Abstract: A bore selection apparatus (38) is described for facilitating access from a single bore riser to a production bore (34,34a) or annulus bore (36, 36a) without using a wireline-run whipstock. The bore selector apparatus disposed within the bore of a BOP stack (12) and which can be coupled between casing or tubing and a sub-sea test tree. The bore selector apparatus (38) can be actuated from the surface or from an ROV to provide a coupling between the tubing bore (44) and the production bore (34, 34a) or between the tubing bore (44) and the smaller annulus bore (36, 36a).

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for applying a force to a movable subsea member to move it into a preferred location for joining to a fixed member while the location of the movable member is monitored. Nozzles in the device are placed in the direction such that fluid exiting the nozzles creates a force so as to move the movable member into the preferred location. Fluid is pumped through the device and out through one or more nozzles. An environmental conductor may be tied back from a subsea wellhead using the apparatus and method by observing the location of the conductor over the subsea wellhead using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) while fluid is pumped at the pressure and rate so as to move the conductor into position over the wellhead and lowering the conductor into the wellhead.

Abstract: A pipeline connection assembly includes a landing platform and rotary or swivel connection hub which may be attached to a pipeline branch, termination, or manifold. The landing platform is mounted so that it may be rotated about the connection hub. This permits the installation of a subsea connection on a near level platform and allows the pipeline to be laid subsea with greater roll angles than would be acceptable otherwise. Orientation of the landing porch horizontally removes the requirement to manufacture the connection jumper to compensate for the roll differences in the hubs. In the preferred construction, the elevation of the platform can be adjusted by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and locked into place once the adjustment is completed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing control lines and pipe into a well. The work surface for equipment and personnel employed in assembling the pipe is elevated above the rig floor. Personnel operating below the work surface use clamps to attach control lines to the pipe being installed in the well. The pipe-holding spiders that arc normally mounted on the rig floor are mounted on the elevated work surface. Assembling the control lines to the pipe below the work surface permits the control lines to be attached to the pipe without first traveling through the spider.

Abstract: A riser system for connecting a seabed installation to a floating vessel consists of first and second fluid conveying conduits (13,14) connected by an articulated joint (7). In a standby condition the articulated joint (7) is anchored to the seabed, the two conduits (13,14) are not in fluid communication with one another and the upper conduit (13) rises substantially vertically with the aid of a buoyancy device (9). In use, the upper conduit (13) is pulled in to a floating vessel, thereby releasing the articulated joint (7) from the anchor (8) and allowing the joint to pivot in order to connect the upper and lower conduits (13,14) to allow passage of fluid therethrough.

Abstract: A flowline connection apparatus having a pivotally mounted funnel an upright frame, which is a permanent part of a subsea well installation such as a manifold or subsea production tree. The funnel rotates is rotatably mounted to rotate from a vertical position to a horizontal position. Retractable pins engage a slot in the funnel to lock the funnel in a vertical position or can be retracted to unlock the funnel, allowing the funnel to rotate to the horizontal position to engage a hub connector. A flowline end termination stabs into the funnel while the funnel is in the vertical position. The flowline termination body has a flange connector on one end that connects to a flexible flowline. The body has an annular external recess for securing the body within the funnel once in place. Pins engage the annular recess to hold the flowline end termination body in the engaged position. A mandrel is carried within an axial bore of the body for axial reciprocal movement.

Abstract: A pressure balanced connector is provided for connecting a choke and kill line to a subsea wellhead. The connector bears the separation forces applied by the line pressure with a pressure balancing chamber that is in constant fluid communication with the choke and kill line. The forces applied on the pressure balancing chamber hold a latching mechanism for the connector in place on the wellhead. The latching mechanism does not require precise positioning with the wellhead to make the connection.

Abstract: An adjustable wellhead connector is secured to the lower end of a BOP and riser assembly and has a housing which surrounds a groove profile on the upper outer surface of a first wellhead housing. The housing has a window on its inner surface which contains a removable first locking member. The first locking member has a groove profile on its inner diameter which mates with the groove profile on the first wellhead housing. The first locking member is movable between inner and outer radial positions which correspond to locked and unlocked positions, respectively. The first locking member is moved by a hydraulic system contained within the housing. The wellhead connector may be readily adapted to connect to a second wellhead housing having a different outer diameter than the first wellhead housing by replacing the first locking member with a second locking member. The second locking member enables the wellhead connector to connect a riser to the second wellhead housing.

