Abstract: According to one aspect, an apparatus is adapted to be operably coupled to a subsea blowout preventer and includes a first tubular member defining an internal passage, and a second tubular member extending within the internal passage. A sealing assembly is disposed radially between the first and second tubular members, and includes a sealing element. The second tubular member covers the sealing element and thus facilitates protecting the sealing element from any fluid flow through the internal passage. According to another aspect, a sealing element of a connector is protected before engaging the connector with a subsea casing. The connector is engaged with the casing while the sealing element is protected so that the sealing element is fluidically isolated from any fluid flow through the connector. The sealing element sealingly engages the casing.

Abstract: A barge system for hydraulic spreading of aquatic capping material is provided. The barge system includes a barge, a piping system, a spreader, a system for moving the barge and a controller. The barge has a deck extending between a front end and a rear end and two opposing sides. The piping system is mounted on the deck and used for the transmission of capping material slurry that includes a capping material. The piping system has a first end and a second end. A source of capping material slurry is connected to the first end and fed through the piping system to the spreader. The spreader has an inlet end in communication with the second end of the piping system and a discharge end. The spreader evenly distributes the capping material slurry from the end of the barge. The controller positions the barge based on the flow rate and density of the slurry. The barge system is used to deposit a predetermined thickness of the capping material on the bottom of the body of water.

Abstract: A manufactured composite comprising synthetic turf and impermeable geomembrane is used in a single-layer capping system as the single layer to provide permanent, impermeable and functional aesthetic cover for land reclamation. During installation of composite pieces at a job site, an edge portion of a tufted section of a second composite piece is overlaid onto an edge untufted section of the first composite piece already laid and anchored over foundation soil to form a reinforced overlapping seam, through which the two composite pieces are physically and permanently joined together. As composite pieces are joined together, the continuity of synthetic grass and the continuity of impermeability are extended and realized over the entire site to form permanent, impermeable and functional aesthetic cover for land reclamation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for subsea installation of elongate flexible element, comprising a container for allocating/storing/accommodating an elongate flexible element intended to be installed, said container being positioned on a trenching vehicle arranged to trench said elongate flexible element into the seabed, which container comprises a guide system arranged to control the release of the flexible element, and which trenching vehicle is further linked to a surface vessel via an umbilical cable whereby said vehicle is remotely operable subsea from said surface vessel wherein said guide system comprises a coiling arrangement for keeping the elongate flexible element in a defined coiled configuration inside said container.

Abstract: A device for supporting the walls of an excavation includes first and second opposing support panels that are spaced apart from one another by front and rear pairs of laterally extending separation members. Each support panel includes an outwardly bowed skin plate and a plurality of horizontal and vertical members secured to the inner surface of the skin plate for structural support. Each support panel additionally includes an inwardly bowed truss strap that is secured to the inner surface of the skin plate at its ends. In use, the truss strap serves to convert radial forces applied to the outer surface of the skin plate into tensile forces extending along the length of the strap. Accordingly, the outward radial curvature of the skin plate and the inclusion of the truss strap together serve to minimize the risk of panel deformation during use.

Abstract: Methods of compacting soil, and devices for carrying out the methods are provided in which an underground compacting device is inserted into the soil at a predetermined depth under which the compaction by the upper level of the soil becomes ineffective.

Abstract: A shield canopy for a shield-type support for underground mining having a canopy plate and a supporting structure being welded on below the canopy plate and having a plurality of longitudinal spars which extend from a rear canopy region up to a front canopy region. At least two of the longitudinal spars having section struts which are provided with a top section flange and a web running perpendicularly to the top section flange, and the canopy plate and the section struts are angled upwards in the front canopy region.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for the installation or removal of buoyancy modules onto or from a submerged conduit are described herein. A system may include a buoyancy module (30), a control panel (76), an actuating means (72), and a clamp tool (40). The buoyancy module may include at least two sections. The clamp tool may hold the sections of the buoyancy module. The clamp tool (40) may include at least two plates (50, 52, 54, 56) that are actuated opened or closed, using the control panel (76) and/or the actuating means (72) during attachment or removal of the buoyancy module (30) to the submerged conduit (10).

Abstract: A vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device including a body portion dimensioned to surround a structure subject to VIV, the body portion having a first side and a second side separated by a first opening formed along a length dimension one side of the body portion and a second opening formed along the length dimension of another side of the body portion. The device further including a biasing hinge mechanism attached to the first side and the second side at the first opening, the biasing hinge mechanism to bias the first side and the second side toward one another. The device further including a closure mechanism attached to the first side and the second side at the second opening, the closure mechanism to secure the first side and the second side in a closed position around the structure. The device may be installed according to a retrofit installation method.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for retrieving instrumented marine cables. The cable-handling apparatus comprises carriers that capture and pull on rigid elements in or on a marine cable to retrieve the cable hand-over-hand onto a deployment vessel. The carriers are spaced apart along an endless path on spacings matching the spacings of the rigid elements in the cable. A take-up mechanism allows manual adjustment of the relative spacings of the carriers to account for tolerances in the spacings of the rigid elements on the cable.

