Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for the installation of VIV suppression during the S-Lay installation of a subsea pipeline. A locking member will be interposed between a pipe and a fairing rotatably mounted on the pipe, sufficient to bias the fairing against rotating. Upon marine application, the locking member will degrade, thereby releasing the fairing.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This Application claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional application having Ser. No. 10/848,547, filed on May 17, 2004, having attorney docket number TH 2463. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     In one aspect, the invention relates to apparatus, systems and methods for reducing vortex-induced-vibrations (“VIV”), current drag, low frequency drift oscillations due to random waves, and low frequency wind induced resonant oscillations. In another aspect, the invention relates to apparatus, systems and methods comprising enhancement of VIV suppression devices for control of vortex-induced-vibrations, current drag, low frequency drift oscillations due to random waves, and low frequency wind induced resonant oscillations. In another aspect, the invention relates to apparatus, systems and methods comprising modified and improved performance fairings for reducing VIV, current drag, low frequency drift oscillations due to random waves, and low frequency wind-induced resonant oscillations. In another aspect, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for “J-Lay” and/or “S-Lay” installation of pipe. In another aspect, the invention relates to methods and apparatus installation of VIV suppression during the “J-Lay” and/or “S-Lay” installation of pipe. In another aspect, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for installation of a device about a marine structure.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART  
       [0003]     When a bluff body, such as a cylinder, in a fluid environment is subjected to a current in the fluid, it is possible for the body to experience vortex-induced vibrations (VIV). These vibrations are caused by oscillating hydrodynamic forces on the surface which can cause vibrations of the structure, for example, if the forcing frequency is at or near a structural natural frequency. The vibrations may be largest in the direction transverse to flow, however, in-line vibrations can also cause stresses which may be larger than those in the transverse direction.  
         [0004]     Drilling for and/or producing hydrocarbons or the like from subterranean deposits which exist under a body of water may expose underwater drilling and production equipment to water currents and the possibility of VIV. Equipment exposed to VIV includes the smaller tubes and cables of a riser system, umbilical elements, mooring lines, anchoring tendons, marine risers, lateral pipelines, the larger underwater cylinders of the hull of a minispar or spar floating production system, and any other structure in the body of water.  
         [0005]     There are generally two kinds of water current induced stresses to which all the elements of an underwater structure are exposed. The first kind of stress as mentioned above is caused by vortex-induced alternating forces that vibrate the underwater structure in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the current. These are referred to as vortex-induced vibrations (VIV). When water flows past the structure, vortices are alternately shed from each side of the structure. This produces a fluctuating force on the structure transverse to the current. If the frequency of this harmonic load is near the resonant frequency of the structure, large vibrations transverse to the current can occur. These vibrations can, depending on the stiffness and the strength of the structure and/or any welds, lead to unacceptably short fatigue lives. Stresses caused by high current conditions have been known to cause structures such as risers to break apart and fall to the ocean floor.  
         [0006]     The second type of stress is caused by drag forces which push the structure in the direction of the current due to the structure&#39;s resistance to fluid flow. The drag forces may be amplified by vortex induced vibrations of the structure. For instance, a riser pipe which is vibrating due to vortex shedding may disrupt the flow of water around it more so than a stationary riser. This results in greater energy transfer from the current to the riser, and hence more drag.  
         [0007]     Many methods have been developed to reduce vibrations of subsea structures. Some of these methods operate by modifying the boundary layer of the flow around the structure to prevent the correlation of vortex shedding along the length of the structure. Examples of such methods include the use of helical strakes around a structure, axial rod shrouds, and/or perforated shrouds. Other methods to reduce vibrations caused by vortex shedding from subsea structures operate by stabilization of the wake. These methods include the use of fairings, wake splitters and/or flags.  
