Abstract: A machine for making a protective joint has a guide system, which is selectively clampable about a pipeline on opposite sides with respect to the annular junction portion and configured for defining an annular path about the annular junction portion; at least one heating unit moveable along the annular path and configured for heating the annular junction portion and moveable along the annular path; at least one spray unit moveable along the annular path and configured for applying at least one polymer material to the annular junction portion; and an extrusion die moveable along the annular path and configured for applying a protective foil about the annular junction portion.

Abstract: A machine for making a protective joint has a guide system, which is selectively clampable about a pipeline on opposite sides with respect to the annular junction portion and configured for defining an annular path about the annular junction portion; at least one heating unit moveable along the annular path and configured for heating the annular junction portion and moveable along the annular path; at least one spray unit moveable along the annular path and configured for applying at least one polymer material to the annular junction portion; and an extrusion die moveable along the annular path and configured for applying a protective foil about the annular junction portion.

Abstract: A method of applying protective sheeting of polymer material to a pipeline, such as on a J-lay rig, includes the steps of driving a carriage along an annular path about the pipeline; extruding and simultaneously winding the protective sheeting about the pipeline via an end extrusion die fitted to the carriage; compressing the protective sheeting on the pipeline, directly downstream from the end extrusion die, so the protective sheeting adheres to the pipeline; and controlling the drive, extrusion, and compression steps so that the time lapse between expulsion of a cross section of protective sheeting from the end extrusion die and compression of the same cross section of protective sheeting is less than one second.

Abstract: A pipe-joining method for building a hydrocarbon pipeline, in particular an underwater pipeline, includes welding two adjacent pipes to form a cutback, and forming a protective coating about the cutback. Forming the protective coating includes applying an LE (liquid epoxy) resin or a powdered FBE (fusion bonded epoxy) resin to the cutback to form a primer coat; and applying a powdered polypropylene adhesive on top of the still-wet primer coat to form an auxiliary adhesive coat. Forming the protective coating also includes fitting a polypropylene heat-shrink sleeve around the auxiliary adhesive coat; and heating the sleeve to shrink and bond the sleeve to the auxiliary adhesive coat.

Abstract: A buoyancy device (1) comprises a support structure 2, which can be connected to an underwater application (3) and one or more buoyancy spheres (4) having a specific weight of less than 500 kg/m3 connected to the support structure (2) and having a light metal spherical shell (5) defining a spherical inner volume (6) and which has an outer diameter (d) greater than 0.5 cm, and a radial thickness (t) greater than 0.08 mm, wherein the spherical shell (5) is obtained in one piece in nano-crystalline metal with an average grain size of less than 1000 nanometers.

Abstract: A roller for compressing protective sheeting of polymer material around a pipeline rotates about a given or designated axis of rotation and has a shaft; and a first tubular portion which extends about the shaft and varies in elasticity along the given or designated axis of rotation; more specifically, the first tubular portion is of greater elasticity at the ends of the roller than at the center of the roller.

Abstract: A method of applying protective sheeting of polymer material to a pipeline, the method including the steps of advancing a carriage along an annular path extending about the longitudinal axis of the pipeline; extruding the protective sheeting on the carriage; winding the protective sheeting, as the protective sheeting is extruded, about a cutback on the pipeline; and plastifying the polymer material on board the carriage.

Abstract: A buoyancy device (1) comprises a support structure 2, 4 which can be connected to an underwater application (3) and one or more buoyancy spheres (4) having a specific weight of less than 500 kg/m3 connected to the support structure (2) and having a light metal spherical shell (5) defining a spherical inner volume (6) and which has an outer diameter (d) greater than 0.5cm, and a radial thickness (t) greater than 0.08mm, wherein the spherical shell (5) is obtained in one piece in nano-crystalline metal with an average grain size of less than 1000 nanometers.

Abstract: A heat-delivery apparatus (12) heats a heat-shrinkable sleeve (10) on a pipe (2). The heat-delivery apparatus (12) includes one or more heater elements (20) which define an interior heating surface that surrounds the sleeve (10). An air space is thus defined between the exterior of the sleeve (10) and the interior heating surface. The flow of air, that would otherwise be generated by the step of applying heat, within said air space is controlled or restricted for example by means of fins (50, 50s, 60) that control or restrict the airflow, fully or partially sealing the air space with one or more sealing members (70), or fans (80) that generate an opposing airflow (82).

