Abstract: An optical amplifier comprising: an optical coupler configured to receive a communication signal and couple said communication signal to an optical connector of a doped optical fibre; and at least one electrical to optical data converter connected to the optical coupler to provide pump radiation thereto.

Abstract: A method of obtaining data from a subsea control module of an underwater well facility is provided. The method comprises: providing a tag which stores data relating to the module, the tag being operable to wirelessly transmit the data to a reader device; locating the tag at the module; providing a reader device; and interrogating the tag using the reader device, such that the tag is caused to wirelessly transmit the data to the reader device, wherein the tag is communicatively connected to a subsea electronics module for receiving information therefrom.

Abstract: A method of setting the value of an operational parameter of a well is provided. The method includes providing a measure related to the actual value of the parameter; setting a maximum limit for the measure; setting a minimum limit for the measure; setting a demanded value for the parameter; and automatically overriding the demanded value if it is such that it would result in the measure exceeding the maximum limit or being below the minimum limit to produce an actual value for the parameter with results in the measure not exceeding the maximum limit and not being below the minimum limit.

Abstract: A riser assembly and method of installing a riser assembly are disclosed. The riser assembly includes a first attachment element connected to a first portion of flexible pipe and a second attachment element connected to a second portion of flexible pipe. The first attachment element and second attachment element are connected by at least one tether element, via a fixed structure in a configuration such that, in use, in response to movement of the first and second portions of flexible pipe, the tension load at any moment in time, at each attachment element, remains substantially equal.

Abstract: A heat sink mounting apparatus including: a heat sink; and a device housing, the housing having a slot in the wall of the housing configured to receive a heat sink, wherein the heat sink and the housing are configured such that the heat sink can be secured within the slot with an interference fit.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a configurable pre-machined forging for use with a multiple bore tubing hanger or a mono bore tubing hanger includes providing a configurable common master valve block with a main bore along a main central axis. After providing the configurable common master valve block, a target subsea assembly is identified that has a mono bore subsea completion with a production bore along a central axis of a tubing hanger, or a multiple bore subsea completion with the production bore offset from the central axis of the tubing hanger. If the target subsea assembly has the mono bore subsea completion, the machining of a lower interface of the common master valve block is centered around the main central axis. If the target subsea assembly has the multiple bore subsea completion, the machining has an eccentric interface axis that is parallel to, and offset from, the main central axis.

Abstract: A method for calculating a value representative of a downhole temperature in a hydrocarbon well, wherein the well includes production tubing inside an outer tubing, an annulus is provided between the production tubing and the outer tubing, and the annulus receives a hydraulic control line supplying hydraulic fluid for the control of a downhole device, the method including sensing the pressure of hydraulic fluid in the control line at the wellhead, and using a measurement of the pressure to calculate the value representative of the downhole temperature.

Abstract: A method of testing a fuse in apparatus for monitoring electrical insulation surrounding first and second electrical conductors in a cable, the fuse being connected to the conductors, comprises: applying an electrical signal, with respect to a reference, to the fuse from a source; obtaining a value for the resistance of the insulation with respect to the reference; determining if the resistance value is greater than a fuse test resistance threshold and, if it is, causing the application of the signal to cease; and monitoring the decay of the signal to determine if the time for it to decay below a set value exceeds a set time limit, indicative of the fuse being satisfactory, or is less than the limit indicative of the fuse being blown.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for supporting a flexible pipe. The method includes the steps of responsive to a change in at least one condition experienced by a flexible pipe, varying an amount of support provided at at least one location on the flexible pipe.

Abstract: A riser assembly for transporting fluids from a sub-sea location is disclosed. The riser assembly includes a riser having at least one segment of flexible pipe and a plurality of buoyancy compensating elements connected to the riser and connected together in an in-line configuration to form a mid-line buoyancy section. The riser assembly also includes at least one buoyancy aid connected to the riser at a position above and spaced apart from the mid-line buoyancy section. The at least one buoyancy aid forms a first distributed buoyancy section and is sufficiently buoyant to maintain a tension load on the riser between the first distributed buoyancy section and the mid-line line buoyancy section. The riser assembly further includes at least one further buoyancy compensating element connected to the riser at a position above and spaced apart from the first distributed buoyancy section to form a second distributed buoyancy section.

