PIPE LAYING VESSEL AND METHOD

摘要

Methods and apparatus for laying marine pipelines of the type in which the pipeline is assembled along a horizontal axis on board a pipe laying vessel prior to being launched therefrom; in which the pipeline is plastically bent to a desired launch angle and, in most cases, at least partially straightened thereafter. In preferred embodiments, the pipeline is bent through an angle greater than 90 DEG . In the most preferred embodiments, the pipeline is diverted, initially upwardly, through an angle of substantially 180 DEG by first bending means (28), prior to being bent downwards to the desired launch angle by second bending means, preferably in the form of an adjustable angle ramp (30). Other variations are also described.