A method lowers a hollow structure through water and installs that structure at a subsea location. The structure has an internal space containing a ballast material such as sea salt that is substantially denser than water. Upon being lowered with the aid of the ballast material to a subsea destination, the structure is anchored at that destination. Then, water is introduced into the internal space to dissolve, suspend or dilute the ballast material. Thus dissolved, suspended or diluted, the ballast material is evacuated or dispersed from the internal space in a liquid or fluidized form. For example, a solution or suspension of the ballast material can be entrained in a flushing flow of water through and from the internal space. The internal space is then available to perform another, primary function in subsea operation of the structure, for example as a flowline to convey oil or gas.
Lowering buoyant structures in water
19.11.2019
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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