Abstract: The present invention relates to a marine pipelaying friction clamp device for frictionally retaining an offshore pipeline having a longitudinal axis, comprising multiple clamping units (20). Each clamping unit comprises a friction pad (21) and an associated force actuator (22), and further comprises a base (25) fixed to the actuator, wherein the friction pad is rotatably connected to the base via a single axis (H1, H2) hinge mechanism defining a single hinge axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. The single axis hinge mechanism comprises first and second complementary semi-cylindrical hinge surfaces, allowing a rotation of the friction pad about the single hinge axis over 2-20° relative to the base. The friction pad is also axially connected to the base via complementary axial load surfaces (31, 33) on the base (25) and on the friction pad (21).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a marine pipelaying friction clamp device for frictionally retaining an offshore pipeline having a longitudinal axis, comprising multiple clamping units (20). Each clamping unit comprises a friction pad (21) and an associated force actuator (22), and further comprises a base (25) fixed to the actuator, wherein the friction pad is rotatably connected to the base via a single axis (H1, H2) hinge mechanism defining a single hinge axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. The single axis hinge mechanism comprises first and second complementary semi-cylindrical hinge surfaces, allowing a rotation of the friction pad about the single hinge axis over 2-20° relative to the base. The friction pad is also axially connected to the base via complementary axial load surfaces (31, 33) on the base (25) and on the friction pad (21).

Abstract: An improved system and method for laying on the seabed a pipeline and/or installing a subsea riser including one or more accessories are disclosed. In the system, a trolley rail for an auxiliary trolley is provided which includes a retractable trolley rail part supported by the tower via an associated mobile rail support assembly. Displacement of the retractable trolley rail part together with the auxiliary trolley when arranged on said retractable trolley rail part with respect to the tower is allowed, between an active position, wherein the auxiliary trolley is positioned to engage on an accessory in the firing line, and a retracted and non-operable position wherein a clear envelope about the firing line is created.

Abstract: A marine pipelaying friction clamp device for frictionally retaining an offshore subsea pipeline to be launched into the sea includes a frame which includes a main frame structure that is adapted to be supported by the pipelaying vessel. The frame supports multiple annular arrays of clamping units adapted to simultaneously engage separate portions of the pipeline. The frame further includes one or more mobile subframes for one or more of said annular arrays of clamping units. Each of said one or more mobile subframes is movably supported by the main frame structure so as to be mobile relative to said main frame structure in said longitudinal direction of the clamp device, and each of said one or more mobile subframes is supported by a spring assembly.

Abstract: In a vessel and method for laying on the seabed a pipeline and one or more accessories which are to be connected to the pipeline, in particular in view of the installation of accessories to the pipeline, the one or more tensioners are displaceable along the pipeline launch tower.

Abstract: An offshore S-lay pipelaying vessel for laying a pipeline on the seabed, the vessel includes a hull and an elongated stinger having a hull end and a free end, the stinger being adapted to support the pipeline to be laid from the vessel. The stinger includes a stinger frame, possibly composed of one or more rigid stinger frame sections, possibly articulated sections. And, distributed over the length of the stinger, multiple pipeline support assemblies are mounted to the stinger frame that provide support for the pipeline.

Abstract: An improved system and method for laying on the seabed a pipeline and/or installing a subsea riser including one or more accessories are disclosed. In the system, a trolley rail for an auxiliary trolley is provided which includes a retractable trolley rail part supported by the tower via an associated mobile rail support assembly. Displacement of the retractable trolley rail part together with the auxiliary trolley when arranged on said retractable trolley rail part with respect to the tower is allowed, between an active position, wherein the auxiliary trolley is positioned to engage on an accessory in the firing line, and a retracted and non-operable position wherein a clear envelope about the firing line is created.

