Abstract: A method of installing a production buoy at a subsea anchoring location is disclosed. The method includes floating a production buoy over a subsea anchoring location. Then, hanging at least a tether off the production buoy such that the or each tether extends from the production buoy towards the subsea anchoring location occurs. The method includes submerging the production buoy to a depth which allows connection of the or each tether to the subsea anchoring location. An apparatus suitable for use with this method is also provided.

Abstract: A subsea anchoring assembly with a locking head for connection of a mooring line to an anchor is disclosed. A socket is provided on the anchor. The socket has a seat adapted to receive and seat the locking head within it. The socket has a neck provided with a guide device to direct the locking head into alignment with the socket. By this arrangement, the locking head and the socket can move between a first configuration in which the locking head and the socket are separate, and a second configuration in which the locking head and the socket are locked together. An associated method is also described.

Abstract: A method of installing a production buoy at a subsea anchoring location is disclosed. The method includes floating a production buoy over a subsea anchoring location. Then, hanging at least a tether off the production buoy such that the or each tether extends from the production buoy towards the subsea anchoring location occurs. The method includes submerging the production buoy to a depth which allows connection of the or each tether to the subsea anchoring location. An apparatus suitable for use with this method is also provided.

Abstract: A lifting block and a method of using it for supporting a load from a first lifting device or sharing the load between the first lifting device and a second lifting device, particularly for use on a vessel and deep water applications, are disclosed. The lifting block, with at least one sheave, has first and second connection elements associated with it. In one arrangement (single fall) a lifting wire or rope is fed around the sheave and terminated in an end stop which also provides the first connection element. When the first lifting device is operated alone, the end stop rests on the block. When the second connection element, secured to the lifting wire or rope of a second lifting device, is joined to the first connection element the load is snared between the two lifting devices which can then be operated in unison to position the load at a required, deeper position.

Abstract: A riser configuration having a rigid riser portion and a flexible riser portion. The riser configuration also includes a subsea buoy across which the riser portions are connected. Buoyancy means are mounted on the flexible riser portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for gripping a chain including a body which allows passage of the chain is disclosed. The body has first and second chain gripping devices, both adapted to grip the chain to restrict or prevent movement of the chain relative to the body. These first and second gripping devices are arranged in the body in respective first and second angular orientations which are offset with respect to one another, whereby the first and second chain gripping devices are adapted to grip respective links of the chain having different angular orientations. An associated method is also described.

Abstract: A method of forming a protection system and a protection system for a secondary conduit adapted to be coupled to a main conduit is disclosed. The main conduit and the secondary conduit are for installation below the sea surface. The method includes spooling onto a reel an elongate member in a first configuration for transportation and/or storage until such a time that it is ready to be deployed. The first configuration is a substantially planar configuration. The method also includes paying the elongate member out from the spool and causing or allowing the elongate member to adopt a second configuration and form the protection system for the secondary conduit. The second configuration is a substantially non-planar configuration. The elongate member is coupled to an external surface of the main conduit.

Abstract: A subsea anchoring assembly with a locking head for connection of a mooring line to an anchor is disclosed. A socket is provided on the anchor. The socket has a seat adapted to receive and seat the locking head within it. The socket has a neck provided with a guide device to direct the locking head into alignment with the socket. By this arrangement, the locking head and the socket can move between a first configuration in which the locking head and the socket are separate, and a second configuration in which the locking head and the socket are locked together. An associated method is also described.

Abstract: A method of forming a protection system and a protection system for a secondary conduit adapted to be coupled to a main conduit is disclosed. The main conduit and the secondary conduit are for installation below the sea surface. The method includes spooling onto a reel an elongate member in a first configuration for transportation and/or storage until such a time that it is ready to be deployed. The first configuration is a substantially planar configuration. The method also includes paying the elongate member out from the spool and causing or allowing the elongate member to adopt a second configuration and form the protection system for the secondary conduit. The second configuration is a substantially non-planar configuration. The elongate member is coupled to an external surface of the main conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for gripping a chain including a body which allows passage of the chain is disclosed. The body has first and second chain gripping devices, both adapted to grip the chain to restrict or prevent movement of the chain relative to the body. These first and second gripping devices are arranged in the body in respective first and second angular orientations which are offset with respect to one another, whereby the first and second chain gripping devices are adapted to grip respective links of the chain having different angular orientations. An associated method is also described.

Abstract: A method of installing a production buoy at a subsea anchoring location is disclosed. The method includes floating a production buoy over a subsea anchoring location. Then, hanging at least a tether off the production buoy such that the or each tether extends from the production buoy towards the subsea anchoring location occurs. The method includes submerging the production buoy to a depth which allows connection of the or each tether to the subsea anchoring location. An apparatus suitable for use with this method is also provided.

Abstract: A riser configuration having a rigid riser portion and a flexible riser portion. The riser configuration also includes a subsea buoy across which the riser portions are connected. Buoyancy means are mounted on the flexible riser portion.

Abstract: A method of installing a production buoy at a subsea anchoring location is disclosed. The method includes floating a production buoy over a subsea anchoring location. Then, hanging at least a tether off the production buoy such that the or each tether extends from the production buoy towards the subsea anchoring location occurs. The method includes submerging the production buoy to a depth which allows connection of the or each tether to the subsea anchoring location. An apparatus suitable for use with this method is also provided.

Abstract: A lifting block and a method of using it for supporting a load (8) from a first lifting device (2) or sharing the load between the first lifting device (2) and a second lifting device (3), particularly for use on a vessel (1) and deep water applications. The lifting block (7), with at least one sheave (10), has first and second connection elements (14, 15) associated with it. In one arrangement (single fall) a lifting wire or rope (4) is fed around the sheave (10) and terminated in an end stop (14) which also provides the first connection element. When the first lifting device (2) is operated alone, the end stop (14) rests on the block (7). When the second connection element (15), secured to the lifting wire or rope (5) of a second lifting device (3), is joined to the first connection element (14) the load is snared between the two lifting devices (2, 3) which can then be operated in unison to position the load at a required, deeper position.