Patent Publication Number: US-2015060080-A1

Title: Methods and apparatus for disconnecting a line from a device disposed within a pipe or wellbore

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This disclosure relates generally to offshore pipelines, and more specifically to methods and apparatus for disconnecting hoist lines from devices deployed within submerged pipelines. 
     In offshore pipeline installations, as the pipeline is laid on the sea floor the pipeline is subjected to significant forces and moments that can compromise the integrity of the pipeline and, in some cases, cause failures. In the event the submerged pipeline is compromised to the point of failure, water rushes into the inner diameter of the pipeline. Such failures are commonly referred to as wet buckles. Once a wet buckle occurs the flooded pipeline is too heavy to retrieve for repair and re-installation. 
     Companies that lay the pipeline keep a fleet of compressor ships on standby while the pipeline is being laid on the sea floor in case of a failure like a wet buckle. The compressor ships are present to pump the water out of the pipeline after the buckled section has been removed and the sections on either side of the buckle have been sealed. After the water has been removed, sections of the damaged pipeline can be retrieved and brought to the surface and the pipelay vessel can continue laying pipe onto the sea floor. 
     Pipeline failures like wet buckles are relatively rare. As such, during installation, the fleet of compressor ships hired by the pipeline installation company is generally inactive and serves no function for the installation process unless the rare failure occurs. The cost of the compressor ships and the associated service the ships and crew provide can reach the millions of dollars. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  schematically depicts a submerged pipeline installation system including a number of wet buckle packers. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a section view of a wet buckle packer including an example quick-disconnect device according to this disclosure. 
         FIG. 3A  depicts an example quick-disconnect device locked to a packer device. 
         FIG. 3B  depicts the example quick-disconnect device of  FIG. 3B  unlocked from the packer device. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  depict the deflection of collet fingers of an example quick-disconnect device as the device is inserted into or pulled out of an aperture in a packer device. 
         FIG. 5  depicts an example method of releasing a hoist line from a tool suspended in the inner diameter of a pipe or a wellbore. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Examples according to this disclosure are directed to methods and apparatus for disconnecting hoist lines from devices deployed within, e.g., a submerged pipeline or a subterranean wellbore. For example, methods and apparatus according to this disclosure can be employed to release a hoist line from an apparatus deployed to seal a submerged pipeline that has a wet buckle. Additionally, methods and apparatus according to this disclosure can be employed to release a hoist line from a tool suspended downhole in a subterranean wellbore. 
     In view of the costs and other inefficiencies associated with recovering from an offshore pipeline failure, methods and apparatus have been devised for automatically responding to water invasion into the inner diameter of pipe in an offshore pipeline and rapidly deploying a sealing system that will prevent or inhibit the laid pipeline from being flooded with water. A number of such methods and apparatus are disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Atty. Docket No. 1880.517US1), U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Atty. Docket No. 1880.518US1), U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Atty. Docket No. 1880.519US1), U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Atty. Docket No. 1880.521US1), U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Atty. Docket No. 1880.522US1), U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Atty. Docket No. 1880.523US1), and U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Atty. Docket No. 1880.563US1), all of which were filed on Jul. ______, 2013 and are entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ARRESTING FAILURES IN SUBMERGED PIPELINES.” 
     Examples according to this disclosure can be employed in conjunction with the use of packer devices that are engaged to seal a submerged pipeline in the event of a wet buckle (e.g., such as the packers described in the foregoing applications). The packer is deployed within the pipeline with a hoist line or cable that runs from a pipelay vessel on the surface of the sea downpipe to the packer. In the event of a wet buckle, the packer device can automatically respond to water invasion into the inner diameter of the pipeline and rapidly deploy a sealing system that will prevent the laid pipeline from being flooded with sea water. Once the packer is actuated, the device may also function to be prevented from moving within the pipeline. As such, at some point in time the hoist line may need to be disconnected from the actuated packer device so that the line can be retrieved back up to the pipelay vessel on the surface. 
     Examples according to this disclosure are directed to a quick-disconnect device that allows a hoist line to be disconnected from a downpipe packer (or other type of) device. The disconnect device is coupled to the hoist line and releasably connected to the packer. Generally speaking, the disconnect device is a cylindrical collet device that is configured to be locked to the packer at least in part based on the movement of an actuated member of the packer. The actuated member locks the disconnect device to the packer when the packer is in an unengaged state and unlocks the disconnect device from the packer when the packer is engaged to seal the inner diameter of the pipeline. 
