. This causes the pipe stalk to hang with catenary curvature beneath the surface between the vessels. The catenary-curved pipe stalk hanging between the vessels is then towed to a third location for subsea installation, which may involve upending the pipe stalk before landing a lower end portion of it on the seabed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.