Method and apparatus for connecting a flowline to a subsea structure and laying the flowline from the subsea structure

摘要

A method and apparatus are provided for connecting an offshore pipeline or flowline bundle (10) to a deepwater subsea structure (11) and then laying the pipeline or flowline bundle (10) away from said structure (11). The pipeline or flowline bundle (10) is lowered vertically from a pipelaying vessel (13) to make a hinged connection with the subsea structure (11). The connection operation is facilitated by a flowline connection tool (14) attached to the pipeline or flowline bundle (10) and designed to be inserted into a funnel located either centrally or on one side of the subsea structure (11). The connection procedure comprises landing and securing the flowline connection tool (14) onto the subsea structure (11),then hinging over and connecting the pipeline or flowline bundle (10) to the subsea structure (11) as the pipeline or flowline bundle (10) is laid on the sea floor (12) beginning at the subsea structure (11).