     In one example, a tool is configured to be deployed via a hoist line in the inner diameter of at least one of a pipe or a wellbore. The tool includes an end cap including an aperture, a disconnect device including a collet, at least a portion of which is received within the aperture, and an actuated member configured to move from a first position to a second position relative to the disconnect device. In the first position, the actuated member engages the collet to lock the disconnect device to the end cap. In the second position, the actuated member disengages the collet to unlock the disconnect device from the end cap. 
     The following examples of a quick-disconnect device and associated methods are described in the context of a packer device employed to arrest wet buckle or other types of failures in a submerged pipeline. However, examples according to this disclosure can be employed to disconnect other types of devices from hoist lines or cables. For example, methods and apparatus in accordance with this disclosure could be employed to disconnect a tool from a line, from which the tool is suspended in a subterranean wellbore. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a submerged pipeline installation system  10  in which a packer device including a quick-disconnect device in accordance with this disclosure may be employed. Offshore submerged pipelines can be installed in a number of ways. In general, individual pipes are transported by a cargo ship to a pipelay vessel at the pipeline installation location. The individual pipes are processed and connected to one another on the pipelay vessel and laid onto the sea floor. The pipelay vessel progressively welds individual pipes or welded pipe sections to one another to assemble the pipeline. As the pipeline is assembled the pipelay vessel moves across the surface of the water and the assembled pipeline is pulled off of the ship by the weight of the pipeline. As the pipeline is progressively pulled off of the back of the pipelay vessel it descends to the sea floor. 
     Two methods that are employed to install submerged pipelines is the “J” lay and the “S” lay. The moniker of each method represents the shape of the pipeline as it is pulled off of the pipelay vessel onto the sea floor. In a “J” lay, the pipeline is pulled off of the pipelay vessel substantially vertically to near the sea floor, where the pipeline bends to run horizontally along the floor. In an “S” lay, the pipeline is pulled off of the pipelay vessel substantially horizontally, bends vertically down toward the sea floor and then bends back horizontally away from the vessel to run along the sea floor. Although the following examples are described in the context of an “S” lay installation, wet buckle packers in accordance with this disclosure can also be employed in a “J” lay installation system or other pipeline installation methods not covered here. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a submerged pipeline installation system  10  for an “S” lay installation. In  FIG. 1 , system  10  includes pipelay vessel  12  and pipeline  14 . Pipelay vessel  12  includes production factory  16 , tensioners  18 , crane  20 , and stinger  22 . As described in more detail below, after individual pipes are transported to and loaded on pipelay vessel  12 , the pipes are conveyed into production factory  16 . Production factory  16  includes a variety of processing stations for preparing pipes and coupling individual pipes into pipe sections and ultimately assembling pipeline  14 . 
     Pipelay vessel  12  is shown floating in a body of water  24 . Pipelay vessel  12  utilizes crane  20  to perform heavy lifting operations, including loading pipes from a cargo ship onto the vessel. In general, individual pipes on board pipelay vessel  12  are placed on an assembly line within production factory  16  and joints of the pipes are welded into pipeline  14 . Pipeline  14  is held in tension between sea floor  26  and pipelay vessel  12  by pipeline tensioners  18  as the pipeline is lowered. As pipelay vessel  12  moves forward by pulling on a mooring system off of the bow, pipeline  14  is lowered from pipelay vessel  12  over stinger  22 . Stinger  22  is attached to and extends from the stern of pipelay vessel  12 . Stinger  22  provides support for pipeline  14  as it leaves pipelay vessel  12 . 
     In practice, a cargo ship transports pipe sections (sometimes referred to as stands) to pipelay vessel  12 . Crane  20  moves pipe sections from the cargo ship to pipelay vessel  12  onto cradles that form a conveyor system for moving pipe into production factory  16 . Within production factory  16 , a number of different operations are carried out to prepare and join pipe sections. For example, the pipe ends are beveled (and bevels are deburred). The pipe ends are preheated within production factory  16  and moved through a number of welding stations to join different sections with weld beads applied both to the outer and inner diameters of the sections at the joints. In some cases, a final welding station within production factory  16  applies a welded cap to the joints of pipe sections. 
     The joints of the welded pipe sections can also be tested within production factory  16 . For example, the welded joints can pass through ultrasonic testing stations that apply water to the joints as the medium to transmit the ultrasonic signals. The ultrasonic signals can be processed by a computing system and graphically displayed for inspection by an operator. 
