Abstract: A method of separating fluid phases in a well or riser. The method comprises: locating an inlet device of a flexible tubing at a substantially horizontal portion of the well or riser, wherein a portion of the flexible tubing extends into the well or riser and the flexible tubing terminates at the inlet device; biasing the inlet device against a wall of the well or riser; and extracting a stratified fluid phase from the well or riser through the inlet device and flexible tubing, wherein a shape of the inlet device is configured to match a shape of the wall.

Abstract: A subsea umbilical laying method includes mechanically coupling an umbilical termination assembly at an end of a first umbilical to an umbilical termination assembly at an end of a second umbilical, and subsequently deploying the mechanically coupled ends of the first and second umbilicals together in a subsea umbilical laying process.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for lowering the water dew point subsea in a produced multiphase hydrocarbon fluid stream containing water, the method comprising the steps of: separating (10) the hydrocarbon fluid stream (1) into a liquid phase (3) and a first gas phase (2); cooling (20) the first gas phase in a controlled mariner to knock out water or condensing water and optionally other condensates while keeping the fluid above a hydrate formation temperature thereof; separating off condensed liquids (6) and a second gas phase; wherein the second gas phase (8) has a water dew point which is lower than that of the initial multiphase hydrocarbon fluid stream. The invention also concerns a system for lowering the water dew point subsea.

Abstract: A method of generating geophysical data using at least one source. The method may include the steps of generating a geophysical wavefield with a varying signature using at least one source, wherein the signature is varied in a periodic pattern.

Abstract: The invention provides an automated method for selecting a microbial strain from within a microbial strain library which can degrade or emulsify a target oil substrate. An apparatus, device or system adapted to perform the method of the invention is further provided. The use of the method of the invention in a method for preparing a microbial inoculum suitable for use to degrade or emulsify a target oil substrate; in a method of treating an oil reservoir or environmental remediation; and in a method for producing a biosurfactant-like substance is also provided.

Abstract: A subsea wellhead assembly is provided. The subsea wellhead assembly comprises: a conductor; a subsea wellhead; and subsea riser system equipment mounted on the subsea wellhead; wherein the subsea riser system equipment is connected to the conductor such that forces can be transmitted from the subsea riser equipment to the conductor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatically monitoring the liquid content in a gas, and in particular the gas leaving a scrubber and entering a compressor. In the method, a sample of fluid is taken from the outlet of the compressor, its temperature and pressure are automatically varied, and the pressure and temperature at which condensation forms is automatically detected. The pressure and temperature thus detected can be used to determine the liquid content in the gas. In a variant method, the temperature and pressure of the sample are automatically varied, and the rate of liquid condensation is measured to determine the liquid content. The invention also extends to a device for cooling a gas so that the liquid content of the gas can be determined, including a cooled housing with a cavity therein, and means for measuring the temperature and pressure within the cavity.

Abstract: A method of processing a fluid produced from a well, the produced fluid being a high pressure fluid, the method comprising: reducing the pressure of the fluid to a reduced pressure such that a gas phase and a liquid phase are formed; separating the gas phase from the liquid phase thus forming a gas product and a liquid product; and storing the liquid product in a storage tank at a pressure such that the liquid product remains in a stable liquid phase during storage, wherein the reduced pressure is greater than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method of installing an object under water at a desired location includes providing the object on a vessel, connecting the object to a submersible frame located below the water surface, wherein the vessel is spatially separated from the submersible frame along the direction of the water surface, releasing the object from the vessel such that the object becomes submerged and carries out a pendulum motion until the object is suspended from the submersible frame, and moving the object to the desired location.

Abstract: A method for handling of hydrocarbons on an offshore platform includes the absence of emergency depressurisation for a fire. The method includes arranging the platform such that there is no mechanism for emergency depressurisation of a hydrocarbon inventory of the platform in the event of a fire, restricting the size of the platform such that evacuation of personnel can be achieved prior to escalation of a fire due to the lack of emergency depressurization, and permitting a fire to escalate by combustion of the hydrocarbon inventory after evacuation of the personnel.

Abstract: A reelable pipeline includes a pipe-in-pipe section and a single pipe section coupled to the pipe-in-pipe section. The single pipe section has a bending stiffness that is different from the bending stiffness of the pipe-in-pipe section. The reelable pipeline includes a transition piece connected between the pipe-in-pipe section and the single pipe section and having a bending stiffness that varies along its length.

