Abstract: A hydraulic flushing system includes a hydraulic downhole control line that runs from a hydraulic source to a surface controlled sub-surface safety valve of an underwater hydrocarbon extraction facility, where the hydraulic downhole control line includes a directional control valve. The hydraulic flushing system further includes a purge line coupled to the hydraulic downhole control line downstream of the directional control valve to a service line. The purge line includes a fluid isolation valve therein to enable purging of a hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic flushing system further includes a service line coupled to the purge line via the fluid isolation valve to store the purged hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A flexible pipe body and methods of producing a flexible pipe body are disclosed. The method may include providing a tubular length of polymeric material for forming a polymeric layer of flexible pipe body; providing a strength layer radially outwards of the polymeric layer; and treating the polymeric layer with a non-ambient temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A fluid sealing element, a fluid sealing assembly, a method of providing a fluid seal, and a method of terminating a flexible pipe body in an end fitting are disclosed. The fluid sealing element (802) has an annular body portion locatable between an end fitting body (801) and an inner collar member (808) of an end fitting, and a tapered portion extending substantially perpendicular to the annular body portion at a radially inner region thereof. The method includes urging a fluid retaining layer (804) of a flexible pipe radially outwardly against an abutment surface of the inner collar member of the end fitting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for testing one or more layers of a flexible pipe. The method includes the steps of applying a test cycle to a flexible pipe and simultaneously applying the same test cycle to a tubular test layer connected in an in-line configuration with the flexible pipe.

Abstract: A flexible pipe comprising a tubular layer comprising a polymer that is crosslinked to a greater degree at an outer region of the tubular layer than at an inner region of the tubular layer, wherein the outer region is defined by the outer surface of the tubular layer to a depth of 5% of the total thickness of the tubular layer and the inner region is defined by the inner surface of the tubular layer to a depth of 5% of the total thickness of the tubular layer.

Abstract: A flexible pipe body configured for offshore use or a flexible pipe precursor, and a method of preparing a flexible pipe are disclosed. The pipe body or precursor includes a sacrificial layer which is, at least partially, removable on contact with a solvent medium such as an aqueous solvent, in particular water.

Abstract: A pipeline apparatus comprising a flexible pipe body and a detection apparatus. The flexible pipe body includes an optical fiber extending at least partially along the length of the flexible pipe body, the optical fiber being encased in a metal tube. The detection apparatus comprises an optical sensor and an electrical sensor. The optical sensor is coupled to a first end of the optical fiber, the optical sensor being arranged to inject optical pulses into the optical fiber and to detect scattered or reflected light. The electrical sensor is coupled to a first end of the metal tube and to detect variation of an electrical impedance between the first end of the metal tube and a separate terminal. Variation of the scattered or reflected light, or impedance variation, is indicative of a potential pipe body defect.

Abstract: A hydraulic intensifier comprising a reciprocating differential piston arrangement and a controller configured to control the supply of low pressure hydraulic fluid to the intensifier is provided. The controller comprises at least one solenoid operated pilot valve and electronic operator configured to operate the pilot valve.

Abstract: A test apparatus (12) and a method of testing a sample (30) are disclosed. The method comprises receiving a test sample (30) within a test chamber (14), the test chamber (14) containing two or more iron saturation elements (2) separated by a spacer (16); and filling the test chamber (14) with a test solution, the iron saturation elements (2) being arranged to saturate the test solution with iron. Each iron saturation element (2) is shaped such that it has a predetermined surface area such that the ratio of the volume of the test solution to the surface area of the iron saturation elements (2) and the test sample (30) exposed to the test solution can be calculated.

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: An assembly and method of testing the integrity of a sealing ring of a flexible pipe are disclosed. The method includes locating a first sealing ring adjacent a first collar member and a layer of flexible pipe body; energizing the first sealing ring by urging the sealing ring towards a primary pressure-retaining end fitting component, or by urging the pressure-retaining component towards the sealing ring; locating a second sealing ring adjacent the first collar member and a second collar member; energizing the second sealing ring by urging the sealing ring towards the pressure-retaining component, or by urging the pressure-retaining component towards the sealing ring; and pressurizing the region between the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring through a port extending towards the region to a predetermined pressure of 5 MPa or greater.

Abstract: A riser or jumper assembly for transporting production, exportation or injection fluids is disclosed as is a method for providing buoyancy to such an assembly. The riser or jumper assembly includes a first segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a first and second end fitting, a further segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a first and second end fitting and an intermediate segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a first and second end fitting and at least one buoyancy element.

Abstract: Flexible pipe body for transporting fluids from a sub-sea location includes a carcass layer comprising adjacent interlocked annular elements each comprising a body portion that extends around an inner circumference of a bore region and a channel region provided within the body. A method of manufacturing flexible pipe body is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supporting a riser are disclosed. The apparatus includes an anchoring element for anchoring a riser to a fixed structure, and a supporting portion configured to support a section of flexible pipe, the supporting portion having a bearing surface for the section of flexible pipe to bear against to thereby restrain the flexible pipe from upward movement.

Abstract: A flexible pipe body and method of producing a flexible pipe body are disclosed. The flexible pipe body includes a collapse resistant layer comprising a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface, the radially inner surface comprising, in cross section, a substantially flat portion and at least one cavity extending from the flat portion radially outwards, and the radially inner surface further comprising, in cross section, at least one aerodynamic feature extending from the flat portion for breaking up a boundary layer of fluid flowing along the flexible pipe body in use.

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: An apparatus for measuring material properties of an object of ferromagnetic material, the apparatus including a probe, the probe including an electromagnet core defining two spaced-apart poles for inducing a magnetic field in the object, and a drive coil wound around the electromagnet core, and means to supply an alternating electric current to the drive coil to generate an alternating magnetic field in the electromagnet core and consequently in the object, wherein the probe also includes two sensing coils arranged in the vicinity of each of the poles, for sensing the magnetic flux density that links the core and the object, such sensing coils are significantly more sensitive to changes in material properties than are sensing coils overwound onto the drive coil.

Abstract: A flexible pipe body and method of producing a flexible pipe body, the flexible pipe body including a collapse resistant layer comprising a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface, the radially inner surface comprising a plurality of substantially regular protrusions and/or depressions extending in a direction perpendicular to a tangent of the radially inner surface, for breaking up a boundary layer of fluid flowing along the flexible pipe body in use.

Abstract: A method, a component part of an end fitting and a preformed member for manufacturing a component part of an end fitting are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of, via an additive process, providing a near net shape (NNS) precursor corresponding to a component part of an end fitting layer-by-layer and subsequently performing at least one post NNS processing operation on the NNS precursor to provide the component part.

Abstract: A method of testing a solenoid of a directional control valve in a subsea hydrocarbon production system, the solenoid having a coil and an armature for operating the valve and the coil being energized by a drive voltage across it, the method comprises removing or reducing the drive voltage and sensing current through the coil to produce an indication of movement of the armature.