Abstract: An electronic module for use as a subsea electronic module for an underwater fluid extraction well, wherein a local area network enables communication within the module, the local area network including a plurality of interfaces with components of the network, and wherein the interfaces comprise capacitive coupling interfaces.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for controlling an external device (4) at a well installation includes a control module (2) for generating electrical and/or optical control signals. A control pod (8) receives the control signals, the control pod controlling the external device. A hydraulic line (10) links the control pod to the external device (4) for controlling it.

Abstract: An underwater stabplate connection is provided by lowering a counterbalanced first part of the connection in a horizontal disposition by a lift line, the first part being attached to an umbilical. The first part of the connection mates with a second part of the connection, the second part being attached to an underwater structure such as a well tree.

Abstract: An underwater termination assembly for use with a subsea system such as a well tree, comprises a construction having first and second limbs substantially at a right-angle to each other, which construction may be lowered having an umbilical connected to one of the limbs so that said one of the limbs sits on the bed of a body of water.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for controlling an external device (4) at a well installation includes a control module (2) for generating electrical and/or optical control signals. A control pod (8) receives the control signals, the control pod controlling the external device. A hydraulic line (10) links the control pod to the external device (4) for controlling it.

Abstract: A method of testing an electronics module (11) for an underwater well installation, comprises the steps of: providing a test equipment (7) comprising a processor (8) and a Local Area Network (LAN) switch (9), such that the processor (8) may communicate with the switch (9); providing an electronics module (11) comprising a data acquisition means (12) and a second LAN switch (10), such that the data acquisition means (12) may communicate with the second switch (10); passing test data from the processor (8) to the data acquisition means (12) via the first and second LAN switches (9, 10); and monitoring the response of the electronics module (11) in response to the test data.

Abstract: A cable connection device (7) for operatively connecting two sections of cable (3) (see FIG. 1) comprises: first and second parts (9, 10) for respective connection to the first and second cable sections, said first and second parts (9, 10) having mutually engageable components (15, 16) for releasably locking the two parts together; and a release mechanism (17, 19, 31) which when activated permits the first and second parts to separate, said mechanism comprising means (31) for forcibly separating the first and second parts.

Abstract: A Subsea Electronics Module for a well installation, comprising: a housing; at least two printed circuit boards having control circuitry provided thereon; and a communications component for enabling communication between the control printed circuit boards; wherein the module further comprises a communications handling board operatively connected to the printed circuit boards, the communications component being mounted on the communications handling board.

Abstract: A cable connection for connecting a cable 9 to an underwater installation 7 comprises a connector (2, see FIG. 2) for connection to an end of the cable 9, the connector having at a first end engagement means for engaging with the installation 7, a tether (4, see FIG. 2) which in use has a first end attached to the connector and a second end attached to the cable at a distance from said end of the cable and guide means (12, 13, 14) located proximate a section of the cable adjacent said end of the cable so that in use said section is substantially restrained by said guide means at a predetermined angle with respect to the engagement means.

Abstract: A multidrop communications system for transferring data to a plurality of devices, comprises an optical fibre having first and second ends, a plurality of light sources for producing light of different respective wavelengths, modulation means to modulate light from each light source to encode respective data thereon, the modulation means outputting a plurality of modulated light components having said respective wavelengths, an optical multiplexer for multiplexing said modulated light components onto said first end of the optical fibre using wavelength division multiplexing, an optical demultiplexer connected to the second end of the optical fibre for demultiplexing light therefrom into a plurality of components having respective wavelengths, demodulation means for demodulating each of said components to extract said respective data, and means for transferring the extracted data to different respective target devices.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a solenoid (1) of a directional control valve (DCV) associated with a subsea control module (6) in a subsea hydrocarbon production system is disclosed. A voltage is applied across a coil of the solenoid, for moving the armature (4) thereof, and a current through the coil is sensed to produce an indication of if and when the armature is moved.

Abstract: An electronics assembly for an underwater well installation, comprises a housing; an electrical module located within the housing; and a resiliently deformable member located between the electrical module and the housing for conducting heat between the electrical module and the housing.

Abstract: A production shutdown system for an underwater hydrocarbon production facility, comprising, on the topside: a safety system, and a communications module; and, underwater; drive control means, and an underwater communications component; wherein in use safety signals are passed from the safety system to the drive control means via the topside communications module and the underwater communications component, and wherein the safety system and drive control means are rated according to a prescribed safety level but the communications module and underwater communications component are not so rated.

Abstract: An electronics module for a well installation comprises a wireless receiver for receiving data and/or software from an external source.

Abstract: An electronics card for an electronics module comprises a wireless transceiver for communication with a second wireless transceiver external to the card. In addition, an electronics module comprises such an electronics card.

Abstract: A method for providing an umbilical connection for a well installation, the well installation being located at the bed or floor of a body of water, comprises the steps of providing an umbilical with first and second ends and prior to operative deployment of the umbilical, locating the umbilical such that at least a portion of the umbilical is substantially statically retained within the body of water. Additionally, an umbilical deployment system for a well installation located at the bed or floor of a body of water, comprises an umbilical, wherein, prior to operative deployment of the umbilical, at least a portion of the umbilical is substantially statically retained within the body of water.

Abstract: An assembly senses fluid pressure variations within a passageway along a length of a flowline. A fiber optic cable is disposed axially within the passageway of the flowline. The fiber optic cable experiences a mechanical strain responsive to variations in the fluid pressure of the fluid communicating through the passageway of the flowline along the length of the flowline. The assembly also includes an enhancing layer surrounding the fiber optic cable. The enhancing layer is more responsive to the fluid pressure of the fluid communicating through the passageway of the cable than the fiber optic cable, which enhances the responsiveness of the fiber optic cable to the pressure by magnifying the mechanical strain associated with the fiber optic cable within a particular region of varying fluid pressure. Strain associated with the cable is communicated through back-reflected light.

Abstract: A running tool for deployment from a base such as a vessel for installing a component at an underwater facility such as a hydrocarbon extraction well includes a carriage which is lowered from the base. The carriage releasably retains the component. A compensator is located between the carriage and the base for compensating for relative motion between the underwater facility and the base.

Abstract: A system for use in controlling a hydrocarbon production well has a: computer at a control location remote from a well tree of the well. A processor at the well tree applies control signals to and receives signals from devices of the well tree. The processor also receives further signals associated with the operation of the well. A bi-directional communication link extends between the remote computer and the well tree processor. The well tree further has a communications router coupled with the processor and receiver, for multiplexing the signals from devices at the well head and the further signals on to the bi-directional link.

Abstract: A system for use in controlling a hydrocarbon production well has a: computer at a control location remote from a well tree of the well. A processor at the well tree applies control signals to and receives signals from devices of well tree. The processor also receives further signals associated with the operation of the well. A bi-directional communication link extends between the remote computer and the well tree processor. The well tree further has a communications router coupled with the processor and receiver, for multiplexing the signals from devices at the well head and the further signals on to the bi-directional link.