Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

Improved methods and apparatus are provided for landing and securing a payload to a subsea assembly, such as a hydrocarbon recovery assembly, utilizing a surface vessel and a subsea ROV. The payload is suspended from a submersible payload package, and the package and payload are lowered subsea by a vessel cable. Guide cables extending from the package may be secured to the subsea assembly, and a floatation device thereafter activated to render the package positively buoyant, thereby making the guide cables taunt and relaxing the vessel cable to de-couple the package and payload from the surface vessel. The guide cables are then used to lower the payload from the package onto the assembly, and the payload secured to the assembly with the ROV. The floatation device is subsequently deactivated such that the pacakage is no longer positively buoyant, thereby re-coupling the package to the surface vessel.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim