Abstract: A flexible tubular pipe comprising a metal carcass helically coiled about a longitudinal axis of said flexible pipe and the carcass comprises a seamed profiled hollow tube.

Abstract: The invention concerns a double-sheath rigid pipe for transporting hydrocarbons consisting of two respectively inner (2) and outer (3) coaxial tubes separated by an annular gap (5), said pipe being adapted to be wound and comprising a device limiting the propagation of a deformation occurring on the outer tube, wherein a radial stop device (10) linked to the inner tube (2) but not linked to the outer tube (3) allows a localized collapse of value G of the outer tube, G being selected to stop the propagation of a deformation of the outer tube (3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible pipe structure wherein transverse displacement caused by buckling of the elongate elements of a tensile armouring layer when the pipe is being laid or used in deep sea is limited. The invention aims to reduce the play between the elongate elements of the tensile armouring layer so as to limit transverse displacement possibilities while providing the pipe with the required flexibility and mechanical characteristics. The elongate elements can freely move longitudinally in relation to one another to ensure flexibility of the pipe.

Abstract: A remotely controlled submersible vehicle comprises a fore section and an aft section. In use, they are held apart from each other, such as by telescopic arms, in order to define a gap within which a payload is received. This keeps the payload near the center of the vehicle, improving the balance of the vehicle and minimizing any threat of disruption to the wash path of thrusters.

Abstract: A thermally insulated pipeline assembly comprises an inner pipe surrounded by and spaced from a jacket, which is in turn surrounded by and spaced from an outer casing. The annular space between the inner pipe and the jacket is substantially filled with thermal insulating material such as open cell polyurethane foam, which is preferably injected into the jacket and cured in situ. The space between the jacket and the outer casing may be filled with pressurized gas. The jacket may have apertures to allow the gas access to the annular insulated space. The arrangement provides improved thermal insulation, particularly when the casing is pressurized, by reducing thermal transfer by convection between the inner pipe and the outer casing. The arrangement is also applicable to pipeline bundles, with a plurality of inner pipes each having an associated jacket and insulation, all surrounded by a common casing.

Abstract: A fixing end-fitting for a flexible tubular pipe, the pipe comprising an inner sealing sheath, a pressure vault comprising a short-pitch helical winding of a metal forming wire, an intermediate sheath and at least a web of tensile long-pitch wound armour wires and an outer sealing sheath. The end-fitting comprises a stepped part capable of sliding into a stepped cylindrical housing of the end-fitting. Two crimping elements sealingly fix the inner sheath and the intermediate sheath. Screws enable the stepped part to be brought closer to and be fixed on the end-fitting. The stepped part and the deformable elements constitute three separate elements, thereby facilitating mounting and providing a better control of tightness.

Abstract: The flexible pipe comprises a plastic sealing sheath and an inner plastic sheath which define an annular space in which structural elements are placed. The structural elements comprising at least one armor ply consisting of metal wires wound helically with a long pitch are in the space. An end fitting is fitted at each end of the flexible pipe. At least one external anode electronically connected to at least one armor ply. The anode is placed in an intermediate region of the flexible pipe distal from the end fittings. A connection means connects the anode to at least one of the metal wires of the said armor ply in the intermediate region.

Abstract: A fluid vent (26) for venting fluid from the annulus between the inner surface of a rigid conduit (20) and the outer surface of a conduit liner (10). The fluid vent (26) consists of a length of rigid conduit (34) containing a multiplicity of apertures (32) extending through the wall of the conduit and arranged in an annular pattern around the circumference of conduit (34). The fluid vent (26) further comprises means defining a closed annular volume (36) extending around the exterior circumference of the conduit (34) and interconnecting the outer ends of the apertures (32) with at least one fluid outlet passage (40) located on the exterior of the conduit (34) and communicating with said annular volume (36). The fluid vent can be used to expel water or other liquids from the annular space when retro-fitting a liner to a conduit, venting gas which has permeated through the lining into the annulus, or for assisting in the movement of fluid through the annulus.

Abstract: A flexible tubular pipe comprising at least one metal profile spiralled in a helix about a longitudinal axis of the flexible pipe. The profile consists of a metal strip, each turn of which comprises two separate box sections which are obtained by bending the said strip so that the free edges of the strip are turned down between the two box sections and are in contact with a strip portion provided on an upraised bulge formed between the two box sections. The contact portion ties approximately along the neutral fiber of the profile. Each box section has a trapezoidal shape. Connectors above or below the profile connect windings. The edges of the connectors extend into the bulges. Profiling or extra elements are provided for the connectors.

Abstract: A steel catenary riser (SCR) system includes a tensioning mechanism on a floating facility that controllably applies a substantially constant tension to an SCR that is fluidly coupled to the facility by a flexible jumper conduit. More specifically, the system includes a tensioning device located on the floating facility; and an SCR having an upper portion, which, in the preferred embodiment, extends above the surface of the body of water. The upper portion of the SCR is connected to the tensioning device by a connection element, such as a cable, chain, rope, or wire, whereby tension is controllably applied from the tensioning device to the SCR. A flexible jumper conduit is fluidly connected between the upper portion of the SCR and the floating facility for conducting fluid from the SCR to the floating facility.

