Abstract

A connector (26) for lined pipelines comprises a tube (38) having opposed male interface elements extending inwardly from respective ends of the tube. One or more circumferential permeable chokes (50) project radially from each male interface element. The chokes minimise flow of oxidising fluid from the bore into the micro - annulus between the liner (24) and the pipe (20) while maximising flow of fluid from the micro - annulus into the bore in the event of catastrophic pressure drop in the bore. To maintain gaps between the tube ends and the pipe liners for fluid flow, shoulder formations defined by radially-projecting bands (44) extend circumferentially around the tube. The connector may be used in a joint arrangement where each liner comprises a body section (28), an end section (30) of lesser thickness and greater bore than the body section that terminates short of an end of the pipe, an inner step (32) disposed between the body section and the end section, and an outer step (34) disposed between the end section and the pipe.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16L 13/02 - Welded joints
• F16L 58/10 - Coatings characterised by the materials used by rubber or plastics
• F16L 58/18 - Protection of pipes or pipe fittings against corrosion or incrustation specially adapted for pipe fittings
• F16J 15/02 - Sealings between relatively-stationary surfaces

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for laying pipeline (8) from a vessel (V). The vessel (V) has pipelaying equipment including apparatus for fabricating pipeline along a fabrication axis (the fabrication axis being closer to horizontal than vertical), a stinger (12) pivotable between a deployed configuration and a retracted configuration (the stinger (12) supporting the fabricated pipeline (P) in an arcuate path between the fabrication axis and a departure axis which is aligned with pipeline suspended beneath the vessel), and a tower (10) pivotable between a lowered configuration and an elevated configuration (the tower lying substantially parallel with the fabrication axis in the lowered configuration and being substantially aligned with the departure axis in the elevated configuration). The method includes a) pivoting the stinger away from the deployed configuration and into the retracted configuration when it is desired to attach a module to the pipeline, b) before or after step a) attaching a module to the pipeline, c) lowering the section of pipeline from the tower along the departure axis until the attached module is below the retracted stinger, and d) pivoting the stinger away from the retracted configuration and into the deployed configuration to allow continued laying of fabricated pipeline.

IPC Classes  ?

• B63B 35/03 - Pipe-laying vessels
• F16L 1/19 - Laying or reclaiming pipes on or under water on the bottom the pipes being S- or J-shaped and under tension during laying the pipes being J-shaped
• F16L 1/20 - Accessories therefor, e.g. floats or weights

Abstract

An elongate sling (28) section is cooperable with like sling sections (28) to form a sling for use in abandonment or recovery of a pipeline. The sling section comprises end-pieces (34, 36) at 5 opposite ends and complementary connector formations (38, 40) associated with each respective end-piece (34, 36). Each connector formation (38, 40) is cooperable, in use when forming a sling, with a complementary connector formation of a neighbouring sling section (28) in the sling. The sling section further comprises a tensile load-bearing sling element (30) extending between the end-pieces (34, 36); and a sleeve (32) around the sling element (30).

IPC Classes  ?

• F16L 1/16 - Laying or reclaiming pipes on or under water on the bottom
• F16L 1/20 - Accessories therefor, e.g. floats or weights
• F16L 1/235 - Apparatus for controlling the pipe during laying

Abstract

A turntable assembly (42) for performing welding or other operations in a pivotably-mounted J- lay tower (10). The assembly (42) comprises an annular turntable (60) supported by a base frame (58) to turn about a pipe string (14) in use; and a tilt - compensating mechanism (64, 52) acting on the base frame (58) to level the turntable (60) as the tower (10) pivots in use. The tilt - compensating mechanism (64, 52) comprises at least one support (52) that is driveable up and down with respect to the tower (10). In the embodiment disclosed, the support is a carriage (32) movable along an upright track (48) that pivots with the tower (10).

IPC Classes  ?

• B63B 35/03 - Pipe-laying vessels
• F16L 1/19 - Laying or reclaiming pipes on or under water on the bottom the pipes being S- or J-shaped and under tension during laying the pipes being J-shaped
• F16L 1/20 - Accessories therefor, e.g. floats or weights
• F16L 1/235 - Apparatus for controlling the pipe during laying
• F16L 9/18 - Double-walled pipes; Multi-channel pipes or pipe assemblies

Abstract

The invention relates to methods and apparatus for storing at least one chain (332) on an offshore service vessel. The chain (332) is stored in a carousel (110) on the vesselwhich is driven to rotate while the chain (332) is being loaded into the carousel (110).

IPC Classes  ?

• B63B 21/04 - Fastening or guiding equipment for chains, ropes, hawsers, or the like