Patent ID: 8287211
Filing Date: 2012-10-16
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
1. A method for laying elongate articles from a vessel at sea in order to form a substantially continuous structure, wherein a length of each elongate article is less than a depth of the sea at the laying site, the methods comprising: attaching one of said elongate articles to a line on board said vessel; deploying said elongate article with a single crane such that said elongate article is suspended by said vessel via said line substantially above the end of the continuous structure to which said elongate article is to be connected, wherein the continuous structure is substantially in its installed configuration with said end of the continuous structure lying on the seabed and disconnected from said vessel; paying out said line until the lower end of said elongate article is lowered to the end of the continuous structure to which it is to be connected; with said elongate article still in a substantially vertical configuration and said end of the continuous structure substantially in its installed configuration, connecting the lower end of said elongate article to said end of the continuous structure; moving said vessel in the lay direction; and paying out said line until said elongate article is laid into its installed configuration and disconnecting said elongate article on the seabed from said crane.