Saipem Limited

Teresio Signaroldi

Umberto Giovannini

Stefano Bianchi

Kimon Tullio Ardavanis

Roberto Bruschi

Cristian Scaini

Christian Cocca

Renato Bonelli

Andrea Provesi

Giovanni Carlo Alloggio

A method of abandoning a pipeline from an offshore vessel, wherein the method includes the steps of: providing a tubular member between a winch apparatus and the end of the pipeline being abandoned, the tubular member being received in a tensioning apparatus, and lowering the pipeline with the winch apparatus and the tensioning apparatus, the tensional load of the pipeline being held by the tensioning apparatus and the winch apparatus at the same time.

A/R method and apparatus therefor

A pipe-laying vessel for S-laying a pipeline is provided, the vessel defining a pipe-laying path extending along the vessel. The vessel includes one or more track tensioners disposed along the pipe-laying path, and a travelling clamp assembly, including a clamp mounted for movement along a length of the pipe-laying path. The vessel may also include a fixed clamp assembly located on the pipe-laying path for clamping the pipeline in a fixed position on the pipe-laying path. At least one of the clamp assemblies may include a load bearing structure and a clamp wherein a downstream-facing portion of the clamp is in an abutting relationship with an upstream-facing portion of the load bearing structure such that a downstream force exerted, in use, by the pipeline on the clamp is transmitted to the load bearing structure.

Underwater pipe-laying

A guide device for supporting an underwater pipeline along a feed path as it is being laid. The device is fitted to a laying ramp and has a cradle housing the pipeline; a frame fixed to the laying ramp; and a spacer mechanism located between the frame and the cradle to selectively adjust the distance between the cradle and frame. The device further includes a shock absorber connected to the cradle. The invention includes a method for using the device.

Guide device for supporting an underwater pipeline, laying ramp comprising such a guide device, laying vessel equipped with such a laying ramp, and method of controlling an underwater-pipeline laying ramp

A welding bug () comprising a welding torch () for welding in a groove (). The welding torch () is mounted for rotational movement about an axis () that is substantially horizontal, relative to the welding bug, (typically tangential to a pipe during use) so that the torch is moveable, during use of the welding bug () when arranged to enable the torch to weld in a groove, between (i) an operating position, and (ii) a disengaged position in which the welding torch is positioned away from the groove (). The welding bug may be less cumbersome and more compact than some known arrangements.

Welding system

A pipe-laying apparatus for laying or raising a pipeline from a vessel. The apparatus includes a first pipe gripping assembly disposed on a pipe laying path along which pipeline passes during laying, a second pipe gripping assembly disposed on the pipe-laying path, and a drive unit for causing relative movement in a direction along the pipe-laying path between the first pipe gripping assembly and the second pipe gripping assembly. The first pipe gripping assembly includes both a pipe gripping arrangement for gripping a pipe during pipe-laying and a cable gripping arrangement for gripping a cable during an operation when a cable is connected to a length of pipeline.

Underwater pipe-laying apparatus and method

A lay ramp for an underwater-pipeline laying vessel has an inside ramp hinged to the laying vessel; an outside ramp hinged to the inside ramp; and an actuating device having a first actuating assembly for rotating the inside ramp with respect to the laying vessel, and a second actuating assembly secured to the outside ramp and to the first actuating assembly to rotate the outside ramp with respect to the inside ramp.

Lay ramp for an underwater-pipeline laying vessel, lay ramp actuating method, and laying vessel comprising such a lay ramp

An actuating device () for a lay ramp () of a vessel () for laying underwater pipelines '() has a runner (), and a carriage () connected to the lay ramp () and which runs along the runner () to lift and lower the lay ramp (); the runner () being defined by a first, a second, and a third portion (), of which the first and third portion () are out of line with respect to each other, and the second portion () is mounted on a movable assembly () to selectively align the second portion () with the first and third portion ().

Lay ramp actuating device and method for an underwater-pipeline laying vessel, and relative pipeline laying vessel

A pipe-laying apparatus and method for laying or raising a pipeline from a vessel. The apparatus includes a first pipe gripping assembly disposed on a pipe laying path along which pipeline passes during laying, a second pipe gripping assembly disposed on the 10 pipe-laying path, and a drive unit for causing relative movement in a direction along the pipe-laying path between the first pipe gripping assembly and the second pipe gripping assembly. The first pipe gripping assembly includes both a pipe gripping arrangement for gripping a pipe during pipe-laying and a cable gripping arrangement for gripping a cable during an operation when a cable is connected to a length of pipeline.

A pipe-laying vessel includes an upwardly extending tower () assembly defining a path down which the pipe passes as a pipeline () is being laid by the vessel, and a lower guide arrangement for guiding the pipeline after it has passed down the tower, the lower guide arrangement () including a plurality of sets of guide rollers spaced apart along the path of the pipeline and defining the lateral limits of the path, the guide rollers being located such that they allow some bending of the pipeline as it passes through the lower guide arrangement.

A pipe-laying vessel comprises: means ( ) for propelling the vessel during pipe-laying; means for assembling sections of pipe generally horizontally on the vessel to form longer lengths; a tower ( ) at the bow of the vessel, with respect to an intended direction of movement, pivotally mounted so that it can be angled forwards towards the top; means ( ) for raising a length of pipe from the deck to a position aligned with the tower; means ( ) for joining such a length of pipe to a pipeline being laid; tensioners ( ) arranged to grip such a pipeline and to lower it into the water while maintaining a desired tension in the pipeline; one or more clamps ( ) arranged to grip the pipeline below the tensioners; and a lower ramp ( ) provided with rollers and arranged to guide the pipeline as it leaves the vessel.

Growing community of inventors

Sordio, Italy

Teresio Signaroldi