Patent ID: 8414224
Filing Date: 2013-04-09
Classification: E21B,F16L

Abstract:
1. A pipe-laying apparatus for laying a pipeline from a vessel, the apparatus including a first pipe gripping assembly disposed on a pipe-laying path along which the pipeline passes during laying, a second pipe gripping assembly disposed on the pipe-laying path, a drive unit for causing relative movement between the first pipe gripping assembly and the second pipe gripping assembly, the relative movement in a direction along the pipe laying path, the first pipe gripping assembly including both a pipe gripping arrangement arranged to grip a pipe with a first diameter during pipe-laying and a cable gripping arrangement arranged to grip a cable with a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter, during an operation when the cable is connected to a length of pipeline, wherein the pipe gripping arrangement and the cable gripping arrangement are operable independently of each other.