Abstract: Disclosed are methods and techniques related to the control of pipelaying operations from a self-propelled reel pipelaying vessel. The methods are concerned with (1) controlling pipeline geometry as a function of pipe entry angle into the water and tension on the pipeline; (2) monitoring the excursion of the pipeline outside certain defined limits and controlling the pipeline geometry based on such measured excursions; and (3) compensating for pipeline induced turning moments which would otherwise tend to draw the pipelaying vessel off course and off the predetermined pipeline right of way.

Abstract: An offshore system for laying a continuous length of pipe on the sea bottom from a pipe-carrying reel adapted to be mounted on a carrier vessel having an improved pipe handling and conditioning apparatus for working on the unspooled pipe. The improved apparatus includes a pipe straightener for imparting a reverse plastic bending moment to the unspooled pipe passing therethrough, and which comprises at least two pairs of pipe support rollers, each pair being aligned along the pipe path and mounted for rotational movement about respective rotational axes normal to the pipe path and parallel to the plane of the deck of the carrier vessel, and for pivoting movement about a pivot axis located between and substantially parallel to the respective rotational axes.