Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An apparatus for laying marine pipelines of the type in which the pipeline is assembled along a horizontal axis on board a pipelaying vessel prior to being launched therefrom; in which the pipeline is plastically bent to a desired launch angle and, in most cases, at least partially straightened thereafter. In preferred embodiments, the pipeline is bent through an angle greater than 90.degree.. In the most preferred embodiments, the pipeline is diverted through an angle of substantially 270.degree., plus or minus an angle allowing variation in the launch angle from the vertical, and crosses itself prior to entering the water. The pipeline (102) is diverted by being passed around a wheel-like diverter structure (104), the pipeline being assembled in multiple fabrication lines to produce stalks which are aligned and connected in a central firing line prior to being fed around the diverter structure. Other variations are also described.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim