Abstract: A method for delivery of drilling fluid to a seafloor drilling assembly, the method comprising the steps of filling at least one container with drilling fluid; lowering the container through a body of water to adjacent a seafloor drilling assembly; connecting the container to the seafloor drilling assembly to deliver drilling fluid to the seafloor drilling assembly.

Abstract: A seafloor auxiliary mining tool for use in a seafloor mining system. The seafloor auxiliary mining tool has a seafloor locomotion system enabling traversal of the seafloor. Umbilical connections receive power and control signals from a surface source. A boom mounted auxiliary cutting tool is configured to cut extremities of a seafloor deposit. Cuttings produced by the auxiliary cutting tool are sized by sizing means, to ensure such cuttings are no greater than a desired size.

Abstract: A system for seafloor mining. A seafloor auxiliary mining tool works a seafloor site to prepare a bench, and deposits cut ore in a gathering area. A seafloor bulk mining tool undertakes production cutting of a bench and deposits cut ore in a gathering area. A seafloor gathering machine gathers cut ore deposited in the gathering area and pumps gathered ore as a slurry to a riser base. A riser and lifting system receives slurry from the gathering machine and lifts the slurry to the surface. A surface vessel receives slurry from the riser and lifting system.

Abstract: A seafloor bulk mining tool for production cutting of a seafloor bench. The tool uses a tracked locomotion system to travel across a seafloor bench. Power and control interfaces receive power and control signals from a surface source. The tool has a drum cutter for cutting the bench, and a sizing grill adjacent the drum cutter for sizing cuttings as they are produced by the drum cutter. A drum shroud may also be provided to help contain cuttings. A suction inlet can be used to capture cuttings as they are produced, for example in conjunction with a spade and augers.

Abstract: A system for seafloor mining comprising a vertical riser anchored to the seafloor; a mining machine to deliver seafloor ore to the vertical riser; a lifting system to pass the ore through the vertical riser; and a transport vessel removably connected to the vertical riser to receive ore from the vertical riser.

Abstract: A downhole logging tool and method of use for analysing portions of a seafloor borehole in seafloor drilling operations are provided. The downhole logging tool h an underwater chassis housing a power system and sensors including at least a conductivity sensor and a magnetic susceptibility sensor which, preferably, analyse the walls of the borehole. An automatically actuated switch, preferably actuated magnetically, provides power to the sensors from the power system when the downhole logging tool is not located in a designated portion of a seafloor drilling rig (e.g. when the tool is in use traversing a borehole) and removes power when the downhole logging tool is located in the designated portion of the seafloor drilling rig (e.g. when the downhole tool is not in use).

Abstract: A self cleaning collecting apparatus and method are provided for the collection of seafloor material. The collecting apparatus, which operates on a seafloor, has a plurality of rotating discs in front of a slurry suction pipe with clearing members located between adjacent discs. Any oversize material lodged in the discs during collection is dislodged by the one or more clearing members and prevented from entering the slurry suction pipe, thus preventing blockages caused by oversize material congesting the slurry suction pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for subsea testing of a core sample are provided. The apparatus includes a seafloor drilling rig that drills a borehole and obtains a sample from the seabed, and a sensor mounted on the seafloor drilling rig that analyses a portion of the sample after it is obtained. The sensor preferably includes an x-ray fluorescence sensor, a neutron activation analysis sensor, and/or a magnetic susceptibility sensor, and sends data about the core sample in real time, or at least near real time, to a surface vessel or platform.

Abstract: A system and method for stockpiling material on the seafloor, the system and method using seafloor collection machines, such auxiliary or bulk cutters or collection machines, to capture seafloor material to be stockpiled. The captured seafloor material is carried in slurry form over a flexible transfer pipe to an outlet at a desired seafloor site. In a preferred form the outlet is mounted in a seafloor stockpiling hood that sits on the seafloor at the desired seafloor site and captures and contains slurry from the outlet while allowing egress of water. The captured seafloor material can then be extracted to a surface vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for seafloor stockpiling that has a slurry inlet that receives slurry from a seafloor tool via a slurry transfer pipe and walls that, together with the seafloor, define a cavity having a stockpiling volume. The walls are made substantially of a water permeable material, such as a filter fabric or geotextile, that captures and contains seafloor material present in slurry received from the slurry inlet, while permitting egress of water from the slurry. In a preferred form the seafloor stockpiling device is a hood with an open bottom that is located on a seafloor surface.

Abstract: A seafloor bulk mining tool for production cutting of a seafloor bench. The tool uses a tracked locomotion system to travel across a seafloor bench. Power and control interfaces receive power and control signals from a surface source. The tool has a drum cutter for cutting the bench, and a sizing grill adjacent the drum cutter for sizing cuttings as they are produced by the drum cutter. A drum shroud may also be provided to help contain cuttings. A suction inlet can be used to capture cuttings as they are produced, for example in conjunction with a spade and augers.

Abstract: A seafloor auxiliary mining tool for use in a seafloor mining system. The seafloor auxiliary mining tool has a seafloor locomotion system enabling traversal of the seafloor. Umbilical connections receive power and control signals from a surface source. A boom mounted auxiliary cutting tool is configured to cut extremities of a seafloor deposit. Cuttings produced by the auxiliary cutting tool are sized by sizing means, to ensure such cuttings are no greater than a desired size.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a subsea overload release system and method. The disclosure provides a releasable connection system than can be overridden during an overload condition, and is resettable in a subsea location in situ. During normal operation, a collet sleeve is slidably engageable with a collet having one or more fingers that can releasably couple a first member with a second member. During an overload condition, an overload piston acting on fluid in an overload reservoir causes an overload pressure and a rupture or other release of fluid through an overload pressure member, causing the overload reservoir to at least partially collapse. The collapse allows the system to extend and force open the fingers to disengage the second member from the first member. When the overload symptom is rectified, the overload reservoir can be reset and the overload pressure member reset or replaced without requiring repairs above sea surface.