Abstract: A roller for compressing protective sheeting of polymer material around a pipeline rotates about a given or designated axis of rotation and has a shaft; and a first tubular portion which extends about the shaft and varies in elasticity along the given or designated axis of rotation; more specifically, the first tubular portion is of greater elasticity at the ends of the roller than at the center of the roller.

Abstract: A method of applying protective sheeting of polymer material to a pipeline, such as on a J-lay rig, includes the steps of driving a carriage along an annular path about the pipeline; extruding and simultaneously winding the protective sheeting about the pipeline via an end extrusion die fitted to the carriage; compressing the protective sheeting on the pipeline, directly downstream from the end extrusion die, so the protective sheeting adheres to the pipeline; and controlling the drive, extrusion, and compression steps so that the time lapse between expulsion of a cross section of protective sheeting from the end extrusion die and compression of the same cross section of protective sheeting is less than one second.

Abstract: A heat-delivery apparatus (12) heats a heat-shrinkable sleeve (10) on a pipe (2). The heat-delivery apparatus (12) includes one or more heater elements (20) which define an interior heating surface that surrounds the sleeve (10). An air space is thus defined between the exterior of the sleeve (10) and the interior heating surface. The flow of air, that would otherwise be generated by the step of applying heat, within said air space is controlled or restricted for example by means of fins (50, 50s, 60) that control or restrict the airflow, fully or partially sealing the air space with one or more sealing members (70), or fans (80) that generate an opposing airflow (82).

Abstract: A method of applying protective sheeting of polymer material to a pipeline, the method including the steps of advancing a carriage along an annular path extending about the longitudinal axis of the pipeline; extruding the protective sheeting on the carriage; winding the protective sheeting, as the protective sheeting is extruded, about a cutback on the pipeline; and plastifying the polymer material on board the carriage.

Abstract: A pipe-joining method for building a hydrocarbon pipeline, in particular an underwater pipeline, includes welding two adjacent pipes to form a cutback, and forming a protective coating about the cutback. Forming the protective coating includes applying an LE (liquid epoxy) resin or a powdered FBE (fusion bonded epoxy) resin to the cutback to form a primer coat; and applying a powdered polypropylene adhesive on top of the still-wet primer coat to form an auxiliary adhesive coat. Forming the protective coating also includes fitting a polypropylene heat-shrink sleeve around the auxiliary adhesive coat; and heating the sleeve to shrink and bond the sleeve to the auxiliary adhesive coat.

Abstract: A method of joining pipes to produce an underwater pipeline on a firing line includes supplying the firing line with pipes having previously roughened end portions; welding the end portions of adjacent pipes to form cutbacks, each of which is defined by two end portions, and by an annular weld bead between the two end portions; cleaning, by cryogenic blasting, the outer surface of each cutback; and forming a protective joint coating about each cutback.

Abstract: A method of forming a protective coat about a cutback between pipes forming part of an underwater pipeline provides for laying a thermoplastic sheet on a supporting sheet; and winding the thermoplastic sheet and the supporting sheet about the cutback to join the thermoplastic sheet to the cutback.

Abstract: Process for the towing of underwater pipelines by means of head tugs for the pulling and tail tugs for the counter-pulling characterized in that it is effected by the use of a set of equipment, connected to the pipeline itself, including floats, of which at least a part has a variable buoyancy or partially variable buoyancy, which, when placed in a pre-established position and at pre-established intervals, provide a graded buoyancy to the pipeline in relation to the distance from the bed so as to obtain a “festoon” configuration of the pipeline, i.e. with suspended sections of pipeline, in correspondence with the floats, alternating with resting sections.

Abstract: Process for the towering of underwater pipelines by means of head tugs (R) for the pulling and tail tugs for the counterpulling characterized in that it is effected by the use of a set of equipment (A), connected to the pipeline (C) itself, substantially containing floats (G), of which at least a part has a variable buoyancy or partially variable buoyancy, which, when placed in a pre-established position and at pre-established intervals, provide a graded buoyancy to the pipeline in relation to the distance (f) from the seabed (F) so as to obtain a “festoon” configuration of the pipeline, i.e. with suspended sections of pipeline, in correspondence with the floats, alternating with resting sections.