Abstract: A tensioner pad assembly is adapted to be mounted on an endless track of a tensioner to frictionally clamp an elongated product supported and moved by the tensioner. The pad assembly includes a carrier member and a pair of gripping members, which gripping members can with their carrier member mating surfaces be mounted in multiple discrete gripping positions on gripping member mating surfaces of the carrier member. The mating surfaces form interlocking structures adapted to transfer a squeeze force from the carrier member to the gripping members. The interlocking structures provided on the carrier member define the multiple discrete gripping positions. The gripping member mating surfaces extend at an angle relative to each other, such that the multiple discrete gripping positions differ in their distance to the base portion as well as in their distance to the imaginary plane of the carrier member.

Abstract: An improved system and method for laying on the seabed a pipeline and/or installing a subsea riser including one or more accessories are disclosed. In the system, a trolley rail for an auxiliary trolley is provided which includes a retractable trolley rail part supported by the tower via an associated mobile rail support assembly. Displacement of the retractable trolley rail part together with the auxiliary trolley when arranged on said retractable trolley rail part with respect to the tower is allowed, between an active position, wherein the auxiliary trolley is positioned to engage on an accessory in the firing line, and a retracted and non-operable position wherein a clear envelope about the firing line is created.

Abstract: A marine pipeline installation vessel for laying a pipeline on the seabed, the vessel at least being adapted to carry out the reel lay method, wherein the vessel includes at least a first and a second storage reel for storage of the pipeline to be laid, which storage reels are positioned in or onto the vessel; a pipeline launch tower mounted to the vessel, which pipeline launch tower is adapted to launch the pipeline in a firing line along the tower; a pipeline guide which is mounted at an elevated position to the pipeline launch tower, which pipeline guide has a pipeline guide surface member providing an essentially circular or semi-circular pipeline guide surface, which pipeline guide is adapted to—in a primary pipelaying position thereof relative to the tower—guide a pipeline from a first storage reel over the pipeline guide into the firing line, the pipeline contacts the pipeline guide surface at a first contact point fore of the firing line and departs the surface at a first departure point into the firi

Abstract: A marine pipelaying system and method for lowering and/or raising an offshore pipeline and including one or more accessories thereto, includes a pipeline launch device, a pipeline clamp, an accessory connecting device and a controlled load hoisting device. An accessory handling device is provided including an accessory transport track and a cart adapted to engage and support one of the one or more accessories, such that the accessory handling device is adapted to engage said accessory at the engagement position, position the accessory in the pipeline connecting position in the firing line above the pipeline clamp. The accessory can be connected to the pipeline and support and allow displacement of the accessory between the engagement position and the pipeline connection position.

Abstract: A marine pipelaying system and method for lowering and/or raising an offshore pipeline and including one or more accessories thereto, includes a pipeline launch device, a pipeline clamp, an accessory connecting device and a controlled load hoisting device. An accessory handling device is provided including an accessory transport track and a cart adapted to engage and support one of the one or more accessories, such that the accessory handling device is adapted to engage said accessory at the engagement position, position the accessory in the pipeline connecting position in the firing line above the pipeline clamp. The accessory can be connected to the pipeline and support and allow displacement of the accessory between the engagement position and the pipeline connection position.

Abstract: A marine pipeline installation vessel and a method are provided for laying an offshore rigid pipeline in the sea, the vessel at least being adapted to carry out the rigid reel lay method. The vessel includes at least one vertical storage reel for the storage of a spooled rigid pipeline. A left and right reel support structure are provided to support the weight of the at least one storage reel. The left and right support structures are embodied to form a pivoting structure allowing an angular adjustment of the horizontal reel axis about a vertical axis to alter the angular position of the at least one storage reel.

Abstract: A tensioner pad assembly is adapted to be mounted on an endless track of a tensioner to frictionally clamp an elongated product supported and moved by the tensioner. The pad assembly includes a carrier member and a pair of gripping members, which gripping members can with their carrier member mating surfaces be mounted in multiple discrete gripping positions on gripping member mating surfaces of the carrier member. The mating surfaces form interlocking structures adapted to transfer a squeeze force from the carrier member to the gripping members. The interlocking structures provided on the carrier member define the multiple discrete gripping positions. The gripping member mating surfaces extend at an angle relative to each other, such that the multiple discrete gripping positions differ in their distance to the base portion as well as in their distance to the imaginary plane of the carrier member.

