Patent ID: 8123437

Claim:
A method of installing a pipeline assembly in the form of a catenary riser having a substantial J-shape, the method comprising: a) laying a pipeline at least partly on a seabed by a pipeline laying vessel, the pipeline being substantially rigid, the pipeline comprising a curved section which curves upwardly from the seabed, the pipeline extending to a delivery end of the pipeline which is supported by the pipeline laying vessel; b) providing at least one anchoring device at the seabed; c) connecting the pipeline at a coupling point to the at least one anchoring device by at least one elongate connecting organ after the anchoring device is provided at the seabed, by performing either step c1) or c2), step c1) comprising: coupling one end of the elongate connecting organ to the pipeline at the coupling point when the coupling point is near the pipeline laying vessel, lowering the pipeline with the coupling point and the elongate connecting organ such that an opposite end of the elongate connecting organ is moved to the anchoring device by maneuvering the pipeline with the pipeline laying vessel; and coupling the opposite end of the elongate connecting organ with the anchoring device at the seabed by engaging the opposite end against a mating part of the anchoring device; step c2) comprising: coupling one end of the elongate connecting organ to the anchoring device and laying the elongate connecting organ on the seabed, an opposite end of the elongate connecting organ being provided with a mating part which is also laid on the seabed, moving the coupling point on the pipeline to the mating part of the elongate connecting organ on the seabed by maneuvering the pipeline with the pipeline laying vessel, coupling the coupling point to the mating part of the elongate connecting organ on the seabed, and moving the coupling point upward by maneuvering the pipeline with the pipeline laying vessel, thereby lifting the elongate organ from the seabed; wherein the elongate connecting organ is configured for substantially limiting an upward movement of the coupling point, d) positioning the delivery end at a delivery end target position; e) supporting the delivery end by a support device, and f) disconnecting the pipeline from the pipeline laying vessel.