Patent ID: 7416366

Claim:
A subsea pipeline system for connecting two structures comprising a first substantially horizontal duct section supported on the sea bed, a substantially horizontal bridging duct section extending across a lower seabed part, at a distance from the sea bed, and a second substantially horizontal duct section supported on the sea bed, the first and second substantially horizontal duct sections being connected to the substantially horizontal bridging duct section via an articulation joint allowing movement of the substantially horizontal bridging duct section in a length direction of the first and second substantially horizontal duct sections, wherein a first tensioning element is with a first end connected to the substantially horizontal bridging duct section at or near the articulation joint and with a second end to a lifting structure which is located at a relatively short distance above the substantially horizontal bridging duct section, for exerting an upward force thereon, and a second tensioning element connected with one end to the substantially horizontal bridging duct section and with the other end to a downward pulling structure, which is located below the substantially horizontal bridging duct section, the first and second tensioning elements including a mutual angle such as to exert a horizontal pulling force on the substantially horizontal bridging duct section.