         [0008]     VIV may also be a problem for subsea pipelines, especially the positions of the pipe line that span canyons or trenches on the ocean floor. These canyons or trenches can act as conduits and magnify the effects of currents at or near the ocean floor. As with vertical structures, the solution is to install VIV suppression such as fairings, wake splitters and flags.  
         [0009]     Installation of VIV suppression after the laying of the pipeline can be very expensive, laborious, and/or dangerous. It is generally advantageous that VIV suppression would be installed on the pipe at the lay vessel as it is being laid.  
         [0010]     There are two main methods of laying pipe, the “J-Lay” and “S-Lay.” With “J-Lay,” a vertical lay vessel is utilized, in which pipe leaves the traveling vessel vertically, with the pipe essentially forming a “J” as it is being laid on the ocean floor. With “S-Lay,” pipe leaves the lay vessel in an essentially horizontal position, and rolled off of a radially shaped “stinger” mounted aft, with the pipe essentially forming an “S” as it is being laid on the ocean floor. The stinger cross-section is a “V” shaped trough conveyor comprising a series of rollers across which the pipe passes. As the stinger is “V” shaped, only a portion of the pipe engages rollers. The problem with installing VIV during an S-Lay, is that the stinger may tend to shear off anything that extends radially from the pipe at those places where it engages the pipe.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,539 discloses apparatus and methods for remotely installing vortex-induced vibration (VIV) reduction and drag reduction devices on elongated structures in flowing fluid environments. The disclosed apparatus is a tool for transporting and installing the devices. The devices installed can include clamshell-shaped strake elements, shrouds, fairings, sleeves and flotation modules. U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,539 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.  
         [0012]     Thus, there is a need in the art for apparatus, systems and methods for suppressing VIV and reducing drag of a marine element; for apparatus, systems and methods for suppressing VIV and reducing drag of a subsea pipeline, which can be installed during the laying of the pipeline; and/or for apparatus, systems and methods for laying a subsea pipeline with devices for suppressing VIV and/or reducing drag.  
         [0013]     These and other needs of the invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of this specification, including its drawings and claims.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     In one aspect, the invention provides for apparatus, systems and methods for suppressing VIV and reducing drag of a marine element.  
         [0015]     In another aspect, the invention provides for apparatus, systems and methods for suppressing VIV and reducing drag of a subsea pipeline, which can be installed during the laying of the pipeline.  
         [0016]     In another aspect, the invention provides for laying a subsea pipeline with VIV.  
         [0017]     In another aspect, the invention provides for a fairing for reducing vortex-induced-vibrations in a cylindrical marine element. The fairing includes a main body defining a circular passage for receiving the marine element, and comprising a tail section. A locking member is supported by the main body, wherein the member is positionable and lockable in the circular passage against any marine element in the passage to move the tail section away from any marine element in the passage, wherein at least a portion of the locking member may comprise material that will degrade in a marine environment and upon degradation disengage from the marine element.  
         [0018]     In another aspect, the invention provides for a modified pipe, which includes a pipe section, a fairing having a tail section, and rotatably mounted on the pipe. Also included is a locking member interposed between the pipe section and the fairing, biasing the fairing against rotating and/or positioning the tail section radially away from the pipe section, wherein at least a portion of the locking member may comprise material that will degrade in a marine environment and upon degradation will no longer bias the fairing against rotating, and/or no longer position the tail section away from the pipe section.  
         [0019]     In another aspect, the invention provides for a method of modifying a pipe having a fairing rotatably mounted thereon. The method includes positioning a locking member between the pipe and the fairing sufficient to bias the fairing against rotating and/or position a portion of the fairing radially away from the pipe section, wherein at least a portion of the locking member may comprise material that will degrade in a marine environment and upon degradation will no longer bias the fairing against rotating, and/or no longer position the fairing radially away from the pipe section. A further aspect may include placing the pipe, fairing and locking member in a marine environment, and allowing the locking member to degrade.  
