Method and apparatus for the laying of a submerged pipeline such as a submarine pipeline. [Patents]

Patent · Tue Dec 13 04:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:5210547

Lamy, J E

A method and apparatus are disclosed for laying a submerged pipeline, such as a submarine pipeline, on the bed of a body of water along a path which crosses a ditch in the bed in which there is a current transverse to the pipeline, the depth of the body of water being at a maximum in the ditch and the pipeline being drawn along the bed from a shore towards open water, wherein at least one ballast tube is integrally associated with the pipeline so that a portion of the pipeline with the associated ballast tube takes up a position within the ditch in substantially U-form, the ballast tube being filled partly with air and partly with water which collects in the portion of the ballast tube of substantially U-form whereby the apparent weight of the pipeline is increased solely with respect to the portion thereof located in the ditch, the water remaining in position in the portion of the ballast tube temporarily located within the ditch as the pipeline and the associated ballast tube move forward during the laying operation. An air circulation pipe may be associated with the ballast tube, being preferably located inside the ballast tube, the pipe placing the part of the space within the ballast tube near the front end thereof into communication with a source of air located on land.

• Assignee: C.G. Doris (Compagnie Generale pour les Developments Operationels des Richesses Sous-marines)
• Patent Number(s): US 4062198
• OSTI ID: 5210547
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420205* -- Engineering-- Transport & Storage Facilities-- (1980-)
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
INSTALLATION
LEVELS
NATURAL GAS
PETROLEUM
PIPELINES
UNDERWATER