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US 4,051,688 AGranted
Offshore structure and method
AssigneeThe British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
InventorsJohn William Ells, Ian David Parker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method of joining two pipelines underwater by, for example, flanges, involves supporting a first of the pipelines in a frame having supports for holding a second pipeline in alignment with the first pipeline and moving the end of the first pipeline (which is conveniently near an elbow in the pipeline) longitudinally into contact with the second pipeline and joining together.
Claims7
A method of connecting by means of flanges two pipelines lying on the bottom of a body of water which method comprises:
- a. disposing a first pipeline having a flange at the end thereof so that the end portion of the pipeline is moveable in the direction of its longitudinal axis to provide adjustment for joining the flanges together,
- b. installing on the water bottom a spool frame, the spool frame having releaseable means for holding the end portion of the first pipeline free of the water bottom in a suitable attitude for installing a joining frame, and employing said spool frame to lift the first pipeline at a position a small distance from the end thereof,
- c. installing on the water bottom a joining frame, said joining frame having means for supporting the first pipeline and means for supporting a second pipeline having a flange at the end thereof in alignment therewith and, using said joining frame, supporting the first pipeline and supporting the second pipeline in alignment therewith, and
- d. connecting the flanges on the supported pipelines together in fluid tight relationship.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.