         [0020]     In another aspect, the invention provides for a method of passing a pipe with a rotatably mounted fairing over a roller, wherein the fairing comprises a tail section. The method includes (A) positioning the fairing such that the tail section will not touch the roller as it passes over the roller. The method also includes (B) passing the pipe and fairing over the roller. A further aspect may include, in step (A), further comprising positioning a temporary locking member sufficient to bias the fairing against rotating.  
         [0021]     In another aspect, the invention provides for a collar for securing a fairing rotatably mounted on a pipe. The collar may include a circular segment of less than 2π radians, and a circular shaped band positioned around the segment. Other aspects include modifying a pipe by applying the collar to the pipe, passing a pipe with the collar over a roller by positioning the circular segment so that it clears the rollers.  
         [0022]     In another aspect, the invention provides for a system for installing VIV suppression or drag reduction devices about a marine structure, comprising a mechanism for holding the device relative to the structure in a preferred orientation, and wherein the mechanism no longer holds the device relative to the structure in the preferred orientation after the marine structure has been installed.  
         [0023]     In another aspect, the invention provides for a method of passing a structure with a device having a preferred orientation relative to the structure over a ramp or roller, the method comprising positioning and locking the device in the preferred orientation, such that the device will not be damaged as it passes over the ramp or roller; and passing the structure and device over the ramp or roller.  
         [0024]     Even other aspects include modifying a pipe by applying both the collar and fairing of the invention to the pipe, and passing a pipe with both the collar and fairing over a roller.  
         [0025]     Still other aspects include S-laying and/or J-laying of pipe by utilizing the fairing and/or collar.  
         [0026]     These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of this specification, including its drawings and claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]      FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of a “J-Lay” installation of a subsea pipeline, showing vessel  10  moving in direction  5  it ocean surface  18 , laying pipe  12  onto ocean floor  16 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of an “S-Lay” installation of a subsea pipeline, showing vessel  20  moving in direction  5  at ocean surface  18 , laying pipe  12  utilizing stinger  22  onto ocean floor  16 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional representation of stinger  22  of  FIG. 2 , showing pipe  12  positioned and rolling across rollers  25 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is an isometric representation, showing pipe  12 , having VIV fairing  15  and collar  13 , positioned and rolling across stinger  22  in direction  7 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional representation of  FIG. 4 . taken at  5 - 5 , showing pipe  12 , having VIV fairing  15  and collar  13 , positioned and rolling across stinger  22 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional representation showing fairing  15  mounted on pipe  12 , showing gap  3  formed as a result of gravity.  
         [0033]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional representation showing fairing  15  mounted on pipe  12 , showing a substantially smaller gap  3  that can be achieved by lifting fairing  15  in direction  4 .  
         [0034]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are a cross-sectional representations showing failing  15  mounted on pipe  12 , showing fairing  15  lifted and held in place by positioning lock  30 .  
         [0035]      FIGS. 10 and 11  are cross-sectional representations of stinger  22 , showing collar  13  mounted on pipe  12 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional representation of stinger  22 , showing fairing  15  mounted on pipe  12 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 13  is an isolated representation of collar  13 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of pipe  12 , failing  15 , and plate  120 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of collar  13 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 16  is a side view of fairing  15 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 17  is a view of a fairing locking system.  
         [0042]      FIG. 18  is a view of a fairing locking system installed between collar  13  and fairing  15  about pipe  12 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 19  is a side view of pipe  12  about which collars  13 , fairings  15 , and plates  120  have been installed.  
         [0044]      FIG. 20  is a side view of pipe  12  about which collars  13  and fairings  15  have been installed. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0045]     The invention is best understood by first making reference to the prior art, and understanding the problem of installing VIV suppression during an S-Lay installation of pipe.  
         [0046]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a schematic representation of a prior art “J-Lay” installation of a subsea pipeline, showing vessel  10  moving in direction  5  at ocean surface  18 , laying pipe  12  onto ocean floor  16 . The name “J-Lay” comes from the “J” shape made by pipe  12  during installation. As shown, VIV suppression is being installed at those locations where pipeline  12  will span channels/trenches  17 . Fairings  15  and collars  13  may be installed.  
