Patent ID: 6290432
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
Classification: B08B,F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
A diverless process of tapping a pressurized subsea pipeline without removing said pipeline from service, which process comprises:(a) lowering and landing a measurement tool onto said pipeline and checking ovality and checking straightness of said pipeline with said measurement tool;(b) lowering and landing at least a pair of pipe lift frames onto said pipeline;(c) lifting said pipeline on said pipe lift frames;(d) lowering and landing a hot tap fitting clamp assembly contained in an orientation frame on said pipeline between said pipe lift frames;(e) incrementally raising said pipe lift frames until said pipeline is fully seated in the hot tap fitting and orientation frame;(f) lowering a hot tap machine onto said hot tap fitting and orientation frame;(g) tapping said pipeline with said hot tap machine; and(h) lowering said pipeline.