Apparatus for near vertical laying of pipeline

Abstract

An apparatus for near vertical laying of pipeline offshore. A support base and framework on a lay vessel support an alignment tower that extends upwardly from the base and is designed to support the pipe joint to be added to the pipeline. A support tower that supports the weight of the pipeline is attached to the support base such that the support tower extends downwardly therefrom into the water. A travel block is adapted for movement along the length of the tower for raising or lowering the pipe and pipeline. A pedestal that is movable between open and closed positions for receiving a pipe section from the travel block and supporting the weight of the pipeline is positioned near the bottom of the tower. A strongback or boom may be used to grasp a pipe joint from a ready rack and transfer the pipe joint into the alignment tower for addition of the pipe joint to the pipeline. The extension of the support tower into the water eliminates the need for a stinger. The attachment position and extension of the support tower into the water also lowers the center of gravity of the apparatus.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.