         [0047]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a schematic representation of a prior art “S-Lay” installation of a subsea pipeline, showing vessel  20  moving in direction  5  at ocean surface  18 , laying pipe  12  utilizing stinger  22  onto ocean floor  16 . The name “S-Lay” comes from the “S” shape made by pipe  12  during installation.  
         [0048]     Referring additionally to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a cross-sectional representation of stinger  22  of  FIG. 2 , showing pipe  12  without suppression positioned and rolling across rollers  25 .  
         [0049]     Referring additionally to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , there are shown, respectively, an isometric representation and a cross-sectional representation, of pipe  12 , having fairing  15  and collar  13 , with pipe  12  positioned and rolling across stinger  22  in direction  7 .  
         [0050]     As pipe  12  rolls across stinger  22  in direction  7 , any attached devices, for example collar  13  and fairing  15 , may encounter stinger  22  at point  40 , resulting in such collar  13  and fairing  15  either being broken or sheared off of pipe  12 , or held back at point  40  while pipe  12  passes through such attached devices, such as the collars and fairings.  
         [0051]     If the tail end of the fairing could be oriented to avoid stinger  22 , then it could pass over stinger  22  intact.  
         [0052]     Gravity may tend to pull the fairing away from the pipe allowing that portion of the fairing to fall below the pipe and also engage the stinger. This problem can be seen by reference to  FIG. 6 , which is a cross-sectional representation showing fairing  15  mounted on pipe  12 , showing gap  3  formed as a result of gravity. As this fairing  15  approaches the stinger, the portion of the fairing sagging below the pipe  12  will engage the stinger  22 , and the fairing  15  may either be sheared/knocked off, or held back while the pipe  12  passes through.  
         [0053]     If the portion of the fairing  15  that sags below the pipe  12  and engages the stinger  22  could be abutted firmly against the pipe  12 , that portion of the fairing  15  could pass easily over the stinger  22 .  
         [0054]     In one embodiment, there is disclosed a system for installing VIV suppression or drag reduction devices about a marine structure, comprising a mechanism for holding the device relative to the structure in a preferred orientation, and wherein the mechanism no longer holds the device relative to the structure in the preferred orientation after the marine structure has been installed. In some embodiments, the mechanism comprises material that will degrade in a marine environment. In some embodiments, the structure comprises a tubular, for example a riser. In some embodiments, the device comprises a fairing. In some embodiments, the mechanism comprises at least one strap that can be broken after the marine structure has been installed, and/or a pin that can be removed after the marine structure has been installed. In some embodiments, the system also includes a loop, wherein the at least one strap is connected to the loop, wherein the loop can be pulled to break the at least one strap. In some embodiments, the system also includes a plate, wherein the at least one strap and the loop are connected to the plate. In some embodiments, the system also includes a collar about the structure, wherein the mechanism connects the device and the collar, to hold the device relative to the structure in the preferred orientation. In some embodiments, the collar has a reduced radius portion, and an enlarged radius portion, further wherein the enlarged radius portion extends radially away from the structure. In some embodiments, the device comprises a fairing having a tail, wherein the preferred orientation relative to the structure during installation comprises turning the tail away from a stinger during a J-lay installation of the structure. In some embodiments, the mechanism is adapted to position a portion of the device radially away from the structure.  
