Abstract: A wheel cutter tractor for inserting a cable into a trench is disclosed. The tractor comprises a wheel cutter for cutting a trench, and tracks for moving the tractor relative to the trench. A cable support tray supports the cable in a first position displaced from the wheel cutter in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of the tractor, and in a second position above the wheel cutter. A cable grab and lifting device transfers the cable into the cable support tray.

Abstract: A vehicle for deploying a cable into a trench in the sea bed is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a body adapted to move relative to the trench in the sea bed, and a bellmouth for engaging the cable and mounted to the body, wherein the bellmouth is adapted to define an open channel in a direction facing the trench for engaging the cable.

Abstract: A vehicle (6) apparatus for removing material from the seabed is disclosed. The vehicle comprises first thrusters (10) for moving the vehicle vertically and second thrusters (12) for moving the vehicle horizontally. A collector unit (16) removes material from the seabed, and a latching mechanism (42) is adapted to be connected to a riser to enable removed material to be transported to a vessel on the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating an elongate object in the seabed is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a body and a pair of jetting swords arranged on lateral sides of the elongate object to form a trench in the seabed. Chain cutters arranged on lateral sides of the elongate object cut respective parts of a trench in the seabed and are moveable relative to the body between a stowed position and a deployed position, independently of the jetting swords.

Abstract: A vehicle (2) for deploying a cable (4) into a trench (8) in the seabed (10) is disclosed. The vehicle (2) comprises a body (12) adapted to move relative to the trench (8) in the sea bed (10), and a bellmouth (18) for engaging the cable (4) and mounted to the body, wherein the bellmouth (18) is adapted to define an open channel (20) in a direction facing the trench (8) for engaging the cable (4).

Abstract: A wheel cutter tractor for inserting a cable into a trench is disclosed. The tractor comprises a wheel cutter for cutting a trench, and tracks for moving the tractor relative to the trench. A cable support tray supports the cable in a first position displaced from the wheel cutter in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of the tractor, and in a second position above the wheel cutter. A cable grab and lifting device transfers the cable into the cable support tray.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating an elongate object in the seabed is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a body and a pair of jetting swords arranged on lateral sides of the elongate object to form a trench in the seabed. Chain cutters arranged on lateral sides of the elongate object cut respective parts of a trench in the seabed and are moveable relative to the body between a stowed position and a deployed position, independently of the jetting swords.

Abstract: A leak detection system comprising a substantially sealed accumulation chamber adapted to accommodate a single gas container, the accumulation chamber being sealed so that when a gas container is in the accumulation chamber gas leaked from that container accumulates. An optical detector is provided for detecting leaked gas, the detector including an optical cell. A controller directs a reference sample to the optical cell and subsequently directs a sample from the from the accumulation chamber to the optical cell. The optical detector is operable use both the reference sample and the accumulation chamber sample to detect leaked gas.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a trench in a sea floor and/or displacing material on the sea floor is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a body and front skids mounted to the body for engaging the sea floor and supporting the body. The front skids are adjustable between a first mode, in which the front skids engage the sea floor, and a second mode, in which the front skids engage the sea floor adjacent the trench and at the trench walls.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a trench in a sea floor and/or displacing material on the sea floor is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a body and front skids mounted to the body for engaging the sea floor and supporting the body. The front skids are adjustable between a first mode, in which the front skids engage the sea floor, and a second mode, in which the front skids engage the sea floor adjacent the trench and at the trench walls.

Abstract: A leak detection system comprising a substantially sealed accumulation chamber adapted to accommodate a single gas container, the accumulation chamber being sealed so that when a gas container is in the accumulation chamber gas leaked from that container accumulates. An optical detector is provided for detecting leaked gas, the detector including an optical cell. A controller directs a reference sample to the optical cell and subsequently directs a sample from the from the accumulation chamber to the optical cell. The optical detector is operable use both the reference sample and the accumulation chamber sample to detect leaked gas.

Abstract: A driving apparatus for driving pipes into the sea bed is disclosed. The driving apparatus has support arms supporting a drill tower for driving pipes into the sea bed, and a body for supporting a plurality of pipes in cassettes. A pipe feeding mechanism feeds pipes to the drill tower and the apparatus is controlled from a vessel located at a sea surface.

Abstract: A deployment apparatus for deploying an object to a sea floor is disclosed. The deployment apparatus comprises a body and an attachment part mounted to the body for releasably attaching an object to the apparatus. Thrusters provide thrust to transport the apparatus having an object attached thereto, and inflatable tanks mounted to the body have adjustable buoyancy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positively closing off a section of wellbore and, thereby providing reservoir control. Systems and methods are described for selectively closing off a section of a wellbore to fluid communication. The wellbore completion section may then be reopened to fluid communication upon reconnection of the upper completion section to the lower completion section. Advantageously, the systems and methods of the present invention generally preclude fluid communication between the annulus of the upper completion section and the flowbore of the lower completion section until the lower completion section is closed off to fluid flow.

Abstract: The item of footwear (10) is provided with a roller (50) to enable the item of footwear to roll over a surface when the rolling means is in a first active position. The item of footwear (10) has a slide yoke (34) for retracting the roller (50) to a second latent position, thereby disabling the roller and preventing the item of footwear from rolling over a surface (see FIG. 2).

Abstract: A conveyor system for loading pallets into and out of a vehicle includes an accumulating conveyor and airbag rail. The accumulating conveyor is constituted by a pair of chain rails for supporting and conveying pallets into and out of a vehicle. The airbag rail is positioned between the chain rails and adjacent to one of the chain rails. The airbag rail is constituted by a base beam, a lift beam and an airbag positioned between the two beams. The arrangement is such that, with the chain rails and the base beam fixed to the floor of a vehicle, the airbag can be inflated to raise the lift beam so as to lift an edge portion of a pallet supported by the two chain rails out of contact with one of the chain rails.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positively closing off a section of wellbore and, thereby providing reservoir control. Systems and methods are described for selectively closing off a section of a wellbore to fluid communication. The wellbore completion section may then be reopened to fluid communication upon reconnection of the upper completion section to the lower completion section. Advantageously, the systems and methods of the present invention generally preclude fluid communication between the annulus of the upper completion section and the flowbore of the lower completion section until the lower completion section is closed off to fluid flow.