Abstract: A well completion system for a side valve tree that has a precision cut low profile helix that can be used in completing a wellbore where the bore is substantially curved is provided. The well completion system has a typical spool body assembly having an inside surface defining a vertical bore extending therethrough and having at least a lateral production fluid outlet port. The spool body assembly has a helix is positioned at the lower end. The helix has a tubular member having a generally cylindrical outer surface defining an outer diameter and a generally cylindrical inner surface defining an inner diameter, an upper end and a lower end. The tubular member has an organ pipe-shaped cut in the upper end so that the upper end is generally elliptically shaped to form a pair of arcuate ramps which meet at an apex at the upper end and at a longitudinally extending slot near the lower end and a means for attaching the helix to the spool body assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for pull-in and interconnection of two pipelines in subsea position, whereof one first pipeline initially is freely suspended, while one second pipeline for instance is mounted on a bottom based manifold frame. The end section on the first pipeline is provided with a socket-like termination with a front end, which is provided with means (17) for coupling of the terminator (8) to complementary pipe coupling means (29) on the second pipeline (19). The terminator (8) is provided with a laterally directed, longitudinally shaped anchor element (10), and the manifold frame (22) is provided with receiving means (24) for receipt and fixation of the anchor element (10).

Abstract: A connection is disclosed which is particularly applicable to subsea wellheads. A female receptacle end is provided on the wellhead which has connections on it to an umbilical or a flowline. The male end has an orientation lug for rough orientation. Once rough orientation is made, the male end is advanced into the female end and the shaft rotated by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for alignment of lugs with a detent. Once the lugs advance past the detent, they are rotated so that a segment of the shaft on the male end of the connection can no longer turn. Further rotational movements by the ROV on another portion of the shaft advances a plate which makes up the connection, either for the umbilical or the flowline.

Abstract: A subsea system comprises a central template that is piled into the seabed and carried wing modules that are connected to the template by hinges. This allows the template to be deployed and the wing modules attached subsequently or for the wing modules to be folded upwardly into a collapsed disposition as the template is deployed. In either case, the template can be deployed through the moonpool of a vessel and does not require a heavy lifting barge. An example of a module usable with the template is a hinge-over guidebase which can allow the commencement of drilling of a well while a manifold and christmas tree are being constructed for subsequent attachment. Thus, installation of the system is easy and drilling of the well can commence quickly.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for drilling and completing multiple subterranean wells from a template which is secured within a cased well bore extending to the surface. An orienting cam having a bore therethrough is positioned above the template such that the bore through the orienting cam is automatically aligned with one of at least two bores through the template. Fluid tight seals are provided between the orienting cam and the casing and between the orienting cam and one of the at least two bores through the template. Thereafter, a drill string including a drill bit is lowered from the surface of the earth through the casing, the bore through the orienting cam and the one bore through said template to drill a first subterranean well bore.

Abstract: The bore selector includes a housing with an upper end having at least a first bore and a lower end with at least second and third bores. The housing includes a central bore extending between the upper and lower ends. A tube has its upper end connected to the first bore and its lower end adjacent the second and third bores. A yoke having an aperture therethrough for passing the tube, is reciprocably mounted within the bore of the housing. The yoke includes cam slots receiving guide lugs projecting from the sides of the tube. A hydraulic actuating means is also mounted in the lower end of the housing for reciprocating the yoke whereby as the yoke is reciprocated within the housing, the guide lugs move within the cam slots to shift the lower end of the tube between the second and third bores. A cage is mounted within the lower end of the housing to ensure alignment and sealing engagement between the lower end of the tube and the face of the housing around the second and third bores.

Abstract: An improved system connects subsea coupling components mounted to a movable junction plate assembly and a fixed junction plate assembly of a subsea petroleum recovery tree. The connecting handle on a movable junction plate assembly is biased for locking engagement with a movable plate to manipulate the movable junction plate assembly, but may be unlocked upon engagement with the fixed junction plate assembly to permit rotation of the connecting handle and thereby threadedly connect the junction plate assemblies. An extension arm assembly for supporting the movable junction plate assembly may be pivotably mounted to a control pod assembly, with the extension arm being extendible and contractible to allow an ROV or diver to move the junction plate assembly within a preselected zone of control.

Abstract: A template and process for drilling and completing multiple wells in a subterranean formation. A template having a plurality of axially extending, divergent bores therethrough is secured to surface or intermediate casing and a like plurality of subterranean wells are drilled through the bores and into the subterranean formation. Each well is separately cased to the well head at the surface and separate production tubing is inserted into each well. Thus, remedial operations can be carded out in one well or fluid injected into a subterranean formation via one well while fluid, such as hydrocarbons, are simultaneously produced from a subterranean formation via the other well(s).

