Lifting systems for subsea pipelines and methods for installing lifting systems

A lifting system for a subsea pipeline comprising:

• at least one pair of subsea foundations that are installed at a seabed and spaced apart from each other to define a gap between the foundations of the at least one pair of subsea foundations through which the pipeline extends;
• and
• a removable lifting frame arranged to be removably mountable on the installed foundations to bridge over the pipeline disposed in the gap;
• wherein:
• the lifting frame comprises a pair of feet, wherein the pair of feet are cooperable with respective support formations on the respective foundations, and wherein at least a downward side of each foot is of substantially part-circular or part-elliptical curvature;
• a first one of the support formations comprises a hinge component to restrain one of the feet for pivotal movement relative to the first one of the support formations;
• and
• a second one of the support formations is shaped to define a platform on which the other foot can rest in any of various positions within a support area.