     After testing, the joints of the welded pipe sections can be grit blasted and a field joint coating can be applied. In some installation systems, each individual pipe is subjected to this process as it is welded to pipeline  14 . In other cases, multiple pipes, e.g. two pipes in a double stand facility, are first welded together and then welded to the pipeline in the firing line onboard pipelay vessel  12 . At any rate, the assembled pipeline  14  is ultimately conveyed through tensioners  18  and over stinger  22  to be dropped off of the stern of pipelay vessel  12  to sea floor  26 . 
     As pipeline  14  is laid on sea floor  26 , suspended pipe span  28  forms a shallow “S” shape between sea floor  26  and pipelay vessel  12 . The “S” shape of suspended pipe  28  is sometimes referred to as the S-curve. Second curve  30  or the tail of the S-curve just before suspended pipe span  28  meets sea floor  26  is sometimes referred as the “sagbend.” The S-curve of pipeline  14  is controlled by stinger  22  and pipeline tensioners  18 . Increases in the curvature of pipeline  14  cause increases in the bending moment on the pipeline, and, as a result, higher stresses. High stresses on pipeline  14  and, in particular, on suspended pipe span  28  can result in buckling of the pipeline  14 . For example, a loss of tension in pipeline  14  during the pipe lay will normally cause pipeline  14  to buckle at a point along the suspended pipe span  28 . A buckle in pipeline  14  is called a wet buckle if pipeline  14  has cracked or becomes damaged in a manner such that water is allowed to enter the inner diameter of the pipeline. The influx of water into the pipeline  14  greatly increases the weight of suspended pipe span  28  such that the pipe can become over stressed at a location along suspended pipe span  28 , generally near stinger  22 . In such circumstances, flooded pipeline  14  can break and drop from pipelay vessel  12  to sea floor  26 . Regardless of whether pipeline  14  breaks in the event of a wet buckle, the increased weight can prevent recovery of and repair to pipeline  14  before the water is pumped out of the pipe inner diameter. 
     In  FIG. 1 , installation system  10  includes two wet buckle packers  32  and  34  deployed within pipeline  14 . Packer  32  is deployed along suspended pipe span  28 , while packer  34  is deployed downpipe where pipeline  14  meets sea floor  26 . Wet buckle packers  32  and  34  are deployed within pipeline  14  with a hoist line or cable (not shown). In cases where multiple wet buckle packers are deployed in series, a hoist line may be coupled between the packers. In the example of  FIG. 1 , a hoist line may be coupled to a hoist on pipelay vessel  12  to packer  32  and another line can be coupled between packers  32  and  34 . 
     Wet buckle packers  32  and  34  are configured to automatically respond to water invasion into the inner diameter of pipeline  14  and rapidly deploy a sealing system that will prevent the laid pipeline from being flooded with sea water. For example, wet buckle packers  32  and  34  seal the inner diameter of pipeline  14  to prevent or significantly inhibit water from flooding the submerged pipeline. Additionally, wet buckle packers  32  and  34  deploy a braking mechanism to prevent or inhibit the packers from moving within pipeline  14  as a result of the pressures introduced by the sea water entering the pipe from the wet buckle. 
     Either one or both of wet buckle packers  32  and  34  may include a quick-disconnect device in accordance with this disclosure. The disconnect device can be connected to one or both ends of each of packers  32  and  34 . The disconnect device is configured to allow packers  32  and  34  to be disconnected from the hoist lines by which they are deployed within pipeline  14  in the event the packers are actuated to engage and seal the pipeline. 
       FIG. 2  depicts wet buckle packer  100  including example disconnect device  102  in accordance with this disclosure. Packer  100  also includes head cap  104 , spindle  106 , mandrel  108 , brake  110 , seal plate  112 , expansion boot  114 , base cap  116 , and packer shaft  118 . Head cap  104  and base cap  116  define opposite ends of packer  100 . Spindle  106  includes shaft  120  and pressure plate  122 . Spindle  106 , mandrel  108 , seal plate  112 , and base cap  116  are all coupled to packer shaft  118 . Disconnect device  102  is connected to head cap  104 . 
