HK1153259B - Apparatus and method for laying a pipeline - Google Patents

Description

Apparatus and method for laying a pipeline

A system for supporting, laying/propelling and orienting a pipeline, and a method of installing a pipeline and/or pipeline.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system for supporting, laying and orienting pipes for constructing a pipeline and/or pipeline and a method for installing a pipeline and/or pipeline.

The present invention aims to solve the problems and difficulties associated with using traditional assembly methods in the following places: this application has limited access, difficulty in maneuvering equipment and personnel, and welding and inspection locations that have difficulty or incur an unexpected risk.

The method according to the invention provides a significantly reduced time for the assembly process of the pipe, eliminates the need to directly handle the pipe when it is finally positioned in the pipeline, and also reduces the exposure of the assembly team to unhealthy and/or dangerous environments.

Background

Pipeline and pipeline are pipelines for carrying fluids such as hydrocarbon oils and derivatives, chemical products, alcohols and water, and may be referred to as oil, gas, water, polymer, or alcohol delivery pipe depending on the application. Such flowlines are constructed using medium and large sized pipes that extend long distances over land.

The method of constructing a pipeline/pipeline generally comprises: the method comprises the steps of constructing pipes, distributing the pipes along their intended routes and assembling the distribution line by connecting the pipes to each other.

Difficulties are encountered in constructing this type of distribution line because of the large size of the pipes used for this purpose and the environmental, geographical and climatic constraints that must be overcome, and in this regard large and heavy equipment must be used to move and place the pipes in place.

A conventional method for assembling pipes for carrying fluids (oil pipelines, adductors, gas pipelines, pipes for other derivatives, water mains, etc.) consists in transporting a suitable length of pipe for each use to an assembly site where the pipes are placed, at which the pipeline is formed by welding (arranged substantially parallel to the course of the pipeline and close to the respective position of the pipes in the pre-joined set). The operations for positioning and adjustment of the welding are performed at the final position, so that the assembly team is mobile, performing their work from one place to another along the line path as it advances forward. For this reason, new entrances are made to each place, the equipment must be transported, the installation equipment must be disassembled and reassembled at a new site, which entails frequent distribution difficulties, implying considerable increases in costs, risks and, in particular, working times. In this case, bad weather conditions almost always lead to an interruption of the operation.

However, in many cases, it should be noted that the traditional methods require the transport of the pipes (or tubes) to sites that are difficult to access, or unhealthy or dangerous, and in addition, the assembly operations, including positioning, welding, testing and quality inspection, are carried out at the site where each length of pipe is to be finally installed, which may be very difficult or even impossible depending on the specific circumstances, leading to increased execution delays, quality losses, costs, personnel risks, material risks and environmental risks.

Known methods of constructing pipeline/pipelines require that the work site be mobile and followed by a team who performs pipe welds, with the pipes being lined up at the location where they will be after the pipeline is completed. This requires access to the welding locations between the pipes, often requiring the imposition of real estate or the establishment of right of way, rendering construction more expensive and delaying it.

Pipeline/pipeline construction solutions encounter situations where the pipeline's path passes through tunnels, galleries, and crowded industrial facilities.

In these cases, according to methods commonly used in the art, partial or total disassembly of the already existing facilities and subsequent reassembly thereof to build the distribution line is carried out, often with subsequent production interruptions.

Another factor interfering with conventional systems for laying pipeline lines/pipelines lies in the length of the path of such distribution pipelines with geological or topographical obstacles that limit the passage of heavy equipment or even the lack of any proximate conditions to perform work at installation sites, for example, crossing marshlands, snow, ice, human habitats, relics, and the like.

The factors mentioned above generally determine the positioning or variation of the path followed by the pipeline, which is of major importance in terms of cost, time and distribution.

Another method for attempting to overcome the above-mentioned problems, which also constitutes a classical solution for assembling pipeline/pipelines, comprises: joining a certain number of pipes, forming a long length of pipe, then moving the assembled segments to weld them in their final position or simply allowing the addition of new pipes by an operation called "pulling" or "dragging". This operation is achieved by means of traction provided by a cable (usually a wire rope) coupled to a winch, dragging or moving the segment by means of a temporary roller mounted under the tube.

The main limitation of this method is that the distance transported must be short in order to keep the forces and mechanical requirements generated by the traction within acceptable limits. Furthermore, the available length of the cable may limit the travel distance. For distances greater than the length of the cable, the pulling device would have to be repositioned, which generally entails a lengthy, expensive and not always feasible process.

