Abstract: An umbilical for use in the offshore production of hydrocarbons comprising an assembly of functional elements wherein at least one of the functional elements comprises an electrical cable, and wherein said electrical cable is enclosed within a tube, said tube being adapted to apply a radial compressive force on the cable whereby the tube is capable of supporting the weight of the electrical cable in an axial direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tower comprising a fluid transporting pipe (24) and an element (29) for anchoring a transporting pipe (24) to the bottom (14) of the expanse of water (12), which element is connected to an upstream point (38) of an intermediate section (30) of the pipe. The tower comprises a buoy (26) connected to a downstream point (40) of the intermediate section in order to keep the intermediate section (40) in a substantially vertical configuration. The buoy (26) has a height less than 1.5 times its maximum transverse direction and delimits a first through-passage (78A) in which the intermediate section (30) is fitted. The buoy (26) delimits a second through-passage (78B), separate from the first through-passage (78A), the second through-passage (78B) accepting the upper section (34). The tower (20) comprises a coupling section (32) that couples the connecting upper section (34) to the intermediate section (30).

Abstract: A marine pipeline-installation tower comprising at least two opposing legs, and one or more tensioning assemblies supported by the opposing legs for surrounding and supporting an intermediate pipeline during installation, at least one of the intermediate tensioning assemblies comprising two or more discrete segments, the segments being moveable between: a closed position wherein the segments are conjoined to form an enclosing pipeline annulus able to support the pipeline between the legs of the tower; and an open position wherein at least two of the segments are disconnected and separate. In this way, a better clearance is achievable between the parts of the segments able to form the enclosing pipeline annulus when the segments are in their open position, because the segments are able to be disconnected and separate despite still being supported within the limited room between the fixed legs of the tower.

Abstract: This process includes the cooling of an introduction stream (72) inside an upstream heat exchanger (28). It includes the introduction of the cooled introduction stream (76) into a fractionating column (50) and the tapping at the bottom portion of the column (50) of the denitrided stream of hydrocarbons. It also includes the introduction of a stream (106) rich in nitrogen obtained from the head portion of the column (50) into a separation container (60) and the recovery of the head gaseous stream from the separation container (60) in order to form the stream (20) which is rich in helium. The liquid stream (110) is obtained from the bottom of the first separation container (60) is separated into a liquid nitrogen stream (18) and a first reflux stream (114) which is introduced as reflux into the head of the fractionating column (50).

Abstract: This method comprises cooling the supply flow in a first heat exchanger, separation in a first separation flask in order to produce a light upper flow and a heavy lower flow and dividing the light upper flow into a supply fraction of a dynamic pressure reduction turbine and a supply fraction of a first distillation column. The method comprises forming a cooled reflux flow from an effluent from a dynamic pressure reduction turbine, the portion of the effluent being cooled and at least partially liquefied in a heat exchanger. It comprises introducing the cooled reflux flow from the heat exchanger into the first distillation column.

Abstract: The device of the present disclosure comprises a holder (80) fixed to the first element and a connection element (82) borne by the holder (80). The connection element (82) is intended to engage on the second element (24). It is mounted with radial mobility in relation to the holder (80) between a separated placement configuration and a contracted configuration for holding the connection elements (82) on the second element (24). The or each connection element (82) comprises a self-locking system (100) and a mobile catching member (102), the catching member (102) being mounted with the ability to move in the self-locking system (100). The fixing device (22) comprises an actuator (104) for moving the catching member (102) in the self-locking system (100) between a deployed position and a position in which it is retracted in the self-locking system (100).

Abstract: A floating offshore platform is disclosed with one or more extension plates fixedly coupled to one or more pontoons on the offshore platform and extending from the pontoons. As the floating platform moves, the pontoon-coupled extension plates separate the water and cause drag on the platform. The water moving with the extension plates also increases the dynamic mass. The added drag and dynamic mass increases the natural period of the motion away from the wave excitation period to minimize the wave driven motion compared to a platform without the extension plates. The extension plates can be coupled to the pontoons during fabrication at the yard directly or through frame members. The extension plates generally are generally located inclusively between the top and bottom elevations of the pontoons, and therefore do not significantly reduce the clearance between the seabed and the hull at the quayside.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for supporting a catenary riser coupled to an offshore platform system including a pull tube and a pull tube stress joint for girth weld stress reduction and improved fatigue performance. A pull tube sleeve is coupled around a welded connection of the pull tube. The sleeve has a larger inner diameter than an outer diameter of the pull tube to form an annular space therebetween, and a fill material is filled into the space between the sleeve and the pull tube. The fill material provides a supportive coupling between the sleeve and the pull tube. The sleeve, the pull tube, or both can have gripping surfaces formed in or on their surfaces to retain the fill material in the space. The sleeve can be formed from a plurality of portions and be welded, fastened, or otherwise coupled around the pull tube.

Abstract: The method according to the invention comprises providing a flexible line (18) and a bend limiter axially immobilized around the flexible line (18) by a releasable immobilizing mechanism (46). It includes partially inserting the flexible line (18) through a hollow rigid member (40), immobilizing the bend limiter on the hollow rigid member (40), and deactivating the releasable immobilizing mechanism (46). The releasable immobilizing mechanism (46) is deactivated independently of the movement of the flexible line (18) relative to the bend limiter.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a flexible underwater pipe intended for transporting fluids, in particular hydrocarbons, comprising at least one layer comprising a polymer resin comprising surface-modified titanium dioxide nanoparticles bonded to the polymer by a covalent and/or hydrogen bond.

