Abstract: A method of using a buoyancy fluid presenting density that is less than that of sea water, and that is confined in a rigid or flexible leaktight casing, so as to constitute an immersed buoyancy element, wherein the buoyancy fluid is a compound that is naturally in the gaseous state at ambient atmospheric temperature and pressure, and in the liquid state at the underwater depth to which the buoyancy element is immersed. The present invention also relates to a method of putting a buoyancy element into place between the surface and the bed of the sea, wherein the fluid is stored in a tank on a surface ship as a liquid in the cooled or compressed liquid state, and it is injected in the liquid state into a pipe from the surface where it is stored to an said immersed casing at an underwater depth at which the underwater pressure is not greater than the vapor pressure of the gas corresponding to the compound at the temperature at the depth.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for heat-insulating at least one sub-marine pipe. The sub-marine pipe includes a heat insulation covering including a material subject to migration, the covering surrounding the pipe and being covered by a sealed protective envelope having a tubular shape and a longitudinal axis of symmetry. The envelope being constituted by a flexible or semi-rigid material able to remain in contact with the external surface of the insulation covering when the latter warps. The device includes at least two sealed transversal partitions, each being constituted by a closed rigid piece traversed by and integral with the pipe and with the envelope.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the heat insulation of at least one underwater pipe (1) intended to be laid on the sea bed at great depth, comprising an insulating coating surrounding the latter and a protective envelope (3), characterized in that said insulating coating comprises a virtually incompressible liquid/solid phase change material (4) with a melting temperature T0 higher than that T2 of the medium surrounding the pipe in operation and less than that T1 of the effluents circulating in the pipe, and said material (4) preferably being impregnated in an absorbent matrix (2) surrounding the pipe (1), preferably nearest its outer surface, which protective envelope (3) is resistant and deformable and ensures a containment against and about said insulating coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reinforced undersea unit pipe element (1) suitable for being laid empty at great depth. The element includes a tubular wall, having at least one external peripheral reinforcing element (6, 7) creating a plurality of localized zones on the outside surface of the wall, the radial distance (d1) between the outside surface of the pipe and the longitudinal axis (XX?) of the wall in the zones being greater than the outside radius (R) of the tubular wall portions lying between the successive zones in the longitudinal direction (XX?), two successive ones of the zones being spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (XX?) of the tubular wall by a distance (D) equal to ½ to 4 times the outside diameter (d) of the tubular wall portions, the successive zones preferably being spaced apart regularly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wind generators installed off-shore, in particular at sea, to support structures forming a part of such wind generators, and to methods of making and installing such wind generators. The technical field of the invention is that of making, transporting, and installing wind generators for producing electricity, more particularly off-shore, and in large numbers, so as to form wind “farms”. The wind generator of the invention comprises a wind turbine and a deployable telescopic pylon or support supporting the turbine, and a gravity base supporting the pylon or support.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device (1) for heat-insulating at least one sub-marine pipe (4) comprising:

Abstract: An apparatus for holding and guiding a floating riser relative to a floating support. The apparatus includes a guidance mechanism secured to the floating support for enabling the riser to rotate about a horizontal axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the riser; and for enabling the riser to slide longitudinally along the longitudinal axis and lateral displacement of the riser to be guided in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the riser. The guidance mechanism includes friction pads mounted on a pad support for enabling the pads to pivot. The pads preferably cooperate with wheels such that the wheels bear against the riser and enable it to slide, and the riser comes to bear against the pads only when the wheels are moved away under the effect of lateral displacements of the riser.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a floating support of the type having a cavity (1) within which a plurality of risers (2) can be positioned. According to the invention, the cavity (1) has a plurality of compartments (3) at the ends of which said risers (2) are in a production position (4), said compartments communicating with a central channel (5) at the end of which there is situated (6) a drilling derrick (7), said compartments being disposed transversely relative to said central channel (5).

Abstract: A bottom-to-surface link system includes a submarine pipe assembled to at least one float. At least one coaxial can surrounds the pipe. Junctions, which join the can to the pipe at the top and bottom orifices through which the pipe passes, include leakproof joints assembled around the pipe. Furthermore, the leakproof joints are flexible and resilient and are of the laminated abutment type.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the heat insulation of at least one underwater pipe (1) intended to be laid on the sea bed at great depth, comprising an insulating coating surrounding the latter and a protective envelope (3), characterized in that said insulating coating comprises a virtually incompressible liquid/solid phase change material (4) with a melting temperature T0 higher than that T2 of the medium surrounding the pipe in operation and less than that T1 of the effluents circulating in the pipe, and said material (4) preferably being impregnated in an absorbent matrix (2) surrounding the pipe (1), preferably nearest its outer surface, which protective envelope (3) is resistant and deformable and ensures a containment against and about said insulating coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bottom-to-surface link system for an underwater pipe installed at great depth, the system comprising: firstly a vertical tower constituted by at least one float (5, 14) associated with an anchor system (6, 8, 16) and carrying at least one vertical riser (9, 15) suitable for going down to the sea bed (18); and secondly at least one link pipe (4, 3) extending from said float (5, 14) to a surface support (1). According to the invention, said link pipe is a riser whose wall is constituted by a rigid steel tube, and said float (5, 14) is installed at a depth situated below the last thermocline (29).

Abstract: The invention relates to a structure for covering of submarine elements of elongated shape, in particular conduits laid on the ocean floor.It comprises at least one closed flattened tubular element (1), the element or each of the elements comprising at least one orifice (4) for injection of a hardenable material, particularly cement.