The classical methods of constructing pipeline/pipelines also present other drawbacks: when such pipelines are built in confined environments such as tunnels, the height of which does not allow the entry of the equipment necessary to handle the medium to large sized pipes and, moreover, does not create a sufficient working environment for the workers who work in such environments often have to adopt a deformed attitude and be exposed to an absolutely unhealthy environment caused by the gases generated by the pipe welding operation itself.

One example of a very advantageous application of the system and method of the present invention is found in the construction of pipeline/pipelines at ship loading/unloading docks. In these cases, the pipeline extends across the distance above the water surface on a specially constructed structure for supporting the pipeline.

The assembly of the pipeline/pipeline using prior art techniques is usually carried out from a barge, where the pipes are placed, incurring major distribution drawbacks, weather restrictions and personnel risks. In the case of the option of carrying out the assembly by dragging or dragging, available winches must be provided, the drawing station must be repositioned, with the consequent risks of using steel cables and of damaging the pipes. Furthermore, the spanning segments would have to be welded on the water surface, incurring a number of inconveniences.

With the system according to the invention, the assembly of the tubular becomes a remote operation and its installation becomes continuous, using pre-assembled elements, avoiding the above-mentioned obstacles.

Another example where the system according to the invention shows advantages is the assembly of pipelines in tunnels of circular cross-section and low height, where the lack of suitable working conditions and the environmental narrowness make it difficult to use traditional techniques.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a system and method for assembling and installing a pipeline/pipeline, such as an oil, gas, water, polymer or alcohol pipeline, for the transport and distribution of hydrocarbon oil and its derivatives, water, alcohol, chemicals and similar products, wherein the pipe is constructed, joined and inspected at a single fixed site or work facility, i.e. at a distribution site-a pipe processing plant-having a fixed site for the construction and welding of the pipe.

According to the present invention, all distribution efforts are concentrated and aggregated at a fixed site or processing room (pipe processing room) for receiving and storing pipes for inspection, painting and welding of pipes used to build pipelines.

In the present invention, after the integrity check, the tube with the final configuration is placed (or laid) on a support element with rollers, which is arranged along the entire extension of the path.

The support element according to the invention is permanently integrated with the pipeline/conduit and performs a dual function: support and drive elements are provided which facilitate the movement and transport of the pipe, pipe segment or the conduit itself already at its final installation location.

With the system for building a pipeline according to the invention, the distribution lines, permanently mounted on the support provided with rollers, will be free to thermally expand and thermally contract when subjected to variations in the temperature gradient caused by weather variations or by the temperature of the fluid carried therein, without causing any consequences to the pipeline supporting structure or to the pipe itself.

The system according to the invention comprises, in its basic form: elements for supporting and moving the pipe elements along the intended path of the pipeline/pipeline are installed, as well as fixed distribution sites-pipe processing bays-where the pipes are joined and inspected, for building and welding the pipes. The fixed pipe processing cell will work in a continuous process of alignment and welding, inserting the pipe itself into the path of the pipeline by means of driven support elements which transport and support the pipe/pipeline along its final route.

The assembly of a tubular to be installed in a pipeline/conduit according to the invention comprises: automatically or non-automatically welding the pipe; welding detection; a pipe section is added to the resulting pipe while the pipe is inserted into the pipeline on a support and transport element arranged longitudinally along the axis of the pipeline. The pipe is pushed along the pipeline line by a driving force provided by a supporting and moving element which moves the pipe in a synchronized manner along a predetermined path of the pipeline.

In the system according to the invention, the support of the pipeline/tubing on which the pipe rests is provided with rollers with separate motor drives. The driving along the path of the rollers disposed in the plurality of supports causes longitudinal movement of the tubular supported thereon along the pipeline path axis.

In the system according to the invention, the movement of the pipe along the pipeline path is provided by the drive rollers, dispensing with the application of force outside the system, and also dispensing with additional equipment for moving, transporting and positioning the pipe.

The rollers provided in the system according to the invention serve to orient and transport the tube during its advancement, and each support may comprise one or more rollers to provide the desired direction to the tube.

The system according to the invention also provides as many supports and rollers as deemed necessary, so as to ensure a proper support and a precise guidance along the path of the tube member as it advances.

The system according to the invention can be used for pipelines with planning including downhill paths, uphill slopes, horizontal or vertical paths.

