Patent ID: 8597451

Claim:
A method of forming a homogenous composite pipe of unspecified length from strips of fibre reinforced thermoplastic material, the method comprising: arranging a mandrel such that it extends in a process direction, the mandrel being stationary, the mandrel having a first supported end and extending freely to a second end, wherein the mandrel has an outer surface; forming a slip-sheath about the mandrel from tape material which is applied longitudinally onto the stationary outer surface of the mandrel; winding the thermoplastic material strips about the slip-sheath; and the consolidating a section of the thermoplastic material strip winding by applying heat to the wound thermoplastic material strip to raise the temperature to reach its melting point and then cooling; connecting the slip-sheath to a pulling means arranged downstream of the stationary mandrel in the process direction; and pulling the slip-sheath with the pulling means to thereby pull consolidated pipe sections off from the second end of the mandrel in synchronization with the steps of winding and consolidation, thereby forming a homogenous composite pipe configured for use as a subsea structure for transporting oil and/or gas and/or water. consolidated pipe sections off from the second end of the mandrel in synchronization with the steps of winding and consolidation.