Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting and processing permafrost gases and for cooling permafrost are disclosed herein. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment for processing gas in a permafrost region includes obtaining a gas from a sacrificial area of a thawing permafrost region, dissociating the gas in a non-combustive chemical process, and circulating a constituent of the gas through a savable area of the thawing permafrost region to cool the savable area. In particular embodiments, this process can be used to cool selected areas of permafrost and/or create clean-burning fuels and/or other products from permafrost gases.

Abstract: This invention introduces three-dimensional (3D) damper arrangements that are used to suppress dynamic motions of a subsea line like a riser, on which the dampers are installed. Damping surfaces (shapes) are mounted on the line so that their combined drag per line unit length dampens motions in 3 mutually perpendicular directions: axial, in-plane (IP) and out-of-plane (OOP). 3D suppression is provided by integral 3D dampers or by combining IP-OOP dampers like strakes with neighboring axial dampers. Increased line motions suppression is achieved by decoupling, particularly on dampers mounted in regions of high line curvature and/or small effective tension. This invention also presents Short Lazy Wave (SLW) configurations of rigid catenary risers, which are also used to suppress dynamic motions. 3D dampers can be used together with SLWs. Motion suppression is introduced to reduce dynamic stresses and to increase fatigue life of the lines.

Abstract: A pipeline termination skid to be mounted to a pipeline end section in order to support a pipeline hub of the pipeline end section during and after the connection of the pipeline hub to a corresponding spool piece hub. The termination skid comprises a base frame having a downwardly directed opening for a pipeline end section, and at least one holding unit provided with a downwardly directed seat having a downwardly directed entrance opening so as to allow the pipeline end section to be moved into contact with the seat by being lifted upwards through the entrance opening. The holding unit is provided with a locking device for securing the pipeline end section to the holding unit in a lifted position in contact with the seat of the holding unit.

Abstract: Strong nonwoven fabrics can be used as a sheet in a silt screen fence or other temporary silt screen barrier. The fabrics can be without reinforcements. Enhanced features of these strong nonwoven fabrics can enable them to be used as a sheet in a silt screen fence or other temporary silt screen barrier without adding additional processing steps. A strong nonwoven fabric without internal or external reinforcement that does not tear easily and has excellent light stability can be used.

Abstract: There is described a method of consolidating foundation soils and/or building sites in general, which comprises injections of expanding chemical products which are projected and carried out by means of monitoring the effects which are progressively measured in the soil in the course of treatment by means of sequential tomographies of the electrical resistivity. Those consolidating injections will be carried out until the percentage variation of the electrical resistivity ??(%), measured in quasi-real time in the soil being treated and always with respect to the initial condition before the injection will not constitute sequential gradients (Nth) which differ from the preceding one (N?1) for variations contained in the range ±5%.

Abstract: A tension dispersion type complex anchor device includes an internal fixing body having a tension member which is placed through a free length section to apply a tension force and a fixing block to which a wedge assembly for grasping a distal end of the tension member is mounted; a connection medium unit for mounting the internal fixing body to one end thereof; a grip sleeve coupled to the other end of the connection medium unit; and a permanent anchor fixed by being fitted into the grip sleeve to provide an allowable anchoring force through a bonded length section.

Abstract: A coupler having two degrees of axial freedom couples a hydro-pneumatic cylinder to a tensioner ring of a riser tensioner mounted to a platform. A post extends along an axis of the cylinder and an intermediate sleeve is disposed around the post to form a post annulus. An outer sleeve is secured to the tensioner ring and defines a cavity into which the post and intermediate sleeve are inserted so that an annulus is formed between the sleeve and the outer sleeve. The Outer sleeve is coupled to the intermediate sleeve so that the outer sleeve may pivot on the coupling between the outer sleeve and the intermediate sleeve relative to the intermediate sleeve. The intermediate sleeve is coupled to the post so that the intermediate sleeve may pivot on the coupling between the intermediate sleeve and the post relative to the post.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing geological gradation layer featuring disaster prevention and ecologic function, which uses on-site earth or gradation materials commonly adopted in road construction, including aggregates, soils, gravels, or a mixture of water permeable concrete, and most importantly, added with uniquely arranged hollow bodies, all constituents being mixed and laid on soil stratum, and subjected to ramming, to form an ecological gradation layer. The ecological gradation layer provides an effect of supporting and also provides the functions of water storage, water preservation, and improving earth, whereby earth microorganisms and earth protozoa may establish a beneficial survival environment in earth, making the gradation layer exhibiting the characteristics of high water content and prompting breeding of microorganisms.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ice worthy jack-up rig with a conical piled monopod working together to drill wells and produce hydrocarbons in ice prone locations. The inventive rig would work like a conventional jack-up rig while in open water with the hull jacked up out of the water. However, in the event of ice conditions, the legs are held in place by cans embedded in the sea floor to resist lateral movement of the rig. Both the hull and conical piled monopod are shaped with ice-bending surfaces to bend and break up ice that comes into contact.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a water management barrier may include a hollow body at least partially defined by a front wall, a back wall, a top portion, a bottom portion, a first end, and a second end. The front wall may include a plurality of raised portions spaced from each other and extending substantially between the top portion and the bottom portion. The raised portions may at least partially define a plurality of channels extending substantially between said top portion and said bottom portion. The raised portions and/or the channels may be configured to help the front wall resist deformation due to one or more forces being exerted on the front wall. The barrier may also include an elongated connection member connection to the first end and a connection recess formed in the second end. The barrier may also include an elongated foot member attached to the bottom portion.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for producing a trench wall element in the ground, in which a trench is produced in the ground through removal of ground material by way of a removal device and a hardening medium is introduced into the trench in order to form the trench wall element. Provision is made in that between the removal device and a carrier device at least two ropes are tensioned, for which the respective positions of at least two vertically spaced rope points of a rope are ascertained through angle and distance measurements by way of a measuring device, and in that the ascertained positions of the rope points are used to determine a location of the removal device in the ground.