Furthermore, the present system provides a guide element to be mounted at the end of the tube, said element serving, as specified, to promote the centring of the tube when it passes onto the rollers of the next support. It should be noted that the cited inventive method does not depend entirely on the support and/or the driving rollers, and that the longitudinal transport/propulsion of the tube, segment and/or finished pipe can be performed in a 100% horizontal direction, in an upward slope, in a downward slope and even in a 100% vertical direction, extending to devices using magnetic fields, supports using superconducting materials, pneumatic devices or rollers opposite each other.

Unlike the prior art, the system according to the invention eliminates the "work site" moving along the path during the installation of the tubulars and also solves the difficulties of installing the pipeline lines/pipelines in difficult to access sites or wet/saturated environments.

Furthermore, the system according to the invention provides enhanced safety and comfort in connection with the welding and inspection process, which is performed at one single fixed site or facility (pipe processing plant); and in an obvious manner provides a better environment for performing such operations, allowing higher quality production services to be achieved.

The system according to the invention provides better installation conditions and is, besides being safer and faster, unprecedented simpler and more practical, thanks to its obvious improvements with respect to the prior art.

The system according to the invention also provides the following forms: the support of the pipeline/tubing is provided with rollers driven by the power means of the rollers themselves, on which the pipe rests. The driving of the rollers of several supports arranged in a combined and synchronized manner facilitates the longitudinal movement (along the axis of the pipeline line) of the pipe supported thereon, dispensing with the application of forces to the system from the outside for the movement, alignment and final positioning of the pipeline to be built and installed.

In the method of the invention, each pipe/tubing support element constitutes a unit comprising a frame and a support, which may have any geometry suitable for the specific environment in which the pipeline is designed; one or more rollers that perform the triple functions of support, orientation, and drive/movement; a transmission (reducer and coupling) and an electric machine (preferably an electric motor). One possible motor variant consists in using a motor-reducer unit that combines the functions of a motor and a reducer. Where the characteristics of the pipeline/pipeline are considered convenient, said support rollers-once having performed their function of moving the pipe and the handling element during the assembly phase-will remain in the installed condition and act as means for eventually supporting and securing the pipeline.

The invention also relates to a method of assembly by which the building, laying and installation of pipes for carrying fluids is carried out at a fixed site, i.e. at a distribution yard for the building and welding of pipes, such method comprising the following main steps:

a) mounting components for supporting, aligning and carrying the pipe elements along the pipe processing room and extending along the path defined by the pipeline;

b) welding pipes at a fixed location or facility (pipe processing plant) for forming a pipe/duct;

c) checking the integrity and quality of the weld (inspection) still at the fixed site or facility; and

d) the pipe or the pipe/line itself on the support element is transported or propelled from the pipe welding station by driving the pipe support element, which is provided with rollers and self-powered means, whereby the pipe is oriented and guided by said support element, the propulsion being provided by the traction of the pipe.

Thus, the method of assembly comprises: it is also conceivable to provide alternating drive and driven rollers, pre-mounting the support, mounting the drive support and the power means (e.g. electrical, magnetomotive) used in the method along the axis of the pipeline.

The infrastructure (pipe processing plant) is installed at a fixed work site or facility, preferably located at one or both ends of the section in which the pipeline is to be installed, in which all the required equipment for receiving/inspecting the pipes, storing and stacking, operations for alignment of lengths of pipe, subsequent welding, painting and final inspection is set up and centralised.

At a fixed location (the pipe processing room), the pipes are transferred out of the storage room, arranged for alignment of the pipeline/pipeline and positioned for welding. This operation may be performed tube by tube, or a longer segment may be formed from several tubes before the assembled segment is advanced or moved.

When the pipe or segment is ready for final assembly, it is moved alongside the already assembled pipe, welded to it, then subjected to the required inspection and checks (ultrasonic, X-ray, etc.), and then the driving support is driven, causing the pre-assembled whole pipe to move forward, opening the space for housing the new pipe segment.

Thus, all operations, including handling, welding (which may or may not be automated), and inspection, are centralized and performed at a fixed location, thereby eliminating the need to perform these operations along pipelines, under the action of storms, and relying on local terrain.

