Apparatus for and method of installing subsea components

Abstract

An apparatus for installing subsea components includes the use of a motion compensator to counterbalance and offset load on the component and lowering wire caused by movement of the vessel as a result of waves and wind.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for installation of subsea component comprising: 
 a vessel having a motion compensator and an A-frame wherein said motion compensator is connected to said A-frame; and    a spreader beam wherein the component is connected to the spreader beam and said spreader beam is moveably connected to said A-frame for lowering the component into the sea.    
     
     
         2 . A method of installing a component onto the sea floor into comprising the steps of: 
 a) connecting a spreader beam to an A-frame positioned on a vessel;    b) linking the component to a spreader beam;    c) lowering the component into the sea;    d) controlling varying load on the component and lowering wire by use of a motion compensator operatively connected to the A-frame; and    e) positioning the component on the sea floor.    
     
     
         3 . In a method for installing a subsea component onto the seafloor using a vessel having an A-frame the improvement comprising: 
 Controlling component orientation of a subsea component as it is lowered into the sea with a motion compensator, said motion compensator counterbalancing and offsetting variations in load on the component created by the movement of the vessel caused by wind and waves or heave.