Abstract: A method of increasing the maximum offset distance for underwater sensors, the method including the steps of: providing at least one sensor on a sensor bus, and emulating at least one additional sensor on the sensor bus. This has the effect of lowering the total network resistance, which increases the maximum possible offset distance. The additional sensor(s) by be emulated by one of: a smart plug-in module, a printed circuit board assembly, and a virtual sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a thermal insulation layer in a flexible pipe, including one or more encapsulated regions of aerogel material disposed in a layer of flexible pipe body is disclosed. In addition, flexible pipe body including such apparatus, and a method of manufacturing flexible pipe body is disclosed.

Abstract: An underwater hydrocarbon extraction facility including a plurality of actuators wherein each of the actuator includes: an electric motor arranged to operate the actuator; communication means configured to receive communication signals; and a controller connected to the communication means and the electric motor, said controller being operable to activate the electric motor in response to a received communication signal.

Abstract: A flexible pipe body and method of producing a flexible pipe body are disclosed. The method includes providing one or more composite filament (302) as a filament bundle (310); applying a braid element (304) around the filament bundle as a braided bundle (310); helically wrapping the braided bundle (310) around a flexible pipe layer (502); and then curing (510) the one or more composite filament (302).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for maintaining temperature in a sub-sea device, in particular in relation to fluid in the device. A material having a high latent heat on phase change is used to release latent heat to the fluid when the fluid temperature decreases towards a threshold value.

Abstract: A riser assembly and method of supporting a riser assembly are disclosed. The riser assembly includes a riser; at least one buoyancy compensating element attached to the riser; and at least one damped biasing element for controlling movement of the riser about a neutral position with respect to an adjacent underwater structure. The biasing element is directly or indirectly connected to the riser and is directly or indirectly connectable to the adjacent underwater structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a fiber element are disclosed. The method includes the steps of opening a first control valve element (355) at a proximate end region of a first lumen (310) that extends along a flexible pipe (100), opening a first vent valve element (400) at a remote end region of a second lumen (320) that extends along the flexible pipe (100), providing a new fiber element along the second lumen (320) via an opening (350) at a proximate end region of the second lumen (320) and closing the first vent valve element (382) and the first control valve element (355).

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a predetermined fluid in a void space (450) of an annulus (320) of a flexible pipe and a method for providing a predetermined fluid in a void space of an annulus are disclosed. The method comprises introducing a predetermined fluid into at least one fluid communication passageway (120), e.g. an elongated conduit, in an annulus (320) of a flexible pipe and, via the passageway (120), communicating the fluid into a void space (450) of the annulus at a plurality of axially spaced apart locations, e.g. via a plurality of spaced apart openings in the wall of the elongated conduit, and at a pressure of less than about around 80 psi.

Abstract: A first embodiment of a detection apparatus arranged to detect defects within a flexible pipe body comprises a signal generator, a receiver, a correlator and a processor. A second embodiment of a detection apparatus arranged to detect defects within a flexible pipe at least partially surrounded by seawater comprises an impedance monitor and a processor. Methods of detecting defects within a flexible pipe body, a pipeline apparatus and methods of forming pipeline apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating electrical power are disclosed. The method includes the steps of turning turbine blades of at least one turbine provided at a region of a subsea pipe or umbilical via a respective motion of seawater through a swept area associated with the turbine blades and generating electrical power responsive to turning of the turbine blades.

Abstract: A control system for monitoring a filter in a subsea control module (SCM) of an underwater hydrocarbon well is presented. The control system includes an upstream pressure transducer disposed upstream of a filter of the SCM and configured to sense an upstream pressure. The control system further includes a downstream pressure transducer disposed downstream of the filter and configured to sense a downstream pressure. Furthermore, the control system includes a subsea electronics module (SEM) coupled to the upstream pressure transducer and the downstream pressure transducer. The SEM is configured to determine average pressure differential values at different instances based on the upstream pressure and the downstream pressure. Moreover, the control system also includes a master control station (MCS) coupled to the SEM and configured to predict a filter maintenance generate an indication of the predicted filter maintenance due time for an operator of the underwater hydrocarbon well.

