Patent ID: 9671042
Date: 2017-06-06
CPC Classifications: F16L

Claim:
1. A method of abandoning a pipeline being laid by a pipelaying vessel, wherein said pipeline is being held by a lay tower comprising a pipelaying and tensioning arrangement, comprising at least the steps of: (a) linking the end of the pipeline to a flexible tubular handling conduit; (b) separately linking the pipeline to a lifting wire; and (c) lowering the pipeline towards the sea floor, wherein the weight of the pipeline is supported by both the flexible tubular handling conduit and the lifting wire for at least a portion of the time period during which the pipeline is moving towards the sea floor after the performance of the step of lowering the pipeline towards the sea floor has commenced; and the flexible tubular handling conduit supports more of the weight of the pipeline than the lifting wire when the weight of the pipeline is supported by both the flexible tubular handling conduit and the lifting wire.