US3754404A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for bending and laying pipe under water
Assignee: Transworld Drilling Co
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Filing: 1971-05-24
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Granted: 1973-08-28
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Expires: 1991-05-24
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a method for laying pipe under water to interconnect at least two installations, such as surface or submerged facilities associated with wells, manifolds, collection facilities and the like. More particularly, it relates to a method for bending and laying pipe under water. In one embodiment, the method utilizes a submersible chamber in which workmen may operate in a dry atmosphere.
Inventors
- 👤 T Moore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:30
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/12; F16L1/16; F16L1/165; E; E21; E21B; E21B41/00; E21B41/06; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/013; E21B43/0135
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for bending and laying pipe under water to interconnect at least two installations, at least one of which is located offshore, comprising: a. providing submerged pipe bending and straightening means near the mud line of at least one of the offshore installations, b. stringing pipe pulling means between two installations, through said pipe bending and straightening means, c. connecting pipe to one end of said pipe pulling means at one of said installations, d. connecting power means, located at another of the installations, to the other end of said pipe pulling means, e. actuating said power means to pull said pipe pulling means and trailing pipe from said one installation, through said pipe bending and straightening means and onto said other installation, f. disconnecting said pipe pulling means from said pipe at said other installation and connecting the pipe to that installation, and g. connecting the other end of said pipe to said one installation to thereby interconnect said installations.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for bending and laying pipe under water to interconnect at least two installations, at least one of which is located offshore, comprising: a. providing submerged pipe bending and straightening means near the mud line of at least one of the offshore installations, b. stringing pipe pulling means between two installations, through said pipe bending and straightening means, c. connecting pipe to one end of said pipe pulling means at one of said installations, d. connecting power means, located at another of the installations, to the other end of said pipe pulling means, e. actuating said power means to pull said pipe pulling means and trailing pipe from said one installation, through said pipe bending and straightening means and onto said other installation, f. disconnecting said pipe pulling means from said pipe at said other installation and connecting the pipe to that installation, and g. connecting the other end of said pipe to said one installation to thereby interconnect said installations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said pipe is pulled from an offshore installation having a surface Platform onto a shore installation upon which the power means is located.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pipe is pulled from an offshore installation comprising a submerged wellhead, through pipe bending and straightening means located in a chamber mated with the wellhead and onto a shore installation upon which the power means is located.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said pipe is pulled between offshore installations having surface platforms and through pipe bending and straightening means located near the mud line of each of said installations.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for bending and laying pipe under water to interconnect first and second submerged platforms which comprises: a. stringing pipe pulling means between spaced apart first and second surface vessels and through the submerged platforms, b. connecting pipe to one end of said pulling means on said first vessel, c. actuating power means on said second vessel to pull said pipe from said first vessel down to the second platform, d. bending the pipe at said second platform while continuing to actuate the power means to pull the pipe toward the first platform, e. disconnecting said pulling means from said pipe at the first platform, f. connecting said pipe to the first platform, and g. severing said pipe at said second platform and connecting it thereto, whereby to connect said platforms with said pipe.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for bending and laying pipe under water to interconnect first and second submerged platforms which comprises: a. stringing pipe pulling means between spaced apart first and second surface vessels and through the submerged platforms, b. connecting pipe to one end of said pulling means on said first vessel, c. actuating power means on said second vessel to pull said pipe from said first vessel down to the second platform, d. bending the pipe at said second platform while continuing to actuate the power means to pull the pipe toward the first platform, e. disconnecting said pulling means from said pipe at the first platform, f. connecting said pipe to the first platform, and g. severing said pipe at said second platform and connecting it thereto, whereby to connect said platforms with said pipe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
264 words
