Abstract: One invention relates to a liner (5) for repairing the connection between a main pipeline (100) and a lateral pipe (200). The liner (5) includes a main pipeline lining part (12) that in use forms a tubular portion for lining an inner circumferential portion of the main pipeline (100) and a lateral pipe lining part (14) that in use forms a tubular portion for lining an inner circumferential portion of the lateral pipe (200). Located between the lateral pipe lining part (12) and the main pipe lining part (14) there is a transition zone (16) that in use is arranged to line a junction zone (150) between the main pipeline (100) and the lateral pipe (200). The transition zone (16) of the liner (5) is formed integrally with the main pipeline lining part (12) and the lateral pipe lining part (14).

Abstract: A method for mounting at last one tidal turbine and its associated support structures in a river or sea bed. The turbine and associated support structures are joined to a base of such weight as to involve gravitational forces of such magnitude as to be sufficient to withstand forces acting to tend to displace the turbine and its associated support structures. The base structure can be pre-assembled and transported to a required location of installation by lowering to the sea or river bed. Conveniently, the transportation is by means of an installation vessel incorporating a facility for lowering the entire assembly including at least one turbine, a support column, and the base structure in a controlled manner to rest at a desired position on the river or sea bed.

Abstract: A method for repairing a support piling, in situ, while immersed in water, comprising the steps of encircling a portion of said piling in need of repair above and below the water line in a coffer dam; and evacuating water from said coffer dam for exposing the portion of the piling in need of repair. Repair steps include blasting damaged portions with high pressure water and/or abrasive particles, adding metal support rods where needed, applying zinc or similar metal for protection against electrolysis, and treating the repaired area with a protective coating such as concrete or grout.

Abstract: Superabrasive inserts are disclosed. More particularly, a superabrasive insert may comprise a superabrasive layer bonded to a substrate at an interface. Further, the superabrasive layer may include a central substantially planar surface, a peripheral side surface, and an arcuate peripheral surface extending between the central substantially planar surface and the peripheral side surface. In one embodiment, the arcuate peripheral surface may comprise a lateral extent and an extension depth, wherein a ratio of the lateral extent to the extension depth is at least about 1.5. In another embodiment, an arcuate peripheral surface may comprise a substantially circular arc, wherein the substantially planar surface is tangent to the substantially circular arc and a tangent reference line to the substantially circular arc forms an angle of at least about 10° with the peripheral side surface. Subterranean drilling tools (e.g., drill bits) including at least one superabrasive insert are disclosed.

Abstract: A cable retention and release mechanism includes a cable gripping device including a cable passage. A cable extends through the cable passage. A cable gripping device collar is movably coupled around the cable gripping device. An outer cable gripping device surface is seated against a cable gripping device receiving inner surface preventing movement of the cable gripping device relative to the cable gripping device collar. The cable gripping device receiving inner surface clamps the cable gripping device on the cable and prevents sliding movement of the cable. A jack is movably coupled with the cable gripping device collar. In a first engaged position the jack is engaged against the cable gripping device proximal end. In a second engaged position the jack unseats the outer cable gripping device surface from the cable gripping device receiving inner surface and releases the clamping of the cable.

Abstract: A skid for positioning a pipe or a piece of earth boring equipment includes a first frame and a second frame slidably mounted on the first frame. The second frame forms a rectangular trough having an open upper end. An upwardly opening cradle rests in the open upper end of the rectangular tough of the second frame that supports the pipe or the piece of earth boring equipment. A first vertical sack mechanism is attached to a first end of the first frame and a first end of the second frame. A second vertical jack mechanism is attached to a second end of the first frame and a second end of the second frame. The first and second vertical jack mechanisms raise and lower the second frame and the upwardly opening cradle supporting the pipe or the earth boring equipment to a desired position.

Abstract: A retaining wall system employs a wall structure, at least one grid member, and first and second rods. The wall structure comprises a wall member and a plurality of wall loops. The first and second rods extend between at least two of the plurality of wall loops. At least portions of at least one of the first and second rods may pass through the wall loops. A grid member is arranged at least partly around one of the first and second rods such that tension applied to one grid member causes one grid member to engage the first and second rods to increase friction between the at least one grid member and the first and second rods. One of the first and second rods is inserted at least partly through one of the wall loops to transfer tension loads on one grid member to the wall member.

Abstract: A tension-based tension leg platform (TBTLP) for use in ultra deepwater applications to support dry-tree oil and gas production utilizes a tension base or artificial seabed that simplifies tendon design at deepwater locations in harsh environment and has a truss pontoon structure that reduces vertical and horizontal wave loadings. The platform may include a riser support tower that makes production risers feasible in 8,000 ft water depths without riser pretension to the hull and reduces or eliminates vortex induced vibration problems.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus, for example a centralizer, comprises a swellable material which expands upon contact with at least one predetermined fluid. In a first aspect of the invention, a centralizer comprises a body and a plurality of formations upstanding from the body. In another aspect, a downhole apparatus comprises a throughbore configured to receive a tubular, a swellable member, and a rigid assembly integrally formed with the swellable member. The rigid assembly provides stand off to the apparatus in use. In a further aspect, the downhole apparatus has a first condition before expansion of the swellable member in which a rigid assembly defines a maximum outer diameter of the apparatus. In a second condition after expansion of the swellable member, the swellable member defines a maximum outer diameter of the apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the rigid assembly is designed to flex or deform under an axial or radial load.

