Abstract: A bend stiffener 2 is disclosed for preventing excessive bending of an elongate member, e.g. a marine riser, in a region where it enters a tube, e.g. an “l” or “J” tube mounted on a hydrocarbon extraction platform. The bend stiffener has an elongate sleeve 8 having a through-going cavity which receives the elongate member in use. The sleeve is to be mounted by means of (i) a mating part 18 received by the tube and (ii) an axial locating arrangement 6, 12, 14, 16. The axial locating arrangement is designed to permit at least some angular movement. As a result bending moments are borne by the engagement of the mating part 18 with the tube. The axial locating arrangement does not suffer large bending moments and so problems of fatigue in this area are alleviated.

Abstract: A buoyancy element (200) is disclosed which comprises a moulded body of plastics-composite material incorporating reinforcement (202) comprising at least one elongate flexible member or filament, embedded in the body and adapted to retain fragments of the buoyancy module together following structural failure of the module.

Abstract: A centralizer for a pipe or other elongate member is formed from a plurality of tubular bodies (16) each having a through passage (23) that is connected end-to-end to form a continuous passageway. Each of the tubular bodies (16) has a female connector portion (26) at one end and a male connector portion (24) at the opposite end that fits into the female connector portion (26) with longitudinal and/or angular play. The securing means in the form of a mounting flange (14) is also provided to fix the centralizer with respect to a J-tube through which the centralizer is to pass. The invention centralizes the elongate member in the J-tube and maintains the allowable minimum bending radius, whilst eliminating, or reducing to acceptable levels, the contact loads and abrasion on the elongate member.