EP0132891A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for connecting a flowline to a subsea structure and laying the flowline from the subsea structure
Assignee: Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
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Filing: 1984-07-17
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-07-17
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus are provided for connecting an offshore pipeline or flowline bundle (10) to a deepwater subsea structure (11) and then laying the pipeline or flowline bundle (10) away from said structure (11). The pipeline or flowline bundle (10) is lowered vertically from a pipelaying vessel (13) to make a hinged connection with the subsea structure (11). The connection operation is facilitated by a flowline connection tool (14) attached to the pipeline or flowline bundle (10) and designed to be inserted into a funnel located either centrally or on one side of the subsea structure (11). The connection procedure comprises landing and securing the flowline connection tool (14) onto the subsea structure (11),then hinging over and connecting the pipeline or flowline bundle (10) to the subsea structure (11) as the pipeline or flowline bundle (10) is laid on the sea floor (12) beginning at the subsea structure (11).
Inventors
- 👤 Carl Gottlieb Langner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:53
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for connecting a flowline to a subsea structure and laying the flowline from the subsea structure comprising lowering the flowline vertically to make a hinged connection with the subsea structure, hinging the flowline over to a horizontal position adjacent to the subsea structure, and laying the flowline on the sea floor from the subsea structure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for connecting a flowline to a subsea structure and laying the flowline from the subsea structure comprising lowering the flowline vertically to make a hinged connection with the subsea structure, hinging the flowline over to a horizontal position adjacent to the subsea structure, and laying the flowline on the sea floor from the subsea structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, including providing a flowline receiving means on the subsea structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the flowline receiving means is a funnel centrally located on the subsea structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the flowline receiving means is a funnel located on one side of the subsea structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the hinged connection is a flowline connection tool attached to the flowline and designed to be inserted into the flowline receiving means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as claimed in claim 5, including landing and securing the flowline connection tool onto the subsea structure, and hinging over and connecting the flowline to the subsea structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as claimed in claim 6, which further comprises disengaging the flowline connection tool from the flowline, and removing the flowline connection tool from the subsea structure.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
22 words
The method as claimed in any one of the claims 1-7, wherein the subsea structure is a wellhead or a multi-well template.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
35 words
An apparatus for connecting a flowline to a subsea structure comprising a flowline receiving means arranged on the subsea structure, and means for making a hinged connection between the flowline and the flowline receiving means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
35 words
An apparatus for connecting a flowline to a subsea structure comprising a flowline receiving means arranged on the subsea structure, and means for making a hinged connection between the flowline and the flowline receiving means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the flowline receiving means is a funnel centrally located on the subsea structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the flowline receiving means is a funnel located on one side of the subsea structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein the means for making a hinged connection is a flowline connection tool attached to the flowline and designed to be inserted into the flowline receiving means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 including means for securing the flowline connection tool to the subsea structure, and means for connecting the flowline to the subsea structure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, which apparatus further comprises means for disengaging the flowline connection tool from the flowline and for removing the flowline connection tool from the subsea structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB2020773A
Cited
DE2952449A1
Cited
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