Abstract: A vessel for laying a pipeline includes a plurality of ramps in the region of the first end of the vessel. The plurality of ramps includes a first ramp which is disposed along the pipelaying path, whose inclination is adjustable and which has a first upstream end and a second downstream end, and a second ramp which is disposed along the pipelaying path downstream of the first ramp, whose inclination is adjustable and which has a first upstream end and a second downstream end. The downstream end of the first ramp is positioned inboard of the first end of the vessel and above the bottom of the vessel and the upstream end of the second ramp is positioned inboard of the first end of the vessel and above the bottom of the vessel.

Abstract: The application relates to an efficient method of providing a foundation for an elevated mass, such as the jacket of a wind mill, the foundation consists of a plurality of piles, driven into a substrate according to a geometric pattern. The method an assembly of a jack-up platform and a framed template, the template having a plurality of interconnected sleeve guide members for receiving the piles, arranged according to the geometric pattern, and means for slidably moving it along the spud poles of the platform. The framed template is lowered along the spud poles from an in-operative position close to the deck of the platform towards the substrate, and piles driven into the substrate through the sleeve guide members of the template. The invention also relates to a framed template and to an assembly of a jack-up platform and a framed template, adapted for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A retaining device is described. The retaining device has a retaining barrier, wherein the retaining barrier has a support frame including at least three arms. The support frame is adapted to assume a non-operating closed configuration and an operating radial configuration. In the operating radial configuration, each arm is oriented along a respective radial direction; in the non-operating closed configuration, at least a first arm is oriented along the same radial direction of the operating radial configuration and the remaining second arms are oriented along a direction substantially parallel to said radial direction of said at least one first arm.

Abstract: An offshore pipelaying vessel for laying a pipeline on a seabed includes a pipeline-laying installation having a preassembly line; an inspection station; an assembly line with a pipeline assembly station to assemble a pipeline to be launched from the vessel by joining multi and/or single length pipe sections end to end; and a conveyor system for transporting multi and single length pipe sections, said conveyor system comprising an entry-and-exit location, wherein the conveyor system is configured to allow transportation of multi and/or single length pipe sections at least along the following routes: directly from the entry-and-exit location to the assembly line; indirectly from the entry-and-exit location to the assembly line via the preassembly line and said inspection station; and from the entry-and-exit location to the preassembly line and said inspection station, and after passing said inspection station directly to the entry-and-exit location.

Abstract: An undersea anchor that includes a frame that is fixed to the seafloor by one or more pile anchors, for example grouted pile anchors. The frame is configured to permit it to function with one or more seabed drills to allow the pile anchor(s) to be installed at an angle relative to horizontal so the pile anchors can take horizontal and vertical loads.

Abstract: A boring shield apparatus for attachment to a boring machine/jack for installing pipe sections underground is provided by this invention. Such invention comprises drill heads and a screw auger that rotate with respect to a non-rotating exterior housing. When the boring shield is operatively connected to the boring machine jack and moved forward into contact with the earth along the desired underground pathway for the pipeline, dirt is excavated by means of the rotating drill head and transferred inside a self-contained screw auger whereupon it is pushed safely away from the boring shield and boring machine. This boring shield apparatus pivots with respect to itself for enhanced steering capacity. It accommodates pipelines of larger diameter and length and rough exterior surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for overhauling a flanged coupling of joined conduit components including a gripping mechanism that straddles the flange-coupling and grips both flange-coupled components. The gripping mechanism is mounted on a lifting frame and bears the loadings upon the gripped tubular components during a moving operation. The apparatus also includes a collar sized to fit over the flange-coupling and located in spaced apart cradles supported on a base frame. The cradles are configured to receive the flange-coupled tubular components and position the collar for closure about the flange-coupling. The collar is provided with fasteners for closure of the collar about the flange-coupling, and a fastening mechanism operating the fasteners to secure the collar when closed about the flange-coupling.

Abstract: Implementations and techniques for providing subsurface permeation barriers are generally disclosed.

Abstract: A diversion assembly to protect a leg of an maritime structure from floating debris includes at least one upper inclined surface and at least one flotation element to buoy the diversion assembly around the leg of the maritime structure, wherein the at least one inclined surface is configured to divert floating debris away from the leg of the maritime structure. A method to protect an offshore platform from damage due to floating debris includes attaching a diversion assembly about the periphery of at least one leg of the offshore platform and diverting the floating debris away from the at least one leg of the offshore platform with at least one inclined surface.

Abstract: A collapsible marine riser fairing that includes members configured to retract into a storage space and be deployed from the storage space when needed. The collapsible fairing is semi-permanently attached to the riser.