Offshore Pipeline Installation Timeline: From 1954 to the 2010s
This timeline traces key advancements in offshore pipeline installation from the 1950s to the 2010s. Starting with Brown & Root’s innovative use of a converted barge in 1954, the industry saw the development of specialized vessels and techniques like the J-Lay method in the 1960s and 70s. The 1980s introduced new welding methods and deeper water installations despite market downturns. The 1990s and 2000s marked a shift to even deeper waters, with significant projects in the Gulf of Mexico and the Black Sea, as the industry continuously adapted to increasingly complex environments.