A Virtual Tour of How J-Lay Pipelaying Works

 There are three main types of pipelay vessels. J-lay and S-lay vessels include a welding station and lifting crane on board. Pipe sections are welded away from wind and water, in an enclosed environment. Reel barges contain a vertical or horizontal reel that the pipe is wrapped around and are able to install both smaller diameter pipe and flexible pipe.  On these types of vessels, the pipe is laid one section at a time, in an assembly-line method.J-Lay vessels are capable of laying pipe at the deepest water depths.

The J-Lay technique is required for pipelines in deep water and consequently vessels of this type are increasingly popular as development occurs at ever deeper water depths. The short video below (posted on www.youtube.com by holyyogs) explains how J-Lay pipe laying works