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.