Patent US4558972A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4558972A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Subsea pipeline connection
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1983-05-27
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Granted: 1985-12-17
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Expires: 2003-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus are provided for laying an offshore pipeline or flowline bundle to a deepwater subsea structure. The pipeline or flowline bundle is laid along a prescribed path, preferably U-shape, such that a pullhead at the terminus of the pipeline or flowline bundle falls just short of the subsea structure. A pull-in tool connected to the pipeline or flowline bundle by a short length of pull cable is then landed on and latched to the subsea structure, and the pipeline or flowline bundle is pulled up to the subsea structure by the pull-in tool and pull cable.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl G. Langner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:29
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/12; F16L1/20; F16L1/235; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/013; E21B43/0135
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for laying a flowline to a subsea structure comprising: laying the flowline to the vicinity of the subsea structure by a circuitous path to form a slack loop in the flowline; and drawing the flowline the remaining distance to the subsea structure by forces exerted axially at a point near the end of the flowline.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for laying a flowline to a subsea structure comprising: laying the flowline to the vicinity of the subsea structure by a circuitous path to form a slack loop in the flowline; and drawing the flowline the remaining distance to the subsea structure by forces exerted axially at a point near the end of the flowline.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the slack loop is U-shaped.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the terminal part of the flowline is laid from a pull cable extending from a flowline connection tool.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the pull cable extending from the flowline connection tool is deployed after the flowline is completely on bottom, thereby avoiding the pull cable bearing the full weight of the suspended flowline.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the flowline connection tool is landed on the subsea structure, and the pull cable is used to pull the flowline up to the subsea structure.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for laying a flowline to a subsea structure, comprising: deploying the flowline from a flowline connection tool connected to a means extending beneath a surface craft, the flowline being laid along a circuitous path to form a slack loop in the flowline; after the flowline is substantially deployed to the vicinity of the subsea structure, paying out a pull cable between the flowline connection tool and the flowline and moving the flowline connection tool to the subsea structure; landing the flowline connection tool on the subsea structure; and pulling the flowline the remaining distance to the subsea structure with the pull cable.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for laying a flowline to a subsea structure, comprising: deploying the flowline from a flowline connection tool connected to a means extending beneath a surface craft, the flowline being laid along a circuitous path to form a slack loop in the flowline; after the flowline is substantially deployed to the vicinity of the subsea structure, paying out a pull cable between the flowline connection tool and the flowline and moving the flowline connection tool to the subsea structure; landing the flowline connection tool on the subsea structure; and pulling the flowline the remaining distance to the subsea structure with the pull cable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the slack loop is U-shaped.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the deployment of the flowline is reversed to correct mistakes of deployment and then redeployed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the means extending beneath the surface craft is a riser.
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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) | 1988-12-16 | 1989-06-17 | 1989-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-16 | 1993-06-17 | 1993-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-16 | 1997-06-17 | 1997-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |