US 3,982,402 A · Submarine pipeline laying vessel

Abstract

This invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for use in laying a submarine pipeline from a pipe-laying vessel. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reel pipe-laying method for continuously laying a pipeline of up to 24-inch diameter without a stinger by (1) aligning a pipe portion as it is being paid out from the reel, (2) straightening the aligned pipe portion, (3) tensioning the pipe, (4) discharging the straightened pipe under tension into the body of water, and (5) changing for different water depths and pipe conditions the lift off angle of the pipe relative to the horizontal by pivoting a diverter about a horizontal pivot, the diverter supporting at least the straightener and the tensioner and extending from the horizontal pivot mounted near the aft end of the vessel, upwardly toward the reel.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A vessel for continuously laying a pipeline on the bed underlying a body of water, comprising:

a pipe supply reel mounted for rotation on said vessel about its horizontal axis;
drive means for rotating said reel thereby unwinding a pipe section;
a diverter structure having one end coupled to one end of said vessel and having the other end extending upwardly in the direction of said reel and at an acute angle relative to the deck of said vessel;
and
pipe-conditioning means mounted on said diverter structure for conditioning said pipe section and discharging the conditioned pipe section into said body of water.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Submarine pipeline laying vessel

Life of this patent

Submarine pipeline laying vessel

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8