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting the bore through a diverter assembly with the bore through a blowout preventer stack beneath an offshore drilling rig include an upper tubular member adapted to be connected to the diverter assembly to form a lower continuation of the lower end of its bore, a lower tubular member adapted to be connected to the blowout preventer stack to form an upper continuation of the upper end of its bore, and a tubular body extending between and pivotally and sealably connected to the upper and lower tubular members to connect their bores.

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: A supporting system for lines and connecting pipes at offshore platforms consists of a supporting structure next to an offshore platform structure. The supporting structure consists of cones lying at the supporting structure, each of which is equipped in a front with a slot for receiving a flexible stretch of a line inserted into the slot. At the end of the line to be supported at the offshore platform, there is a support arrangement to support the line linked to the neck of a connector. The arrangement consists of top and bottom plates, between which is provided a set of vanes which extend radially and which lie equally apart. The set of vanes include two half-round vanes lying in the middle of the support arrangement, the vanes being connected at their top and top to respective top and bottom plates.

Abstract: This invention refers to a wet Christmas tree (20) utilized particularly in subsea production systems, including at the bottom a connector (22) for purposes of locking to the wellhead, a guide structure (24) consisting of a central ring attached to said connector (22), supporting arms (26) and guide funnels (28), a valve block (30), a reentry mandrel (32), gate-type lateral valves (46, 48, 50, 52) with metal/metal sealing and hydraulic driving with spring-type return flow lines with loops (54, 56, 58) and piping for the crossover line, hydraulically adjustable chokes (60, 62), a flow line terminal (36), a reentry pole (42) and a control system.

Abstract: A remotely operable horizontal connection apparatus apparatus and method for establishing an annulus access connection with a wellhead housing using the weight of the valve connection apparatus to aid in positioning and securing the valve connection apparatus to an annulus access port disposed on the wellhead housing. The apparatus comprises a wellhead housing with a substantially horizontal annulus access port, a valve with a remotely operable collet connector for sealingly engaging the access port, a guide base for maintaining the wellhead housing in a substantially vertical position with an inclined ramp extending laterally from the guide base, and a cradle for installing the valve utilizing the slope of the ramp and the horizontal component of the weight of the cradle and valve and connector assembly to urge the connector into engagement with the annulus access port.

Abstract: A universal tool for simultaneous vertical connections (10) between two flow line terminals (12) and (13) to be connected, includes two vertical hydraulic connectors (14, 15) for locking to fishing mandrels (16, 17) of the bridge of connections (11). A telescopic system (18, 19) allows for the adjustment of the spacing between the connectors. A vertical movement system allows for the elevation of the second connector (15) in relation to the first connector (14) to render easy the fitting of the bridge (11) and provide compensation for vertical deviations between the flow line terminals (12, 13) to be connected. A spherical coupling system (21) set in a split housing of spherical internal sections (22, 23) allows for compensation of angular deviations. A spacing (24) and a set of spring (25) allows for compensation of horizontal deviations between those terminals (12, 13).

Abstract: A subsea well assembly has ability to receive an internal tieback connector when providing full bore access. The subsea well assembly has an inner wellhead housing which has a counterbore at its upper end. A tieback profile is formed in the counterbore. A protective sleeve releasably secures the counterbore, covering the tieback profile. After drilling is completed and tieback installation begins, the protective sleeve is removed. An internal tieback sleeve carried by a tieback funnel engages the tieback profile in the counterbore to secure the tieback funnel to the inner wellhead housing.

Abstract: A submarine wellhead (10) for producing wells, including a hollow body (14) mounted in a water-tight fashion on a well (16) configured to receive a suspension device (30) equipped with a production column (26) designed to be lowered down into the well, which body (14) is also equipped with an outlet port (20) for the oil coming up from the well through the production column (26), hydraulic flow between the production column (26) and the outlet port (20) occurring through the suspension device (30), and hydraulic flow being ensured regardless of the rotation position of the suspension device (30) in relation to the body (14).

