Abstract: A load out and float off method for a spar type structure or another structure such as a deck. The invention enables the load out and float off of a large diameter spar using existing Heavy Lift Vessels (HLV's). A U-shaped tank (U-tank) is utilized to artificially extend the length of the HLV and provide supplemental buoyancy to help lift the spar off the land ways. The U-tank provides supplemental buoyancy and water plane area to float the spar off the HLV. After HLV departure the U-tank is moved and placed beneath an adapter frame on the spar's hard tank. The U-tank is ballasted upward to reduce the hard tank draft and have the strake tips clear the channel bottom. The spar can then be brought alongside the fabrication yard quay for additional work and then towed down the channel to the open sea.

Abstract: A subsea well containment and intervention apparatus. The invention provides a rigid frame that includes a set of pilings for securely affixing the apparatus to the seafloor. Buoyancy modules included in the frame make the weight of the invention more manageable when in the water. Lifting eyes are provided on the frame for installation and removal. A series of tools are attached to the frame to eliminate the need for frequent trips to the surface to replace and replenish.

Abstract: A reeled pipe storage reel with a large diameter hollow cylindrical shaft, reel shaft bearing support structures installed on the vessel, and a reel drive arrangement mounted on the vessel. The shaft across the width of the reel provides structural stiffness and consistent alignment of the bearings on each end of the shaft. Each end of the shaft extends beyond the reel and includes a section for connection to a lifting sling, a section for the machine bearing surface, and a section for absorbing initial contact with the vessel during installation. The reel shaft bearing support structures on the vessel include a fixed portion to match the bearing area of the reel shaft and a movable portion to absorb initial contact during installation of the reel. The reel drive arrangement is located on linkages so they can be manipulated in the plane of the reel flange for movement into engagement with the drive gear on the reel flange.

Abstract: A rigid U-shaped structure sized to be closely received on the tip end of the transfer hook. One side of the U-shape of the structure is closed. A padeye is rigidly attached to the end curved portion of the U-shape of the structure. Means for holding the U-shaped structure in position on the tip end of the hook is provided. The holding means may be threaded bores through one or both sides of the U-shaped structure that allow bolts to be threaded through the holes such that they create sufficient friction against the tip end of the transfer hook to hold the U-shaped structure in position. The holes through the U-shaped structure may be unthreaded with threaded nuts rigidly attached to the U-shaped structure such that the nuts are aligned with the holes to allow bolts to exert pressure against the tip end of the transfer hook in the same manner to hold the U-shaped structure in position on the transfer hook.

Abstract: An arrangement of elements which are used to restrain and deflect a pipe specimen to a prescribed form with precisely controlled loads. A rigid frame includes a movable pipe bending form to which one end of a pipe specimen is connected and a rotating table to which the second end of the pipe specimen is connected. Means for assessing the drive torque used to draw the pipe specimen over the pipe bending form is provided in the form of a load cell. The rotating table is used in combination with a travelling pipe end truck foundation to generate a bending moment in the pipe specimen in the same plane as the pipe specimen is being bent by the pipe bending form. By the use of precise loads on the pipe specimen, computer analysis of the simulated reeling of the given pipe construction will produce predictions of the reeling tension, shear, and bending moment in the pipe at the point of the travelling pipe end as this point on the pipe approaches contact with the reel.

Abstract: An improved strake for structures that are subject to vortex induced vibrations and motions due to fluid flow around the structure. One embodiment includes a streamliner on the edge of the strake. The streamliner may be added to existing strakes or may be formed at the same time as the strake for extruded strakes. The streamliner reduces vortex induced vibrations and motions of the structure to which the strake is attached. Another embodiment of the invention provides a tension resisting support attached to the strake and structure. The support provides a different load path along the strake than the previously known art for carrying the pressure loading from fluid pressure acting normal to the surface of the strake.

Abstract: A laser sensor to scan the weld joint before welding begins as a pre-weld scanning operation to adjust pre-programmed arc welding parameters. A “line” type laser sensor device projects a laser line within a fixed operating window. The line laser produces a reflective position of anything the laser line “sees” within the operating window. By triangulation, the exact distance an object is from the laser can be measured at any point along the “line” of the laser. Measurements of the weld bevel are stored in an electronic storage medium and a data processor. The stored measurements and data processor are used in conjunction with automated welding equipment to adjust the welding parameters as required. Because the exact joint/weld geometry is known for every portion of the weld, the welding equipment can respond or “adapt” to variations in the weld joint between the work pieces.

Abstract: A semi-submersible structure. The hull includes four columns that are supported by two pontoons. The columns support the topsides and the topsides structural framing serves as horizontal framing between the columns. A truss frame is attached to the columns. The truss frame preferably includes heave plates. The truss frame extends downward below the pontoons a sufficient distance in the water such that it minimizes motions caused by environmental forces. The hull section and the truss space frame are constructed separately and assembled together at the offshore site where the structure is used for drilling and/or production.

Abstract: A method of mating of a buoyant hull with a truss structure while at the installation site of the completed offshore structure. The buoyant hull is moored in place. The truss structure is placed in the water, self upends, and maneuvered near the buoyant hull. The buoyant hull and truss structure are rigged with lines to allow the truss structure to be pulled into engagement with the buoyant hull. The truss structure is lowered to a predetermined depth below the water surface but above the sea floor and the weight is transferred to the lines from the buoyant hull. The truss structure is aligned with the buoyant hull and lines from the buoyant hull are used to pull the truss structure into engagement with the buoyant hull. The truss structure and buoyant hull are rigidly attached together as is customary using grouting and welding.

