Abstract: A pipeline apparatus comprising a flexible pipe body and a detection apparatus. The flexible pipe body includes an optical fibre extending at least partially along the length of the flexible pipe body, the optical fibre 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 fibre, the optical sensor being arranged to inject optical pulses into the optical fibre 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: An elongate tape and method of producing an elongate tape are disclosed. The tape is suitable for forming a helically wound layer of interlocked windings in a flexible pipe body, and is configured for interlocking with adjacent windings, wherein the tape has a cross-sectional profile including: a first surface that in use forms a radially inner surface of the helically wound layer; a further surface, in use forming a side wall extending radially outwards, away from the first surface, and for forming a contact surface with a region of an adjacent winding; and a transition surface joining the first surface and further surface, wherein the transition surface comprises a curved surface, and wherein the curved surface has a larger radius of curvature in a region proximate the first surface than in a region proximate the further surface.

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: 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: An elongate metallic or polymeric or composite tape is disclosed along with a method of manufacturing such tape. The tape is of a type suitable for forming at least one helically wound layer of interlocked windings in a flexible pipe body for transporting production fluids. The tape is configured for interlocking of adjacent windings in the layer of tape by nesting a hooked region of a winding in a valley region of an adjacent winding. The tape comprises first and second elongate tape elements arranged in contacting relation.

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: 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: An elongate tape element and method of manufacturing flexible pipe body are disclosed. The elongate tape element which is for providing at least one helically wound layer of windings in a flexible pipe body, comprises an elongate body having a base surface, a top surface opposed to the base surface and opposed first and second side walls extending between the base and top surfaces wherein at least one surface and/or side wall of the body comprises a recessed region for receiving a respective portion of a tape element holder member when said tape element is wound to form a layer of windings.

Abstract: Flexible pipe body for transporting fluids from a sub-sea location, including a carcass layer comprising a plurality of independent hoop elements each comprising a body portion having a circular outer surface that circles around an inner circumference of a bore region of the flexible pipe, said body portion being arranged to interlock adjacent hoop elements together. A method of manufacturing flexible pipe body is also enclosed.

Abstract: A flexible pipe body and method of manufacturing a flexible pipe body are disclosed. The flexible pipe body includes a fluid retaining layer for preventing ingress of fluid into the flexible pipe body from an environment outside of the flexible pipe body; and a fibre element arranged generally along a longitudinal axis of the fluid retaining layer.

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 fibre element (304) in a crush resistant elongate tube element (302), wherein the first fibre element is suitable for monitoring at least one of strain, temperature and acoustic properties; inserting a further fibre element (306) in the tube element, wherein the further fibre 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 fibres elements within that length are surrounded by matrix material.

Abstract: Use of a boron holding grease or fluid or oil for the purpose of increasing acid resistance and/or corrosion resistance in at least one metallic component of a flexible pipe body.

Abstract: A flexible pipe body and method of manufacturing a flexible pipe body are disclosed. The pipe body includes a carcass layer (303) including a plurality of adjacent interlocked annular elements (301), each annular element comprising a main body portion communicating with a male connection region and a female connection region, the male connection region for interlocking with a corresponding female connection region of an adjacent annular element and the female connection region for interlocking with a corresponding male connection region of an adjacent annular element, and a filler material filling an annulus area defined by the main body portion, male connection region and female connection region.

Abstract: A flexible pipe body (400) and method of producing a flexible pipe body are disclosed. The flexible pipe body (400) includes a collapse resistant layer (404); and a fluid retaining layer (406) provided radially outwards of the collapse resistant layer (404), wherein the collapse resistant layer (404) comprises at least one elongate band of material having a cross-sectional profile having a fill factor of between 60 and 95%.

Abstract: Flexible pipe body and method of manufacturing a flexible pipe body, the pipe body including a tubular layer (304) of corrugated material for forming a collapse resistant layer, wherein a radially outer surface of the layer has alternately repeating grooves (318) and ridges (316), and a radially inner surface of the layer has respective alternately repeating ridges (320) and grooves (322), and a filler element (310) provided adjacent the grooves of at least one of the radially outer surface and the radially inner surface, such that for the said surface, the filler element substantially fills a void extending between adjacent grooves and ridges, thereby providing a substantially non-undulating surface along the ridges.

Abstract: A flexible pipe body and method of producing a flexible pipe body are disclosed. The method includes providing a length of composite material of thermoplastic or thermosetting material with an electrically conductive material dispersed therein, applying the length to a mandrel or a layer of flexible pipe body, and heating the length by induction heating using an induction heating coil to cure the thermoplastic or thermosetting material.

Abstract: An elongate tape and method of producing an elongate tape are disclosed. The tape is suitable for forming a helically wound layer of interlocked windings in a flexible pipe body, and is configured for interlocking with adjacent windings, wherein the tape has a cross-sectional profile including: a first surface that in use forms a radially inner surface of the helically wound layer; a further surface, in use forming a side wall extending radially outwards, away from the first surface, and for forming a contact surface with a region of an adjacent winding; and a transition surface joining the first surface and further surface, wherein the transition surface comprises a curved surface, and wherein the curved surface has a larger radius of curvature in a region proximate the first surface than in a region proximate the further surface.

Abstract: A flexible pipe body for transporting production fluids containing one or more acidic components comprises a fluid-retaining inner polymeric barrier layer and at least one layer including a metallic component and arranged outside said barrier layer, wherein said polymeric barrier layer comprises a first, inner, sub-layer of a polymeric barrier material through which at least some of said acidic component may permeate and a second sub-layer formed on said first sub-layer including a material capable of reacting chemically with said acidic component to form reaction products which are non-corrosive to said metallic component.

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 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.