Abstract: A universal tool for simultaneous vertical connections between two flow line terminals to be connected includes two vertical hydraulic connectors (2, 3) for locking to the fishing mandrels (43, 44) of the bridge of connectors (41). A vertical compensation system provides upwards and downwards movement of the structure (6) which supports the second connector (3). A turning system of the structure is employed and a guideline orientation system includes two structural arms (4). Each arm contains a funnel in its extremity, utilized for orientation with cables and guide posts. A horizontal movement system acts through a hydraulic cylinder (17) which has a shaft (18) coupled to a telescopic arm (20). An angular compensation system utilized in the second connector (3) acts through a spherical-shaped articulation (24) which supports, through a pin (58), a supporting shaft (27) of the second connector (3).

Abstract: A subsea system for oil or gas production and water injection operates without divers' assistance and with guide-cables and includes a template (50) equipped with ten drilling mouths (53) arranged in two rows of five. Each drill mouth (53) has a guidepipe (54). The upper extremity of the guide-pipe presents an external section for locking purposes. A guide-base (55) is provided with four posts (56) removable by a ROV. A central space is provided in the template for the setting of a manifold (60) through four posts (63) to guide the installation and devices which ensure the final positioning of the manifold (6) within established tolerances. Bases of export-line terminals (64) are located in one of the extremities of the template (50) Each base (64) is provided with two guide-posts removable by a ROV, in addition to reaction posts (66) which orient the lowering of the pulling and connection tools and transfer the stresses to the structure of the template. Receptacles (67) lock the export-line terminals.

Abstract: Interface arrangement for components such as valves and control units incorporated in subsea stations particularly for hydrocarbon production, in which the components during operation are mounted in fixed positions on the subsea station and are adapted to be retrieved therefrom by means of a remotely operated tool unit unit (ROT) havign a mating interface arrangement to cooperate with that of the components. The upper part of the component, which is mounted for retrieval in a substantially vertical direction from its fixed position on the subsea station, is provided with central handling means and one or more coupling members. The handling means and the coupling members are adapted to cooperated with respective mating means and members provided on the ROT. Moreover, the handling means is dimensioned for lifting and transporting the component suspended from the ROT.

Abstract: An anchor system for temporarily anchoring the lower end of a lower marine riser package (LMRP) assembly, drilling riser, and drill string used in drilling subsea wells. The anchor system includes a dummy wellhead secured to the ocean floor and weight means stored in a dummy wellhead that can be connected to the end of the drill string in a manner that restrains the lateral movement of the LMRP assembly, drilling riser, and drill string.

Abstract: An improved subsea tubing hanger having a body with an external shoulder for landing on a seat within a subsea wellhead housing, locking ring carried on the hanger to engage an interior recess of the wellhead housing, with an actuator ring for setting the locking ring. A preloading mechanism includes an extendible ring cooperating with the locking ring to prevent any movement of the tubing hanger when engaged and operable by torque supplied by the running tool. The improved tubing hanger running tool includes a body secured to the tubing hanger by conventional latching ring with a rotatable outer sleeve having an interior helical groove. A piston positioned on the running tool body and operated by hydraulic fluid pressure has an exterior pin which coacts with the helical groove to provide torque to the actuating ring and preloading ring of the tubing hanger.

Abstract: A connector for use in connecting and disconnecting fluid carrying conduits, for example in an offshore installation, is of the "plug and socket" type, which comprises cooperating parts in the form of a female part (10) to be mounted for example to a subsea module and a complementary male part (11) over which the female part (10) fits. Each of the female and male parts are provided with a plurality of bores (12) and (13) respectively; with the bores (13) being for connection to fluid carrying conduits.

Abstract: Riser clamps are installed onto fixed or compliant offshore platforms by a diverless technique. Each riser clamp is rigidly or hingedly attached to a heavy tapered wedge. Mating tapered receptacles are built into the platform, preferably at various levels along a corner leg. Only one lift line is utilized which may be either a drill string or wire rope, and one remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for observation, to lower and stab each riser clamp into one of the tapered receptacles on the platform.

Abstract: An operational package comprising either a pump/driver package (1; 100) or a valve package (250) is retrievably installed at a subsea station by a receptacle (10; 110; 251). Co-operating connection means on the package and the receptacle establish fluid and/or electrical connection between the package and the receptacle on reception of the package within the receptacle. Seal means (14) carried by the package are moved into a condition to seal any such fluid connections. Installation is effected by establishing a running loop extending from a surface vessel downwardly through the receptacle (10; 110) and upwardly to the surface vessel outside the receptacle, the package (1; 100) being moved on and guided by the wire loop from the surface vessel into the receptacle.