     Pressure plate  122  of spindle  106  is configured to be actuated by fluid pressure generated within a submerged pipeline in the event of a wet buckle or other failure of the pipeline. Actuation of pressure plate  122  causes spindle  106  to move axially toward base cap  116  from a first position to a second position. Spindle  106  is depicted in the first position in  FIG. 2 . When in the second position, spindle  106  causes expansion boot  114  to compress axially between seal plate  112  and base cap  116 , which causes expansion boot  114  to expand radially into engagement with an inner surface of the pipeline. Additionally, spindle  106  causes brake  110  to be engaged to prevent or inhibit packer  100  from moving within the pipeline. Additional details regarding the structure and function of packer  100  are described in U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Atty. Docket No. 1880.519US1), filed Jul. ______, 2013 and entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ARRESTING FAILURES IN SUBMERGED PIPELINES,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     As noted, disconnect device  102  is connected to head cap  104 . In  FIG. 2 , packer  100  is in an unengaged state in which packer  100  is not actuated to seal the inner diameter of a pipeline. In the unengaged state of packer  100 , disconnect device  102  is locked to head cap  104 . As will be described in more detail below, disconnect device  102  includes a cylindrical collet that is configured to be locked to head cap  104  of packer  100  at least in part based on the movement of an actuated member of packer  100 . Generally speaking, the actuated member locks disconnect device  102  to packer  100  when packer  100  is in an unengaged state and unlocks disconnect device  102  from packer  100  when packer  100  is actuated. Another way of describing this function is that the actuated member is configured to move between first and second positions corresponding to the member not being actuated and being actuated, respectively. In the first position, the actuated member functions to lock disconnect device  102  to packer  100 . In the second position, disconnect device  102  is releasable from packer  100  and thus the hoist line can be decoupled from packer  100  via disconnect device  102  simply by pulling the line up from the surface. The actuated member of packer  100  that functions to lock and unlock disconnect device  102  from head cap  104  is spindle  106 . 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  depict detail section views of example disconnect device  102  coupled to end cap  124  of an example packer.  FIG. 3  presents a simplified representation of the packer structure not pertinent to the structure or operation of the disconnect devices, and thus the configuration of end cap  124  to which disconnect device  102  is connected differs slightly from head cap  104  of packer  100  as depicted in  FIG. 2 . However, the connection and function of disconnect device  102  with respect to the example of  FIGS. 3A and 3B  is substantially similar to the connection and function of disconnect device  102  with respect to the example of packer  100  of  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , disconnect device  102  includes cylindrical cap  126  defining one end of device  102 . Ring-eye swivel  128  (or another hoist line fitting) is connected to cap  126  and is configured to be connected to the hoist line from which the packer is suspended within the pipeline, and is configured to allow the packer to rotate within the pipeline without coiling the hoist line. Disconnect device  102  also includes shoulder  130  protruding radially outward from a portion of cap  126 . Collet  132  extends axially from shoulder  130  away from cap  126 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , collet  132  of disconnect device  102  is configured to be inserted into hole  134  in end cap  124 . Shoulder  130  provides a hard stop to limit how far disconnect device  102  can be inserted through hole  134  in end cap  124 . 
     Collet  132  includes a plurality of collet fingers  136 . Each collet finger  136  includes axially extending portion  138  and tip portion  140  extending radially outward. Fingers  136  are flexible such that they can be deflected to cause tip portions  140  to move radially inward and outward to change the effective outer diameter of collet  132 . 
     To insert disconnect device  102  into hole  134  in end cap  124  initially, collet fingers  136  can be deflected radially inward such that tip portions  140  can be inserted through hole  134  in end cap  124 . When collet  132  is pushed through hole  134  in end cap  124  to the point that tip portions  140  pass all the way through hole  134 , collet fingers  134  are configured to automatically deflect outward such that axially extending portions  138  abut the inner surface of hole  134  in end cap  124  and tip portions  140  extend radially outwardly beyond the periphery of hole  134 . In one example, collet fingers  134  are biased into a relatively radially expanded state in which axially extending portions  138  fit into hole  134  and tip portions  140  extend radially beyond the periphery of hole  134 . 
