Abstract: Hydraulic cement composition with delayed setting, intended to be employed in an environment which may be under extreme temperature, pressure and salinity conditions, the composition being characterized in that it incorporates(a) a saline or nonsaline aqueous liquid phase,(b) at least one hydraulic cement,(c) a setting-retarder adjuvant preserving and/or improving the rheological properties, a water-soluble copolymer resulting from the copolymerization of ethylenic acids, acrylamides and ethylenic esters of phosphoric acid.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing apparatus particularly but not exclusively for protecting large areas comprising a reservoir for a fire extinguishing fluid under pressure connected by a normally closed differential valve to a plastics tube which traverses the area to be protected, the tube being filled with air and/or an inert gas under pressure and being adapted to burst when exposed to a predetermined temperature, bursting of the tube and the consequent sudden decrease in pressure in the tube causing opening of the valve to allow the extinguishing fluid to flow from the reservoir along the tube to the region of the burst.

Abstract: A riser column particularly for use in deep water comprises a central tube connectable by its lower end to a submerged installation, for example a well, and including means permitting the central tube to oscillate relative to the installation, and connected at its upper end to a suspension table associated with a surface support, for example a platform, and bearing support means intermediate its ends at a level below that at which waves are effective, and a plurality of satellite tubes arranged around the central tube, each satellite tube having a bottom part extending from the intermediate support means to the submerged installation and a removable top part extending from the support means to suspension table and releasably connected to the bottom part thereof for withdrawal from the column following disconnection of the column from the installation, for example, in the event of a storm.

Abstract: Apparatus for checking the bore and for plugging a pipe comprises a frame movable along the interior of the pipe, the frame carrying means for detecting a deviation in the bore of the pipe, means responsive to an overpressure of fluid in the pipe in a direction opposite to that in which the apparatus is intended to move, and a movable control part responsive to the detection of a deviation and of an overpressure for operating locking means for locking the apparatus relative to the pipe and sealing means for sealing the pipe.