         [0055]     In one embodiment, there is disclosed a method of passing a structure with a device having a preferred orientation relative to the structure over a ramp or roller, the method comprising positioning and locking the device in the preferred orientation, such that the device will not be damaged as it passes over the ramp or roller; and passing the structure and device over the ramp or roller. In some embodiments, the method also includes after passing the structure and device over the ramp or roller, disabling the locking such that the device can move relative to the structure. In some embodiments, the method also includes locking the device to a collar installed about the structure. In some embodiments, positioning and locking the device comprises securing at least one strap to the device and to the structure or to a second structure connected to the structure. In some embodiments, the method also includes after passing the structure and device over the ramp or roller, breaking the at least one strap to disable the locking such that the device can move relative to the structure. In some embodiments, positioning and locking the device comprises securing at least one pin to the device and to the structure or to a second structure connected to the structure. In some embodiments, the method also includes after passing the structure and device over the ramp or roller, removing the at least one pin to disable the locking such that the device can move relative to the structure.  
         [0056]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a fairing  15  with its tail oriented to avoid the stinger  22 , and that has been abutted firmly against the pipe  12 .  FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional representation showing fairing  15  mounted on pipe  12 , showing fairing tail oriented to avoid stinger  22 , and showing that a substantially smaller gap  3  that can be achieved by lifting fairing  15  in direction  4 .  
         [0057]     Once fairing  15  has been lifted in direction  7  is may be held in place so that it can pass safely over stinger  22 . In some embodiments, there is provided a positioning lock to keep fairing  15  abutted in place while fairing  15  travels over stinger  22 . Any suitable positioning lock  30  may be utilized.  
         [0058]     In some embodiments, positioning lock  30  can be seen by reference to  FIG. 9 , in which a wedge  39  has been inserted into the upper gap between fairing  15  and pipe  12  to minimize gap  3  and abut fairing  15  against pipe  12 . It is envisioned that any suitable number of wedges may be utilized, and that such wedges may comprise any suitable shape.  
         [0059]     In some embodiments, positioning lock  30  can be seen by reference to  FIG. 8 , which utilizes a set screw/bolt. There is shown a cross-sectional representation showing fairing  15  mounted on pipe  12 , where fairing  15  is lifted and held in place by positioning lock  30 . Threaded passages  33  may be provided in fairing  15  for receiving set screws/bolts  35  and  37 . In some embodiments, set screw/bolt  37  may engage pipe  12  directly. In other embodiments, set screw/bolt  35  engages a pipe contact member  38 , which in turn engages pipe  12 .  
         [0060]     Once fairing  15  passes over stinger  22 , fairing  15  may be made to freely rotate around pipe  12 . While engaged, positioning lock  30  prevents such free rotation. According to some embodiments of the invention, position lock  30  may be disengaged after fairing  15  passes over stinger  22 . According to some embodiments of the invention, position lock  30  comprises materials which will degrade in the aquatic environment and allow free rotation of fairing  15  around pipe  12 . The materials may be selected to degrade in the aquatic environment at a rate slow enough to allow for installation, but fast enough so that the fairing may properly operate not too long after installation. The materials may have physical properties suitable to allow fairing  15  to be locked into place, and to withstand the rigors in pipe installation, and travel across the stinger. Not all of positioning lock  30  need be comprised of degradable materials. As one non-limiting example, pipe contact member  38  may comprise a degradable material. As another non-limiting example, set screw/bolt  37  may comprise a degradable material. As another non-limiting example, even bolt  37  does not have to be made entirely of degradable materials. As non-limiting examples, only the tip of set screw  37  in contact with pipe  12  need comprises degradable material, or perhaps the threads of screw/bolt  37  will degrade. Alternatively, the threads of threaded passages  33  can be made to degrade, freeing set screw  38 . As even another non-limiting example, a positioning lock  30  with a degradable locking pin can be easily envisioned.  
         [0061]     Materials that will degrade in marine environments and that will have adequate physical properties are well known to those of the materials art. Such materials may be degradable thermoplastics and/or thermosets and/or metals, for example biodegradable thermoplastics and/or thermosets.  
