Abstract: A guide structure is provided for guiding deployment of a pipeline from a hang-off structure through an opening in a vessel during a J-lay operation. The guide structure comprises a port-side guide assembly and a starboard-side guide assembly for engaging and guiding the pipeline below the hang-off structure, wherein the port and star-board-side guide assemblies are independently moveable to engage and guide the pipeline. The guide assemblies may be mounted to traverse on rails provided within the opening.

Abstract: A pipe-laying vessel including a pipe-laying tower extending upwardly from the vessel, the tower including a first lower section extending upwardly from a proximal end to a distal end above the main deck of the vessel, and a second upper section movably mounted on the first lower section, and the tower having a first pipe-laying configuration for laying pipeline P in which the upper section is positioned above the lower section and pipe is passed from the upper section to the lower section when, in use, it is being laid, and a second stowed configuration in which the second upper section is moved relative to the lower section and the overall height of the tower is reduced.

Abstract: A guide structure is provided for guiding deployment of a pipeline from a hang-off structure through an opening in a vessel during a J-lay operation. The guide structure comprises a port-side guide assembly and a starboard-side guide assembly for engaging and guiding the pipeline below the hang-off structure, wherein the port and star-board-side guide assemblies are independently moveable to engage and guide the pipeline. The guide assemblies may be mounted to traverse on rails provided within the opening.

Abstract: A field joint transfer system for transferring a hot field joint along a curved path between a tensioner and a stinger during deployment of a pipeline from a pipelay vessel. The system comprises a plurality of adjustable pipe support units defining a curved path between the tensioner and the stinger, wherein one or more of the pipe support units can be moved out of engagement with the pipeline to allow the hot fieldjoint to pass the respective pipe support unit without contact, while maintaining support for the pipeline along the curved path. A mobile pipe support may be provided on an overhead gantry to follow the pipe as it passes along the curved path.

Abstract: A field joint transfer system for transferring a hot field joint along a curved path between a tensioner and a stinger during deployment of a pipeline from a pipelay vessel. The system comprises a plurality of adjustable pipe support units defining a curved path between the tensioner and the stinger, wherein one or more of the pipe support units can be moved out of engagement with the pipeline to allow the hot field-joint to pass the respective pipe support unit without contact, while maintaining support for the pipeline along the curved path. A mobile pipe support may be provided on an overhead gantry to follow the pipe as it passes along the curved path.

Abstract: A pipe-laying vessel (1) is provided, including a tower (2) extending upwardly from the vessel, a pipe loading arm (9) for raising a length of pipe from the deck to a position aligned with the tower, a travelling clamp assembly (30) mounted for movement along the tower. The pipe-laying vessel may include a fixed clamp assembly (60) located in the region of a lower portion of the tower, wherein the travelling clamp assembly and/or the fixed clamp assembly includes both a friction clamp (34, 63) and a collar clamp (62), each of the friction clamp and the collar clamp being movable between an operative position, in which it is adjustable between a clamping and a released position, and an inoperative position. Alternatively or additionally the travelling clamp assembly (30) includes both a line-up clamp (33) and a pipeline tension bearing clamp (34).

Abstract: A pipe-laying vessel including a pipe-laying tower extending upwardly from the vessel, the vessel including a welding station for joining a new pipestring to an end of the pipeline held by the tower, a clamp assembly on the tower for engaging a pipestring with a lower end adjacent to the end of the pipeline held by the tower and with the pipestring extending upwardly from its lower end alongside the tower, wherein the clamp assembly includes a pipestring clamp that serves both the function of a transfer clamp for transferring the pipestring from a position alongside the tower but displaced from the pipe-laying path to a position approximately aligned with the pipe-laying path, and the function of a line-up clamp for lining up the pipestring with the end of the pipeline.

Abstract: A pipelay vessel has a crane having a base with a hollow interior and a stinger handling system for handling a stinger extending from the side of the vessel. The stinger handling system has a link extending out through an opening from the hollow interior towards the side of the vessel for connection to the stinger. The link is arranged to transmit both tensile and compressive loading. A jack structure, located within the hollow interior of the crane base is mounted to extend and retract the link from within the crane base to raise and lower the stinger. A universal coupling may be provided for self aligning the link to the stinger in the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A pipelay vessel has a crane having a base with a hollow interior and a stinger handling system for handling a stinger extending from the side of the vessel. The stinger handling system has a link extending out through an opening from the hollow interior towards the side of the vessel for connection to the stinger. The link is arranged to transmit both tensile and compressive loading. A jack structure, located within the hollow interior of the crane base is mounted to extend and retract the link from within the crane base to raise and lower the stinger. A universal coupling may be provided for self aligning the link to the stinger in the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A method of abandoning a pipeline from an offshore vessel, wherein the method includes the steps of: providing a tubular member between a winch apparatus and the end of the pipeline being abandoned, the tubular member being received in a tensioning apparatus, and lowering the pipeline with the winch apparatus and the tensioning apparatus, the tensional load of the pipeline being held by the tensioning apparatus and the winch apparatus at the same time.

Abstract: A method of laying conduit at sea from a reel vessel includes the steps of laying conduit, for example pipeline or umbilical, from a first reel which rotates about a first substantially vertical axis. Conduit is laid from a second reel of conduit rotating about a second substantially vertical axis spaced apart from the first axis. A portion of the route travelled by the conduit during the step of laying conduit from the first reel of conduit is substantially the same as a portion of the route travelled by the conduit during the step of laying conduit from the second reel of conduit, for example, the conduit from the second reel may pass around a part of the periphery of the first reel and then follow substantially the same path as previously travelled by the conduit laid from the first reel.

