LOAD TRANSFERRING SUBSEA STRUCTURE FOR TEMPORARY GUIDING AND PERMANENTLY RELIEVE OF FORCES WITHIN A PIPE CONNECTION THAT IS SUBJECTED TO BENDING MOMENTS

摘要

A load transferring subsea structure (10) for temporary guiding and permanently relieve of forces within a pipe connection that is subjected to bending moments when connection is completed, which load transferring structure (10) includes a basically stationary structure (1) that retains the first pipe end (E₁) and one basically manoeuvrable structure (2) that retains the second pipe end (E₂), wherein the second pipe end (E₂) is connected to the first, stationary pipe end (E₁). The stationary structure (1) includes guide portions (6) having predetermined configuration including fitted portions (6a, 6b) the surfaces of which interact, during mating, with complementary parts (11, 12) having predetermined configuration including portions (14, 15) on the mobile structure (2) for creation of a load path external of the pipe ends (E₁, E₂), wherein the surfaces of said portions (14, 15) are processed to controllable tolerances that provide moment transferring means during possible loads or strain within the pipe ends (E₁, E₂). The subsea structure (10) also includes a clamp connector (3) that keeps the pipe ends (E₁, E₂) together, providing clearance between the horseshoe formed cut outs of the surfaces of the portions (15) in the part (11) of the structure (2) and the rounded portions of the surfaces of the portions (6b) of the guide portion (6) of the structure (1).