Abstract: An arrangement on board a vessel to be able to strap at least one cable to a pipeline during continuous and contemporary deployment of the strapped pipe bundle into the sea is shown. The arrangement includes at least a strapping machine which is arranged to be moved forward together with the cable and pipeline in order to perform a strapping operation in concert with the forward advancement thereof. The strapping machine is also moveable rearwards relative to the cable and pipeline for the repositioning to the next strapping operation such that the application of a strap or straps takes place intermittently under the continuous deployment of the pipe bundle. Means for continuous motorized advancement of the respective pipes and cables towards the strapping machine and further into the sea is also arranged.

Abstract: A water wave breaker assembly comprising a buoyant wave breaker element including a plurality of longitudinally extending members spaced-apart from one another and defining an open cage structure; and an anchor assembly connectable to the buoyant wave breaker element and which can allow rotation of the buoyant wave breaker element when floating on a body of water. The buoyant wave breaker element can include a plurality of transversal arms extending through the open cage structure and outwardly past the longitudinally extending members. The water wave breaker assembly can be provided as a kit.

Abstract: A subsurface support is provided comprising a soil nail having an outer member and an inner member placed within the outer member. The soil nail includes features that maintain a uniform spaced relationship between the inner and outer members. The soil nail may be installed by drilling or launching through a launching device. The spaced relationship between the inner and outer members may be achieved by crimping the outer member, or by use of an insert installed between the inner and outer members. In other embodiments, the support is made of composite construction materials, and having a self-drilling capability. The soil nail has two primary members, namely, an outer threaded member, and an inner threaded member that is placed through the outer member The outer member is made from fiberglass, and a metallic drill bit is secured to a distal end of the soil nail. The inner member is preferably steel.

Abstract: A jack-up rig while in open water operates with the hull jacked up out of the water. However, in the event of ice conditions, the legs are held in place by cans embedded in the sea floor to resist lateral movement of the rig and the hull is lowered into the water into an ice defensive configuration. The hull is specifically shaped with an ice-bending surface to bend and break up ice that comes in contact with the hull while in the ice defensive configuration.

Abstract: A piering system includes a heave plate attached to a foundation and supported by a pier. A downward facing socket is permanently attached to the heave plate. The socket receives the top end of a heavy stud of a coupling assembly, the bottom end of the stud is screwed into a captive nut of a shim-block. A nut is welded to the stud leaving about ½ inch of the stud protruding upwards for insertion into the socket. The nut may be turned to adjust the height of the stud. The shim-block and coupling assembly are supported by a head plate which is supported by the pier. The head plate includes a wide table for supporting a pair of jacks on opposite sides of a house jack facilitating installation of the system.

Abstract: A hinge connector for connecting adjoining floating dock sections formed from a pair of hinge halves. Each hinge half has a top flat surface, a downwardly directed leg having a lower leg portion. A plurality of hinge knuckle loops is formed on each leaf and hinge pin sleeve sections are fastened therein. When the two hinge leaves are brought together with their respective hinge knuckle loops/hinge pin sleeve sections interleaved and aligned, a hinge pin is inserted axially through the hinge pin sleeve sections, the two hinge halves are each free to rotate around the hinge pin. An orthogonal relationship exists between the top flat surface and the lower leg portion of the downwardly directed leg portion. This allows the floating dock hinge to be connected to both a horizontal surface such as the top deck of a floating and a vertical surface such as the edge of a floating dock module to maximize the strength of the hinged joint between modules.

Abstract: A microwave ground or road surface heating system that eliminates the need for preparation of the surface to be heated while preventing leakage of microwave radiation. The highly portable microwave heating system prevents leakage of microwave radiation via a microwave horn and sealing shroud configuration that seals the unit to the surface being heated.

Abstract: A system for reinforcing and facing a wall comprises a plurality of facing baskets and corresponding substantially horizontal reinforcing members, arranged in a plurality of layers. An impermeable membrane is positioned to uninterruptedly span two or more layers. At each of one or more layers, different portions of the impermeable membrane are positioned (a) between the substantially horizontal portion of the facing basket and the bottom surface of the corresponding reinforcing member, (b) around the outer end of the corresponding reinforcing member, (c) along the top surface of the substantially horizontal portion of the facing basket, and (d) angled upward toward an adjacent layer.

Abstract: A conical piled monopod provides a fixed, ice worthy structure used in cold weather offshore environments for accessing hydrocarbon deposits under the seafloor.