Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for laying deep water sub sea pipelines either by means of reeled pipe or conventional pipelay ('stock on') is disclosed. The vessel is equipped with a dynamic positioning system that is integrated into the pipelay control system. Both methods of pipe lay utilize a rigid stinger capable of supporting the pipe from near 0 degrees through a departure angle of 90 degrees, simulating a J-lay orientation. The Reel System consists of a storage reel, reel drive system, straightener aligner system, two tensioner systems, three exit rollers, stinger and dynamic positioning system. The conventional pipelay system consists of the above without the storage reel and reel drive system. All pipelay equipment has the capability of leveling winding, thus maintaining a specific pipe profile while the pipe is either being spooled on the quay side or laid on the seabed. The storage reel is modular where it can be removed by either skidding or divided into piece lifts. The apparatus has the ability of interchanging operation modes from reeled pipelay to conventional pipelay without abandoning the pipeline.

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First Claim