Abstract: An axially flexible sealing device connecting two pipeline ends which comprises a number of sealingly connected annular members, each annular member including an inner cylindrical member, two spaced apart outer cylindrical members, and separate flexible ring members connecting the outer cylindrical members to the inner cylindrical member, each outer cylindrical member having a portion extending axially beyond the adjacent end of the inner cylindrical member when the attached flexible ring member is in an untensioned state. The sealing device is designed for use in connecting two pipelines located beneath sea level wherein the end of one of the pipelines is located in a hollow structure and one of the sealing devices is connected thereto, whereas the other end of the sealing device is sealingly connected to one end of a penetration sleeve which is sealingly connected through the wall of the structure (the other end of the sleeve being connected to the end of the other pipeline).

Abstract: An axially flexible sealing device connecting two pipeline ends which comprises a number of sealingly connected annular members, each annular member including an inner cylindrical member, two spaced apart outer cylindrical members, and separate flexible ring members connecting the outer cylindrical members to the inner cylindrical member, each outer cylindrical member having a portion extending axially beyond the adjacent end of the inner cylindrical member when the attached flexible ring member is in an untensioned state. The sealing device is designed for use in connecting two pipelines located beneath sea level wherein the end of one of the pipelines is located in a hollow structure and one of the sealing devices is connected thereto, whereas the other end of the sealing device is sealingly connected to one end of a penetration sleeve which is sealingly connected through the wall of the structure (the other end of the sleeve being connected to the end of the other pipeline).

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for the covering and filling of a trench used for an oil and/or gas conduit on the sea bottom which utilize a surface vessel retained in position over the trench by means of positioning equipment while filling material is released downwardly towards the trench and sea bottom from the vessel. The method comprises supplying filling material, heavily mixed with water, to the surface vessel from a store or the like via a preferably floating hose, reducing the water content of the filling material in a separator aboard the vessel, and conveying the filling material thus treated downwardly to the trench and sea bottom via a tube or the like whose mouth is retained adjacent to the trench and the sea bottom.