Patent ID: 9617809
Date: 2017-04-11
CPC Classifications: B63B,E21B,F16L,Y10T

Claim:
1. A vessel comprising a flexible hydrocarbon pipeline storage installation, the flexible hydrocarbon pipeline storage installation comprising: an annular storage device, the storage device comprising an opening, so as to permit the loading of the pipeline; a tensioner adapted to exert a pulling force on a pipeline, comprising two or more tensioner tracks defining therebetween a pipeline passage, extending between a loading end and an opposed storage end of the tensioner, a pipeline loading guide, provided near the tensioner, for guiding the pipeline during loading the pipeline into the annular storage device, and a crane, at least suitable for handling flexible pipeline portions having an enlarged diameter, at least one of the tensioner tracks is provided moveable between a closed operative position in which it is adapted to exert a pulling force on the pipeline, and an open retracted position, allowing the pipeline portion having an enlarged diameter to pass the tensioner, wherein the tensioner is arranged to have an essentially vertical pipeline passage, wherein the storage end of the tensioner is situated above the opening of the annular storage device, such that the pipeline follows a curved downward path into the storage device, and wherein the pipeline loading guide is provided near the loading end of the tensioner, wherein the two or more tensioner tracks comprise a first movable tensioner track and a second movable tensioner track, wherein the pipeline loading guide is mounted to the first movable tensioner track, and wherein a pipeline unloading guide is mounted to the second movable tensioner track, such that the pipeline loading guide and a pipeline unloading guide are also movable between an operative position above the tensioner and a retracted position, allowing the passage of flexible pipeline portions having an enlarged diameter.