US3595312A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for installing offshore flow lines
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
•
Filing: 1969-09-18
•
Granted: 1971-07-27
•
Expires: 1989-09-18
Abstract
Abstract Offshore flow lines are installed on an offshore structure in a body of water by pulling (and/or pushing) a flow line downwardly from water surface through a curved tubular member until one end of the flow line is available to water surface at a horizontally spaced-apart point from said structure. The flow line may be arranged in the curved tubular member when the offshore structure is built and the flow line pulled and/or pushed through it when the structure is located in a vertical position in a body of water.
Inventors
- 👤 Jamie F Matthews Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:30
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/0107; F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/26; E02; E02B; E02B17/00; E02B2017/0095
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for installing a flow line having first and second ends on an offshore structure in a body of water wherein said structure is provided with an open-ended curved tubular conduit having a first end at least adjacent water bottom and a second end extending upwardly on said structure which comprises: positioning a flexible member through said tubular conduit with the first end of said flexible member extending from the first end of said conduit to water surface at a horizontally spaced apart point from said structure and the second end of the flexible member extending from the second end of said conduit; attaching the first end of said flow line to the second end of said flexible member; and then pulling said flexible member and the flow line downwardly through said conduit until the first end of said flow line extends from the first end of said conduit to said point horizontally spaced apart from said structure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for installing a flow line having first and second ends on an offshore structure in a body of water wherein said structure is provided with an open-ended curved tubular conduit having a first end at least adjacent water bottom and a second end extending upwardly on said structure which comprises: positioning a flexible member through said tubular conduit with the first end of said flexible member extending from the first end of said conduit to water surface at a horizontally spaced apart point from said structure and the second end of the flexible member extending from the second end of said conduit; attaching the first end of said flow line to the second end of said flexible member; and then pulling said flexible member and the flow line downwardly through said conduit until the first end of said flow line extends from the first end of said conduit to said point horizontally spaced apart from said structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 in which the offshore structure is submerged.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 in which the offshore structure extends at least to water surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 in which lengths of pipe are added to the first end of said flow line at least adjacent water surface to increase the length thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, in which the flexible member is a cable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 in which the flexible member is a chain.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 in which the flexible member and the flow line are on a floating vessel and the structure and tubular conduit are submerged.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 in which the flexible member and the flow line are on a fixed offshore structure extending at least to water surface and the tubular conduit also extends at least to water surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 in which the offshore structure is provided with said curved tubular conduit before the offshore structure is placed in said body of water.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 in which the point adjacent water surface is a floating vessel horizontally spaced from said structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 in which the outer wall of the flow line is lubricated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 in which the flow line is pushed at the same time it is being pulled by exertion of force on the second end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
93 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 in which: a. lengths of pipe are added to the first end of said flow line at least adjacent water surface; b. the flexible member is a cable; c. the flexible member is positioned by running it downwardly through said conduit; d. the offshore structure is provided with said curved tubular conduit prior to placement of the structure in said body of water; and e. the flow line is pushed at the same time it is being pulled by exertion of force on the second end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 in which the flexible member is positioned in said conduit by pulling same from said structure to said location horizontally spaced apart from said structure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 14 in which the location is on a floating vessel.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for installing a flow line having first and second ends on an offshore structure in a body of water wherein said structure is provided with an open-ended curve tubular conduit having a and end at least adjacent water bottom and a second end extending vertically on said structure which comprises: running the first end of a flow line from water surface into the second end of said curved conduit and out the first end of said conduit and then to a point at least adjacent water surface horizontally spaced from said structure until the second end of said flow line is accessible from said structure and the first end is accessible from water surface.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for installing a flow line having first and second ends on an offshore structure in a body of water wherein said structure is provided with an open-ended curve tubular conduit having a and end at least adjacent water bottom and a second end extending vertically on said structure which comprises: running the first end of a flow line from water surface into the second end of said curved conduit and out the first end of said conduit and then to a point at least adjacent water surface horizontally spaced from said structure until the second end of said flow line is accessible from said structure and the first end is accessible from water surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 16 in which the flow line is pulled and pushed through said curved conduit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method in accordance with claim 17 in which a lubricant is applied to at least one of the contact surfaces between the inner wall of the conduit and the outer wall of the flow line.