Support member for subsea jumper installation, and methods of using same

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a support member for subsea jumper installation, and methods of using same. In one illustrative embodiment, the device includes a subsea jumper and at least one adjustable support member coupled between portions of the subsea jumper, the adjustable support member comprising at least one hydraulic cylinder, wherein a length of the adjustable support member may be adjusted by actuation of at least one hydraulic cylinder. A method of installing a subsea jumper is also disclosed which includes coupling at least one hydraulically adjustable support member between portions of the subsea jumper, lowering the at least one adjustable support member and the subsea jumper into a body of water and operatively coupling the subsea jumper to a plurality of subsea connections.

1 . A device, comprising: 
 a subsea jumper; and    at least one adjustable support member coupled between portions of said subsea jumper, said adjustable support member comprising at least one hydraulic cylinder, wherein a length of said adjustable support member may be adjusted by actuation of said at least one hydraulic cylinder.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one adjustable support member is releasably coupled to said subsea jumper.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one adjustable support member is releasably coupled to said subsea jumper by a plurality of releasable, pinned connections.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one adjustable support member is releasably coupled to said subsea jumper by a plurality of ROV actuatable pins.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one adjustable support member comprises a support structure that is coupled to said at least one hydraulic cylinder.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said support structure comprises a lattice-framework.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said support structure comprises a plurality of modular sections that are releasably coupled to one another.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said support structure comprises a tubular member.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one adjustable support member is releasably coupled between two upstanding legs of said subsea jumper.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one adjustable support member is releasably coupled between an outer leg of said subsea jumper and another portion of said subsea jumper.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of said adjustable support members are releasably coupled to said subsea jumper.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said length of said adjustable support member may be adjusted to increase or decrease a dimension between centerlines of a plurality of jumper connections provided on said subsea jumper.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said length of said adjustable support member may be adjusted to reduce bending of said subsea jumper.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one adjustable support member is releasably coupled to said subsea jumper by a plurality of pin and socket connections.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one adjustable support member is releasably coupled to said subsea jumper by a plurality of pin-in-saddle connections.  
   
   
       16 . A device, comprising: 
 a subsea jumper; and    a plurality of adjustable support members coupled to portions of said subsea jumper, each of said adjustable support members comprising at least one hydraulic cylinder, wherein a length of each of said adjustable support members may be adjusted by actuation of said at least one hydraulic cylinder.    
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of said plurality of adjustable support members is releasably coupled to said subsea jumper.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein each of said plurality of adjustable support members comprises a support structure that is coupled to said at least one hydraulic cylinder.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein said support structure comprises a lattice-framework.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein said support structure comprises a plurality of modular sections that are releasably coupled to one another.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein said support structure comprises a tubular member.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of said plurality of adjustable support members is releasably coupled between two upstanding legs of said subsea jumper.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of said plurality of adjustable support members is releasably coupled between an outer leg of said subsea jumper and another portion of said subsea jumper.  
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said plurality of adjustable support members are releasably coupled to said subsea jumper.  
   
   
       25 . A device, comprising: 
 a subsea jumper; and    at least one adjustable support member coupled between portions of said subsea jumper, said adjustable support member comprising at least one hydraulic cylinder and a modular support structure comprised of a plurality of modular sections that may be coupled/decoupled from one another, wherein a length of said adjustable support member may be adjusted by actuation of said at least one hydraulic cylinder.    
   
   
       26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein said at least one adjustable support member is releasably coupled to said subsea jumper.  
   
   
       27 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein said modular sections are coupled to one another by a plurality of fasteners.  
   
   
       28 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein said modular sections comprises a lattice-framework.  
   
   
       29 . A device, comprising: 
 a subsea jumper having a plurality of upstanding legs extending vertically from a horizontal section of said subsea jumper; and    a lifting support member operatively coupled to said upstanding legs of said subsea jumper;    
   
   
       30 . The device of  claim 29 , further comprising at least one vertical support member that is coupled to said lifting support member and said horizontal section of said subsea jumper.  
   
   
       31 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein said vertical support member comprises a hydraulic cylinder operatively coupled to said lifting support member and said horizontal section of said subsea jumper.  
   
   
       32 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein said vertical support member comprises at least one of a rigid support and a lifting sling.  
   
   
       33 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein at least a portion of said lifting support member is positioned within a substantially U-shaped area defined by said upstanding legs and said horizontal section of said subsea jumper.  
   
   
       34 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the entirety of said support member is positioned within a substantially U-shaped area defined by said upstanding legs and said horizontal section of said subsea jumper.  
   
   
       35 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein said lifting support member is releasably coupled to said subsea jumper.  
   
   
       36 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein said lifting support member is releasably coupled to said subsea jumper by a plurality of releasable, pinned connections.  
   
   
       37 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein said at least one vertical support member is releasably coupled to said subsea jumper by a plurality of ROV actuatable pins.  
   
   
       38 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein said lifting support structure comprises a lattice-framework.  
   
   
       39 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein said lifting support structure comprises a plurality of modular sections that are releasably coupled to one another.  
   
   
       40 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein said lifting support structure comprises a tubular member.  
   
   
       41 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein a longitudinal axis of said lifting support member is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the said horizontal section.  
   
   
       42 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein at least a portion of said lifting support member is positioned between said upstanding legs of said subsea jumper.