US3670513A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for subsurface flowline connection
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
•
Filing: 1970-10-02
•
Granted: 1972-06-20
•
Expires: 1990-10-02
Abstract
Abstract A method for constructing an underwater pipeline installation. One section of the pipeline is laid along a line which intersects the longitudinal axis of a second section of the pipeline or other conduit. This second section of the pipeline has a free end which terminates at a point spaced from the intersection of the longitudinal axes of the two sections. The subsurface distance and orientation between the free ends of the two sections is determined and a lateral extension is then secured to the free end of the first section. The lateral extension has a length and orientation such that it will span the subsurface distance and orientation between the two sections. The lateral extension with its attached pipeline section is then lowered and guided into mating relation with the other pipeline section. The lateral extension and the other pipeline section are then connected and the installation is complete. In another embodiment, the method is used to repair or replace a portion of a pipeline.
Inventors
- 👤 Jamie F Matthews Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:23
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for connecting a pipeline to an underwater conduit which is at a fixed subsurface location which comprises placing the pipeline along a line which intersects the longitudinal axis of the conduit and which is spaced from a free end of the conduit, determining the subsurface distance and orientation between the free end of the conduit and a free end of the pipeline, attaching to the pipeline a lateral extension having a length and orientation to span approximately the subsurface distance and orientation between the free ends of the pipeline and the conduit, simultaneously lowering and guiding the lateral extension to place the lateral extension in approximate alignment and approximate mating relation with the conduit and connecting the lateral extension to the free end of the conduit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for connecting a pipeline to an underwater conduit which is at a fixed subsurface location which comprises placing the pipeline along a line which intersects the longitudinal axis of the conduit and which is spaced from a free end of the conduit, determining the subsurface distance and orientation between the free end of the conduit and a free end of the pipeline, attaching to the pipeline a lateral extension having a length and orientation to span approximately the subsurface distance and orientation between the free ends of the pipeline and the conduit, simultaneously lowering and guiding the lateral extension to place the lateral extension in approximate alignment and approximate mating relation with the conduit and connecting the lateral extension to the free end of the conduit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as defined by claim 1 in which one end of the pipeline is at a surface location during the placement of the pipeline along a line which intersects the longitudinal axis of the conduit and which is spaced from a free end of the conduit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined by claim 1 in which the pipeline is at a subsurface location and raiseD from the subsurface location prior to attaching the lateral extension.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined by claim 3 further comprising applying axial tension to the pipeline during the raising of the pipeline and the lowering of the lateral extension.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as defined by claim 4 wherein the horizontal component of the axial tension is approximately constant during the raising of the pipeline and the lowering of the lateral extension.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein the lateral extension is maintained in substantially a horizontal position during the lowering of the lateral extension.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein the subsurface distance and orientation between the free ends of the pipeline and the conduit are determined at their subsurface locations.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein the subsurface distance and orientation between the free ends of the pipeline and conduit are determined when the pipeline is at a surface location.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined by claim 1 further comprising applying axial tension to the pipeline during the lowering of the lateral extension.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as defined by claim 9 wherein the horizontal component of the axial tension is approximately constant during the lowering of the lateral extension.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for replacing a portion of an underwater conduit which comprises raising a free end of a first section of the conduit from a subsurface location, shifting the free end of the first section in a direction transverse to its longitudinal axis, then determining the subsurface distance and orientation between the free end of the first section and a free end of a second section which is at a fixed subsurface location, attaching a lateral extension to the first section which has a length and orientation which will approximately span the subsurface distance and orientation between the first and second sections, lowering the lateral extension and the first section, guiding the lateral extension into mating relationship with the second second, and connecting the lateral extension and second section.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for replacing a portion of an underwater conduit which comprises raising a free end of a first section of the conduit from a subsurface location, shifting the free end of the first section in a direction transverse to its longitudinal axis, then determining the subsurface distance and orientation between the free end of the first section and a free end of a second section which is at a fixed subsurface location, attaching a lateral extension to the first section which has a length and orientation which will approximately span the subsurface distance and orientation between the first and second sections, lowering the lateral extension and the first section, guiding the lateral extension into mating relationship with the second second, and connecting the lateral extension and second section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3373570A
Cited
US3578233A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-20 | 1975-12-20 | 1976-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-20 | 1979-12-20 | 1980-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-20 | 1983-12-20 | 1984-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |