Pipeline segments can contain cables, such as communication cables (e.g., fiber optic cables) within insulation material surrounding the pipeline segments. Cables can be embedded within the insulation material, run through conduits embedded within the insulation material, placed in channels formed in the insulation material, or otherwise. Channels containing one or more cables can be filled with supplemental insulation material, thus securing the cables within the channels. Pipelines created as disclosed herein can enable data transfer between distant points without the need to lay fiber optic cable in addition to the pipeline. Further, fiber optic cable embedded thusly can be used to sense conditions in the pipeline, such as leaks, seismic activity, strain, and temperature information.

A method of laying a pipeline from a laying vessel into a body of water includes guiding the pipeline along a supporting structure of a laying ramp. The method also includes acquiring a first data item correlated to a position of the pipeline at a free end of the laying ramp using an optical sensor or an acoustic sensor. The method further includes determining whether the acquired first data item is within an acceptance range predetermined as a function of a configuration of the supporting structure and a size of the pipeline. Additionally, the method includes emitting an control signal when the acquired first data item is not within the acceptance range. Determining whether the acquired first data item is within the acceptance range includes processing the acquired first data item to compare it the first data item to an information stored in a memory.

A process for the manufacture, assembly and continuous construction of tubular sections made of steel or polymer in individual pipelines with gradual movement that is designed to mechanize and automate a process substantially eliminating or mitigating existing inefficiencies and risks, considerably reducing the time vessels need to be moored at piers while paying extremely expensive daily rates, increasing the quality of welds, inspections and the entire process The process including inside the manufactured unit one or more weld cabins and a series of support devices with synchronized driven and free wheels that carry the pipe segments while simultaneously enabling movement of the entire stalk without external interference, following the joining of several pipe segments (welded together), of variable length, in which the embodiments provided in the present invention enable each stalk to be approximately 1.2 km long or longer.

A device for jointing elements of a pipeline for the transport of fluids includes a support structure on which a pipeline section to be jointed is intended to be mounted, two parallel fixed rails, four plates each comprising a first element capable of cooperating with a rail and a second element fixed on the support structure. The first and the second elements of each plate is linked by a first cylinder aligned along a first adjustment axis and a second cylinder aligned along a second adjustment axis, and a system for controlling the cylinders of the plates to achieve movements along the first and second adjustment axes and capable of cooperating with a system for guiding in translation the support structure along the longitudinal axis of the pipeline section to allow jointing of the pipeline section and the pipeline element.

A method for assembling pipe-in-pipe pipeline elements for transporting fluids, with each pipeline element comprising an inner pipe including a bulge at one end, and an outer pipe including a recess at one end. The method comprises the successive steps: inserting a first locking wedge axially abutting the bulge of its inner pipe and a corresponding end of its outer pipe, butt-assembling the inner pipe of a new pipeline element on the inner pipe of the pipeline, positioning the outer pipe of the new pipeline element alongside the outer pipe of the pipeline, and butt-assembling the outer pipe of the new pipeline element on the outer pipe of the pipeline by inserting a second locking wedge axially abutting against the bulge of the inner pipe of the pipeline at its free end and the recess of the outer pipe at a corresponding end thereof.

A process for the manufacture, assembly and continuous construction of tubular sections made of steel or polymer in individual pipelines with gradual movement that is designed to mechanize and automate a process substantially eliminating or mitigating existing inefficiencies and risks, considerably reducing the time vessels need to be moored at piers while paying extremely expensive daily rates, increasing the quality of welds, inspections and the entire process The process including inside the manufactured unit one or more weld cabins and a series of support devices with synchronized driven and free wheels that carry the pipe segments while simultaneously enabling movement of the entire stalk without external interference, following the joining of several pipe segments (welded together), of variable length, in which the embodiments provided in the present invention enable each stalk to be approximately 1.2 km long or longer.

A subsea pipeline (14) has a friction-reducing outer coating, treatment or finish (30) that extends along discrete regions mutually spaced along the length of the pipeline. During laying, curvature is imparted to the pipeline (14) along its length, for example by the residual curvature method or by snake-lay, to create expansion loops (26) of increased curvature relative to intermediate portions (28) of the pipeline (14) that join those loops (26). Each of the loops (26) is coincident with a respective one of the regions that bear the friction-reducing outer coating, treatment or finish (30). This facilitates lateral movement of the loops (26) relative to the seabed (16) to mitigate and control buckling in use of the pipeline (14).

Lined pipelines with different inner diameters are spooled successively onto a reel while their constituent pipe stalks are cyclically pressurised internally to combat wrinkling of the liner. A first, variable diameter pig is advanced to a trailing end of a first pipeline. A transition joint is attached to the trailing end of the first pipeline to effect a transition from the inner diameter of the first pipeline to the different inner diameter of a second pipeline. A leading end of the second pipeline, containing a second pig, is attached to the transition joint. The first pig is driven through the transition joint into the second pipeline. The diameter of the first pig changes to match the inner diameter of the second pipeline. The first and second pigs are then driven along the second pipeline when assembling the second pipeline from a succession of pipe stalks.

A pipe-in-pipe section comprises an inner pipe spaced within an outer pipe to define an annulus between the inner and outer pipes. The annulus contains a solid insulating material, which may be a microporous aerogel, and an inert gas such as krypton at near-atmospheric pressure.

A method of assembling a pipeline at a seabed location comprises landing a connection tool (10) on the seabed over a free end portion of a first pipeline section (12) already placed on the seabed. The connection tool is locked to the free end portion of the first pipeline section, a lower end of a second pipeline section (26) is connected to the connection tool via an initiation line (68). While applying tension to the initiation line against reaction force of the connection tool, at least a lower end portion of the second pipeline section is landed on the seabed with the lower end facing a free end of the first pipeline section. The lower end of the second pipeline section is then pulled into mechanical engagement with the free end of the first pipeline section.