Patent ID: 7112009

Claim:
An apparatus for substantially horizontal connection of a conduit to a subsea structure, the apparatus comprising: a mobile manipulating apparatus comprising at least one of a remotely operated vehicle and a toolskid; and a separate frame constructed and configured to be connected to and supported by the subsea structure, wherein: the frame includes a docking apparatus operable to couple the mobile manipulating apparatus to the subsea structure when the frame and the subsea structure are connected together; the frame is constructed and configured to bear at least part of an operational load associated with the horizontal connection of the conduit to the subsea structure; the mobile manipulating apparatus includes a pull-in module having a winch adapted to engage the conduit, operable when the mobile manipulating apparatus is coupled to the frame, to deliver the conduit to the vicinity of the subsea structure; the frame includes a guiding and aligning mechanism operative to align and move the conduct from a point of delivery by the pull-in module to a working position; and the guiding and aligning mechanism includes: two slide boxes, each pivotally mounted on a front section of the frame; an actuator operable to selectively extend and retract each slide box; and, a conduit clamp supported at the outer ends of the slide boxes whereby the conduit can be aligned in a horizontal plane.