Abstract: A tool for use in a borehole to perform a milling, under reaming, or other cutting operation includes a tool body configured for rotation about its longitudinal axis, within the borehole, and a set of cutters, the set including two or more cutters which, at least in a deployed configuration, extend outwardly from the tool body and are fixedly coupled together whilst being pivotally coupled to the tool body substantially on said axis so that the cutters rotate with the tool body whilst being pivotable together relative to the tool body during cutting.

Abstract: A system for hydraulically controlling a subsea device includes a compensator provided within a cavity of a well system, a hydraulic connection between the compensator and the subsea device, a pressure regulator arranged to regulate the hydraulic pressure provided to the subsea device and a ventilation tool for releasing pressure at the subsea device.

Abstract: There is provided a wellhead assembly that includes a production well, a first valve, process equipment, a transport pipe for transporting fluid away from the wellhead assembly, and piping fluidly connecting the production well to the first valve, the process equipment, and the transport pipe. The first valve is located between the production well and the process equipment, and there is a fall in the piping between the first valve and the transport pipe such that when the first valve is closed liquid will drain from the first valve into the transport pipe under the action of gravity. There is also provided a method of draining the wellhead assembly, an arrangement for depressurising the wellhead assembly using a service line and a method of depressurising the wellhead assembly.

Abstract: A fairing device and method for the reduction of vortex-induced vibrations or motions, the minimization of drag about a substantially cylindrical element immersed in a fluid medium, comprising; a fairing rotatably mounted about the cylindrical element, the fairing comprising a shell with a mainly cylindrical cross-sectional shape with an outer diameter (D) following the outer diameter of the cylindrical element from an upward stagnation point of 0 degrees to at least +/?90 degrees, and which at +/?90 degrees continues as two fin-like portions in an aft direction, further comprising that the fin-like portions are convexly curved aft of +/?90 degrees thus tapering towards each other and defining a tail end opening or gap less than the fairing standoff height. A method for mounting, storage, and deployment of the fairing device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for use with a managed pressure drilling (MPD) system, the system including a drill string having a drill bit, an annulus defined outside of the drill string, a mud pump for pumping mud down through the drill string and back up through the annulus, a control choke in an extraction path coupled to the annulus, a back pressure pump also coupled to the extraction path, and a programmable logic controller (PLC) for controlling the control choke, the method including: a) performing measurements to determine a dataset including, for each of a plurality of time steps k: a value of fluid flow rate through the drill bit qbit[k], a value of fluid flow rate through the control choke qc[k], a value of fluid flow rate from the back pressure pump qbpp[k] and a value of fluid pressure at the control choke pc[k]; b) executing an inversion algorithm on the PLC to obtain a value for the bulk modulus of a fluid within the annulus, the inversion algorithm taking the dataset as an input, wherein the inversion algorithm a

Abstract: A method of installing a subsea pipeline having a direct tie-in to a subsea structure includes landing an end of a pipeline onto a pipeline landing frame, the pipeline landing frame being on a surface of a subsea structure, the pipeline landing frame providing a location for landing the end of the pipeline before connection to a connection point of the subsea structure; subsequently lowering the pipeline end; and connecting the pipeline end to a connection point of the subsea structure. A pipeline landing frame for implementing the method is also described.

Abstract: A subsea structure includes a support in the form of a foundation or a supporting structure mounted to a foundation. A method for installing a pipeline includes: providing the support with a pull-in point at a proximal location at a first side of the support; providing the support with a strong point at a distal location, which is spaced apart from the proximal location, there being a straight clear path between the pull-in point and the strong point bridging some of or all of a width of the support; passing a pull down wire through a guide at the strong point and using the pull down wire to pull in the pipeline; laying down the pipeline and passing the pull down wire along the clear path; and continuing the laying down and/or pulling in until a tie-in head of the pipeline is at a required location at the pull-in point.

Abstract: A method of obtaining an effective bulk modulus of a managed pressure drilling system is disclosed. The method includes generating a pressure wave in the managed pressure drilling system; measuring a time interval for the pressure wave to travel over a distance in the managed pressure drilling system; and calculating the effective bulk modulus of the managed pressure drilling system using the time interval and the distance.

Abstract: Subsea equipment-protection apparatus including a fluid monitoring apparatus for detecting a first fluid, a second fluid and a third fluid. The fluid monitoring apparatus including a first float having a density less than that of the first fluid but greater than that of the second fluid; a second float having a density less than that of the second fluid but greater than that of the third fluid; and a sensor configured to detect the first and second floats so that the position of the floats can be determined. The first float floating when a fluid with density greater than the first float is present and sinking when a fluid with density less than the first float is present. The second float floating when a fluid with a density greater than the second float is present and sinking when a fluid with a density less than the second float is present.