Patent ID: 6776560
Filing Date: 2004-08-17
Classification: B63B,F16L

Abstract:
A method of j-laying pipes from a vessel on the surface of the water to the ocean floor comprisinga mast in a fixed position relative to said vessel, said mast holding a new pipe section, a pipeline suspended from said vessel at an angle with respect to said mast such that the upper end of said pipeline is not axially aligned with said mast, alternately welding said new pipe sections onto said upper end of said pipeline to become part of said pipeline and lowering the combination of said pipeline and said new pipe section, said new pipe section being flexed such that said lower end of said new pipe section is axially aligned with said upper end of said pipeline, wherein said pipeline is suspended from said vessel with winches, and wherein a first pair of winches cooperate with a first connector to support said pipeline while a second connector is released for movement and alternately a second pair of winches cooperate with said second connector to support said pipeline while said first connector is moved in order to lower said pipeline.