Abstract: A flexible pipe body comprising an elongate curvature sensor and a tensile armour layer. The elongate curvature sensor incorporates a strain sensor arranged to provide an indication of bending strain applied to the curvature sensor. The tensile armour layer comprises helically wound tensile armour wires. The curvature sensor is positioned within the tensile armour layer helically wound adjacent to at least one tensile armour wire such that bending strain applied to the flexible pipe body is transmitted to the curvature sensor. The curvature sensor is smaller than an adjacent tensile armour wire in at least one of depth and width and arranged to slide longitudinally relative to the adjacent tensile armour wire.

Abstract: A method of supplying chemicals to an underwater location via a supply line (1), the method comprising the steps of: at a first end (13) of the supply line, supplying a chemical mixture comprising at least two non-identical chemicals; and at a second end (3) of the supply line, separating the chemical mixture into its constituent chemicals, wherein the first end of the supply line is located at a surface location and the second end of the supply line is located at an underwater location.

Abstract: An elongate element (300) for a flexible pipe body (100) and method of producing the same are disclosed. The method includes inserting a first fiber element (304) in a crush resistant elongate tube element (302), wherein the first fiber element is suitable for monitoring at least one of strain, temperature and acoustic properties; inserting a further fiber element (306) in the tube element, wherein the further fiber element is suitable for curing a matrix material (308); and inserting a matrix material into the tube element to fill at least a length of the tube element such that the first and further fibers elements within that length are surrounded by matrix material.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement and a method for testing the integrity of a sealing arrangement of a flexible pipe are disclosed. The method includes locating a first annular sealing element and a second annular sealing element in a joint between two elements of a flexible pipe, with a region of the joint therebetween; and pressurizing the region between the first sealing element and the second sealing element through a port extending towards the region to a predetermined pressure of 0.2 MP or greater.

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 wellhead assembly includes an annulus access valve (AAV) disposed in a wellhead hanger. Upper and lower annulus access bores intersect the bore at upper and lower ports. The AAV includes a body that reciprocates within the bore between open and closed positions. Hydraulic fluid moves the body between the open and closed positions. Axially spaced apart upper and lower apertures are formed through the body outer surface allow communication to a chamber within the body. When in the open position, the upper and lower apertures respectively register with the inlet and outlet ports so that the upper and lower annulus access bores are in communication through the AAV. When in the closed position, a solid portion of the body registers with one of the inlet or outlet ports, thereby blocking communication through the AAV between the upper and lower annulus access bores.

Abstract: A riser assembly and method of installing a riser assembly are disclosed. The riser assembly includes a first attachment element connected to a first portion of flexible pipe and a second attachment element connected to a second portion of flexible pipe. The first attachment element and second attachment element are connected by at least one tether element, via a fixed structure in a configuration such that, in use, in response to movement of the first and second portions of flexible pipe, the tension load at any moment in time, at each attachment element, remains substantially equal.

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: A sleeve member, end fitting assembly, and a method of assembly of a flexible pipe are disclosed. The sleeve member includes a body comprising a substantially cylindrical portion having an inner diameter substantially equal to an outside diameter of a first pipe body layer for overlying the first pipe body layer; and a flange portion extending radially outwards from the body for locating between a further pipe body layer and an end fitting, the further pipe body layer being an armor layer, the flange portion having an outer diameter substantially equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the further pipe body layer.

Abstract: A sheath apparatus for housing tubes and/or cables, for incorporation into a flexible pipe body, including: an elongate body portion, comprising an outer surface and a channel for receiving a tube or cable within the body portion, and further comprising at least one opening connecting the channel and the outer surface, wherein the at least one opening comprises a continuous opening extending along the elongate body portion or a plurality of discrete openings at predetermined positions along the elongate body portion, and wherein the channel defines an inner surface of the body portion for contacting the tube or cable.