Abstract: A method comprises including the following steps: placing a rear locking collar (62) around an outer ply (25), placing a first shaping guide (82) for shaping the folding of the end segments (32) of the outer ply (25); folding the end segments (32) of the outer ply (25) rearwards, folding the end segments (32) of an inner ply (24) rearwards. Before the step for folding the end segments (32) of the inner ply (24) rearwards, a second shaping guide (84) is placed for shaping the folding of the end segments (32) of the inner ply (24), a second shaping guide (84) being separate from the first shaping guide (82), the end segments (32) of the inner ply (24) bearing on the second shaping guide (84) after the folding step.

Abstract: A method including the following steps: reversible fastening of a connecting member (34) at a first end (16) of the elongate element (10); arrangement of the elongate element (10) in a substantially horizontal configuration; reversible engagement of the connecting member (34) in a retaining member (36); pivoting the elongate element (10) about a substantially horizontal axis to move the elongate element (10) into a substantially vertical configuration, while the connecting member (34) remains engaged in the retaining member (36); joint lowering of the retaining member (36), the connecting member (34) and the elongate element (10) in the stretch of water (12) with the help of a lowering line (152): detachment of the connecting member (34) of the first end (16) of the elongate element (10), and joint raising of the retaining member (36) and the connecting member (34).

Abstract: A passive heave compensator comprising: a main hydraulic cylinder, including a moveable piston having a piston rod extendible through the main hydraulic cylinder and a piston head, a gas phase above the piston head, and at least one oil phase below the piston head separated by a boundary; an upper connection point associated with the main hydraulic cylinder and a lower connection point associated with the piston rod; and at least one accumulator, the or each accumulator having a moveable separator to divide the accumulator between a gas phase above the separator, and an oil phase below the separator, and the or each oil phase being in communication with an oil phase in the main hydraulic cylinder; characterized in that the main hydraulic cylinder further comprises a cylinder sleeve co-axial with the piston head to provide, in co-ordination with the piston head, the boundary between the gas phase and the at least one oil phase in the main hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lateral external sleeve for a riser that can be preinstalled or field installed around the riser as it is deployed onto the seabed and a stress joint installed with the riser and longitudinally partially within the lateral external sleeve. The external sleeve in conjunction with the stress joint can support a laterally deployed riser in an otherwise high stress zone of the riser as it would bend due to changes in elevations and thus reduce stress on the riser. The system can act independently of a buoy-based system typically used in the art.

Abstract: A method for installing an underwater riser between a seabed (52) and a surface (12), and a tubular pipe suspended from a float (24): The float (24) is weighted to be able to submerge it to drive one pipe end (28) toward the seabed (52) for connecting the tubular pipe at the seabed. Unwinding the flexible pipe (20) to extend it catenary fashion between the float (24) and a surface installation (10) so as to weight the float (24) with the unwound flexible pipe (20) and cause the submersion of the float (24), whereby the other pipe end (28) is driven toward the seabed (52).

Abstract: A passive heave compensator having: a main hydraulic cylinder, including a moveable piston having a piston rod extendible through the main hydraulic cylinder and a piston head to divide the main hydraulic cylinder between a gas phase above the piston head, and oil phase below the piston head; an upper connection point associated with the main hydraulic cylinder and a lower connection point associated with the piston rod; and an accumulator having a moveable separator to divide the accumulator between a gas phase above the separator, and an oil phase below the separator and being in communication with the oil phase in the main hydraulic cylinder; wherein an oil phase includes a magnetorheological substance, and that the passive heave compensator includes one or more electromagnetic controllers.

Abstract: A method of anchoring one or more load carrying components of an elongate subsea structure, such as a flexible pipeline or umbilical, to a termination or end fitting, comprising the steps of: inserting said load carrying component(s) into or through a cavity or void within the termination; and filling said cavity or void with a filler material whereby said load carrying component(s) are embedded and anchored therein; wherein said filler material comprises spheroidal beads.

Abstract: A protective sleeve for being installed around a longitudinal portion of a pipe (72) for transporting hydrocarbons. The sleeve includes a set of rings, each of which has two opposite flanks (16, 18), and which are retained together in series, with the flanks (16, 18) opposite each other, by a plurality of elastically deformable connecting elements (32). The bending of the longitudinal portion is capable of causing contraction of the connecting elements (32) located towards the inside of the curve, as well as the elongation of the opposite connection elements (32), in order to resist the bending. Each connecting element (32) has two opposite rigid attachment portions (34, 36) and an elastic deformable body (38) interposed between the two attachment portions. The attachment portions (34, 36) are attached to the flanks (16, 18) opposite the rings (10), respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an umbilical 10 comprising a first independent 3-phase power supply circuit 14, the 3-phase power supply circuit 14 comprising at least six power cables 12 wherein each phase R, T, S of the 3-phase power supply circuit 14 consists of at least two power cables 12 connected in parallel with each other.

Abstract: A barrier connector arrangement (20) for a multi-pipe pipeline (14) for use in a subsea environment, the pipeline (14) comprising at least one inner pipe (12) and an outer pipe (11) having a dry annulus (13) thereinbetween, and one or more cables (50, 51) extending along the annulus (13), the connector arrangement (20) comprising: an outer housing (21) configured to be joined to the outer pipe (11) to define a dry interior housing with the annulus (13); and one or more dry barrier chambers (26, 27) extending through and welded to the housing (21) for connecting one or more of the cables (50, 51) in the pipeline (14) with one or more external cables in the subsea environment.