Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting pipe entrenchment or upheaval of a flexible pipe and/or the presence of an external feature to the flexible pipe. The method includes helically winding a temperature sensing element around a layer of a flexible pipe, helically winding a heating element around a layer of a flexible pipe, heating the heating element to a pre-determined temperature, measuring the temperature at at least two locations along the flexible pipe, comparing the measured temperature response at the at least two locations, and making a determination, from the comparison of measured responses, regarding the exterior vicinity of the pipe at one of the at least two locations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting pipe entrenchment or upheaval of a flexible pipe and/or the presence of an external feature to the flexible pipe. The method includes helically winding a temperature sensing element around a layer of a flexible pipe, helically winding a heating element around a layer of a flexible pipe, heating the heating element to a pre-determined temperature, measuring the temperature at at least two locations along the flexible pipe, comparing the measured temperature response at the at least two locations, and making a determination, from the comparison of measured responses, regarding the exterior vicinity of the pipe at one of the at least two locations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining a bending radius of a flexible pipe. The apparatus includes at least one bend sensor element comprising an elongate flexible substrate and at least one bend sensitive element on the substrate that has at least one electrical characteristic that is responsive to angular displacement of the substrate. The apparatus also comprises a flexible crush resistant elongate housing that supports and surrounds the bend sensor element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a fiber element are disclosed. The method includes the steps of opening a first control valve element (355) at a proximate end region of a first lumen (310) that extends along a flexible pipe (100), opening a first vent valve element (400) at a remote end region of a second lumen (320) that extends along the flexible pipe (100), providing a new fiber element along the second lumen (320) via an opening (350) at a proximate end region of the second lumen (320) and closing the first vent valve element (382) and the first control valve element (355).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining a bending radius of a flexible pipe. The apparatus includes at least one bend sensor element comprising an elongate flexible substrate and at least one bend sensitive element on the substrate that has at least one electrical characteristic that is responsive to angular displacement of the substrate. The apparatus also comprises a flexible crush resistant elongate housing that supports and surrounds the bend sensor element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a fibre element are disclosed. The method includes the steps of opening a first control valve element (355) at a proximate end region of a first lumen (310) that extends along a flexible pipe (100), opening a first vent valve element (382) at a remote end region of a second lumen (320) that extends along the flexible pipe (100), providing a new fibre element along the second lumen (320) via an opening (350) at a proximate end region of the second lumen (320) and closing the first vent valve element (382) and the first control valve element (355).