Abstract: An umbilical for use in the offshore production of hydrocarbons, the umbilical comprising a plurality of functional elements contained within an outer sheath, at least one of said functional elements comprising a multicore electric cable, said multicore electric cable comprising a plurality of insulated electric conductors electrically insulated from each other and assembled together in a helical or S/Z manner, said multicore electric cable further comprising a protective polymer sheath surrounding said plurality of insulated electric conductors, said multicore electric cable further comprising a tubular metallic layer located inside said protective polymer sheath and surrounding said plurality of insulated electric conductors.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus to be mounted on a vessel for laying a marine pipeline having accessories on the end of the pipeline and/or at one or more intermediate locations along the pipeline, the apparatus including a launch ramp having a guide for guiding and controlling the movement of a pipeline along a pipeline firing line in the direction of the seabed, a clamp downstream of the guide for selectively clamping and supporting the launched pipeline, wherein the launch ramp is provided with an opening downstream of the guide and upstream of the clamp for passage of an accessory between a storage position and an installation location in the pipeline firing line to allow the accessory to be connected to an end of the pipeline supported by the clamp.

Abstract: A pipe stalk for a pipe-in-pipe pipeline, the pipe stalk including an outer pipe and at least one inner pipe located within the outer pipe, and having a retaining assembly moveable between a first configuration for preventing axial movement of the inner pipe with respect to the outer pipe in a downwards direction and a second configuration for allowing axial movement of the outer pipe with respect to the inner pipe, whereby axial movement of the inner pipe with respect to the outer pipe can be prevented when the outer pipe is held during welding to an adjacent pipe stalk.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a buoyancy module onto a rigid pipe having a clamp. In one embodiment the clamp includes pads for clamping onto the outer surface or coating of the rigid pip, the pads having a teeth or serrations formed thereon for gripping the outer surface of the pipe. In a second embodiment, the clamp includes one or more coil springs formed from a resilient material adapted to be wound around the outer circumference of the pipe. The method for mounting a buoyancy module onto a rigid pipe includes the steps of reducing the outer diameter of the pipe at a location of the pipe to which a buoyancy module is to be attached and subsequently mounting a buoyancy module at such location.

Abstract: A termination assembly for a steel tube umbilical, wherein a plurality of the elongated umbilical elements which compose the umbilical are steel tubes, said termination assembly comprising a cavity through which said tubes pass, said cavity being filled with a filler material, at least one of said tubes having at least one region of increased localized diameter at a location within said cavity to define at least one load bearing face on the tube to anchor said at least one tube within said cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for venting an annular space between a liner and a pipeline of a subsea riser used for conveying hydrocarbons, the apparatus comprising a permeate recovery device for recovering permeate passing through the liner into the annular space. The permeate recovery device includes a first vent port in a wall of the pipeline at or adjacent a lower region of the pipeline and communicating with a permeate recovery line defining a flow path between the annular space and a permeate collection vessel. A one-way valve is associated with the permeate recovery line for preventing flow from the permeate recovery line into the annular space. A gaseous permeate recovery line connected to a second vent port at an upper region of the pipeline defining a flow of gaseous permeate from the annular space.

Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing an annular space between an inner and an outer pipe in a double-walled subsea pipeline which seal assembly comprises an annular member (1) and moveable blocking means (2, 3) and: (a) under normal operating conditions is in a non-sealing position which allows the passage of a gas through said seal assembly; and (b) is actuatable from a non-sealing position to a sealing position in response to the entry of liquid into said annular space.

Abstract: A pipe stalk for a pipe-in-pipe pipeline, said pipe stalk including an outer pipe and at least one inner pipe located within the outer pipe, and having retaining assembly moveable between a first configuration for preventing axial movement of the inner pipe with respect to the outer pipe in a downwards direction and a second configuration for allowing axial movement of the outer pipe with respect to the inner pipe, whereby axial movement of the inner pipe with respect to the outer pipe can be prevented when the outer pipe is held during welding to an adjacent pipe stalk. CAPEX and OPEX are reduced by reducing the time taken to join the ends of adjacent pipes and reducing the total number of welds required, and by avoiding the need for the use of half shells.

Abstract: A seal assembly for dividing an annular space defined between an inner and an outer pipe in a double-walled pipeline. The seal assembly comprises an annular member fitted within the annular space and at least one longitudinal conveyor passing through the annular member, wherein the longitudinal conveyor communicates with the annular space on either side of the seal assembly. The longitudinal conveyor may comprise for example an electrical conductor or an optical fiber.

Abstract: An insert for use in connecting two lengths of pipe, each having a plastic liner. The insert consists of an inner tubular member of plastics material for connection at either end to the plastic liners of two pipe lengths, an insulating sleeve surrounding a central portion of the inner tubular member and a ring of heat-resistant material overlying a part of the insulating sleeve to be positioned, when in use, beneath a location at which the pipe length is butt welded, wherein the insulating sleeve includes an insulating material which is at least partially enclosed with a sheath, such that the sheath can be mechanically connected to the interior of one pipe length.

Abstract: An apparatus for substantially horizontal connection of a conduit to a subsea structure: A frame connectable to and supportable by the subsea structure, the frame has a docking device operable to allow a horizontal connection device, including one of a remotely operated vehicle and a toolskid, to dock with the frame such that the frame is capable of bearing at least part of an operational load associated with the horizontal connection of the conduit to the subsea structure.

Abstract: A bulkhead assembly for a pipe-in-pipe system includes coxially inner and outer components which are screwed together along a first threaded portion and a locking device which includes a locking element screwed onto a threaded portion on one of the components having threads running opposite to the threads on the first threaded portion. One of the components further includes a radially extending abutment shoulder at an end of the first threaded portion away from the second threaded portion which abuts against the other component.