Abstract: Apparatus and method for reducing the local high tensile stress concentrations of a latch of a connector whereby the latch is loaded during make-up such that it is placed in bending, to the extent that the induced bending produces a compressive stress in the area of high tensile stress concentration. When this stress is added to normal stresses, the resultant tensile stress is reduced to an acceptable level.

Abstract: A multi passage swivel assembly provides fluid or gas flow while continuous or intermittent rotation occurs between a fixed inlet port and a rotating outlet port. The assembly contains a clearance control ring that compensates for dimensional change to allow high pressure operation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a type of riser to connect subsea hydrocarbon production equipment to a floating storage, process or control facility which combines the advantages of integral and non-integral risers previously used. This is achieved by a locking mechanism which allows the individual tubes to be freed once each section of riser is added, and a subsea remotely operated connector that allows individual tubing to be released. Improvements in the design of collet connectors are also disclosed. There is also disclosed a guidelineless method of connecting risers or other equipment to subsea installations. The method uses a cone on the subsea equipment and a guideframe on the riser. The guideframe aligns itself with the subsea cone prior to the riser being connected. As the riser is drawn to the subsea mandrel the guideframe aligns the riser connector with the mandrel. A still further embodiment disclosed herein is a flexjoint consisting of a series of flexjoints in an outer case with a high pressure tube inside.

Abstract: A pipe bend restrictor for controlling the intentional deformation of a pipe to form a bend. The apparatus includes a bullnose for connection to the end of the pipe and a plurality of support washers and a backup ring mounted behind the bullnose and along the length of the pipe being bent. A protection sleeve is positioned over the pipe surface to interface between it and the washers. A specific washer configuration ensures that the washer supporting any given section of pipe pivots about an axis that passes through the axis of the pipe, as near as possible to the section of pipe which it supports.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for providing passive motion compensation at the ship-riser interface of a rise-moored floating production system or oil storage tanker, with its associated equipment including a riser handling system. Normal production proceeds, while ship motions are isolated from the riser, preventing excessive load transfer or unacceptable dyanmic effects. The main feature of the system is its ship-borne installation, with all moving parts clear of the waterline. The system is totally self-contained, with motion compensation, riser pipe and handling equipment on board. By installing the flotation within the hull of the ship, it moves with the ship, thus avoiding significant inertial and weather-related loads. The design is flexible. The range of seas can be extended by adjusting the basic parameters: float shape and size, tank depth, liquid S.G., counterweight size, link geometry, bridge length, etc.

Abstract: A system for mooring a ship-shape floating production system using a riser tensioned by a weight type motion compensation system. The riser is attached to the ship by a rocking beam that has a weight attached at one end of the beam to balance the vertical load component of the riser attached at the other end of the beam. A rocker arrangement is used whereby the beam support point moves to compensate for the inertial forces of the weight caused by the vertical accelerations of the tanker. Thus the high load fluctuations and hence poor riser fatigue life usually associated with weight type motion compensators is minimized. A gear arrangement is used to transmit horizontal loads. The overall arrangement provides a totally self-contained motion compensation and riser handling system that requires minimal ship modifications and is independent of significant self-induced wave loading.