The method as set forth in claim 5 in which said pipe pulling means comprises cable which is strung between the surface vessels and platforms by: a. positioning said first surface vessel in a region over said first platform and lowering a chamber to and mating it with said platform, b. releasing a buoy trailing a messenger line upwardly to the first vessel through an opening in the platform, c. connecting a pulling cable located on said first vessel to the messenger line and pulling both the line and the lead end of the cable down into the chamber through the opening in the platform, d. returning the lead end of the cable to the surface by raising the chamber to the surface and then connecting said lead end to said power means on said second surface vessel and transferring the other end to floating means on the surface, e. positioning the first surface vessel in a region above the second platform and lowering a chamber to and mating it with that platform, f. releasing a buoy trailing a messenger line upwardly through an opening in said chamber, g. connecting a pulling cable located on said first vessel to the messenger line and pulling both that line and the lead end of the cable down into the chamber, h. releasing a buoy trailing the lead end of the pulling cable to the surface through an opening in said second platform and thereafter, i. connecting the lead end of that pulling cable to the floating end of the pulling cable strung through the first platform.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
276 words
The method as set forth in claim 5 in which said pipe pulling means comprises cable which is strung between the surface vessels and platforms by: a. positioning said first surface vessel in a region over said first platform and lowering a chamber to and mating is with said platform, b. releasing a buoy trailing a messenger line upwardly to the first vessel through an opening in the platform, c. connecting a pulling cable located on said first vessel to the messenger line and pulling both the line and the lead end of the cable down into the chamber through the opening in the platform, d. returning the lead end of the cable to the surface by raising the chamber to the surface and then connecting said lead end to said power means on said second surface vessel and transferring the other end to floating means on the surface, e. positioning the first surface vessel in a region above the second platform and lowering a chamber to and mating it with that platform, f. releasing to the first vessel a buoy trailing a messenger line through an oPening in the chamber and another buoy and a messenger line through an opening in the platform, g. attaching pulling cable located on the first vessel to each messenger line and hauling the lines and lead ends of the cable into the chamber, h. joining the lead ends of the pulling cables together while they are in the chamber, and i. connecting the other end of the pulling cable passing through the opening in the platform to the floating end of the pulling cable strung through the first platform.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
315 words
The method as set forth in claim 5 in which said pipe pulling means comprises cable which is strung between the surface vessels and platforms by: a. positioning said first surface vessel in a region over said first platform and lowering a chamber to and mating it with said platform, b. releasing a buoy trailing a messenger line upwardly to the first vessel through an opening in the platform, c. connecting a pulling cable located on said first vessel to the messenger line and pulling both the line and the lead end of the cable down into the chamber through the opening in the platform, d. returning the lead end of the cable to the surface by raising the chamber to the surface and then connecting said lead end to said power means on said second surface vessel and transferring the other end to floating means on the surface, e. positioning the first surface vessel in a region above the second platform and lowering a chamber to and mating it with that platform, f. releasing a buoy trailing a messenger line upwardly through an opening in said platform, g. connecting a pulling cable located on said first vessel to the messenger line and hauling both the line and the lead end of the pulling cable down into the chamber through said opening in said second platform, h. returning the lead end of the pulling cable to the surface by raising the chamber and passing said lead end outwardly through an opening in the chamber and securing it to the first vessel, i. returning the chamber to its mating position with the second platform secured to said second well, and j. connecting the end of that portion of the pulling cable passing through the opening in said platform secured to the second well to the floating end of the pulling cable strung through the first platform.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
308 words
The method as set forth in claim 5 in which said pipe pulling means comprises cable which is strung between the surface vessels and platforms by: a. positioning said first surface vessel in a region over said first platform and lowering a chamber therefrom to mate with said platform, b. releasing a buoy trailing a messenger line upwardly to the first vessel through an opening in the platform, c. connecting a pulling cable located on said first vessel to the messenger line and pulling both the line and the lead end of the cable down into the chamber through the opening in the platform, d. returning the lead end of the cable to the surface by raising the chamber to the surface and then connecting said lead end to said power means on said second surface vessel and transferring the other end to floating means on the surface, e. positioning the first surface vessel in a region above the second platform while keeping the chamber in a raised position, f. introducing the lead end of a pulling cable into the chamber through an opening in the chamber wall, g. lowering the chamber to and mating it with the platform secured to the second well, h. releasing a buoy trailing a messenger line upwardly through an opening in the platform secured to said second well, i. connecting a pulling cable located on said first vessel to the messenger line and hauling both that line and the lead end of that pulling cable down into the chamber, j. joining the lead ends of the pulling cables together while they are in the chamber, and k. connecting the end of that portion of that pulling cable passing through the opening in the platform seCured to the second well to the floating end of the pulling cable strung through the first platform.
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) | 1976-08-27 | 1977-02-26 | 1977-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-27 | 1981-02-26 | 1981-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-27 | 1985-02-26 | 1985-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |