Abstract: A riser assembly and method for providing buoyancy to a riser assembly are disclosed. The riser assembly which is of the type for transporting fluids from a sub-sea flowline to a floating structure comprises a first segment of flexible pipe, a further segment of flexible pipe and a rigid buoyancy support for providing at least one buoyancy element at the support.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing fluid turbulence in a flexible pipe are disclosed. The method includes the steps of urging an elongate roll of liner material along a bore region provided by an inner surface of an innermost layer of a flexible pipe body, and at least partially unfurling the roll of liner material thereby extending the roll of liner material radially outwardly in the bore region into an abutting relationship against the inner surface of the carcass.

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 of forming a homogenous composite pipe of unspecified length from strips of fiber reinforced thermoplastic material is disclosed. A mandrel is arranged stationary in a process direction to extend freely from a first supported end to a second end. A slip-sheath is applied about the mandrel. The thermoplastic material strips are wound about the slip-sheath. A section of the thermoplastic material strip winding is consolidated. The slip-sheath is formed from tape material which is applied longitudinally onto the mandrel surface. The slip-sheath is connected to a puller arranged downstream of the mandrel in the process direction. Consolidated pipe sections are pulled off from the second end of the mandrel in synchronization with the winding and consolidation. An assembly for carrying out the method.

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 of forming a homogenous composite pipe of unspecified length from strips of fiber reinforced thermoplastic material is disclosed. A mandrel is arranged stationary in a process direction to extend freely from a first supported end to a second end. A slip-sheath is applied about the mandrel. The thermoplastic material strips are wound about the slip-sheath. A section of the thermoplastic material strip winding is consolidated. The slip-sheath is formed from tape material which is applied longitudinally onto the mandrel surface. The slip-sheath is connected to a puller arranged downstream of the material in the process direction. Consolidated pipe sections are pulled off from the second end of the mandrel in synchronization with the winding and consolidation. An assembly for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A flexible pipe body and method of producing a flexible pipe body are disclosed. The flexible pipe body includes an inner fluid retaining layer; an armour layer provided radially outwards of the inner fluid retaining layer; and a buoyancy layer including a plurality of discrete elongate buoyancy elements provided radially outwards of the fluid retaining layer wound at a helical pitch angle equal to or more than 0 degrees and less than about 85 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the flexible pipe body.

Abstract: A riser assembly (400) and method for transporting fluids from a sub-sea location (404) are disclosed. The riser (406) assembly includes a riser comprising at least one segment of flexible pipe; at least one buoyancy element (408) for providing a positive buoyancy to a portion of the riser; and a tethering element (410) for tethering the buoyancy element to a fixed structure (412) and to resist the positive buoyancy of the buoyancy element.

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 flexible pipe body and method of producing a flexible pipe body are disclosed. The method includes providing a tubular layer; and directing a chemical reagent towards a surface portion of the tubular layer, wherein the tubular layer comprises an extruded polymer, and wherein the chemical reagent is suitable for changing one or more physical or mechanical property of a proportion of the extruded tubular layer thickness.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supporting a riser are disclosed. The apparatus includes an anchoring element (420) for anchoring a riser to a fixed structure, and a supporting portion (412) configured to support a section of flexible pipe (406), 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: Apparatus and method for monitoring at least one parameter associated with an elongate structure are disclosed. The apparatus may include at least one elongate support body element arranged along a longitudinal structure axis associated with an elongate target structure; and at least one optic fibre element arranged substantially helically along a longitudinal body element axis associated with the at least one support body element. A method of manufacturing flexible pipe body is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of manufacturing a flexible pipe body are disclosed. The method may include providing a fluid retaining layer; wrapping a plurality of tensile armour elements around the fluid retaining layer; and wrapping a crush resistant elongate body that houses at least one fibre element around the fluid retaining layer and radially between two of the plurality of tensile armour elements. Matrix material provided in the elongate body may be cured subsequent to fitting the pipe body to an end fitting.

Abstract: A flexible pipe body and a method of manufacturing flexible pipe body and a tape used during the manufacturing are disclosed. The flexible pipe body includes at least one layer of helically wound tape, adjacent windings in the layer of tape being interlocked by a hooked region of a winding nested in a valley region of an adjacent winding wherein the tape has a cross-sectional profile comprising a first contact surface and parallel spaced apart side walls substantially perpendicular to the contact surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed relating to flexible pipe and composite tape. Flexible pipe body for a flexible pipe comprises an internal pressure sheath and at least one armour layer over the sheath comprising a wound tape of composite material. A method for manufacturing a composite tape is disclosed making use of a pultrusion process.

Abstract: A composite pipe including an internal liner and at least one external layer made of a fiber reinforced consolidated thermoplastic material. A heat-resistant material mechanically separates the liner from the at least one external thermoplastic layer. The heat-resistant material forms a non-bonding barrier that is non-bonded to at least one of liner and the adjacent at least one thermoplastic layer. A method and an assembly for producing the composite pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing an end fitting to a flexible pipe body are disclosed. The method includes the steps of securing an open end of a portion of flexible pipe body to an inner collar member, urging an open mouth of a body portion of an end fitting towards the flexible pipe body and inner collar member and securing the end fitting body portion to the inner collar member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for governing motion of a bend stiffener along a flexible pipe. The apparatus includes a stopper clamp secured to a portion of flexible pipe body and at least one retardation element located on the flexible pipe body at a predetermined position with respect to the stopper clamp. The retardation element is arranged to reduce momentum of a bend stiffener as it moves along the portion of flexible pipe body in a direction towards the stopper clamp.

Abstract: Flexible pipe body, a method of manufacturing flexible pipe body and a method of providing a flexible pipe are disclosed. The flexible pipe body includes a fluid retaining layer, at least one tensile armor layer, at least one extruded thermal insulation layer over an outermost one of the at least one tensile armor layers and an outer shield layer over the insulation layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing wires of at least one armour layer of a portion of flexible pipe body in an end fitting is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of bending wires of at least one armour layer away from an axis of the flexible pipe body at a predetermined location, locating each wire of the armour layer in a respective groove formed in a contact surface of at least one of an inner collar member and an outer collar member of the end fitting and urging contact surfaces of the inner collar member and the outer collar member together to thereby lock wires of the armour layer in a fixed position at said predetermined location in the end fitting.