     The radially inward and outward deflection of collet fingers  136  is depicted schematically in more detail in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . In  FIG. 4A , disconnect device  102  is in the process of being inserted into hole  134  of end cap  124  and collet finger  136  is deflected radially inward with tip portion  140  sliding against the inner surface of hole  134 . In  FIG. 4B , disconnect device  102  is inserted all the way into hole  134  and collet finger  136  is deflected back radially outward such that axially extending portion  138  abuts the inner surface of hole  134  and tip portion  140  extends axially beyond the periphery of hole  134 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , tip portion  140  includes ramp  142 . Ramp  142  provides an angled surface extending from axially extending portion  138  into tip portion  140 . The angled surface of ramp  142  allows disconnect device  102  to pulled out of hole  134  by causing tip portion  140  to deflect radially inward in the event an axial force directed away from end cap  124  is applied to disconnect device  102 , e.g., like the force generated by pulling on the hoist line connected to ring-eye swivel  128 . The surface of ramp  142  is depicted schematically in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  as including a substantially linear profile. However, in another example, ramp  142  of tip portion  140  can include a curved profile. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3A , spindle  144  functions to lock and unlock disconnect device  102  from end cap  124 . Spindle  144  (like spindle  106  of packer  100  in  FIG. 2 ) includes shaft  146  and pressure plate  148 . Spindle  144  is an actuated member that is configured to move between first and second positions corresponding to the member not being actuated and being actuated, respectively. For example, in a similar manner as described above with reference to the example of  FIG. 2 , pressure plate  148  of spindle  144  can be configured to be actuated by fluid pressure generated within a submerged pipeline in the event of a wet buckle or other failure of the pipeline. Actuation of pressure plate  148  causes spindle  144  to move axially from the first position illustrated in  FIG. 3A  to the second position illustrated in  FIG. 3B . 
     In the first position, spindle  144  functions to lock disconnect device  102  to end cap  124 . For example, shaft  146  of spindle  144  is disposed within collet  132  when spindle  144  is in the first position. Shaft  146  acts to prevent collet fingers  136  from deflecting radially inward. As such, tip portions  140  of collet fingers  136  are secured in a radial position such that they extend radially outward beyond hole  134  in end cap  124 , which, in turn, prevents or substantially inhibits disconnect device  102  from being removed from end cap  124 . 
     When spindle  144  is actuated to be in the second position illustrated in  FIG. 3B , disconnect device  102  is releasable from end cap  124  and thus the hoist line can be decoupled simply by pulling the line up from the surface. For example, shaft  146  is moved axially out of collet  132  when spindle  144  is in the second position. Without shaft  146  restricting deflection of collet fingers  136 , disconnect device  102  can be pulled out of end cap  124  by applying an axial force to disconnect device  102 . For example, the hoist line connected to ring-eye swivel  128  can be pulled up from the surface. Pulling the hoist line applies a force to cap  126  of disconnect device  102 . As the force pulling the hoist line is applied, ramps  142  of tip portions  140  engage the edge of hole  134  to cause collet fingers  136  to deflect radially inward to an extent that tip portions  140  can be received in hole  134 . Tip portions  140  slide along the inner surface of hole  134  as disconnect device  102  is pulled out of hole  134  in end cap  124 . 
     The actuated member of packer  100  that functions to lock and unlock disconnect device  102  from head cap  124  is spindle  144 . In particular, shaft  146  is configured to lock disconnect device  102  when the shaft is received at least partially within collet  132 . In one example, shaft  146  and pressure plate  148  can be fabricated as a single, integral component defining spindle  144 . In such cases, when pressure plate  148  is actuated by fluid pressure generated within the pipeline by a wet buckle, shaft  146  and pressure plate  148  move axially together from the first position to the second position, as is generally illustrated in the example of  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
     In some cases, spindle  144  may function not only to lock and unlock disconnect device  102 , but may also function to engage and unengaged the packer to which disconnect device  102  is connected. For example, axial movement of spindle  144  from the first position to the second position may function to cause a sealing element and/or a braking mechanism of the packer to engage the inner surface of a flooding pipeline to seal and to arrest movement of the packer within the pipeline. In such cases, there is a risk that as spindle  144  moves axially to engage the packer, shaft  146  may move out of collet  132  before the packer is completely engaged within the pipeline. In the event disconnect device  102  was unlocked prior to the packer becoming fully engaged, ring-eye swivel  128  and disconnect device  102  could be pulled out of the packer and the packer could slide through the pipeline without being fully engaged. 
