Loading patent…
AssigneeSubsea 7 Norway AS
InventorsAnders Veungen Berg, Odd Vegard Skrunes, Jorn Knutsen, Gabriel Grodem, Stig Hjorth
Estimating the term…
A lifting system (10) for a subsea pipeline (18) comprises paired subsea foundations (20) that are spaced apart from each other to define a gap between them through which the pipeline extends. A removable lifting frame (12) is mounted on the foundations to bridge over the pipeline disposed in the gap. The lifting frame comprises a pair of feet (32) that are cooperable with respective support formations (34, 36) on the foundations. One support formation defines a hinge component to restrain one of the feet for pivotal movement. The other support formation defines a platform on which the other foot can rest in any of various positions within a support area. This compensates for differences in level, spacing or alignment between the foundations. The lifting frame (12) can be transferred to another location by dismounting it from a first pair of foundations and then mounting it onto a second pair of like foundations in a corresponding manner.
A lifting system for a subsea pipeline, the system comprising:
The lifting system of any preceding claim, wherein the first support formation comprises a plurality of guide posts arranged to delimit a support area of the first support formation in which one of the feet can rest in any of various positions.
The lifting system of any preceding claim, wherein the first support formation or the second support formation further comprises end walls that are positioned to restrain longitudinal movement of one of the feet of the lifting frame engaged therewith.
The lifting system of any preceding claim, wherein the feet lie in a common plane.
The lifting system of any preceding claim, wherein the feet are elongate.
The lifting system of any preceding claim, wherein the feet are substantially identical in cross-section.
The lifting system of any preceding claim, wherein at least a downward side of each foot is of substantially part-circular or part-elliptical curvature.
The lifting system of any preceding claim, wherein the foundations are arranged to be embedded in seabed soil.
The lifting system of any preceding claim, comprising at least two pairs of foundations, at least one of those pairs of foundations not having the lifting frame mounted thereon at any given time.
The lifting system of any preceding claim, wherein the second support formation comprises a substantially flat base that is substantially wider than either foot of the lifting frame.
The lifting system of any preceding claim, wherein the first support formation or the second support formation is open-ended.
The lifting system of any preceding claim, wherein the lifting frame is mountable on the foundations in at least two orientations about a vertical axis.
A method of installing a lifting frame for lifting a subsea pipeline, the method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.