Abstract: A method and a system for forming a root pass weld for a root pipe joint. A substantially periodic electric welding waveform is generated and a series of electric arc pulses are generated between an advancing welding electrode and a root pipe joint in response to the electric welding waveform. The electric welding waveform includes a base cycle having a background current phase providing a background current level, a peak current phase providing a peak current level, a tail-out current phase providing a decreasing tail-out current level, and at least one heat-increasing current pulse during the background current phase providing a heat-increasing current level being above the background current level.

Abstract: A mechanically releasable shackle pin arrangement that is readily operated by an ROV and is not affected by the hydrostatic pressures encountered at depth. A shackle body having two ends has a shackle pin received through bores at one end of the shackle body. A shackle nut threaded on the shackle pin secures the shackle pin in an installed position through the bores in the shackle body. An anti-rotation link plate is attached to the shackle body. The anti-rotation link plate extends to one end of the side plate. The shackle pin extends through bores at one end of the shackle body and the anti-rotation link plate and is secured in its installed position by a shackle nut threaded on the shackle pin. Means for preventing rotation of the shackle nut and loss of the shackle nut is provided on the anti-rotation link plate such that the shackle pin can be removed by a remotely operated tool on an ROV at depth to release a load without the need for hydraulics on the shackle assembly.

Abstract: A chain hook with no moving parts that is capable of passively capturing and supporting both sides of a given chain link. The hook is provided with dual support surfaces that support the link and prevent disengagement of the hook while under load. A horn between the support surfaces protrudes through the hooked link and contacts the adjacent link on the lighter loaded side of the hook. This prevents running of the chain that could result from differential loading on either side of the hooked chain link. The hook surfaces are designed to inhibit disengagement under low load conditions and to facilitate unassisted disengagement of the hook under no-load conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pressurizing tubular members of an offshore structure immersed in seawater so that the internal pressure resists the hydrostatic pressure of the seawater. To achieve this internal pressure, compressed air or gas is introduced into the tubular members after the various tubular members are submerged in seawater.

Abstract: Lubrication devices for lubricating wire rope on a crane. Spray nozzles may be permanently mounted to the multi-sheaved wire block assemblies. A controller and oil supply located near the base of the crane are used to control and deliver oil to the spray nozzles. A telescopic spray unit is used to lubricate the vertical stationary wire rope. A crawler that rides on the wire rope is used to lubricate the stationary wire rope between the anchor point and the first sheave of the block assembly. Improved clamshell units are used to lubricate the wire rope between the drums storing wire rope and the first sheave.

Abstract: Lubrication devices for lubricating wire rope on a crane. Spray nozzles may be permanently mounted to the multi-sheaved wire block assemblies. A controller and oil supply located near the base of the crane are used to control and deliver oil to the spray nozzles. A telescopic spray unit is used to lubricate the vertical stationary wire rope. A crawler that rides on the wire rope is used to lubricate the stationary wire rope between the anchor point and the first sheave of the block assembly. Improved clamshell units are used to lubricate the wire rope between the drums storing wire rope and the first sheave.

Abstract: A pipeline recovery tool is made from steel plates welded together instead of forging and machining. The rigged-up tool is lowered over the pipeline and engaged with the pipeline such that a fixed claw engages the collar on the pipeline. An ROV is used to cause a movable dog on the tool to engage the collar and then lock the fixed claw in position. Rigging on the fixed claw side of the tool is released. The pipeline is then lifted to the surface by a lift arm on the first end of the tool.

Abstract: A multi-use construction vessel designed to receive a variety of float-on modules that accommodate project specialty equipment and still allow the mother vessel to operate in the traditional construction mode. The vessel may be formed as a new construction or by converting an existing vessel. The vessel is provided with a lowered center section between the bow and stern. The center section is adapted to receive and secure float-on modules containing the equipment required for the desired operation. The center section may also be provided with a moon pool for laying pipeline directly through the vessel. The vessel is ballasted to position the center section below the water line so that the float-on modules may be installed or removed. The stern section of the vessel includes a derrick crane for normal construction lifts and moving pipe and equipment on the center section as necessary.

Abstract: A method to transport a deck at sea and install the deck on an offshore substructure. The deck is completely fabricated on a set of deep girders. The deck and deep girders are skidded onto two pontoons. The deck and deep girders are tied down together. A set of jacking units is installed into the deep girders prior to sail out. The complete assembly is towed to the installation site. At the site, the tie downs are removed. The girders are jacked up and the pontoons simultaneously ballasted down until the assembly is supported on the pontoons.

Abstract: A multi-use vessel designed to receive a variety of float-on modules that accommodate project specialty equipment and still allow the mother vessel to operate in the traditional construction mode. The vessel may be formed as a new construction or by converting an existing vessel. The vessel is provided with a deck between the gunwales (tween deck) that is lower than the gunwales. The tween deck is provided with docking ports to receive and secure float-on modules containing the equipment required for the desired operation. The tween deck may also be provided with a moon pool for laying pipeline directly through the vessel. The vessel is ballasted to position the tween deck below the water line so that the float-on modules may be installed or removed. The gunwales of the vessel may include one or more cranes spaced along the length of the vessel for moving equipment on the float-on modules or performing installation operations and lifts as necessary.

Abstract: A compliant offshore platform wherein the sole foundation support for platform loads not provided by seawater buoyancy is provided by traditional skirt piles rigidly attached to the platform base near the ocean floor. Lateral flexibility of the platform is enhanced by the introduction of unbraced portal frames located throughout the platform framing in such a way as to facilitate lateral shearing displacements within the platform framing to the extent that the required compliant characteristics are obtained for the sway mode (first structural mode) of vibration while at the same time allowing the overturning moments generated by wind, wave, and current loads to be resisted by the vertical forces within the platform legs and platform foundation. The addition of these portal framed sections at selected locations into an otherwise traditional jacket provides a framing system with improved fundamental modes of vibration as are required for compliant structural behavior.