Abstract: A filling platform connected to a ship, and at least one manifold which opens onto the platform. A detachable tubular connector connects the manifold to a fluid delivery hose carried by a delivery installation. At least one carriage conveys the connector over the platform. The carriage is moveable across the platform to convey the tubular connector over the platform between a storage position and an active position, in which latter position, the connector is fixed to the manifold. The system is applicable to the transfer of liquefied natural gas from offshore storage installations to tanker ships.

Abstract: A method and an installation for loading and unloading compressed natural gas on ships, said ships being suitable for sea navigation and the ships having receivers. The compressed natural gas is storable in tubes, installed on the receivers. The installation comprises fixed containers for housing tubes, supports for holding a container supported above the sea surface at a given height, devices operable for lowering the receivers, such as to carry each receiver below a fixed container and to lift the receivers so as to lift the fixed container above the given height to support the containers on the receivers.

Abstract: A method and a device for installing a sub-sea riser for an offshore operation, between a base installation disposed on the sea bed and a sea installation protruding above the base installation. The sub-sea riser is provided with a first end and a second end. The method comprises the following stages in the following order: a) the first end of the riser is joined to the sea installation; b) the sub-sea riser is deployed; c) the second end of the riser is guided towards the base installation; d) the second end is coupled to the base installation by releasing the second end and the efforts of the recoil force exerted on the base installation are transferred; e) the second end and the base installation are connected to each other.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an efficient system to obtain a pile from a storage location on a vessel and shift the pile across the vessel without significant rotation of the pile. The pile can be transferred into an assembly that can lower the pile and launch the pile. The disclosure provides a method of translating and launching a pile for a marine application, comprising: storing at least a first pile on a rack located on a vessel; transporting the pile to an installation site; lifting the pile from the rack with a cart; supporting the pile on the cart; shifting the cart and the pile to a launch arm assembly; transferring the pile from the cart to a first portion of the launch arm assembly adjacent a side of the vessel; lowering the first portion with the pile; and releasing the pile from the first portion into a marine environment.

Abstract: A stiffener fixation assembly fixed to the outer cover of a flexible tube, the flexible tube being in contact with a stiffener in an I-tube, at the end of which a bell mouth may be fixed, whereby the stiffener fixation assembly is located between the outer surface of the flexible tube and the inner wall of a centralizer and comprises rotary pieces that are axially movable with respect to the inner wall of the I-tube and capable of eliminating the relative movement between the flexible tube and the stiffener.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for upper connection connecting two terminal endpieces (9, 10) of two submarine fluid transporting pipelines (2, 4) used in offshore hydrocarbon exploitation, a riser supported by at least one buoyant element (6) and a second pipe connecting the riser to a production and/or storage installation located at the surface, the device comprising an intermediate linking pipe (8) mounted mobile relative to the terminal endpieces of the riser and the second pipe between an operational position wherein it is connected at its two ends to said endpieces of the riser (2) and the second pipe (4) and an intervening position wherein its ends are disconnected from said endpieces (9, 10).

Abstract: A spar platform for use in the offshore drilling or production of fossil fuels includes a hull having a centerwell. An airtight and watertight barrier traverses the centerwell, forming a variable buoyancy compartment in the centerwell. In certain embodiments the centerwell is open at the bottom to the sea, while in certain other embodiments the centerwell is sealed at the bottom. At least one sleeve for accommodating a riser extends through the barrier and the variable buoyancy compartment to the bottom of the centerwell. The sleeve has an open upper end to provide a drain for water accumulating in the centerwell, and it forms an airtight and watertight seal at its juncture with the barrier. In some embodiments, two or more airtight and watertight barriers are provided across the centerwell, defining an airtight and watertight fixed buoyancy chamber between each adjacent pair of barriers.

