Abstract: A method for positioning an offshore platform jacket is used wherein the jacket is loaded on a barge in a conventional manner and towed out to sea to a predetermined offshore location. The barge is submerged, and the buoyant jacket is detacted. The jacket is towed away, and the barge is resurfaced for additional use.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for vertically sealing off dumps to prevent the seepage of water therefrom. A sealing wall is produced around the dump area which is to be sealed off. The sealing wall has at least one drainage sheet which extends over the length of the sealing wall, and is embedded therein. The drainage sheet produces a hydraulic gradient relative to the surroundings, as a result of which the seepage water collects in the drainage sheet. The occurrence and the quantity of the seepage water accumulated in the drainage sheet is determined in a controlled manner, and is withdrawn from the sealing wall.

Abstract: A manipulator apparatus carried by a remotely operated vehicle is provided with a suction device capable of gripping underwater objects. The suction portion of the manipulator apparatus utilizes suction chambers isolated from the body of water. When fluid is removed from the suction chambers an appropriately shaped moveable wall moves inwardly thereby forming a suction cavity between the suction device and the object to be moved.The moveable wall may take the form of a rubber-like flexible membrane wall or a piston moveable within the suction portion of the manipulator apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for consolidating and sealing coal and/or rock, soil and brick formations in mining, tunnelling and construction by reacting polyisocyanates and aqueous alkali silicate solutions in the presence of a catalyst prompting the trimerization of the polyisocyanate. The catalyst is used in an amount of 6.0 to 14.5 mmole per mole of NCO groups in the reaction mixture.When the reaction mixture is introduced into the coal and/or rock, soil and brick formation to be consolidated and is cured, excellent consolidation results are achieved on account of the formation of an "interpermeated network" of inorganic and organic polymer.

Abstract: A manipulator apparatus carried by a remotely operated vehicle is provided with a suction device having a flexible membrane wall capable of gripping underwater objects. The suction portion of the manipulator apparatus utilizes expansion chambers isolated from the body of water in combination with the flexible membrane wall which when expanded outward contacts and forms a suction cavity between the manipulator object and the object to be manipulated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for remotely connecting or disconnecting upper flexible choke/kill lines (including auxiliary lines) to choke/kill lines of a floating drilling rig riser which has been lowered toward the sea floor. Remote stab assemblies are mounted to a stowable tension ring releasably secured to a housing secured to rig beams. In the stowed position, hydraulic stab connectors secured to travelling yoke assemblies are disconnected from each line. The travelling yoke assemblies are moved to an outer position so that the flexible drape hoses clear the space beneath the housing in order that a blowout preventer stack may be trolleyed in from the side of the rig moon pool during running or retrieval. The stack is lowered toward the sea floor by the riser. A telescopic joint is connected to the top of the riser and lowered through the housing and the tension ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning drilling equipment modules on an offshore platform apparatus which are removeably connected to the platform and adapted to contain equipment associated with the drilling of wells. A major portion of the equipment is secured to and within the modules and is simultaneously removeable with the modules as a unit when drilling operations on the platform apparatus have been completed. The drilling equipment modules are transported to a second location which may be either a jacket positioned on the ocean floor or a storage yard for future use of the modules on another platform. Alternatively, production equipment modules containing previously-installed equipment associated with the production of well fluids and being of a size and arrangement to be interchangeable with drilling equipment modules are subsequently lowered onto the platform apparatus next to the wellhead equipment modules after drilling operations on the platform apparatus have been completed.

Abstract: Rotatable fill pipe for use in blind-filling underground voids has a collapsible backfill elbow on the lower end thereof, including an upper elbow part rigidly connected to the lower end of the fill pipe and a lower elbow part pivotally connected to the upper elbow part for pivotal movement between a lower position in coaxial alignment with the fill pipe to facilitate passage of the backfill elbow and lower end of the fill pipe through a fill hole into an underground void, and a raised position extending at an angle relative to the fill pipe to facilitate distribution of fill material introduced into the underground void through the fill pipe in a circular pile within the underground void as the fill pipe and backfill elbow are rotated about the longitudinal axis of the fill pipe. A cable may be connected to the lower elbow part for remotely actuating the lower elbow part for pivotal movement between the lower and raised positions.

Abstract: Rigid polyurethane foams which exhibit constant or slightly decreasing strain with an increasing stress in compression are prepared employing from 30 to 60 parts of an oxyalkylated toluenediamine polyol per 100 parts of polyol mixture. These foams may be employed in shoring up geological formations.

Abstract: A pile tip is disclosed for use in driving interconnected piles into the ground. The pile tip includes a load bearing base which includes a ground engaging surface which engages and penetrates the ground as the piles are driven in tandem. Pile receiving sockets project from the base in a direction opposite to the ground engaging surface for receiving ends of the piles and for protecting the received ends as the piles are driven. The base also protects the joint or connector used to interconnect the piles.

Abstract: A method for docking of a floating structure, e.g. a concrete offshore platform. According to a first embodiment, a pit (3) separated from the sea by means of sand or gravel deposits (1; 4) is excavated, whereupon the structure (7) is erected entirely or partly in the pit (3). The depth of the pit (3) is increased by building the upper edge of the pit upwards to an upper level, whereupon the pit is filled with water (10) in order for the structure to become floating. The deposits (12) situated at the bottom of the pit (3) and under the structure (7) are next removed by means of suitable techniques in order to lower the bottom of the pit (3) to a lowest level, while the level (11) of the water (10) in the pit (3) is maintained. Then the level of the water (10) is lowered to a lower level (14) corresponding to the level of the sea (2) on the outside and the dike ( 4; 8) separating the pit from the sea is removed, whereupon the structure may be floated away from the pit.