Abstract: A marine geophysical survey cable retriever system. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including causing a submerged survey cable to surface. In some cases, causing the submerged survey cable to surface includes: shedding ballast weights when the survey cable reaches or exceeds a first predetermined depth; and inflating a lifting bag when the survey cable reaches or exceeds a second predetermined depth.

Abstract: An anchor includes a rotatable anchor rod an anchor plate and an anchor nut. The screw thread in the anchor nut matches the screw thread of the anchor rod only over part of the screw thread hole. Thus the anchor nut can only be screwed some way further onto the anchor rod, and up to a predetermined torque can be used for rotating the anchor rod during placement of the anchor. As soon as the anchor rod is firmly seated in the drill hole, as a result of the action of adhesive, mortar or expansion or spreading, the anchor rod forms a through-thread in the screw thread hole when the anchor nut is rotated relative to the anchor rod, and consequently the anchor nut can finally be screwed onto the anchor rod until it affixes the anchor plate in its final position to the ground.

Abstract: An articulated baffle assembly is disclosed and claimed. The battle assembly includes a support and vanes connected to the support. The support holds the vanes in the flow of a liquid in order to promote sedimentation when the baffle assembly is in an operational configuration. The support includes an articulation that allows the baffle assembly to be reversibly converted to a retracted configuration that facilitates access to and removal of sediment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of installing foundation elements, in particular (mono)piles (2), in an underwater ground formation (3), by means of a driver (4), comprising the steps of placing a foundation element (2) on the underwater ground formation (3) and holding the foundation element (2) in place by means of a gripper (10) mounted on a surface vessel, placing a sleeve (6) for reducing noise input from the driver (4) about the foundation element (2), disengaging the gripper (10), lowering the sleeve (6) onto the ground formation (3), and placing the driver (4) on top of the foundation element (2). The sleeve (6) is held at least laterally with a guide (11) mounted on the surface vessel, at least when disengaging the gripper (10).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for introducing at least one pipe for at least one optical cable into a solid bed with the aid of a laying device. At least one groove is milled or cut in the bed and the at least one pipe is inserted in the groove. At least one side wall of the groove is configured with a step for supporting a filler material. After laying the pipe the remaining volume of the groove is filled. Alternatively, the pipe can be formed according to the groove. In addition, the friction between the at least one pipe laid in the groove and the side walls of the groove can be increased so that emergence of the at least one pipe of its own accord from the at least one groove is prevented.

Abstract: A system for treating influent liquid includes a treatment module having an elongated member arranged in a predetermined configuration. The elongated member has a core structure wrapped in a fabric configured for the passage of the influent liquid therethrough. Filter field medium is disposed about open areas defined by the predetermined configuration of the elongated member and is configured for receiving the influent liquid from the elongated member and passing the influent liquid therethrough. A bladder containing the treatment module has an outlet for providing treated influent liquid passing through the filter medium. A distribution conduit is coupled to the bladder and has an outlet for distributing the influent liquid to the elongated member.

Abstract: Apparatus for laying conduit from a vessel comprises reel carrier arranged to receive a reel (202) wound with conduit (204) and capable of being reciprocated along the direction of the axis (214) of the reel as the conduit is unwound. The apparatus further comprises a straightener (208), and a control unit arranged to control the reel carrier such that the fleet angle created between the conduit and the straightener is reduced. Such an arrangement ensures that the conduit is not bent past its limit of elastic deformability while allowing the straightener to be situated relatively close to the reel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlling axial, lateral and/or vertical movements of subsea pipelines which reduce the need for expensive pipeline anchoring or other mitigation solutions. The pipeline is connected to a stabilizing structure generally adjacent to the pipeline using a plurality of load-bearing members attached to the pipeline and the stabilizing structure at a plurality of predetermined locations. Also described are systems and methods for monitoring operating parameters of the pipeline over time.

Abstract: A portable, modular, and dynamically sized and shaped, above-ground, industrial-liquid-containment system is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a plurality of elongated curbs, each of which has a substantially inverted-V-shaped cross-section. In variations, each curb can have a flat top surface, from which two walls extend downwardly at a predetermined angle. At the bottom of each of the curb walls, is a foot surface extending substantially parallel to the ground and to the flat top surface. The plurality of curbs are detachably coupled together to define a perimeter for a liquid-containment area. The height of the curbed boundary can be increased by installing curb-height extender members onto the first-layer of curb members. The defined containment-area floor and the plurality of curbs is continuously covered by liquid-impermeable sheeting in order to prevent leakage into the outer-ground environment.

Abstract: There is provided a mesh system (2) comprising a mesh sheet (4) and a reinforcing member in the form of a cable (6) coupled to one side of the sheet (4). The cable (6) is coupled to the mesh by wire ties (7). Two lengths (6a) and (6b) of the cable (6) may overlap or be disposed in a mutually adjacent manner. The lengths (6a) and (6b) may be coupled together by U-bolts or crimped bands (9), which may also engage the underlying sheet (4).

Abstract: An apparatus for removing oil or other pollutants from the surface of water, comprising a platform having a left side wall, aright side wall, a rear wall, a front opening, a floor, and a bottom, one or more ballasts which adjust the platform floor relative to a level of oil on the water surface, wherein the oil flows from the front opening across the floor to the rear wall, a rear location near the rear wall to collect the oil from the platform floor; and a pump connected to the rear location that removes the oil from the rear location to a storage area which does not affect the ballast of the platform. The skimmer vessel can work stationary in the water, and does not require a propellor means, as the oil will continue to flow into the skimmer as the oil is pumped out of the rear by the gravity flow to the rear of the vessel.