Abstract: A deepwater pipeline is towed to a predetermined position by a bottom towing method with a leading end of the pipeline attached to a towing vessel and the trailing end of the pipeline attached to a trailing vessel. The trailing end is supported near the seabed using the trailing vessel, while the pipeline is dragged along the seabed. A towing speed is established, and a hang off angle for the leading end is maintained by raising and lowering the trailing end to control the length of the pipeline dragged along the seabed, and thus the amount of drag applied by the seabed to the pipeline. In a method for bottom towing and submerged flying of a riser having a leading end and a trailing end, the riser is towed by the bottom towing method at a first speed until the trailing end of the riser lifts off the seabed, whereupon the towing speed is increased.

Abstract: A hull-to-caisson interface connection assembly accommodates high tension loads between the hull and a caisson of a Spar-type platform, while facilitating angular flexing motion and constraining lateral and axial movement. The interface connection assembly includes an annular bearing shoulder at the top end of caisson, and a laminated bearing assembly mounted in the bottom of the hull and defining a passage through which the upper portion of the caisson passes, so that the caisson shoulder seats against the upper end of the bearing assembly. The bearing assembly includes a laminated structure of alternating steel and elastomeric flex elements, bonded to each other to flex together as a unit, rather than sliding relative to each other. The laminated structure of the bearing assembly supports the vertical tensile loads applied by the weight of the caisson on the hull, while also accommodating the angular loads applied between the caisson and the hull.

Abstract: A bend-limiting conduit controls the curvature of a catenary riser extending from the seafloor as it enters the centerwell of a spar-type offshore platform through the keel of the platform. The conduit has a bore dimensioned to receive the riser, and it extends from an upper end constrained within the keel to a lower end disposed below the keel. The conduit has increasing flexibility and weight per unit length from the upper end to the lower end, which results in a lateral load being applied to the riser as it passes through the conduit, thereby causing a gentle and gradual transition in the riser from a curved configuration at the lower end of the conduit, to a straight configuration as it emerges from the upper end of the conduit.

Abstract: An underwater storage installation for a cryogenic liquid. A foundation base rests directly on the sea floor. An underwater cell for storing the cryogenics liquid and cryogenic liquid-supply and -discharge conduits. The storage cell comprises a sealed outer chamber and a vapor barrier disposed inside the outer chamber and which defines a watertight space. A separation space is disposed between the outer chamber and the vapor barrier. Spacers are disposed in the space to keep the chamber and the vapor barrier at a distance from one another. The installation can be used for the storage of liquefied natural gas.

Abstract: In this process, the LNG stream is sub-cooled with a refrigerating fluid in a first heat exchanger. This refrigerating fluid undergoes a closed second refrigeration cycle which is independent of the first cycle. The closed cycle comprises a phase of heating the refrigerating fluid in a second heat exchanger, and a phase of compressing the refrigerating fluid in a compression apparatus to a pressure greater than its critical pressure. It further comprises a phase of cooling the refrigerating fluid originating from the compression apparatus in the second heat exchanger and a phase of dynamically expanding of a proportion of the refrigerating fluid issuing from the second heat exchanger in a turbine. The refrigerating fluid is formed by a mixture of nitrogen-containing fluids.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system and method for installing subsea equipment, such as a pipeline and equipment associated therewith in a target area, generally having restricted overhead access. An anchor can be installed in the seabed and can include one or more sheaves. A pipeline can be provided, which can include related equipment and/or one or more coupling devices situated remotely from the anchor relative to the target area. A winch wire can be provided and is adapted to be directly or indirectly coupled across at least a portion of the target area to the pipeline. A transfer sling having a pull wire and an initiation wire can be coupled between the winch wire and pipeline to assist the winch wire pulling the pipeline into the target area and transferring a pipeline force from the sheave to the anchor independent of the sheave.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method, apparatus, and system of a deep-draft semi-submersible liquefied natural gas (LNG) floating production and storage vessel that can include a pontoon containing LNG tanks, fixed ballast at the bottom in a double-bottom portion, and segregated ballasted tanks with variable ballast located generally above the fixed ballast portion that can assist in keeping the pontoon submerged during various storage levels. Multiple vertical columnar supports can penetrate the pontoon from top to bottom and extend above the water surface to support a deck, including various topside structures. An intermediate double-deck on the top of the pontoon can provide access to the tanks, for example, through the vertical columnar supports. The double bottom structure, deck, and vertical columnar supports can provide overall structural integrity.