Abstract: A slurry of oil-impregnated cuttings from the use of oil based drilling mud and other unwanted slurries and fluids may be injected into the annulus of a sub-sea well and then into a porous formation through which the well has passed using apparatus on a guide base surrounding the sub-sea well head. The guide base comprises a coupling for a pipe extending down from the drilling rig, a one-way isolation valve and pipework leading to the outermost housing of the well. The outermost housing has ports to carry the slurry into the outermost annulus and inner housings may also have ports to carry this slurry into inner annuli. Inter housings also have a one-way check valve to control the injection. The guide base may have a cement circulation pipework and a cement and dump valve. The guide base may also be a retrievable base so that the injection apparatus may be reused.

Abstract: A method for mooring and connecting at least one flexible line end with a conduit of a floating sea edifice, with the method including the steps of mooring a harpoon to a float, which harpoon is attached to a first cable, pulling on the first cable to bring the float toward a support integral with the edifice, mooring the float to the support, and, with an arm fixed to the flexible line end and attached to the second cable, bringing the arm and the flexible line by the second cable and/or positioning in a position permitting connection with the conduit. The conduit is placed in a vicinity of the flexible line end, and the conduit and flexible line end are assembled and connected together, with the flexible line end being connected to the float.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for underwater aligning and connecting of two pipes used in directional drilling and particularly trenchless beach crossings. An alignment cable is connected between the ends of the two pipes and is tensioned to bring them into axial alignment. A rigid supporting platform is positioned on the sea floor. Securing clamps are mounted on the platform to align the two pipes. To thread the pipes, one pipe rotates about the joint axis.

Abstract: A subsea oil and/or gas production system comprises a template having a three-dimensional framework enclosing one or more production bays, each bay having a well slot and a manifold slot. The space above the well slot is occupied by a tree module fitted with a high pressure cap. The space above the manifold slot is occupied by a manifold header module positioned on the template and forming the base of the equipment in the area of the manifold slot(s), isolation valve module(s) positioned adjacent to the manifold header module and connected thereto, flow control modules(s) positioned adjacent to the isolation valve module(s) and connected thereto, production choke module(s) positioned adjacent to the flow control module(s) and connected thereto, and production control pod(s) positioned adjacent to the flow control modules(s) and connected thereto. The tree module(s) are connected to the flow control module(s).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for underwater aligning and connecting of two pipes used in directional drilling and particularly trenchless beach crossings. An alignment cable is connected between the ends of the two pipes and is tensioned to bring them into axial alignment. A rigid supporting platform is positioned on the sea floor. Securing clamps are mounted on the platform to align the two pipes. To thread the pipes, one pipe rotates about the joint axis.

Abstract: A guide base has at its corners, bolted on transition pieces, each having an outwardly projecting nose with a downwardly sloping bottom surface. A guide post connectable to the guide base has a cavity of a shape corresponding to the shape of the nose. During installation of the guide post, the guide post is suspended on a guide wire to the vicinity of the guide base and is then moved laterally toward the base to cause the nose to enter the cavity. A surface of the cavity cooperates with the nose to cause the guide post to be pulled laterally into firm engagement against the transition piece when the guide wire is pulled upwardly. A locking member can be inserted through the so mounted guide post to lock the post to the transition piece.

Abstract: A pipe connection of a male threaded member and a female threaded member with a large degree of axial freedom which is allowed by a special thread profile which contours the bearing surfaces to allow the freedom for a pivoting movement about a pivot point without interference of primary and secondary bearing surfaces.

Abstract: Device for the precision-positioning of bodies on fixed structures on the sea bottom in high-depth waters. The device comprises a fixed structure and an articulated structure. One end of the articulated structure is fastened to the body to be positioned, and the other end is engaged inside a reference seat of the fixed structure on the sea bottom. The precision-positioning of the body is carried out by linearly and/or angularly displacing the articulated structure with respect to the fixed structure.

Abstract: A projecting actuation point and a hollow ROV-operable tool for subsea equipment both have a larger diameter surface and a smaller diameter surface, the former being nearest to the subsea equipment. The smaller diameter surface of the actuation point provides a coarse guidance and early alignment of the tool over the actuation point and the larger and smaller surfaces, which fit closely, provide in combination two sets of interfaces for final alignment.The principle can be applied to a wide variety of subsea parts. The actuation point can be a spigot for a valve or choke, a point for hydraulic or electrical connection, a point for both fluid injection and valve isolation or a coupling to link a subsea component with a subsea module or to a remote power source.