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance it claim 17 in which the outer wall of the flow line is lubricated.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 16 in which the flow line is pushed through said curved conduit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method in accordance with claim 16 in which the second end of the tubular conduit extends at least to water surface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 16 in which the tubular conduit is submerged.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method in accordance with claim 16 in which a lubricant is applied to at least one he contact surfaces between the inner wall of the conduit and outer wall of the flow line.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method in accordance with claim 16 in which the flow line is run into said curved conduit by pulling.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for installing a flow line having first and second ends on a structure located vertically offshore in a body of water wherein said structure is provided with an open-ended curved tubular conduit having a first end located at least adjacent water bottom and a second end extending vertically on said structure, said conduit having a flow line arranged therein with a first end adjacent the first end of the conduit and the second end extending from the second end of the conduit which comprises: moving said flow line through said curved conduit and out the first end of said conduit such that said first end of said flow line is accessible from water surface spaced horizontally from said structure and the second end is accessible from said structure.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for installing a flow line having first and second ends on a structure located vertically offshore in a body of water wherein said structure is provided with an open-ended curved tubular conduit having a first end located at least adjacent water bottom and a second end extending vertically on said structure, said conduit having a flow line arranged therein with a first end adjacent the first end of the conduit and the second end extending from the second end of the conduit which comprises: moving said flow line through said curved conduit and out the first end of said conduit such that said first end of said flow line is accessible from water surface spaced horizontally from said structure and the second end is accessible from said structure.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 25 in which the flow line is pulled through said curved conduit.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method in accordance with claim 25 in which the line is pulled and pushed through said curved conduit.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method in accordance with claim 27 in which a lubricant is applied to at least one of the contact surfaces between the inner wall of the conduit and the outer wall of the flow line.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 25 in which the outer wall of the flow line is lubricated.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method in accordance with claim 25 in which the residual curvature or set of the flow line is removed when said flow line is run through said conduit.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method in accordance with claim 30 in which the residual curvature or set is removed by running the flow line through a portion of the conduit having a radius of curvature in reverse to that of the main portion the conduit.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 25 in which the end of the flow line adjacent water bottom is connected to a pipe line.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for installing pipe in a body of water using pipe contact means including a member having structure adapted to contact pipe on substantially opposite sides thereof capable of changing the direction of movement of said pipe from a generally vertical to a generally horizontal direction which comprises attaching one end of a flexible member extending through said pip contact means to said pipe and then moving said flexible member and said pipe downwardly through said pipe contact means until said pipe extends through said pipe contact means to a point horizontally spaced a substantial distance from said pipe contact means.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for installing pipe in a body of water using pipe contact means including a member having structure adapted to contact pipe on substantially opposite sides thereof capable of changing the direction of movement of said pipe from a generally vertical to a generally horizontal direction which comprises attaching one end of a flexible member extending through said pip contact means to said pipe and then moving said flexible member and said pipe downwardly through said pipe contact means until said pipe extends through said pipe contact means to a point horizontally spaced a substantial distance from said pipe contact means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accordance with claim 33 in which said pipe contact means and at the same time said pipe is pulled through said pipe contact means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with claim 3 in which residual curvature or set is removed from said pipe as the pipe traverses said pipe contact means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus for installing pipe in a body of water which comprises: pipe contact means including a member having structure adapted to contact pipe on substantially opposite sides thereof capable of changing the direcTion of movement of a pipe from a generally vertical to a generally horizontal direction when said pipe is moved downwardly through said pipe contact means means for moving pipe downwardly through said pipe contact means; and means arranged adjacent said pipe contact means for removing residual curvature or set from the pipe as said pipe traverses said pipe contact means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus for installing pipe in a body of water which comprises: pipe contact means including a member having structure adapted to contact pipe on substantially opposite sides thereof capable of changing the direcTion of movement of a pipe from a generally vertical to a generally horizontal direction when said pipe is moved downwardly through said pipe contact means means for moving pipe downwardly through said pipe contact means; and means arranged adjacent said pipe contact means for removing residual curvature or set from the pipe as said pipe traverses said pipe contact means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 36 including means within said pipe contact means for facilitating the movement of pipe through said pipe contact means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |