Patent attributes
A pipelaying vessel comprises storage (502) for a number of pipe units to be assembled into a pipeline and S-lay apparatus (312, 314, 316) for fabricating and paying out of a pipeline by repeated addition of new sections (506). The end of said pipeline being laid is held aligned with a fabrication axis closer to horizontal than vertical, the S-lay apparatus including a stinger (312) for supporting the pipeline in an arcuate path to a departure axis which is more vertical than horizontal. Auxiliary apparatus (318/810) is provided for use in fitting singular items to one end of the pipeline. The supporting structure (320/802) of said auxiliary apparatus is located above a lower end of the stinger of the S-lay apparatus, substantially aligned with said departure axis, so as to facilitate handing over of the suspended pipeline and singular item from one of said apparatuses to the other. The auxiliary apparatus may be an A-frame (810) or a complete J-Lay apparatus (318-322) for additional laying tasks. The fabrication axis may be located above and to one side of the main deck, permitting a large radius stinger to be carried. The vessel and/or its design may be adapted from a standard container vessel.