Abstract: Control apparatus for a sub-sea wellhead installation, for example of a satellite well, is disclosed which includes a plurality of control devices 80 each for providing a control function for the installation 10 and a connector 40, 45, 50 for connecting the devices 80 to the installation 10, each control device being independently engageable and disengageable with the connector 40, 45, 50. The connector includes a manifold 40 to which are connected a plurality of receptacles 50, each control device 80 being engageable with the the receptacle 50. The receptacles and control devices are preferably provided with complementary engageable portions 52, 54, 56; 82, 84, 86, which include hydraulic and electrical connectors 58, 60, 62, 70, 72; 88, 90, 92, 98, 100, so that control signals may be passed via the connectors 40, 45, 50 to the control devices 80 from a command installation and actuation signals may be passed from the control devices 80 through the connector 40, 45, 50 to devices on the installation 10.

Abstract: A guidelineless reentry system for a subsea well uses a downward facing funnel. The well has a mandrel surrounded by a guide frame. A funnel and a mandrel connector are carried by the riser. Retracting rollers are mounted to the funnel. Once the riser lands on the guide frame, the rollers are extended to latch the funnel to the guide frame. The funnel is rotated along with the riser to orient the mandrel connector. The mandrel connector is lowered relative to the funnel into engagement with the mandrel.

Abstract: A subsea landing base including a plurality of guide posts interconnected to a housing support structure including an upper annular plate, a lower annular plate, an annular control plate supported on the upper annular plate and rotatable thereon, a connection between the control plate to a landing ring to actuate the landing ring between housing supporting position and expanded position, rotation of the control plate to one of its positions of running, released and landed and locked, and a tool for rotation of the control plate and for retrieval of the landing base.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabbing a flowline into a guide tube near the waterbottom and subsequently hinging over the flowline to a horizontal position. The connection operation is facilitated by a vertically oriented guide tube having along the inner wall thereof a pair of parallel slots which provide at the lower ends thereof pivot supports on which a pair of pivots which are mounted near the lower end of the flowline land during the stab in procedure. Deflectors are provided for deflecting a lower portion of the flowline while the pivots are lowered through the slots so as to induce the flowline to obtain a curved shape into a predetermined direction before the pivots land onto the pivot supports.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for retrieving a running tool/guideframe assembly without the use of winch wires. A portion or each guidepost assembly can be unlatched from the seafloor-mounted template to permit that portion to be retrieved using the guidewires. The unlatchable portion of the guidepost system is formed with a load support that engages and supports the running tool/guideframe assembly so that the assembly is retrieved concurrently with the unlatchable portions of the guidepost assemblies.

Abstract: Both an offshore platform mating system and method are disclosed in which adjacent first and second jacket sections are provided with a plurality of corresponding docking poles and receptacles, respectively. Alignment of the adjacent jacket sections is facilitated by using at least one extended or lead docking pole on the first jacket section which projects further toward the second jacket section than do the other docking poles and is thus the first to engage one of the horizontally aligned receptacles when the first and second jacket sections vertically approach. Mating procedures for the first and second jacket sections continue with rotational alignment of the first and second jacket sections about the lead docking pole which acts as a pivot while alignment of the other receptacles is adjusted with respect to the other docking poles.

Abstract: The field of crude oil exploitation on a sub-marine site. The station comprises a platform 1 of octagonal shape carried by a central column 2 anchored in the ground on which is fixed an effluent collecting module 5. Stacked on the said module is a central control module 60. Fixed in overhanging fashion on six sides of the octagon are frames 10 to 15 adapted to overhang drilling wells and each carrying a production head 30, 40. On the other two sides of the octagon, fixed by means of frames, there are an umblical head 80 and a connecting module 70 for the discharge of effluent.This arrangement makes it possible to bring a certain number of wells close to the platform and so shorten the distances between the modular units.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for remotely connecting an end of an elongate element to a connector integral with a main installation, comprising means for guiding said elongate element, first means for moving said guide means with respect to said main installation and second means for moving said end with respect to said connector.

Abstract: A subsea flowline connection system wherein a terminal connector on a flowline is pulled by a cable into a funnel on a connector base structure. The upper and lower 5 surfaces of the terminal and funnel cooperate to align the component in the vertical plane. The terminal has curved vertical sides which make only line contact with straight vertical walls in the funnel to deliberately allow limited, misalignment (.+-.6.degree.) between the components in the horizontal plane as the terminal is drawn into the funnel. Securing device is then installed between the misaligned components to lock them together in that position. A pull-in tool is provided which is lowered onto the base and includes a pull-in cable for drawing the terminal into the funnel and a device for installing the securing device which lock the components together.