SUBSEA FLOWLINE CONNECTION

摘要

A link is made between a subsea apparatus (11) and a flowline (16) terminated apart from the apparatus with an upstanding coupling part (17). A flowline link (18) is assembled on the apparatus (11) prior to submerging as a pair of U-shaped flowline pieces (19, 20) with parallel limbs (19', 19'', 20', 20''), one limb of each being joined to the other by a rotatable connection piece (21), the other limb (19'') of piece (19) supporting the link on the apparatus for pivotal motion about the limb axis, possibly by further connecting piece (22), and the other limb (20'') of the piece (20) having a coupling part (23) cooperable with the flowline, the pieces (19, 20) of flowline link being folded against the apparatus while it is lowered. When submerged an ROV (15) pulls and unfolds the flowline piece and aligns the coupling parts (23, 17). The connecting piece (21 and 22) is preferably a fluid joint of the type which permits some swivel in all directions, when energised by fluid pressure supplied by the ROV (15) or apparatus (11).