IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO WELDING AND OTHER OPERATIONS DURING J-LAY PIPELAYING

摘要

A turntable assembly for performing welding or other operations in a pivotably-mounted J-lay tower is disclosed. The assembly includes an annular turntable supported by a base frame to turn about a pipe string in use and a tilt-compensating mechanism acting on the base frame to level the turntable as the tower pivots in use. The tilt-compensating mechanism includes at least one support that is driveable up and down with respect to the tower. In the embodiment disclosed, the support is a carriage movable along an upright track that pivots with the tower.