Abstract: A method of applying acid-wash to a subsea connection assembly, in particular a stabplate connection, in order to remove unwanted material such as marine growth and calcareous deposits. The method consists of inserting a plug, containing channels, into a central in a stabplate connection and injecting acid-wash through the plug. The plug may be carried by an operating tool arm of a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for directing the flow of fluids via a production tree. The production tree extends upwardly from a lower surface to an upper surface and at least partially enclosing an upper section of a production bore and an upper section of an annulus bore, wherein one of a lower section and the upper section of the production bore includes a first production valve, the upper section of the production bore includes a second production valve, and the upper section of the annulus bore includes a second annulus valve.

Abstract: A detection apparatus arranged to detect defects within a flexible pipe body. The detection apparatus comprises an electrical power supply and a first meter. The electrical power supply is arranged to couple between, and to supply current to, first and second electrically conductive members extending at least partially along the length of a flexible pipe body and electrically isolated from one another except for being electrically connected at a point remote from the power supply. The first meter is arranged to detect variation between the current flowing in each electrically conductive member. Detected variation is indicative of a pipe body defect causing an Earth fault along one of the electrically conductive members. A corresponding method, a pipeline apparatus including the detection apparatus and a method of forming the pipeline apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method are disclosed for limiting contact pressure between a flexible pipe and a bending guide member. The apparatus includes a bending guide member extending over a covered region of a flexible pipe in which the flexible pipe can bend wherein a gap between an inner surface of the bending guide member and an outer surface on the flexible pipe in at least a portion of the covered region is tapered and narrows towards an unconstrained end of the bending guide member.

Abstract: A subsea flying lead containing a fluid line including a tubing, wherein, in use, an electric current is transmitted along the tubing. Such a flying lead may be used in an apparatus and method for transmitting electricity to a component of an underwater hydrocarbon extraction facility.

Abstract: To produce a flexible pipe body, a length of tensile armour element (300) of pre-preg composite material is fed towards a fluid-retaining layer (602). The tensile armour element (300) passes through a guide (604) an a pre-heater (606). The tensile armour element (300) is then applied to the fluid-retaining layer (602), being wrapped around the fluid-etaining layer (602) by virtue of the rotation of the layer (602), the linear translation of the layer (602), and the fixed position of the tensile armour element feed (601). The element (300) is fed to the fluid-retaining layer under a constant, predetermined controlled tension. Positioning head (608) helps to position the element (300) on the fluid-retaining layer (602). As tensile armour element is wound onto the pipe body, the pipe body continues to move in a, linear direction and the pipe body moves through an oven (610).

Abstract: An elongate tape element, a flexible pipe body and method of producing a flexible pipe body are disclosed. The tape element (508) has a cross-sectional profile comprising a body portion (510) for being positioned between collapse resistant tape windings (501) such that each body portion (510) lies at least partially in a gap (512) between adjacent collapse resistant tape windings (501); and at least one wing portion (516) extending from an end region of the body portion, the at least one wing portion configured to span the gap and respectively abut with a radially inner surface of an adjacent collapse resistant tape winding.

Abstract: A flexible pipe body and method of producing a flexible pipe body are disclosed. The method includes providing two or more non-bonded composite filaments (302) as a non-bonded filament bundle (310); applying a braid element (304) around the filament bundle (310) to thereby form a braided bundle (310) comprising non-bonded filaments (302); and helically wrapping the braided bundle (310) around a flexible pipe body layer (502).

Abstract: A flexible pipe body layer and method of producing a flexible pipe body layer are disclosed. The method includes coextruding an inner sub-layer and an outer sub-layer, wherein the inner sub-layer and outer sub-layer comprise a polymer, and wherein the inner sub-layer has a lower modulus of elasticity than the outer sub-layer.