     To address the risk of automatically unlocking disconnect device  102  and releasing the packer before the device is fully engaged within a pipeline, different portions of spindle  144  can be configured as separate components, which can be separately actuated. For example, shaft  146 , which extends axially toward cap  124  (up in the views of  FIGS. 3A and 3B ), can be configured as a separate component that is decoupled from pressure plate  148  and the shaft extending from pressure plate  148  away from cap  124  (down in the views of  FIGS. 3A and 3B ). Pressure plate  148  and the shaft extending from pressure plate  148  away from cap  124  can define a spindle or piston structure that is configured to be actuated by fluid pressure (or by a actuation device like a solenoid or another type of actuator) to cause the packer to become engaged. Shaft  146 , in this example, is actuated separately from movement of pressure plate  148 . In this manner, axial movement of shaft  146  to lock and unlock disconnect device  102  from the packer can be functionally decoupled from the actuation of the packer into engagement with a pipeline. 
     Although it is not strictly necessary for the function of disconnect device  102 , the example wet buckle packer of  FIGS. 3A and 3B  also includes coiled spring  152 . Coiled spring  152  is configured to bias spindle  144  into the second position shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , respectively. For example, spring  152  can be compressed between spindle  144  and end cap  124  when the packer is in the unengaged state illustrated in  FIG. 3A . Spindle  144  may be held in position against the force of spring  152  by pins (not shown) received in holes  154  in end cap  104  and engaging a slot in spindle  144 . The pins can be configured such that the force of water invading the pipeline shears the pins and releases spindle  144 . The force generated by spring  152  can push against spindle  144  to augment the force of the water pushing spindle  144 . Additionally, once engaged as illustrated in  FIG. 3B , the axially expanded spring  152  can function resist the packer from becoming unengaged and thus lock or partially lock the device within the pipeline. 
     A variety of materials can be used to fabricate disconnect device  102  including, e.g., metals, plastics, elastomers, and composites. For example, disconnect device  102  can be fabricated from a variety of different types of steel including properties that could configure collet fingers  136  to be flexible and biased appropriately to be inserted into hole  132  and lock to end cap  124 . Flexible plastics could also be employed to fabricate disconnect device  102 . Disconnect device  102  can be fabricated using a variety of techniques including, e.g., machining, injection molding, and casting. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart depicting an example method of releasing a hoist line from a tool suspended in the inner diameter of a pipe or a wellbore. The method includes actuating a component of the tool to move from a first position to a second position relative to a disconnect device coupled to the tool and to the hoist line ( 200 ) and applying a force to the hoist line to decouple the disconnect device from the tool ( 202 ). In the first position, the actuated component functions to lock the disconnect device to the tool. In the second position, the actuated component functions to unlock the disconnect device from the tool. After the disconnect device has been decoupled from the tool, the hoist line and disconnect device can be retrieved through the inner diameter of the pipe or wellbore. 
     In one example, the foregoing method is employed using disconnect device  102  described above with reference the examples of  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A, and  3 B. For example, the actuated component can be spindle  106  of packer  100  or spindle  144  of the example of  FIGS. 3A and 3B . As the spindle is actuated to cause the packer to engage and seal a submerged pipeline, the shaft of the spindle also unlocks disconnect device  102  from the end of the packer to which device  102  is connected. At this point, the hoist machine on the pipelay vessel can be operated to apply a force to the hoist line connected to the ring-eye swivel connected to disconnect device  102 . The force applied by the hoist line functions to cause ramps  142  of tip portions  140  of collet fingers  136  to engage the edge of hole  134 , which, in turn, causes collet fingers  136  to deflect radially inward to allow disconnect device  102  to be pulled out of hole  134 . 
     As noted above, in some examples, different portions of spindle  144  can be configured as separate components, which can be separately actuated. In such a case, shaft  146  can be configured as a separate component that is decoupled from pressure plate  148  and the shaft extending from pressure plate  148  away from cap  124  (down in the views of  FIGS. 3A and 3B ). Shaft  146  can be actuated to lock and unlock disconnect device  102  separately from movement of pressure plate  148 . 
     In one example, fluid pressure causes pressure plate  148  and the shaft extending from pressure plate  148  away from cap  124  by to move axially to cause the packer to become engaged. Movement of pressure plate  148  can be detected with a motion or other appropriate sensor included in the packer. The same or another sensor included could also be employed to detect when pressure plate  148  has moved enough to cause the packer to become fully engaged. In the event the packer does not become fully engaged within the pipeline, shaft  146  may not be actuated to unlock disconnect device  102 . In the event that the packer is detected as fully engaged, a signal can be sent via a supply line connected to or via control electronics included in the packer to an actuation device that is configured to actuate shaft  146  to move axially out of collet  132  to allow disconnect device  102  to be disconnected from the packer. 
     Various examples have been described. These and other examples are within the scope of the following claims.