Patent ID: 8449221
Filing Date: 2013-05-28
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
1. A method for repairing a damaged section of a subsea pipeline section, the method comprising: forming a first lift frame assembly in which a frame is secured to a base and extends upwardly therefrom, said frame having a clamp extending downwardly from said frame, said clamp suitable for extending around a portion of an outer diameter of the subsea pipeline, said clamp having an actuator thereon suitable for moving said clamp upwardly or downwardly; affixing a first guide shoe and a second guide shoe adjacent opposite ends of said frame of said first lift frame assembly, said first guide shoe and said second guide shoe defining a channel extending through said base of said frame, each of said first and second guide shoes being in a fixed position and having an opening at a bottom thereof that is wider than a width of an opening at a center thereof; forming a second lift frame assembly in which another frame is secured to another base and extends upwardly therefrom, said another frame having another clamp extending downwardly therefrom, said another clamp suitable for extending around another portion of the outer diameter of the subsea pipeline, said another clamp having an actuator thereon suitable for moving said another clamp upwardly or downwardly; placing said first lift frame assembly onto the subsea pipeline at a first location such that the subsea pipeline is guided through the openings at the bottoms of said first and second guide shoes so as to reside at the center of the first and second guide shoes; placing said second lift frame assembly onto the subsea pipeline at a second location; grasping the subsea pipeline by said clamp and said another clamp of said first and second lift frame assemblies; lifting the subsea pipeline by moving said clamp and said another clamp upwardly such that the subsea pipeline is raised above a floor of the sea; cutting the damaged section adjacent said first location of the subsea pipeline; cutting the damaged section adjacent said second location on the subsea pipeline; removing the damaged section from the subsea pipeline; affixing a first messenger line assembly to the subsea pipeline at said second location; affixing a second messenger line assembly to the subsea pipeline at said first location; and fastening a jumper line to said first messenger line assembly and to said second messenger line assembly.