Abstract: A dual stage dynamic rock stabilizing fixture for insertion in a bore hole in a geologic structure, the fixture combining a dynamic compressible plastic formable material and an activatable bonding material in various cooperating arrangements which upon insertion of an anchor rod will perform an initial stabilization of the rock structure through the compression of the formable material by the anchor rod in advance of a subsequent stabilization effect upon setting up of the activatable bonding material through mixing action of a suitable surface configuration on the anchor rod. The fixtures hereof are designed to carry out the steps of a method of inserting the combined formable material and the bonding material into a bore hole, and using an anchor rod to establish a rapid first stage of rock stabilization through the formable material which creates a dynamic support and a second stage of rock stabilization from the activatable bonding material which creates a high modulus stiff anchor.

Abstract: A cribbing device for trenches which includes a pair of opposing supports spaced apart by a spreader, each support having a plurality of guide profiles and a crosspiece. The crosspiece is disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the trench, and the guide profiles are arranged adjacent each other on said crosspiece. The guide profiles include a plurality of legs disposed vertically and extending outward from the crosspiece, and a plurality of flanges disposed vertically and secured to the legs at the ends of the legs opposite the crosspiece. The flanges project beyond both sides of the legs. A plurality of cribbing boards each having a guide bar which supports a guide head is provided. The guide head is in the form of a slotted hollow box section and extends vertically beyond the board at its vertical face side. The width of each guide profile flange is slightly smaller than the inside width of the guide heads.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is set forth in the present invention for supporting the weight of a marine riser by use of a passive tensioning system which utilizes a buoyant member located upon the upper end of the riser. The member has a vertical slot defined through its side such that the riser may access the member from a lateral direction. Such lateral access of the riser to the member allows these buoyant members to be changed from beneath the riser when maintenance and/or inspection is required on a particular member.Since the riser need only to move laterally to access any member, and the riser may be temporarily supported at the surface by other means, the lower end of the riser does not need to be disconnected from subsea equipment when maintenance and/or inspection operations are required on a buoyant member. Well operations do not need to be interrupted, therefore, during buoyant member maintenance operations.

Abstract: This invention relates to river control structures, of the kind known as upstream tilting gates. A structure in accordance with the invention includes a chamber, (1, 2, 3 and 4) and a tilting platform (5). The upstream end of the platform includes a curved transverse wall (10), consisting of a plurality of leaves (12 and 13). When the platform is raised, the leaves provide a continuous wall between the platform and the top of the chamber, while when the platform is lowered, the leaves slide behind each other and are accommodated in the chamber. The structure also includes a channel (7, 8 and 9), extending along the length of the platform. The channel is provided with baffles to limit the flow of water down the channel, to enable fish to surmount the structure.

Abstract: A novel method of underwater tunnel construction is provided which comprises the employment of a double-layered flexible mold or form and the introduction of both an inert and a reactive fluid into spacings of the mold so as to produce both the shape and the basic structure of the designated tunnel. Upon consolidation of the reactive fluid, the inert fluid will be withdrawn and air is filled in to provide the tunnel spacing for further finishing work and normal function of the tunnel. When completed, the designated tunnel basically consists of a sandwich-like structural body having a least an inner and an outer layer of impermeable fabrics and sandwiched within these fabrics a relatively thick layer of consolidated mass such as concrete which constitutes the main structure or walls of the tunnel. A second layer of consolidated mass may be provided through the use of a third and outer fabric and the corresponding introduction of the reactive fluid into the enclosed spacing thereof.

Abstract: A device for ground stabilizing in hydraulic engineering comprises a structural steel mat to the bars of which are clipped grass support elements which have an upwardly open trough-shape in which grass-like ribbon elements are held by a further bar fitted into the trough and gripped thereby.

Abstract: An improved high-speed cable-laying apparatus of the type which digs a kerf, lays a cable at the kerf bottom, and refills the kerf with spoil in one pass. The kerf digger is a chainline loop having ground-cutting teeth spaced along its length and restricting elements between the teeth. The chainline is preferably in the form of a narrow upright loop. Rearwardly of the chainline loop are an upright chute for directing cable to the bottom of the kerf and a trailing structure supporting a reel, cable guide means, and angled plow blades for directing spoil back into the kerf on top of the cable. The arrangement of elements is compact and maneuverable and avoids damage to fragile cable even while the device operates at high ground speed.

Abstract: A flood water containment bag constructed of lightweight, inexpensive porous material with a quantity of water absorbent material therein which increases substantially in volume and weight when it absorbs water entering into the interior of the bag. The bag can be easily and quickly transported to a point of use and arranged in a plurality of superimposed courses when in a flattened lightweight condition and will expand to form a water barrier or wall. Fastener strips are attached to top and bottom surfaces of the horizontally arranged bags to enable them to be interconnected to stabilize the formed barrier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing optical fibers on a leader in plastic pipe are disclosed. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment for one type of plastic pipe having transverse corrugations, a pig is set forth which has a eyelet for connection with a towed leader, the eyelet being anchored at the nose. The pig body is constructed so that the nose is deformed as loading increases with length of leader, thereby swelling. This reduces blow-by and increases thrust force acting on the pig to overcome the increase in drag with leader length. An alternate embodiment shows an outer layer incorporating graphite or Teflon.RTM. particles in the outer layer to reduce friction. The pigs of this disclosure are adapted to be used in procedures involving corrugated plastic pipe and also plastic pipe having a smooth wall and spaced welded internal beads.