Abstract: An offshore drilling vessel includes a hull and at least one opening in the hull arranged to receive an end of at least one submersible cable. The offshore drilling vessel also comprises a cable capture mechanism configured to lift the end of the at least one submersible cable through the at least one opening from a submersed position to a raised position. A cable connector is configured to couple to the end of the at least one submersible cable when the end of the at least one submersible cable is in the raised position such that the offshore drilling vessel comprises an external data and/or power connection via the submersible cable.

Abstract: A controller for a dynamic positioning system, the controller being configured to determine a position of a vessel relative to a target position and to control a propulsion system of the vessel based on the determined position of the vessel relative to the target position, wherein the controller is configured to monitor a property of at least part of a riser; and adjust the control of the propulsion system accordingly.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a combustion apparatus and an associated Selective Catalytic Reduction (‘SCR’) device, comprises a temperature sensing device configured to measure the temperature of an exhaust from the combustion apparatus; and an injection unit configured to inject hydrogen into a feed of oxidizer to the combustion apparatus. An amount of hydrogen is added to an oxidiser feed of the combustion apparatus sufficient to reach a temperature in the exhaust of at least about 270° C.

Abstract: A control system for controlling disconnection of riser system that extends between a vessel and a subsea location that comprises a wellbore, the riser system configured to receive a string in use, the control system being configured to disconnect the riser system according to a sequence of operations, the sequence of operations comprising disconnecting the riser system prior to or simultaneous with cutting the string and sealing the well bore.

Abstract: A robotic apparatus (1) for performing drill floor operations comprises a support arrangement (2) and at least one manipulator arm (6). The at least one manipulator arm (6) is configured to carry an end effector (11) configured to manipulate one or more of tubing, tools and/or equipment on a drill floor (d) or pipe deck of an oil and gas rig in order to perform a given drill floor operation.

Abstract: A mobile offshore drilling unit includes a plurality of electric thrusters to dynamically position the drilling unit, and a microgrid electric power generation system for providing power to the plurality of electric thrusters, the microgrid electric power generation system including at least one combustion generator electrically coupled to a main electric power bus and at least one thruster electric power system, the thruster electric power system including a thruster electric power bus, an additional electric power bus connected to the thruster electric power bus via an interface device, and a circuit breaker electrically coupling the additional electric power bus to a main electric power bus for isolating the thruster electric power bus from the main electric power bus in case of loss of power on the main electric power bus.

Abstract: A method for mitigating the effects of cable wear in an active heave compensated hoisting system of an offshore vessel in a locked to bottom mode of operation is disclosed. The method comprises supporting an upper end of a string which is connected to a subsea well from a travelling block of the hoisting system, wherein the travelling block is suspended from a crown block via a cable. The method further comprises operating an active heave compensation system to control a drawworks of the hoisting system to pay in and out the cable to compensate for motion of the offshore vessel and maintain a target overpull in the string. The method further comprises adjusting a ballast system of the offshore vessel to vary the draft of the vessel, and controlling the drawworks in accordance with the variation in the draft of the vessel to cause a length of cable to slip through the hoisting system and maintain the target overpull in the string.

Abstract: An offshore installation including a powerplant adapted for powering an electricity distribution network of the offshore installation and an exhaust processing module . The exhaust processing module has an input connected to the powerplant for receiving exhaust gas comprising carbon dioxide from the powerplant, a carbon dioxide capture module arranged to separate carbon dioxide from the exhaust gas, and an output for outputting the separated carbon dioxide. The exhaust processing module is powered by the powerplant, and the outlet of the carbon dioxide capture module is connected to a storage facility for temporary storing the separated carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Well centre assembly for an offshore drilling rig and associated method. There is described a well centre assembly 10 for an offshore drilling rig. The well centre assembly 10 comprises a diverter assembly 16 and a movement control system 18. The movement control system 18 is operable between the diverter assembly 16 and a supporting structure 12 of the rig. In use, the movement control system 18 controls or permits relative movement between the diverter assembly 16 and the supporting structure 12. A connector such as a riser 34 connected to the diverter assembly 16 during deployment, while deployed or during retrieval of the riser 34 may experience external forces such as from tidal, wind and/or wave movement at a water surface 50, which may cause the positioning and/or orientation of the riser 34 to vary. The movement control system 18 may control the movement of the diverter assembly 16 so as to compensate for movement of the riser 34.

Abstract: A flywheel system includes a rotor configured to rotate about a rotation axis. The flywheel system further includes a fixture and an active magnetic bearing module for actively stabilizing the rotor relative to the fixture. The active magnetic bearing module includes a plurality of first magnetizable elements mechanically coupled to or integrated in the rotor, and a plurality of electromagnets mechanically coupled to the fixture and configured to magnetically couple with the plurality of first magnetizable elements to actively stabilize the rotor relative to the fixture. Each of the first magnetizable elements is farther than each of the electromagnets from the rotation axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates in some embodiments to a bottom supported drilling unit having two drilling stations for independently drilling (or otherwise working on) two wells simultaneously from a cantilever.