Pipeline assembly comprising an anchoring device

Abstract

The invention relates to a pipeline assembly and a method of installing a pipeline assembly, wherein the pipeline extends at least in part on a seabed and curves upwardly from the seabed along a curved section thereof, the pipeline extending toward a delivery end provided at the water surface, wherein a connecting device connects the pipeline at a coupling point to an anchoring device at the seabed for preventing the coupling point from moving upward. The invention further relates to a pipeline device comprising at least two pipeline assemblies which are interconnected at a substantial distance from the seabed.

1 - 62 . (canceled) 
     
     
         63 . A pipeline assembly comprising:
 a pipeline which is substantially rigid, the pipeline extending partly on a seabed, the pipeline comprising a curved section curving upwardly from the seabed to the delivery end near the water surface, the pipeline extending to a delivery end of the pipeline provided near a water surface in the form of a catenary riser having a substantial J-shape;   at least one anchoring device provided at the seabed;   at least one elongate connecting organ connecting a coupling point on the pipeline with the at least one anchoring device, the elongate connecting organ being configured for substantially limiting an upward movement of the coupling point;   a support device coupled to the pipeline at the delivery end,   wherein either:   a) the pipeline assembly comprises a mating part connected to the anchoring device, said mating part configured to establish a coupling with a first end of the elongate organ when said first end is engaged against said mating part, or   b) the first end of the elongate connecting organ is connected to the anchoring device and the pipeline assembly comprises a mating part connected to an opposite second end of the elongate organ, said mating part configured to establish a coupling with the pipeline when the coupling point of the pipeline is engaged against said mating part.   
     
     
         64 . The pipeline assembly of  claim 63 , wherein at the coupling point a longitudinal axis of the pipeline extends at an angle of less than ten degrees, in particular less than five degrees, to a vertical axis. 
     
     
         65 . The pipeline assembly of  claim 63 , wherein the elongate connecting organ extends at an angle of less than ten degrees, in particular less than five degrees to a vertical axis. 
     
     
         66 . The pipeline assembly of  claim 63 , wherein the elongate connecting organ is selecting from the group comprising a tether, a tendon, a cable, a line, and a chain. 
     
     
         67 . The pipeline assembly of  claim 63 , comprising:
 in sub a) a hook or a ballgrab connector which is connected to the first end of the elongate connecting organ, and wherein the mating part of the anchoring device comprises an eye or a receptacle for a ballgrab connector, and wherein the hook or ballgrab connector is coupled to the eye or the receptacle,   and   in sub b) a hook is provided at the coupling point and the mating part at the second opposite end of the elongate connecting organ comprises an eye, and wherein the hook is coupled to the eye.   
     
     
         68 . The pipeline assembly of  claim 63 , wherein the support device comprises a buoyancy device, and wherein the buoyancy of the buoyancy device is controllably variable. 
     
     
         69 . The pipeline assembly of  claim 63 , wherein in sub b) the mating part which is connected to the opposite second end of the elongate organ is configured to be laid on the seabed in a substantially open position, and is configured to couple substantially automatically to the pipeline by a downward force of the pipeline when the pipeline is laid on top of the mating part. 
     
     
         70 . The pipeline assembly of  claim 69 , wherein in sub b) the mating part comprises a clamp comprising two or more gripping parts, which are movable relative to one another and substantially grip the pipeline. 
     
     
         71 . The pipeline assembly of  claim 69 , wherein in sub b) a collar or protrusion is connected to the pipeline at the coupling point, wherein the pipeline and the mating part are configured such that the pipeline can slide through the mating part until the collar or protrusion engages the mating part. 
     
     
         72 . A pipeline device comprising:
 a first pipeline assembly and   a second pipeline assembly connected to one another at a substantial distance above the seabed by an inter-pipeline connecting device,   wherein the first pipeline assembly and the second pipeline assembly each comprise:
 a pipeline which is substantially rigid, the pipeline extending partly on a seabed, the pipeline comprising a curved section curving upwardly from the seabed to the delivery end near the water surface, the pipeline extending to a delivery end of the pipeline provided near a water surface in the form of a catenary riser having a substantial J-shape; 
 at least one anchoring device provided at the seabed; 
 at least one elongate connecting organ connecting a coupling point on the pipeline with the at least one anchoring device, the elongate connecting organ being configured for substantially limiting an upward movement of the coupling point; 
 a support device coupled to the pipeline at the delivery end, 
 wherein either: 
 a) the pipeline assembly comprises a mating part connected to the anchoring device, said mating part configured to establish a coupling with a first end of the elongate organ when said end is engaged against said mating part, or 
 b) one end of the elongate connecting organ is connected to the anchoring device and the pipeline assembly comprises a mating part connected to the opposite, second end of the elongate organ, said mating part configured to establish a coupling with the pipeline when the coupling point of the pipeline is engaged against said mating part; 
   
       wherein the first and second pipeline assemblies are manufactured by the method of
 a) laying a pipeline at least partly on a seabed by a pipeline laying vessel, the pipeline being substantially rigid, the pipeline comprising a curved section which curves upwardly from the seabed, the pipeline extending to a delivery end of the pipeline which is supported by the pipeline laying vessel; 
 b) providing at least one anchoring device at the seabed; 
 c) connecting the pipeline at a coupling point to the at least one anchoring device by at least one elongate connecting organ after the anchoring device is provided at the seabed, by performing either step c1) or c2), 
 step c1) comprising: 
 coupling one end of the elongate connecting organ to the pipeline at the coupling point when the coupling point is near the pipeline laying vessel, 
 lowering the pipeline with the coupling point and the elongate connecting organ such that the opposite end of the elongate connecting organ is moved to the anchoring device by maneuvering the pipeline with the pipeline laying vessel; and 
 coupling the opposite end of the elongate connecting organ with the anchoring device at the seabed by engaging the opposite end against a mating part of the anchoring device; 
 step c2) comprising: 
 coupling one end of the elongate connecting organ to the anchoring device and laying the elongate connecting organ on the seabed, the opposite end of the elongate connecting organ being provided with a mating part which is also laid on the seabed, 
 moving the coupling point on the pipeline to the mating part on the seabed by maneuvering the pipeline with the pipeline laying vessel, 
 coupling the coupling point to the mating part on the seabed, and 
 moving the coupling point upward by maneuvering the pipeline with the pipeline laying vessel, thereby lifting the elongate organ from the seabed; 
 
       wherein the at least one elongate connecting organ is configured for substantially limiting an upward movement of the coupling point,
 d) positioning the delivery end at a delivery end target position; 
 e) supporting the delivery end by a support device, and 
 f) disconnecting the pipeline from the pipeline laying vessel. 
 
     
     
         73 . The pipeline assembly of  claim 63 , wherein the angle between a longitudinal axis of the pipeline and a vertical axis decreases when viewed along the pipeline from a touch down point to the coupling point. 
     
     
         74 . The pipeline assembly of  claim 63 , wherein the coupling point is positioned at 300-900 meter above the seabed. 
     
     
         75 . The pipeline assembly of  claim 63 , wherein the coupling point is positioned at 600-800 meter above the seabed.