Abstract: This device comprises a drum (42) to be driven in rotation about a central axis (B-B?), wherein the drum (42) defines a circumferential casing (50) for winding the elongate element around the central axis (B-B?), wherein the elongate element is intended to form at least one turn around the central axis (B-B?) on the circumferential casing (50). It comprises a mechanism (44) for driving the turn(s) of the elongate element along the circumferential casing (50). The drive mechanism (44) comprises at least one assembly (80) following movement of the turn in a direction of movement (D) forming a non-zero angle with the local axis of the turn, taken at a contact region of the turn on the movement assembly (80).

Abstract: A method of abandoning a pipeline being laid by a pipelaying vessel, wherein said pipeline is being held by a lay tower comprising a pipelaying and tensioning arrangement, comprising at least the steps of: (a) linking the end of the pipeline (103) to a flexible tubular handling conduit (102); (b) separately linking the pipeline to a lifting wire (104); and (c] lowering the pipeline towards the sea floor. In this way, the present invention, using the load capacity of both a flexible tubular handling conduit and a lifting wire for at least some of the pipeline lowering, is able to operate either more safely at existing depths, or at even greater depths to an ocean floor than before, or both.

Abstract: A device for laying a pipe in an expanse of water includes a tower (30) intended to protrude along a tower axis (B-B?) in a floating laying structure (10), and assemblies (34A, 34B) for gripping and moving the pipe (12) in order to guide the movement of the pipe (12) towards the expanse of water (11) along a laying axis (C-C?). Each gripping and moving assembly (34A, 34B) is borne by the tower (30). The tower (30) is formed by a barrel (32) extending along the tower axis (B-B?), each gripping assembly transversely protruding from the barrel (32) relative to the tower axis (B-B?).

Abstract: This device comprises a drum (42) to be driven in rotation about a central axis (B-B?), wherein the drum (42) defines a circumferential casing (50) for winding the elongate element around the central axis (B-B?), wherein the elongate element is intended to form at least one turn around the central axis (B-B?) on the circumferential casing (50). It comprises a mechanism (44) for driving the turn(s) of the elongate element along the circumferential casing (50). The drive mechanism (44) comprises at least one assembly (80) following movement of the turn in a direction of movement (D) forming a non-zero angle with the local axis of the turn, taken at a contact region of the turn on the movement assembly (80).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tower comprising a fluid transporting pipe (24) and an element (29) for anchoring a transporting pipe (24) to the bottom (14) of the expanse of water (12), which element is connected to an upstream point (38) of an intermediate section (30) of the pipe. The tower comprises a buoy (26) connected to a downstream point (40) of the intermediate section in order to keep the intermediate section (40) in a substantially vertical configuration. The buoy (26) has a height less than 1.5 times its maximum transverse direction and delimits a first through-passage (78A) in which the intermediate section (30) is fitted. The buoy (26) delimits a second through-passage (78B), separate from the first through-passage (78A), the second through-passage (78B) accepting the upper section (34). The tower (20) comprises a coupling section (32) that couples the connecting upper section (34) to the intermediate section (30).

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a tower (30) intended to protrude along a tower axis (B-B?) in a floating laying structure (10) and assemblies (34A, 34B) for gripping and moving the pipe (12) in order to guide the movement of the pipe (12) towards the expanse of water (11) along a laying axis (C-C?). Each gripping and moving assembly (34A, 34B) is borne by the tower (30). The tower (30) is formed by a barrel (32) extending along the tower axis (B-B?), said or each gripping assembly transversely protruding from the barrel (32) relatively to the tower axis (B-B?).

Abstract: A method of abandoning a pipeline being laid by a pipelaying vessel, wherein said pipeline is being held by a lay tower comprising a pipelaying and tensioning arrangement, comprising at least the steps of: (a) linking the end of the pipeline (103) to a flexible tubular handling conduit (102); (b) separately linking the pipeline to a lifting wire (104); and (c] lowering the pipeline towards the sea floor. In this way, the present invention, using the load capacity of both a flexible tubular handling conduit and a lifting wire for at least some of the pipeline lowering, is able to operate either more safely at existing depths, or at even greater depths to an ocean floor than before, or both.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tower comprising a fluid transporting pipe (24) and an element (29) for anchoring a transporting pipe (24) to the bottom (14) of the expanse of water (12), which element is connected to an upstream point (38) of an intermediate section (30) of the pipe. The tower comprises a buoy (26) connected to a downstream point (40) of the intermediate section in order to keep the intermediate section (40) in a substantially vertical configuration. The buoy (26) has a height less than 1.5 times its maximum transverse direction and delimits a first through-passage (78A) in which the intermediate section (30) is fitted. The buoy (26) delimits a second through-passage (78B), separate from the first through-passage (78A), the second through-passage (78B) accepting the upper section (34). The tower (20) comprises a coupling section (32) that couples the connecting upper section (34) to the intermediate section (30).

Abstract: A transferring sea buoy is moored to the sea floor via an anchoring line. The anchoring line comprises a chain and an anchoring device for fastening the chain and the buoy. The anchoring device comprises a deformable longitudinal element having a first end connected to the transferring sea buoy and a second end connected to the chain. The deformable longitudinal element is deformable when the transferring sea buoy moves. The member has at least first and second portion of thin rectangular cross-section, each deformable in one plane to absorb relative motion between the buoy and the chain.