Drawings

In order to provide a clearer understanding of the system for constructing a pipeline/pipeline according to the present invention, the following description will be provided with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 depicts a fixed pipe processing plant 1 with welding, inspection and finishing facilities, with self-powered support, rolling and guide elements 2 installed along the length of the path 4 of the pipeline/pipeline;

fig. 2 shows a step of the method according to the invention in the feeding of a tube 5 from a "lung" magazine 6 into a path 4 by means of a first support element 2 in a tube processing room 1;

figure 3 shows the pipe 5 moving on the element 2 along the path 4 to a desired position near the installation 3;

figure 4 shows the addition of a second tube 5 into the path 4 by selective actuation of the drive elements of some of the initial support means 2, and the movement of this second tube 5 on the element 2 to a position close to the previous one;

figure 5 shows the step of joining 7 the pipes at the welding installation 3;

figure 6 shows the pipe 8 resulting from the engagement of the pipe on element 2 moving along path 4 to the advanced position and releasing the work station to receive a new pipe section;

figure 7 depicts the addition of another pipe 5 into path 4 and moving it to an advanced position in the pipe processing room for subsequent engagement with a preceding pipe segment 8;

figure 8 shows the joining 7 of a pipe 5 with a pipe segment 8 at a facility 3 in a pipe processing room 1;

figure 9 shows the completed pipe segment 8 moved on element 2 to the point of advancement of path 4;

figure 10 shows the addition of a further pipe 5 and its movement on the element 2 along the path 4 into engagement with the previous pipe segment 8 which has been welded into the pipe;

figure 11 depicts a cross section of the pipe segment 8 showing the parts of the supporting, rolling and guiding element 2, namely: a drive motor 11, a support base 10 and a roller 9;

figure 12 shows a cross section of the tube segment 8 showing the parts of the element 2, the support base and the rollers, without the motor 11;

figure 13 shows a cross section of the tube segment 8 showing part of the element 2-the support base 10 and the roller 9 with the motor 11, the motor 11 being coupled to the roller 9 in an inclined position, mounted on an extension arm of the base 12, the inclined roller 9 comprising a separate motor 11 and drive means;

fig. 14 shows an asymmetric element 2 with a motor 11, which motor 11 is coupled to only one of the rollers 9 in an inclined position, mounted on an extension arm of the base 12;

figure 15 shows the element 2 with the lower roller 9 and the upper roller 9 mounted on the supporting base 13, each roller comprising an independent drive motor 11;

fig. 16 shows a form of embodiment shown in fig. 15, in which the upper roller 9 mounted on the support base 13 does not have the drive motor 11;

figures 17 to 23 show various options of drive units and their assembly into the support and movement element 2 associated with the tubular;

figure 24 shows a variant of the system for building a pipeline according to the invention whereby longer pipe segments made up of more than one length of pipe are assembled before they are joined with already assembled tubulars;

figure 25 shows another system for constructing a pipeline according to the invention, whereby a self-powered support element moves in both directions;

figures 26 to 28 show a ducting line/pipeline built through the interior of a tunnel or excavation of circular cross-section, the pipeline being suspended from a wall, in particular, on the left side of figure 26, showing a motorised support element pre-installed and ready to receive and carry a tubular, while in figure 27 the tubular is shown in a stage of being laid through the tunnel along the course of the pipeline on the element;

figures 29 and 30 show two configurations of placing support and moving elements on a suspended structure, wherein the configuration of figure 30 is suitable for marshland or flooded areas, wharfs suitable for crossing rivers and coastal and riverside;

figure 31 shows the installation of a ducting line/pipe supported on a foundation along the structure through the interior of a tunnel or gallery of circular cross-section;

FIG. 32 illustrates a pipeline constructed on a steeply sloped cantilevered platform under very difficult conditions, i.e., the pipe passes over the hill side which is typically not in a condition to perform the operation or place material;

fig. 33 shows the construction of a pipeline/conduit through a crowded excavation, where the assembly of the tubulars may require pre-disassembly of the other conduits.

Detailed Description

According to the system and method of the invention, an element 2 for supporting, guiding and conveying is provided, which element 2 comprises a support 10 with a mechanical device or unit provided with rolling supports, in particular rollers 9, the function of which rollers 9 is to allow and/or promote a movement of the length direction of the pipe 5 and the fitting segment 8 in the direction of the axis of the pipeline/pipeline, thereby ensuring a free transport of the pipe 5/fitting segment 8.

In the system according to the concept of the invention, at a position alternating with the support element 2 provided with self-powered means 11, along the path of the pipeline, a support element 2 is provided with free-rolling rollers 9, i.e. without motor drive means 9, for providing a combined arrangement in the support/carrying system, provided that this does not compromise the performance of the movement, thereby achieving a reduction in complexity or cost.