Abstract: An improved system and method for laying on the seabed a pipeline and/or installing a subsea riser including one or more accessories are disclosed. In the system, a trolley rail for an auxiliary trolley is provided which includes a retractable trolley rail part supported by the tower via an associated mobile rail support assembly. Displacement of the retractable trolley rail part together with the auxiliary trolley when arranged on said retractable trolley rail part with respect to the tower is allowed, between an active position, wherein the auxiliary trolley is positioned to engage on an accessory in the firing line, and a retracted and non-operable position wherein a clear envelope about the firing line is created.

Abstract: A tubular installation system includes a J-lay tower structure for lowering and raising a tubular or an accessory along a firing line; a tubulars supply system; an accessory supply system; and a loader system configured for transporting a tubular and an accessory between the horizontal tubular supply position and the firing line, wherein the loader system comprises: a loader device with a base and a boom which is pivotable with respect to the base between a lowered position for gripping a tubular and an accessory in the horizontal accessory supply position, and a raised position for delivering then to the firing line; a line-up tool, wherein the line-up tool is configured to exchange a tubular and an accessory with the loader device and transport a tubular between the loader device and the firing line.

Abstract: A marine pipeline installation system for laying an offshore pipeline and/or installing a subsea riser includes a pipeline launch tower, a pipeline guide provided at an elevated position for guiding said pipeline to the pipeline launch trajectory along said tower, one or more tensioners, an abandonment and recovery (A&R) system including at least one A&R cable and associated A&R winch and a sheave arrangement with one or more sheaves supported by the pipeline launch tower at an upper position thereof. An auxiliary trolley is provided which is adapted to support the weight of the launched pipeline and which is movable along a rail in the pipeline launch trajectory when the one or more tensioner frames are in the retracted non-operable position, from a position above the uppermost tensioner to a position below the lowermost tensioner, the rail being supported by the pipeline launch tower.

Abstract: A method is provided for installing a pipeline on the seabed from a marine pipelaying vessel, including initiation, pipelaying, and abandonment of the pipeline.

Abstract: A marine pipeline installation vessel for laying a pipeline on the seabed, the vessel at least being adapted to carry out the reel lay method, wherein the vessel includes at least a first and a second storage reel for storage of the pipeline to be laid, which storage reels are positioned in or onto the vessel; a pipeline launch tower mounted to the vessel, which pipeline launch tower is adapted to launch the pipeline in a firing line along the tower; a pipeline guide which is mounted at an elevated position to the pipeline launch tower, which pipeline guide has a pipeline guide surface member providing an essentially circular or semi-circular pipeline guide surface, which pipeline guide is adapted to—in a primary pipelaying position thereof relative to the tower—guide a pipeline from a first storage reel over the pipeline guide into the firing line, the pipeline contacts the pipeline guide surface at a first contact point fore of the firing line and departs the surface at a first departure point into the firi

Abstract: A method for installing an accessory onto a pipeline to be laid on the seabed, includes launching the pipeline from a first position of a tower in which the tower is at an angle ? with respect to the vertical; stopping the launch of the pipeline, and hanging off the launched pipeline in a hang off module; positioning an accessory in a tower firing line; attaching the accessory to the launched pipeline in the hang off module and to at least one A&R cable; suspending the accessory and the launched pipeline from an A&R system; disengaging the hang off module from the launched pipeline; pivoting the pipeline launch tower to an accessory launch position in which the tower is at an angle ? that differs substantially from angle ?, such that a pipeline launch trajectory is created which is large enough to launch the accessory and the launched pipeline with the A&R system.