Abstract: For transferring a fluid between at least two floating supports or one floating and one fixed support, a rigid hollow transport line is immersed with a cable suspension system in the sea. A flexible connector links each end of the rigid transport line to one of the supports. The entire rigid transport line including its ends is immersed in the sea at a depth which is greater than the turbulent zone of the sea. Each connector provides continuity of oil flow between the two floating supports via the rigid transport line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for prevention of clashing between multiple conduits spaced closely together and to methods of installation of multiple conduits at the same time. Various aspects of the invention are provided involving separating the at least two transfer conduits, and allowing relative motion between the at least two transfer conduits.

Abstract: A device for arresting the propagation of a buckle appearing on an outer tube of a double-walled rigid pipe intended to transport hydrocarbons and consisting of two coaxial tubes. The double-walled pipe is of the reelable type and intended for very great depths and consists of a thick and rigid annular transverse partition fastened to the inner tube and to the outer tube. The partition is joined to the outer tube and to the inner tube by way of an outer and inner sleeve having the same diameter as the outer and inner tubes and fastened to the latter.

Abstract: A flexible tubular pipe having, from the inside outwards, at least, a carcass of an interlocked metal strip, an internal sealing sheath, a cylindrical pressure vault of a winding of an interlocked profiled metal wire wound in a helix with a short pitch, at least one ply of tensile armor wires wound with a long pitch, a wire wound with a short pitch over the ply of armor wires, the wires having a deformable sheath that partially penetrates the gaps between the windings in the at least one ply of armor wires, and an external protective sealing sheath.

Abstract: It is of the type comprising at least two reinforcing armour plies (3-6) wound in opposite senses about a longitudinal axis (A—A) and at least one pressure sheath (7), which can collapse in a given direction under the action of external pressure greater than the internal pressure in the said collapsible pipe, the collapse being able to cause a transverse elongation of the said pressure sheath, and it is characterized in that at least one stiffener (8, 9) is provided on at least one surface (7a) of the said pressure sheath, which is made of a thermoplastic, so as, during collapse, to limit the said elongation to a value of less than the elongation threshold of the said thermoplastic. Application especially to the transporting of hydrocarbons in offshore operations.

Abstract: A flexible metal tube with closed section and a flexible pipe comprising such a metal tube, comprising a strip with substantially constant thickness and wound helically around an axis, the strip includes at least a closed section having walls formed by portions of a common turn of the strip, the closed section includes an upper wall and a lower wall and the section is arranged at one end of said strip while the other end terminates in a free edge. The closed section is trapezoidal in cross-section. A bulge radially oriented towards the upper wall of the closed section is provided between the closed section and the free edge of the stirrup. The invention is in particular applicable to flexible tubular pipes.

Abstract: A device for eliminating propagation of a buckle in the outer wall of a double-walled tube, where the double-walled tube comprises an outer pipe, an inner pipe and an annular space between them in which the deformable element is disposed with the external surface of the deformable element in contact with the internal wall of the outer pipe and the interior of the deformable element being spaced outward from the inner pipe and having a sheath on the interior of the deformable element. The deformable element may be a wound wire, a profiled wire, an interlocked wire with interlocked turns, a non-interlocked wire, a spring with turns urged outwardly or reinforcement with turns urged outwardly and bearing blocks in the annular space on the inner pipe for at least one end of the reinforcement.

Abstract: For a spar type floating platform having risers passing vertically through the center well of a spar hull, there is provided apparatus for supporting the risers from a gimbaled table supported above the top of the spar hull. The table flexibly is supported by a plurality of non-linear springs attached to the top of the spar hull. The non-linear springs compliantly constrain the table rotationally so that the table is allowed a limited degree of rotational movement with respect to the spar hull in response to wind and current induced environmental loads. Larger capacity non-linear springs are located near the center of the table for supporting the majority of the riser tension, and smaller capacity non-linear springs are located near the perimeter of the table for controlling the rotational stiffness of the table. The riser support table comprises a grid of interconnected beams having openings therebetween through which the risers pass.

Abstract: An ultra dense composite strip for flexible pipe having armouring formed of longitudinal carbon fibers provided within a thermoplastic or thermosetting matrix in the form of a flat ribbon with a substantially rectangular cross-section, whereof at least one of the surfaces of the strip is reinforced with a film made integral with said surface, over substantially its whole width and over substantially its whole length.

Abstract: A pipeline for transmitting oil or other substance which forms a solid residue such as wax when the substance is cooled, as in a subsea oil pipeline. Pass a tube through the interior of the pipeline, e.g., at the wall of the pipeline. Transmit heated liquid or water through the tube for heating the material being passed through the pipeline to a temperature which avoids or eliminates the solid residue and for heating the pipeline.