In the present invention, the support 10 with the driving means 11 is a unit comprising the following parts: one or more rollers 9, supports or structural mechanical parts performing this function, motor speed reducers, and finally control/command units for these motors.

These support and transfer elements 2 can have various configurations in order to achieve the desired effect of the pipe in specific engineering conditions. The support and holding element 2, the purpose of which is to orient the tube in a transverse or vertical direction, can be used without running out the range of possible configurations, for increasing the traction power of the rollers 9 with the drive 11, for reducing the structural strain on the sides of the tube, for balancing the load, etc.

Similarly, several arrangements may be employed in respect of the motor drive unit of the element 2. Instead of being able to use an integrally formed motor-reducer unit-having an integrally formed motor and reducer, a variety of arrangements of motor/reducer assemblies can be used. As shown in the examples in connection with the invention in fig. 17 to 23, it is possible to use a reducer directly coupled to the support by means of a flange, with a separate shaft and a separate support, with or without elastic couplings, with a motor arranged at an angle of 90 ° or coaxially with respect to the roller, etc.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment, as described above, a support with a single or two rollers is used, made of polymer, driven by a motor-reducer, directly attached to the support by a flange, whereas the assembly process is unidirectional.

The system according to the invention comprises: a fixed pipe processing room 1, supporting, rolling and guiding elements 2 pre-arranged along the pipeline/pipeline; the pipe processing plant 1 comprises therein means 3 for welding, inspection and trimming of pipes to form a pipeline/pipeline, the element 2 comprising a support base 10 and rollers 9.

Alternatively, the system according to the invention provides one or more elements 2 to comprise one or more drive motors 11 and/or two or more rollers 9, the rollers 9 included in the elements 2 being also able to be set at different positions and angles with respect to the base 10, the elements having the function of orienting and/or steering the tubular according to the course of the path 4, which may comprise a downhill course, an uphill course, or a horizontal or vertical course.

In the system according to the invention, the pipe processing room 1 comprises a storage room 6 for storing pipes 5 and facilities 3 for welding and inspection and finishing operations.

The system according to the invention may alternatively provide for mounting the guide element 14 at the end of the pipe located opposite the pipe processing room 1.

The method according to the invention comprises the following steps:

a) installing a fixed pipe processing room 1, the pipe processing room 1 having a pipe storage station and a processing station for operations of welding, inspecting and finishing pipe joints;

b) installing a powered support element along the pipe processing cell and extending it along the path of the pipeline for laying the pipeline;

c) placing the pipe on the initial support and transport element 2 located in the pipe processing room;

d) advancing the tube to the location of the welding, inspection and finishing station 3;

e) feeding a new pipe to the initial section of the pipeline;

f) advancing the new pipe to a location at the utility weld adjacent the previous pipe;

g) welding the pipes, detecting and finishing the joints;

h) then providing advancement of the assembled segments until the end of the final pipe reaches the welding process;

i) placing another tube 5 in an initial position on an initial support of the tube processing room;

j) advancing the new pipe to a position adjacent the end of the already formed tubular;

k) welding and integrally inspecting the welded portion of the new pipe;

l) advancing the resulting pipe segment 8 from the facility 3 in the pipe processing room 1 on the self-powered element 2;

m) and from there, progressively forming a pipeline by continuously adding and welding new pipes by advancing the pipes on a self-powered support;

n) after the placement of the pipe is completed, the support remains in place and eventually integrated with the pipe line/pipeline.

In addition, after step b, the method according to the invention comprises the step of mounting the guide element 14 at the end of the tube 5 as it leaves the tube processing room 1 and in the direction of the path 4.

Alternatively, the method according to the invention also provides to include two or more rollers in the element 2, each roller comprising one or more traction motors 11.

The invention also provides the following possibilities: two or more pipes 5 are pre-welded, cleaned and inspected in separate facilities 3, while also performing the welding operation of the segments. The resulting segments 8 are then connected to the already assembled tubular segments 8. The purpose of this alternative procedure is to speed up the process, allow longer lengths to be laid in each cycle of operation, and is shown in figure 24 of the present invention.

In another variant of the method according to the invention, the pipe 8 is placed in both directions in the same pipe processing room 1. In this case, more than one pipe processing cell may be provided at strategic locations along the pipeline path, improving performance and reducing build time. This alternative is shown in figure 25 of the present invention.