         [0062]     In some embodiments, collars  13  are provided to secure fairings  15  to pipe  12 . Specifically, the collars may be designed to avoid colliding with stinger  22 . Referring now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , there are shown cross-sectional representations of stinger  22 , showing two embodiments of collar  13  mounted on pipe  12 . With additional reference to  FIG. 13 , there is an isolated representation of collar  13 . Point  63  is the center of pipe  12  cross-section and of collar  13  cross-section. Assuming a uniform circular collar  13 , the interfering radial portion  65  of collar  13  is that portion which would engage stinger  22 , and is that portion  65  of collar  13  between points  61  and  62 , defining angle Θ. Within this Θ radius, collar  13  must be made thin enough to pass over stinger  22 , and in some embodiments is merely a thin band  51 . Interfering portion  65  of collar  13  that does not engage stinger  22  defines an angle (2π-Θ radians). Thus for a stinger having an interference angle with a collar of θ radians, the main body of collar may be less than or equal to (2π-Θ radians), with at least a Θ radian portion of the collar comprising a thin section having a thickness that will not interfere with passage over the stinger  22 . The main body of collar  13  may extend radially away from pipe  12  a sufficient distance to secure fairing  15  in place. Collar  13  may be provided with a band groove  54  for receiving band  51 , for example a steel or inconel band. In some embodiments, a band locking/tightening mechanism, such as locking bolt/nut  55  may be provided.  
         [0063]     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , there is shown a cross-sectional representation of stinger  22 , showing fairing  15  mounted on pipe  12 . Screw/bolt  35  has been fed through threaded passage  33  to force pipe contact member  38  into engagement with pipe  12 , to hold tail of fairing  15  away from stinger  22 .  
         [0064]     Referring now to  FIG. 14 , in some embodiments, there is illustrated pipe  12  about which is installed fairing  15 . Fairing  15  includes bolts  106  which hole end plate  108  in place. End plate  108  may be installed at each end of fairing  15  to hold the form of the fairing. Connector  104  is at tail  105  of fairing  15 , which connector  104  holds tail  105  together. Hole  112  and hole  110  are provided in fairing  15 . Plate  120  is also shown, which includes hole  122  and hole  124 . Straps may be fed through hole  122  and hole  110  to secure tail  105  of fairing  15  in a desired orientation. A strap may be fed through hole  124  and hole  112  to hold tail  105  of fairing  15  in a desired orientation.  
         [0065]     Referring now to  FIG. 15 , in some embodiments, collar  13  is illustrated. Collar  13  includes flange  140 , with hole  142  and hole  144  through flange  140 . A straps may be fed through hole  142  of collar  13  and hole  110  of fairing  15  to keep fairing  15  in a desired orientation. Also, a strap may be fed through hole  144  of collar  13  and hole  112  of fairing  15 , to hold fairing  15  in a desired orientation. The straps may also be fed through hole  122  or hole  124  of plate  120 , if desired.  
         [0066]     Referring now to  FIG. 16 , in some embodiments, a side view of fairing  15  is illustrated. Fairing  15  includes tail  105 , with connectors  104  holding tail  105  and/or fairing  15  together. Holes  112  are provided at each end of fairing  15 , which may be used to feed a strap through one of more these holes to keep tail  105  oriented in the desired direction.  
         [0067]     Referring now to  FIG. 17 , in some embodiments, a fairing orientation system is illustrated. The system includes plate  120 . Loop  150  is connected to plate  120  by connector  152 . Strap  130  and strap  132  are fed around plate  120 . Strap  130  is attached to connector  152  by connection  154 . Strap  132  is attached to connector  152  by connection  156 .  
         [0068]     In use, plate  120  may be placed between fairing  15  and collar  13 , with strap  130  fed through hole  142  of collar  13  and hole  110  of fairing  15 . Strap  132  may be fed through hole  144  of collar  13  and hole  112  of fairing  15 , where straps  130  and  132  act to keep tail  105  of fairing  15  in the desired orientation. Any suitable device may be used to grab loop  150  and pull on loop  150  to break straps  130  and  132  so that fairing  15  is free to weathervane about pipe  12 , for example a cable attached to loop  150  or an ROV arm to grab loop  150 .  
