Patent ID: 8172481
Filing Date: 2012-05-08
Classification: E21B,F16L

Abstract:
1. A method of installing a tubular undersea pipeline for transporting hydrocarbons between a seabed and a surface, wherein the undersea pipeline has a rising part extending below, a surface connecting part and an intermediate portion between the rising part and the connecting part; the method comprising floating a float in the vicinity of the surface and coupling together the rising part and the connecting part in suspension in a manner to maintain the intermediate portion curved in a swan's neck shape between the rising part and the connecting part: storing the tubular undersea pipeline on a vessel floating on the surface; providing a deformable coupling device which connects together the rising part and the connecting part substantially parallel to the intermediate portion, the coupling device comprising a first longitudinal part and a second part, and connecting the first and second parts in a coupling region of the first part by a pivoting link; connecting the float and the coupling region of the first longitudinal part while hanging the intermediate portion and the coupling device from the rising part, and while they are hanging, submerging them; and unwinding the rising part toward the seabed such that the connecting part is retained by the float via the second part, such that the rising part tilts toward the seabed by driving the first part in a pivoting motion about the coupling region while curving the intermediate portion, and retaining the rising part suspended from the float via the first part.