Abstract: Disclosed are systems for securing a bend stiffener to a riser in an offshore energy production facility. In one system, the lower end of the bend stiffener has a magnet that repels a magnet in a clamp on the riser a distance below the bend stiffener. The magnets repel one another with a force during operation to decelerate falling and prevent contact between the clamp and the bend stiffener. Methods are provided for retrofitting a riser system by adding the magnets. In another system, the riser has an upper portion and a tapered portion immediately below the upper portion. The outer diameter of the tapered portion increases such that the tapered portion can be friction fit into the lower end of the bend stiffener in the event that the bend stiffener is forced down or free falls onto the riser.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for monitoring armor wires in a flexible pipe by inferring a condition of the armor wires using at least one polymeric coupon containing steel wires. The coupon is designed to simulate the conditions of the armor wires in the annulus of the flexible pipe. The coupon is removably held by a coupon holder in the bore of a surface pipe connected to the flexible pipe. The coupon can be removed from the bore of the surface pipe after a period of time to dissect the coupon and evaluate the steel wires. The systems and methods allow insight into the condition of the armor wires during operational life that does not otherwise exist at present.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems for securing a bend stiffener to a riser in an offshore energy production facility. In one system, the lower end of the bend stiffener has a magnet that repels a magnet in a clamp on the riser a distance below the bend stiffener. The magnets repel one another with a force during operation to decelerate falling and prevent contact between the clamp and the bend stiffener. Methods are provided for retrofitting a riser system by adding the magnets. In another system, the riser has an upper portion and a tapered portion immediately below the upper portion. The outer diameter of the tapered portion increases such that the tapered portion can be friction fit into the lower end of the bend stiffener in the event that the bend stiffener is forced down or free falls onto the riser.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and computer readable storage media which facilitate the design of cables and pipes, including umbilicals, flexible pipes, optical cables, power cables, composite pipes, bundled pipes and combinations thereof. In one aspect, a computer implemented method includes, in response to input from a user in a plug-in interface in a graphical user interface within a computer-assisted design program, in a processor, executing instructions for receiving design information from a computer-assisted design program as well as receiving loading and deformation information from a global analysis software package for a cable or pipe having multiple components. A model is created using the design, loading and deformation information. The model is readable by a cable or pipe analysis software package. Thus the user is not required to manually generate the model of the cable or pipe readable by the cable or pipe analysis software package to be input into the cable or pipe analysis software package.

Abstract: Disclosed are pipeline systems, methods and apparatus for handling fluids in offshore oil and gas production. The systems disclosed allow subsea functional lines having diameters which differ by more than 2 standard API 5L pipeline diameters to be placed in fluid communication in such a way that the systems are piggable. Pipeline connection terminations are installed to facilitate connection of such functional lines. Such systems offer solutions to problems related to installing subsea pipeline in rough terrain, over subsea canyons and subsea scarps, installing marine risers, and long tiebacks.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and apparatus for circulating fluid within the annulus of a flexible pipe used in a riser in an offshore hydrocarbon production facility. Fluid, such corrosion inhibitors, can be introduced into the annulus by pumping fluid from a storage tank located on a platform or vessel into tubes within the annulus. Use of the system to flow the fluid through the annulus can prevent or reduce corrosion of the steel members within the annulus and increase the fatigue life of the riser.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pig assembly for maintaining a functional line for conveying fluid. In one aspect, the pig assembly includes a larger diameter pig having an internal compartment and at least one smaller diameter pig adapted to fit therein. The larger diameter pig is capable of passing through a larger diameter functional line and the smaller diameter pig is capable of passing through a smaller diameter functional line. In another aspect, a method for maintaining a functional line for conveying fluid is provided which includes pigging a subsea line having at least a larger diameter functional line and a smaller diameter functional line in fluid communication with one another using a pig assembly as described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and system for circulating fluid within the annulus of a flexible pipe used in a riser in an offshore hydrocarbon production facility. Fluid, such as corrosion inhibitors, can be circulated in a closed loop which includes the annulus of the riser terminating at a platform or floating vessel, a fluid storage tank located on the platform or vessel and an umbilical tube terminating at the platform or vessel and at a subsea location. Use of the system to flow the fluid through the annulus can prevent or reduce corrosion of the steel members within the annulus and increase the fatigue life of the riser.

Abstract: Disclosed are pipeline systems, methods and apparatus for handling fluids in offshore oil and gas production. The systems disclosed allow subsea functional lines having diameters which differ by more than 2 standard API 5L pipeline diameters to be placed in fluid communication in such a way that the systems are piggable. Pipeline connection terminations are installed to facilitate connection of such functional lines. Such systems offer solutions to problems related to installing subsea pipeline in rough terrain, over subsea canyons and subsea scarps, installing marine risers, and long tiebacks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pig assembly for maintaining a functional line for conveying fluid. In one aspect, the pig assembly includes a larger diameter pig having an internal compartment and at least one smaller diameter pig adapted to fit therein. The larger diameter pig is capable of passing through a larger diameter functional line and the smaller diameter pig is capable of passing through a smaller diameter functional line. In another aspect, a method for maintaining a functional line for conveying fluid is provided which includes pigging a subsea line having at least a larger diameter functional line and a smaller diameter functional line in fluid communication with one another using a pig assembly as described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and system for circulating fluid within the annulus of a flexible pipe used in a riser in an offshore hydrocarbon production facility. Fluid, such as corrosion inhibitors, can be circulated in a closed loop which includes the annulus of the riser terminating at a platform or floating vessel, a fluid storage tank located on the platform or vessel and an umbilical tube terminating at the platform or vessel and at a subsea location. Use of the system to flow the fluid through the annulus can prevent or reduce corrosion of the steel members within the annulus and increase the fatigue life of the riser.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and apparatus for circulating fluid within the annulus of a flexible pipe used in a riser in an offshore hydrocarbon production facility. Fluid, such corrosion inhibitors, can be introduced into the annulus by pumping fluid from a storage tank located on a platform or vessel into tubes within the annulus. Use of the system to flow the fluid through the annulus can prevent or reduce corrosion of the steel members within the annulus and increase the fatigue life of the riser.

Abstract: Disclosed are aminomethyl-substituted imidazole compounds and their use as friction modifiers in lubricating oils. Also disclosed is a process for preparing the aminomethyl-substituted imidazole compounds. A further aspect is directed to a lubricating oil composition and a lubricating oil additive concentrate having the aminomethyl-substituted imidazole compounds of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for reducing intake valve deposits in a Direct Injection Spark Ignition engine, the method comprising operating the engine with a lubricating oil composition comprising: (a) a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity; and (b) at least one foam inhibitor selected from the group consisting of silicon oils, polysiloxanes, polyacrylates, and polymethacrylates; wherein the foam inhibitor is not poly (phenyl-methyl) siloxane; and further wherein the amount of said foam inhibitor in said lubricating oil composition is at an effective concentration to achieve at least 10% reduction in intake valve deposits in said Direct Injection Spark Ignition engine compared to operating the engine with said lubricating oil composition without any foam inhibitor.

Abstract: Disclosed are aminomethyl-substituted imidazole compounds and their use as friction modifiers in lubricating oils. Also disclosed is a process for preparing the aminomethyl-substituted imidazole compounds. A further aspect is directed to a lubricating oil composition and a lubricating oil additive concentrate having the aminomethyl-substituted imidazole compounds of the present invention.