         [0069]     Referring now to  FIG. 18 , in some embodiments, fairing orientation system is shown attached to pipe  12 . Collar  13  is mounted about pipe  12 , and fairing  15  is mounted about pipe  12 . Plate  120  is between collar  13  and fairing  15 . Strap  132  is fed through a hole in fairing  15  and a hole in collar  13  to keep fairing oriented in the desired direction. Strap  130  is fed through a hole in collar  13  and a hole in fairing  15  to keep fairing  15  oriented in the desired direction. Connector  152  acts to connect strap  132  to plate  120  and strap  130  to plate  120 , loop  150  to plate  120 . Loop  150  is connected to plate  120 , strap  132 , and strap  130 . When desired, strap breaker  160 , for example an ROV, a cable, or a rope, maybe used to pull loop  150  and break straps  130  and  132 , and also remove plate  120 , so that fairing  15  is free to weathervane about pipe  12 . In some embodiments, after straps  130  and  132  are broken, broken straps are attached to connector  152 , plate  120 , and loop  150 , so that the entire fairing orientation system may be recovered.  
         [0070]     Referring now to  FIG. 19 , in some embodiments, pipe  12  is illustrated. Collars  13  are mounted about pipe  12 , fairings  15  are mounted between collars  13  about pipe  12 . Each fairing also includes tail  105  oriented in the desired direction, for example, in the same direction and/or away from stinger  22 . Plates  120  are provided between fairings  15  and collars  13 .  
         [0071]     In some embodiments, in operation, strap  130  may be used to anchor fairing  15  to collar  13  to keep tail  105  oriented in the desired direction. Straps may be provided for each of fairings  15 , for example on each side of tails  105 .  
         [0072]     In some embodiments, in operation, fairings  15  may be secured to collars  13  by strap and/or a plate, and then fed off a ship in a S-lay configuration, over a stinger  22 . After pipe  12  has been fed over stinger  22 , straps  130  maybe broken and plates  120  maybe removed so that tails  105  are able to weathervane about pipe  12  between collars  13 , having sufficient radial and longitudinal freedom of motion.  
         [0073]     Referring now to  FIG. 20 , in some embodiments, pipe  12  is illustrated. Mounted about pipe  12  are collars  13  and fairings  15 . Each fairing  15  has tail  105  oriented in the desired direction, for example, in the same direction and/or away from stinger  22 . Holding tails  105  in the desired direction are pin  170 , pin  174 , pin  178  and pin  182  fed through a hole in collar  13  and into a receiving hole in fairing  15 . Attached to pin  170 , pin  174 , pin  178  and pin  182  are cable  172 , cable  176 , cable  180 , and cable  184 , respectively. After it is not longer desired that tails  105  be locked in a certain orientation, pins  170 ,  174 ,  178 , and  182  may be removed by pulling on cables  172 ,  176 ,  180 , and  184 . In some embodiments, the cables may be collected at hub  186  so that hub  186  may be pulled to remove pins  170 ,  174 ,  178 , and  182 .  
         [0074]     In some embodiments, one end of cable  172 , cable  176 , cable  180 , and cable  184  may be retained on the vessel  20 , so that after pipe  12  has been fed over stinger  22  a desired distance, the one end of the cables may be used to pull out the pins  170 ,  174 ,  178 , and  182 .  
         [0075]     In some embodiments, hub  186  may be pulled by an ROV or a cable that has been retained on the vessel  20  after pipe  12  has been fed over stinger  22 .  
         [0076]     While the illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described with particularity, it will be understood that various other modifications will be apparent to and can be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the claims appended hereto be limited to the examples and descriptions set forth herein but rather that the claims be construed as encompassing all the features of patentable novelty which reside in the invention, including all features which would be treated as equivalents thereof by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.