A method for installing a non-metallic pipeline assembly, the method comprising the steps of: forming a pipe assembly by coupling a load bearing member and counter weight to a non-metallic pipe; floating the pipe assembly proximate to the water surface until in position, then; permitting the pipe assembly to sink to the sea bed.

The disclosure provides a pipe-laying vessel including a pipe-laying tower extending upwardly from the vessel, and the vessel includes at least three separate workstations spaced apart along the length of the tower. The disclosure also provides a pipe-laying vessel including a pipe-laying tower extending upwardly from the vessel, and the vessel includes at least two clamping assemblies for clamping a pipeline, the clamping assemblies being mounted along the length of the tower, and at least one workstation mounted on the tower. The workstation is mounted on the tower below a lowermost clamping assembly. The disclosure also provides a method of J-laying pipeline from a vessel, a method of abandoning a product from a vessel, and a method of recovering a previously abandoned product to a vessel.

A pipeline bundle for a riser tower or tie-back is manufactured offshore by suspending the bundle from an installation vessel, adding structural core sections successively to an upper end of the suspended bundle, lowering the bundle after adding each successive core section, and feeding one or more lengths of flowline pipe beside the core sections for incorporation into the bundle. The flowline pipe is coiled on a reel or carousel as a full-length piece before being uncoiled progressively as core sections are added to the lengthening bundle. The flowline pipe is then engaged with guide frames and/or buoyancy blocks supported by the core sections, by movement in a radially-inward direction through a radially-outer opening in a retainer formation. The opening is then closed to hold the flowline pipe in the retainer formation.

A system for deploying a coil of spoolable pipe from a vessel includes a first tower configured to move longitudinally and transversely along a first track coupled to the vessel, a second tower configured to move longitudinally along a second track coupled to the vessel, and a coil drum assembly coupled to the first tower. The first tower is configured to insert the coil drum assembly transversely into an interior channel of the coil when the coil drum assembly is in a retracted position, the coil drum assembly is configured to support the coil when the coil drum assembly is in an extended position and rotate during deployment of the spoolable pipe, and the first tower and the second tower are configured to move the coil drum assembly vertically.

A method of joining a first pipe section to a second pipe section includes positioning the two pipe sections in an end-to-end configuration to define therebetween a joint to be welded, measuring the degree of alignment of the pipe sections when they are in the end-to-end configuration in a position ready for welding, ascertaining the relative movement required of the pipe sections in order to improve their alignment, effecting the relative movement so ascertained, and welding together the two pipe sections. The method may include the use of geometric data of the end of the pipes in order to ascertain the relative movement required of the pipe sections. A control unit may be used to calculate, using such data, a target orientation that lines up the pipe sections. The measuring step may be performed using, for example, a laser or a camera and backlight.

A system for deploying a coil of spoolable pipe from a vessel includes a first tower configured to move longitudinally and transversely along a first track coupled to the vessel, a second tower configured to move longitudinally along a second track coupled to the vessel, and a coil drum assembly coupled to the first tower. The first tower is configured to insert the coil drum assembly transversely into an interior channel of the coil when the coil drum assembly is in a retracted position, the coil drum assembly is configured to support the coil when the coil drum assembly is in an extended position and rotate during deployment of the spoolable pipe, and the first tower and the second tower are configured to move the coil drum assembly vertically.

A system for deploying a coil of spoolable pipe from a vessel includes a first tower configured to move longitudinally and transversely along a first track coupled to the vessel, a second tower configured to move longitudinally along a second track coupled to the vessel, and a coil drum assembly coupled to the first tower. The first tower is configured to insert the coil drum assembly transversely into an interior channel of the coil when the coil drum assembly is in a retracted position, the coil drum assembly is configured to support the coil when the coil drum assembly is in an extended position and rotate during deployment of the spoolable pipe, and the first tower and the second tower are configured to move the coil drum assembly vertically.

A system and method for moving an elongate element from a first position towards a second position against an upright structure on a vessel are disclosed. The system includes a holding element for holding the elongate element in the first position; a first sliding member pivotally connected to an end region of the holding element, and moveable along a base, ground or deck surface; a further sliding member pivotally connected to a further end region of the holding element, and moveable along the upright structure; and a hoist system operably engaged with the upright structure, the end region of the holding element and the further end region of the holding element, for drawing the holding element towards the upright structure such that the elongate element is moved towards the second position, wherein the hoist system comprises a first portion and a further portion, the first portion arranged to exert a force in a first direction and the further portion arranged to exert a force in a further direction.

The invention provides a modular system for use in an offshore pipelay operation, and apparatus and a method of use. The system comprises a plurality of pipe storage modules, each comprising a rack for accommodating a plurality of pipeline sections. The pipe storage modules are configured to be assembled together to form an integrated structure on a deck of a vessel.

Novel and advantageous pipelay reel systems and methods for use in laying flexible or rigid pipe or tubing in on and offshore operations. The pipelay reel system may have a pipelay reel having a drum arranged between two flanges. At least one flange of the reel may have a chute configured to receive an adapter coupled to a starting end of the pipe to be spooled on the reel. An initiation line coupled to a winch and intersecting the flange chute may be used to position the adapter with respect to a receiving end of the flange chute, and the reel may be rotated to pull the adapter down the chute to a latching end of the chute. Moreover, a latch may be used to secure the adapter in the chute such that the pipe may be spooled onto the reel.