Abstract: Gas monitoring apparatus associated with a remotely operated seabed system, the apparatus including a detector which is adapted so as to enable detection and/or measurement in real time the interception of shallow gas in a bore hole. In one form the gas monitoring apparatus is suitable for use with a drilling rig for drilling into a sea bed, the drilling rig including a drill string. The gas monitoring apparatus includes a housing with a collecting chamber therein for receiving drilling fluid returns which result from a drilling operation. The apparatus further includes a discharge conduit for discharging the drilling fluid returns from the collecting chamber, the collecting chamber and discharge conduit being configured so that the drilling fluid is discharged in a stratified flow which includes a predominantly dissolved gas containing phase, and if present a free gaseous phase.

Abstract: An anchorage system is provided which includes: a composite tendon (2) comprising an assembly of elongate elements (4, 5) held together and an anchor head including a casing (6). The individual elongate elements (4, 5) are separated from each other at one end extending into the anchor head, and the anchor head casing (6) is filled with an adhesive medium (10) to secure the separated elements (4, 5) in the casing (6). A method for installing an anchorage system is also provided including the steps of: inserting in a borehole at least one composite tendon (2) comprising an assembly of elongate elements (4, 5) held together; separating the individual elongate elements (4, 5) from each other over a pre-determined bonded anchor head length (22); placing an anchor head casing (6) around the separated elements (4, 5); and filling the anchor head casing (6) with an adhesive medium (10), whereby once the adhesive medium has set, the separated elements (4, 5) are securely fixed into the anchor head (6).

Abstract: A probe assembly (1) suitable for use with apparatus for use in the investigation and/or analysis of an underwater floor of a body of water such as, for example, a seabed. The apparatus includes a depth penetration device (10), and an underwater floor testing tool (11, 12). The probe assembly (1) includes a first coupling for operatively connecting the probe to the depth penetration device (10) and a second coupling for operatively connecting the probe assembly (1) to the underwater floor testing tool (11, 12). The probe assembly (1) further includes a signal processing module (5) for processing information from the tool, a data transmission module (2) for the transmission of data from the signal processing module (5), a power source (3) for operating the data transmission module (2) and the signal processing module (5) and a switch module (4) for selectively connecting from the power source (3) to the data transmission module (2) and signal processing module (5).

Abstract: A probe assembly (1) suitable for use with apparatus for use in the investigation and/or analysis of an underwater floor of a body of water such as, for example, a seabed. The apparatus includes a depth penetration device (10), and an underwater floor testing tool (11, 12). The probe assembly (1) includes a first coupling for operatively connecting the probe to the depth penetration device (10) and a second coupling for operatively connecting the probe assembly (1) to the underwater floor testing tool (11, 12). The probe assembly (1) further includes a signal processing module (5) for processing information from the tool, a data transmission module (2) for the transmission of data from the signal processing module (5), a power source (3) for operating the data transmission module (2) and the signal processing module (5) and a switch module (4) for selectively connecting from the power source (3) to the data transmission module (2) and signal processing module (5).

Abstract: An anchorage system is provided which includes: a composite tendon (2) comprising an assembly of elongate elements (4, 5) held together and an anchor head including a casing (6). The individual elongate elements (4, 5) are separated from each other at one end extending into the anchor head, and the anchor head casing (6) is filled with an adhesive medium (10) to secure the separated elements (4, 5) in the casing (6). A method for installing an anchorage system is also provided including the steps of: inserting in a borehole at least one composite tendon (2) comprising an assembly of elongate elements (4, 5) held together; separating the individual elongate elements (4, 5) from each other over a pre-determined bonded anchor head length (22); placing an anchor head casing (6) around the separated elements (4, 5); and filling the anchor head casing (6) with an adhesive medium (10), whereby once the adhesive medium has set, the separated elements (4, 5) are securely fixed into the anchor head (6).

Abstract: A ball penetrometer probe for in situ measurement of soft soil properties, particularly in the seabed, comprises a spherical body and slender shaft assembly, and either individually or in combination, an anti-friction sleeve enclosing the shaft and/or a peripheral porous ring on the spherical body with connecting internal passages through the shaft assembly, the shaft being adapted to attach to an electronic transducer module. The ball penetrometer is deployed to penetrate the soil bed, to continuously measure the soil bearing forces resisting penetration and withdrawal of the ball, to optionally measure the pore water pressure of the soil in contact with the ball and to transmit the measurement data from the probe to a remote operating station, either by wireless means such as an acoustic transducer or via a wired electrical connection.

Abstract: Gas monitoring apparatus associated with a remotely operated seabed system, the apparatus including a detector which is adapted so as to enable detection and/or measurement in real time the interception of shallow gas in a bore hole. In one form the gas monitoring apparatus is suitable for use with a drilling rig for drilling into a sea bed, the drilling rig including a drill string. The gas monitoring apparatus includes a housing with a collecting chamber therein for receiving drilling fluid returns which result from a drilling operation. The apparatus further includes a discharge conduit for discharging the drilling fluid returns from the collecting chamber, the collecting chamber and discharge conduit being configured so that the drilling fluid is discharged in a stratified flow which includes a predominantly dissolved gas containing phase, and if present a free gaseous phase.

Abstract: A method of acquiring a core sample of seabed material into a core sampling tube having an upper end, a lower open end and a substantially cylindrical chamber extending therebetween, comprising the steps of urging the core sampling tube into the seabed and simultaneously withdrawing fluid from the upper end of the core sampling tube at a rate sufficient to cause the seabed material to be drawn into the core tube at substantially the same rate as the core tube penetrates the seabed.