Method and apparatus for connecting underwater conduits
AssigneeSonsub International Ltd.
InventorGiovanni Corbetta
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for connecting underwater conduits and more specifically, to a method and apparatus which is capable of performing the diverless connection of underwater flowlines and connection of these flowlines to underwater structures such as flowline bases, xmas trees and templates. The connection of underwater conduits facilitated by the use of a remotely operated vehicle and connection apparatus both being launchable and recoverable by a support vessel. The connection apparatus adapted to mount on at least one of the underwater conduits and the connection apparatus allowing for docking of the remotely controlled vehicle which then captures and draws a second conduit to form a continuous flowline.
Claims19
A method of mutually connecting underwater conduits from a support vessel on the surface comprising the steps of providing a first and a second underwater conduit, launching a remotely operated vehicle from the support vessel;
- launching connection apparatus having a docking clamp from the support vessel;
- manipulating the remotely operated vehicle to dock with the connection apparatus;
- installing the connection apparatus to said first conduit;
- activating said docking clamp using the remotely operated vehicle to capture the end of the second conduit;
- activating the connection apparatus to draw the second conduit toward the first;
- connecting the two conduits together to form a sealed continuous flowline;
- and recovering the remotely operated vehicle and connection apparatus to the support vessel.
An apparatus for mutually connecting underwater conduits being controlled from a support vessel on the surface, the apparatus comprising a remotely controlled vehicle launchable and recoverable from the support vessel;
- connection apparatus for launching and being recoverable from the support vessel;
- means for docking the remotely operated vehicle to the connection apparatus;
- means for mounting the connection apparatus on at least one of said underwater conduits constituting a first conduit;
- means provided on the remotely controlled vehicle for capturing the end of the other of said underwater conduits constituting a second conduit and drawing the second conduit to the first to enable a connection of the conduits together to form a continuous flowline;
- means to effect the connection;
- and means for providing a sealed joint at said connection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.