Patent ID: 6405802
Filing Date: 2002-06-18
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A flowline jumper handling apparatus for supporting a flowline jumper in a generally horizontal position as it is lifted from a surface structure with a first lifting apparatus and then supporting the flowline jumper in a generally vertical position as it is lowered to a subsea structure with a second lifting apparatus, the flowline jumper handling apparatus comprising:an elongated spreader bar at feast one first cable connecting the spreader bar to the flowline jumper; at least one second cable connecting the spreader bar to the second lifting apparatus; at least one through member connected in a fixed position relative to one or both of the spreader bar and the second cable; at least one third cable passing through the through member and connecting the flowline jumper to the first lifting apparatus; and restricting means connected to the third cable between the flowline jumper and the through member for preventing a portion of the third cable between the flowline jumper and the restricting means from passing through the through member; wherein as the third cable is lifted the restricting means will engage the through member and the third cable will support both the spreader bar and the flowline jumper; wherein the length of the first cable and the length of the third cable between the flowline jumper and the restricting means are selected to maintain the flowline jumper in a generally horizontal position as the third cable is lifted; and wherein the flowline jumper is allowed to rotate from the generally horizontal position to the generally vertical position by lowering the third cable; whereby the flowline jumper may be lifted in the generally horizontal position by the first lifting apparatus and then lowered to the subsea structure in the vertical position by the second lifting apparatus.