Abstract: The invention relates to an installation comprising a combustion chamber (15) provided with means (53) which are used to introduce the mineral load and are connected to a pre-heater (27), combustion means (55) for maintaining the chamber (15) at a temperature of between 700° C. and 900° C., means (57) for introducing a treatment gas having a controlled carbon dioxide content in order to oppose the dissociation of the carbonate in the chamber (15), and means (61) for removing the calcinated mineral load guided into a cooler (31). The chamber (15) comprises means (51) for forming a fluidised bed. The means (57) for introducing treatment gases are supplied at least partially by a line (91) or deriving part of the combustion flue gases of the chamber (15) emitted by means for discharging (21) said flue gases into the atmosphere. The invention can be used for the production of a cement-type hydraulic binder.

Abstract: An installation for manufacturing a wound rigid tubular pipe intended to be installed by a laying ship. An assembly unit for assembling a plurality of rigid tubes end to end to obtain lengths and for assembling the lengths to form the rigid tubular pipe which is intended to be wound onto a storage reel situated on the laying ship. An intermediate winding and deforming apparatus arranged on a first float distinct from the laying ship in order to plastically deform the rigid tubular pipe and wind it onto the intermediate winding apparatus after the rigid tubular pipe has been formed. A connector connecting together the first float and the assembly unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved system and method for increasing an anchoring force on a pile. The concepts regarding the pile can apply whether the pile is degraded and no longer able to support its intended load, or a load on the pile has increased to a level that may overstress the pile. A sleeve can be installed even in subsea conditions over the pile and can be used to provide an additional securing force to the existing pile. The sleeve may include its own padeye for coupling an anchor line or other coupling member to a structure to be secured. The sleeve may also include an assembly of rings coupled together with at least one longitudinal member. The assembly with the rings spaced a distance away from each other may help reduce an installation friction on the sleeve, as it is installed into the sea floor.

Abstract: A device for laying pipes from a laying vessel. The pipes convey a fluid within. The device comprises a lower retaining device to retain a pipe and a lower securing device to support the lower retaining device. An upper retaining device retains the pipe and is able to move translationally with respect to the lower retaining device. Both retaining devices retain the pipe from the inside. An upper securing device to which the lower retaining device can be coupled through a pipe section to be connected in order to release the lower securing device and in order to secure thereto the said upper retaining device after the then lower pipe section has been connected and submerged.

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-bonded pipe which is used to produce a dynamic pressurized fluid transfer hose and, in particular, a mud hose for rotary oil drilling. The inventive pipe consists of the following elements from inside outwards: an inner polymer sheath, at least two crosswise-arranged reinforcing plies comprising a wire which is wound helically at opposing winding angles, A and B, which are close to the angle of equilibrium of 55°, having an average that is centered on a value close to the equilibrium angle value; and an outer polymer sheath. The pipe also comprises an anticreep layer which is made from at least one coil with contiguous edges of a strip with high mechanical properties. Moreover, the aforementioned winding angles, A and B, of the crosswise-arranged reinforcing plies are not equal.

Abstract: A structure for the transport, installation and dismantlement of a deck (2) of a fixed oil platform (1) for maritime use, the structure including a floating U-shaped hull (11) fitted with at least three lifting legs (12) adapted so as to rest upon the bottom of the sea, each lifting leg (12) being associated with mechanical displacement units (20), and a shuttle (30) which can be displaced along the lifting legs (12) by the hull (11) and which is applied to the lower surface of the deck (2) in a support position for the deck, the shuttle (30) being provided with locks (36, 37) for locking on the lifting legs (12). A method for the transport, installation and dismantlement of a deck of a fixed oil platform is also disclosed.