METHOD OF PROTECTING FIELD JOINTS OF AN OFFSHORE WEIGHT-COATED PIPELINE

摘要

A method of protecting field joints (19) of an offshore coated pipeline (10) during laying of the pipeline, the method comprising the steps of installing a cover sheet (20) around the pipeline field joint (19) so as to bridge weight coating portions to either side of the joint, thereby forming a cavity (25) between the sheet and the joint. An in-fill material is injected into the cavity through an opening (21) on the sheet until the cavity is filled which allows the in-fill material to settle and solidify. The cover sheet is made of biodegradable material of sufficient strength that it is not excessively deformed by the in-fill material during the injection step. As such, no external mould needs to be applied to surround the cover sheet during the injection step.