Claims (20)

1. A system for supporting, laying/propelling and orienting a pipeline, for the construction of pipeline lines/pipelines, characterized in that,

the system comprises: -self-powered tube support, rolling and guide elements (2) pre-arranged along the course of the path (4) and-a fixed distribution yard (1) for building and welding tubes, said distribution yard (1) comprising a storage room (6) for tubes and facilities (3) for welding, inspecting and finishing said tubes to form said pipeline/pipeline.

2. The system as recited in claim 1,

the tube supporting, rolling and guiding element (2) is provided with a support base (10), the support base (10) being provided with a roller (9) and a drive motor (11).

3. The system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2,

alternately employing self-powered rollers and free-rolling rollers along the path of the pipeline/pipeline, the free-rolling rollers being provided without self-powering means.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2,

the tube supporting, rolling and guiding element (2) is movable in both forward and backward directions.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1 or 2,

-employing more than one distribution yard (1) for building and welding pipes at a plurality of locations of said path of said pipeline/pipeline.

6. The system as recited in claim 2,

each tube supporting, rolling and guiding element (2) comprises two or more rollers (9).

7. The system as recited in claim 6,

the rollers (9) included in the tube supporting, rolling and guiding element (2) are arranged in various positions and angles with respect to the supporting base (10).

8. The system of any one of claims 1-2, 6-7,

the tube supporting, rolling and guiding element (2) is arranged to orient and/or steer the tube according to the course followed by the path (4), which can be characterized by a downhill slope, an uphill slope, a horizontal or vertical direction.

9. The system as recited in claim 4,

the system is capable of operating the movement of the tubular supporting, rolling and guiding elements (2) in two directions individually and selectively.

10. The system of any one of claims 1-2, 6-7,

a guide element (14) is included at the end of the pipe arranged opposite the distribution field (1).

11. The system as recited in claim 10,

the guide element (14) is substantially conical in shape.

12. A method for installing a pipeline and/or a pipeline,

the method comprises the following steps:

a) -installing self-powered tube support, rolling and guide elements (2) along the path of the pipeline/line for building the pipeline/line from a fixed distribution yard (1) where pipes are built and welded;

b) -feeding a first pipe onto two or more pipe support, rolling and guide elements (2) within said fixed distribution yard (1) of built and welded pipes;

c) -moving the first pipe to a location of a facility (3) for welding, inspection and finishing at a fixed distribution yard (1) where the pipe is built and welded;

d) -adding new pipes to said path (4) on said pipe support, rolling and guide elements (2) within said fixed distribution yard (1) of construction and welding pipes;

e) -moving the new pipe to a position in proximity of the end of the first pipe waiting at the means (3) for welding, detection and finishing;

f) welding the end of the first pipe and the end of the new pipe and checking the integrity of the weld at the facility for welding, inspection and finishing (3) at the fixed distribution yard (1) where the pipes are constructed and welded;

g) advancing the arrangement of welded pipes on rollers arranged along the course of said path (4) from said facility for welding, inspection and finishing (3) in said fixed distribution yard (1) of constructed and welded pipes;

h) at the fixed distribution yard (1) where the pipes are built and welded, feeding another new pipe, advancing it until it reaches the facilities for welding, inspection and finishing, performing welding of the other new pipe at the end of the already assembled arrangement and checking the weld;

i) advancing the trimmed arrangement;

j) continuously repeating steps g) to i) until the arrangement reaches the end of the path of the pipeline line/pipeline.

13. The method as recited in claim 12,

advancing is performed by traction applied to the formed tube segment by the rollers (9), the rollers (9) being integral with the tube supporting, rolling and guiding elements (2) arranged along the path (4).

14. The method as recited in claim 12,

the tube supporting, rolling and guiding element (2) comprises two or more rollers (9).

15. The method of any one of claims 12 to 14,

each of the rollers comprises a traction motor (11).

16. The method of claim 15,

each of the rollers comprises two or more traction motors (11).

17. The method as recited in claim 13,

the traction of the tubular segments is performed by the combination of self-powered tubular supporting, rolling and guiding elements (2) with free-rolling supporting elements.

18. The method as recited in claim 12,

comprising, after step a), mounting a guide element (14) to the end of the first tube in the direction of the path (4).

19. The method as recited in claim 18,

the guide element (14) has a substantially conical shape.

20. The method as recited in claim 13,

-providing said advancement of said tube segments (8) from more than one fixed delivery yard (1) of said construction and welding tubes established at more than one location along said route, on self-powered tube supporting, rolling and guiding elements (2) operating in two directions.