Subsea connection apparatus

A method for connecting a conduit to a subsea structure, the method comprising the steps of:

• docking a frame to the subsea structure;
• operating a connecting mechanism on a subsea tool or vehicle to engage the conduit for transportation;
• operating the subsea tool or vehicle to travel to the subsea structure without interaction with the frame;
• docking the subsea tool or vehicle onto the frame;
• operating the docked subsea tool or vehicle to bring the conduit into an operative relationship with a conduit handling mechanism on the frame to facilitate the positioning of the conduit for attachment to the subsea structure;
• and
• operating the conduit handling mechanism to couple the conduit to the subsea structure, whereby the frame bears most of the load associated with the operations of the docked subsea tool or vehicle and the conduit handling mechanism,
• wherein the frame is constructed and configured to engage with the conduit in an operative relationship after the conduit has been delivered by the subsea tool or vehicle.

A subsea connecting apparatus for connecting a conduit to a subsea structure comprising:

• a frame connectable to the subsea structure;
• a first docking mechanism for connecting the frame to the subsea structure;
• a conduit handling mechanism on the frame to facilitate the positioning of a conduit for attachment to the subsea structure;
• a subsea tool or vehicle including a connecting mechanism operable to connect to the conduit for transportation to the frame, wherein the subsea tool or vehicle is operable to travel from a location at which it connects to the conduit to the frame under its own power without interaction with the frame or the subsea structure;
• a second docking mechanism for releasably docking the subsea tool or vehicle onto the frame, wherein:
• the subsea tool or vehicle is operable when docked to bring the conduit into an operative relationship with the conduit handling mechanism after the conduit has been delivered by the subsea tool or vehicle;
• and
• the frame is constructed and configured to bear most of the load associated with the operations of the docked subsea tool or vehicle and the conduit handling device.