Abstract: A pipe-laying vessel for S-laying a pipeline is provided, the vessel defining a pipe-laying path extending along the vessel. The vessel includes one or more track tensioners disposed along the pipe-laying path, and a travelling clamp assembly, including a clamp mounted for movement along a length of the pipe-laying path. The vessel may also include a fixed clamp assembly located on the pipe-laying path for clamping the pipeline in a fixed position on the pipe-laying path. At least one of the clamp assemblies may include a load bearing structure and a clamp wherein a downstream-facing portion of the clamp is in an abutting relationship with an upstream-facing portion of the load bearing structure such that a downstream force exerted, in use, by the pipeline on the clamp is transmitted to the load bearing structure.

Abstract: A method of laying conduit at sea from a reel vessel includes the steps of laying conduit, for example pipeline or umbilical, from a first reel which rotates about a first substantially vertical axis. Conduit is laid from a second reel of conduit rotating about a second substantially vertical axis spaced apart from the first axis. A portion of the route travelled by the conduit during the step of laying conduit from the first reel of conduit is substantially the same as a portion of the route travelled by the conduit during the step of laying conduit from the second reel of conduit, for example, the conduit from the second reel may pass around a part of the periphery of the first reel and then follow substantially the same path as previously travelled by the conduit laid from the first reel.

Abstract: A method of abandoning a pipeline from an offshore vessel, wherein the method includes the steps of: providing a tubular member between a winch apparatus and the end of the pipeline being abandoned, the tubular member being received in a tensioning apparatus, and lowering the pipeline with the winch apparatus and the tensioning apparatus, the tensional load of the pipeline being held by the tensioning apparatus and the winch apparatus at the same time.

Abstract: A pipe-laying vessel is provided, including a tower extending upwardly from the vessel, a pipe loading arm for raising a length of pipe from the deck to a position aligned with the tower. The pipe-laying vessel may also include a support assembly for supporting a bulky item to be accommodated along the pipeline, the support assembly including a frame pivotable between a first load receiving position and a second tilted position in which it extends approximately parallel to the tower, and drive means for pivoting the tiltable frame between its first and second positions. The pipe-laying vessel may alternatively or additionally include a welding assembly station cabin in the region of a lower portion of the tower, a movable support assembly for supporting a bulky item to be accommodated along the pipeline, the movable support assembly being disposed on top of the cabin.

Abstract: A pipe-laying vessel including a pipe-laying tower extending upwardly from the vessel, the tower including a first lower section extending upwardly from a proximal end to a distal end above the main deck of the vessel, and a second upper section movably mounted on the first lower section, and the tower having a first pipe-laying configuration for laying pipeline P in which the upper section is positioned above the lower section and pipe is passed from the upper section to the lower section when, in use, it is being laid, and a second stowed configuration in which the second upper section is moved relative to the lower section and the overall height of the tower is reduced.

Abstract: A pipe-laying vessel including a pipe-laying tower extending upwardly from the vessel, the vessel including a welding station for joining a new pipestring to an end of the pipeline held by the tower, a clamp assembly on the tower for engaging a pipestring with a lower end adjacent to the end of the pipeline held by the tower and with the pipestring extending upwardly from its lower end alongside the tower, wherein the clamp assembly includes a pipestring clamp that serves both the function of a transfer clamp for transferring the pipestring from a position alongside the tower but displaced from the pipe-laying path to a position approximately aligned with the pipe-laying path, and the function of a line-up clamp for lining up the pipestring with the end of the pipeline.

Abstract: A pipe-laying vessel for S-laying a pipeline is provided, the vessel defining a pipe-laying path extending along the vessel. The vessel includes one or more track tensioners disposed along the pipe-laying path, and a travelling clamp assembly, including a clamp mounted for movement along a length of the pipe-laying path. The vessel may also include a fixed clamp assembly located on the pipe-laying path for clamping the pipeline in a fixed position on the pipe-laying path. At least one of the clamp assemblies may include a load bearing structure and a clamp wherein a downstream-facing portion of the clamp is in an abutting relationship with an upstream-facing portion of the load bearing structure such that a downstream force exerted, in use, by the pipeline on the clamp is transmitted to the load bearing structure.

Abstract: A pipe-laying vessel (1) is provided, including a tower (2) extending upwardly from the vessel, a pipe loading arm (9) for raising a length of pipe from the deck to a position aligned with the tower. The pipe-laying vessel may also include a support assembly (110) for supporting a bulky item to be accommodated along the pipeline, the support assembly including a frame (111) pivotable between a first load receiving position and a second tilted position in which it extends approximately parallel to the tower, and drive means for pivoting the tiltable frame between its first and second positions. The pipe-laying vessel may alternatively or additionally include a welding assembly station cabin (100) in the region of a lower portion of the tower, a movable support assembly (110) for supporting a bulky item to be accommodated along the pipeline, the movable support assembly being disposed on top of the cabin.

Abstract: A pipe-laying vessel (1) is provided, including a tower (2) extending upwardly from the vessel, a pipe loading arm (9) for raising a length of pipe from the deck to a position aligned with the tower, a travelling clamp assembly (30) mounted for movement along the tower. The pipe-laying vessel may include a fixed clamp assembly (60) located in the region of a lower portion of the tower, wherein the travelling clamp assembly and/or the fixed clamp assembly includes both a friction clamp (34, 63) and a collar clamp (62), each of the friction clamp and the collar clamp being movable between an operative position, in which it is adjustable between a clamping and a released position, and an inoperative position. Alternatively or additionally the travelling clamp assembly (30) includes both a line-up clamp (33) and a pipeline tension bearing clamp (34).