Abstract: A wire-spiralling machine continuously produces a tubular structure comprising a spiral winding, particularly a pressure-armor layer, from two noninterlocking wires of large cross section delivered from two reels of wire and two locking wires delivered from two reels of locking wire. A motorized rotating circular cage carries the four reels of wire and locking wire at its rear, while the downstream face of the cage supports, on two adjustable-inclination plates, two on-board twin-track caterpillars for dragging the wire. These caterpillars are arranged just upstream of guide and/or bend rolls leading the wires towards their respective lay point.

Abstract: Stiffener comprising an elastic member made of elastomer which surrounds a elongate body to be stiffened, the elastic member being integrally attached to one end of a housing support.It comprises, inside the elastic material (4), a reinforcement (8) extending over a portion of the length of the elastic member (4) from the end, the reinforcement being integrally attached by fastening (7) to the housing support (2, 6).

Abstract: A device for laying tubular conduits from a floating support including a pair of clamps for gripping the tubular conduit. Each clamp can alternately provide a restraining force on the tubular conduit to be laid. The device is characterized in that one of the clamps can move relative to the floating support and is submerged.

Abstract: A device for mounting a flexible line including a curvature limiter. The device for mounting a flexible line on a structure, including a hollow rigid member forming part of the structure or fixed to the structure, and which the flexible line passes through after having been pulled with the aid of a pull cable fixed to one end of the flexible line, in particular on the end fitting mounted on the latter for connecting it to the structure, and a curvature limiter engaged on the flexible line and secured to fixing means able to interact with fixing means secured to the hollow rigid member for fastening the curvature limiter to the structure.

Abstract: A device for laying flexible tubular conduits from a floating support is provided. The flexible tubular conduit has insulating sheaths and reinforcements where the conduit includes a recoverable flexible tubular handling conduit connected to the flexible tubular conduit. The flexible tubular handling conduit has sufficient mechanical strength to withstand the combined action of the highest internal pressure and the axial tensile force corresponding to the apparent weight in water of the length of tubular handling conduit which is suspended between the floating support and the floor, and on the other hand, the isolated action of the axial tensile force corresponding to the apparent weight in water of the length of flexible tubular conduit when the latter is suspended between the floating support and the floor by the flexible tubular handling conduit.

Abstract: A method for laying a pipeline formed of joined rigid and flexible tubular conduits on an underwater surface, particularly an ocean bed, by using a floating support. The method includes the steps of: loading onto the floating support a length of flexible tubular conduit; laying from the support a length of rigid tubular conduit; connecting the ends of the two conduits together; lowering the conduits; and halting the lowering when the rigid conduit hits bottom, while the other end of the flexible conduit is still in the floating support.

Abstract: A device for temporarily holding a load on a vertical holding line including two articulated elements forming a pincer, each element having a jaw and an arm, one of the two arms including a connection for fastening to a holding line, the device being able to assume two positions, a first closed position for gripping the held load and a second open position enabling the load to be released; the arm having the ability to intensify the gripping force f which is exerted between the two arms near their end, in order to keep the jaws closed when the load is being gripped. The device further includes a feature for limiting the separation connecting the arms by exerting the gripping force f necessary for maintaining the first closed position of the jaws, the arms having a configuration such that the cable, or the like, for limiting the separation of the lever arms is placed laterally at a distance greater than 3.0 meters relative to the axis of the holding line.

Abstract: A device for laying flexible tubular conduits from a floating support comprises rigid accessories the outer diameter of which is greater than the outer diameter of the conduit. It comprises main, linear winch-type tensioning means (6) for normal lowering of the flexible conduit (3) to be laid. The linear winch has an essentially vertical axis and comprises the last means for guiding the flexible conduit at the level of the floating support (1) and auxiliary holding means (19) which hold the flexible conduit by means of an accessory (21) mounted on the flexible conduit, such as an end fitting or an auxiliary accessory, and enable the main tensioning means (6) to clear a section of flexible conduit on which the accessory (21) is mounted.

Abstract: A process for laying flexible conduits on an ocean floor by continuous unrolling of the conduit at a laying site from at least one supply ship to a laying ship, wherein the flexible conduit is gradually transferred from the supply ship to a storage means located on the laying ship.

Abstract: A device for depositing and recovering a heavy load on the ocean floor including a first part which can be attached mechanically to a handling and recovery cable and a second part which can be attached mechanically to the load to be deposited. The second part is buoyant and includes means for attaching it flexibly to the load. Each of the two parts include a cylindrical joining element, one of which fits inside the other. The device also includes means for locking and unlocking the cylindrical joining elements.

Abstract: Connector for quick release under load, particularly for pipes for transporting fluids such as hydrocarbons, characterized by the fact that it comprises, between two opposite structural elements (1, 2) or between two parts of an element connecting the two structural elements, at least a connecting device comprising an internally shaped annular ring (7) consisting of at least two segments of complementary shape, a rod (4) equipped with an outside shaping corresponding to the inside shaping of the ring, engaged internally in said ring and extending over at least a part of its height and an annular sleeve (6) engaged on said nut and able to be moved axially in relation to it under the effect of an actuating element, such as a cylinder (12) acting directly or indirectly on said sleeve.