A single-module deployable bolted flange connection apparatus (10) makes
up standard flange joints (24, 32) for various pipeline tie-in
situations, such as spool piece connection and flowline-tree connections,
without the use of divers and auxiliary multiple pieces of equipment. An
outer Flange Alignment Frame (FAF) (14), carries one or more claws (38)
for grabbing the pipe/spool to provide flange alignment. The claws are
suspended and driven by a novel arrangement of five hydraulic rams
(412-420) A crash-resistant inner frame (148) houses complete connection
tooling (150, 152 etc.) The tooling performs the final alignment steps,
inserts the gasket and studs, applies the required tension, and connects
the nuts. Studs and nuts are stored separately from the tooling in an
indexed carousel, to permit multiple operations, reverse operations
(disconnection), and re-work of failed steps, all without external
intervention.