US3702539A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for installing risers
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
•
Filing: 1971-05-26
•
Granted: 1972-11-14
•
Expires: 1991-05-26
Abstract
Abstract A riser is installed at an offshore platform where pipeline construction terminates by lowering the riser in place adjacent a guide rail mounted on the platform and thereafter clamping the riser to the guide rail by moving clamps or similar connecting members downwardly on the guide rail and riser from the surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Jamie F Matthews Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:21
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/12; F16L1/14; F16L1/15; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/0107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for installing a riser pipe at an offshore structure provided with an elongated guide member extending downwardly into the water alongside said structure which comprises erecting said riser in the water adjacent said guide member, positioning a slidable connecting member on the riser and guide member near the upper end of the guide member, and there-after moving said connecting member downwardly along both the riser and guide member into position beneath the surface of the water.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for installing a riser pipe at an offshore structure provided with an elongated guide member extending downwardly into the water alongside said structure which comprises erecting said riser in the water adjacent said guide member, positioning a slidable connecting member on the riser and guide member near the upper end of the guide member, and there-after moving said connecting member downwardly along both the riser and guide member into position beneath the surface of the water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said slidable connecting member is positioned on said riser by lowering said member over the upper end of said riser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said slidable connecting member is positioned on said riser by clamping said member around the riser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein a plurality of slidable connecting members are positioned on and moved downwardly along said riser and guide member in sequence.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined by claim 4 wherein adjacent slidable connecting members are connected to one another to form a rigid assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined by claim 4 wherein said slidable connecting members are moved downwardly along said riser and guide member by connecting them to a cable and moving said cable downwardly.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for installing a pipeline riser at an offshore platform provided with an elongated guide rail extending downwardly into the water alongside the platform which comprises moving said riser into position parallel and in close proximity to said guide rail, lowering a conduit over the upper end of the riser, slidably attaching said conduit to said guide rail, and thereafter sliding said conduit downwardly along said guide rail and over said riser to secure the riser in place.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for installing a pipeline riser at an offshore platform provided with an elongated guide rail extending downwardly into the water alongside the platform which comprises moving said riser into position parallel and in close proximity to said guide rail, lowering a conduit over the upper end of the riser, slidably attaching said conduit to said guide rail, and thereafter sliding said conduit downwardly along said guide rail and over said riser to secure the riser in place.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as defined by claim 7 wherein a plurality of conduit sections are lowered over the upper end of said riser, attached to said guide rail, and slid downwardly along the guide rail and riser in sequence, each section being rigidly connected to an adjacent section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as defined by claim 8 wherein adjacent conduit sections are connected to one another by bolts and flanges.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined by claim 8 wherein the uppermost conduit section is rigidly connected to said guide rail after the conduit sections are in place.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for installing a pipeline riser at an offshore platform provided with an elongated guide rail extending downwardly into the water alongside the platform which comprises moving said riser into position parallel and in close proximity to said guide rail, installing a slidable connecting member on the guide rail near the upper end thereof, clamping said connecting member around the riser with sufficient clearance for said member to move along the riser, and thereafter moving said connecting member downwardly along said guide rail and riser into position beneath the surface of the water.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for installing a pipeline riser at an offshore platform provided with an elongated guide rail extending downwardly into the water alongside the platform which comprises moving said riser into position parallel and in close proximity to said guide rail, installing a slidable connecting member on the guide rail near the upper end thereof, clamping said connecting member around the riser with sufficient clearance for said member to move along the riser, and thereafter moving said connecting member downwardly along said guide rail and riser into position beneath the surface of the water.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as defined by claim 11 wherein a plurality of connecting members are installed on said guide rail, clamped around said riser, and moved downwardly along the guide rail and riser in sequence.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined by claim 12 wherein adjacent connecting members are rigidly connected to one another above the water''s surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as defined by claim 12 wherein said connecting members are moved downwardly on a cable.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
97 words
Apparatus for connecting a pipeline riser to an offshore platform provided with an elongated guide rail extending downwardly into the water alongside said platform and with a riser pipe extending substantially parallel to said guide rail which comprises an elongated, substantially straight conduit flared at the lower end and of sufficient diameter to move dOwnwardly over said riser, a flange at the upper end of said conduit for connecting a second conduit section in place, an arm extending laterally from said conduit, and means near the outer end of said arm for slidably engaging said guide rail.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
97 words
Apparatus for connecting a pipeline riser to an offshore platform provided with an elongated guide rail extending downwardly into the water alongside said platform and with a riser pipe extending substantially parallel to said guide rail which comprises an elongated, substantially straight conduit flared at the lower end and of sufficient diameter to move dOwnwardly over said riser, a flange at the upper end of said conduit for connecting a second conduit section in place, an arm extending laterally from said conduit, and means near the outer end of said arm for slidably engaging said guide rail.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for connecting a pipeline riser to an offshore platform provided with an elongated guide rail extending downwardly into the water alongside said platform and with a riser pipe extending substantially parallel to said guide rail which comprises an elongated, substantially vertical supporting member, a cross member connected to said supporting member and extending laterally therefrom, means on one end of said cross member for slidably engaging said guide rail, means on the other end of said cross member for slidably engaging said riser, and means on at least one end of said supporting member for connecting said apparatus to an adjacent supporting member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for connecting a pipeline riser to an offshore platform provided with an elongated guide rail extending downwardly into the water alongside said platform and with a riser pipe extending substantially parallel to said guide rail which comprises an elongated, substantially vertical supporting member, a cross member connected to said supporting member and extending laterally therefrom, means on one end of said cross member for slidably engaging said guide rail, means on the other end of said cross member for slidably engaging said riser, and means on at least one end of said supporting member for connecting said apparatus to an adjacent supporting member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 16 wherein said supporting member is a section of pipe and said means at the ends of said supporting member comprise pipe flanges.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-14 | 1976-05-15 | 1976-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-14 | 1980-05-15 | 1980-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-14 | 1984-05-15 | 1984-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |