公开(公告)号：US10371288B1

公开(公告)日：2019-08-06

申请号：US16166613

申请日：2018-10-22

申请人： Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

发明人： Antonio Critsinelis ,  Sid A. Mebarkia ,  Kale Z. Lundeen

IPC分类号： F16L1/24 ,  F16L3/16 ,  F16L1/12 ,  E21B43/01

摘要： Disclosed are an apparatus and method for supporting a portion of a pipeline for conveying produced fluids in a subsea environment to facilitate movement of the portion of the pipeline over a seabed in response to stresses on the pipeline. The portion of the pipeline is supported on a rigid support structure having rotatable components that rotate about an axle attached to the rigid support structure such that the rigid support structure and the portion of the pipeline can move over the seabed. The apparatus and method eliminate the need for costly mud mats or suction piles to accommodate movement in the subsea pipeline and prevent pipeline walking. By facilitating movement of the portion of the pipeline, lateral deformation and axial displacement of the portion of the pipeline can be reduced or eliminated.