Diverless Systems, Inc.

Steven E Mansfield

Neil A Stagg

An apparatus and method for placement and deployment of grout bags which, when deployed by filling with grout, act as supports for subsea pipelines or structures. The apparatus includes a pallet to which a collapsed grout bag is attached for placement, an alignment member, and a manifold assembly for distributing grout to multiple bags or compartments. The alignment member is abutted against the subsea pipeline or structure to assure proper placement of the grout bag beneath the pipeline or structure. The pallet base structure permits level deployment of the pallet on sloping seabeds. The pallet base structure includes legs and brace members which are specially designed to suit the seabed conditions at the installation site. The length of the pallet legs depends upon the relative softness of the seabed, with longer legs providing frictional support as they embed themselves into the seabed. Short legs provide support for the pallet on relatively hard seabeds by resting on the seabed with minimal embedding. The pallet brace members embed in the seabed to provide resistance to lateral loads and enhance the frictional support provided by the pallet legs. The bottom surface of the pallet brace members is angled to match the slope of the seabed at the installation location. The brace members embed in the seabed to a uniform depth while maintaining the pallet in a horizontal attitude.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Steven E Mansfield