Abstract: A buoyancy compensating assembly and method of deploying a riser assembly are disclosed. The buoyancy compensating assembly for connection to a portion of flexible pipe, comprises at least one rigid buoyancy module for connection to a riser; and at least one regulating element configured to control the pressure within the at least one rigid buoyancy module in use.

Abstract: A riser assembly and method of supporting a riser assembly are disclosed. The riser assembly includes a riser; at least one buoyancy compensating element attached to the riser; and at least one damped biasing element for controlling movement of the riser about a neutral position with respect to an adjacent underwater structure. The biasing element is directly or indirectly connected to the riser and is directly or indirectly connectable to the adjacent underwater structure.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supporting a riser are disclosed. The apparatus includes an anchoring element for anchoring a riser to a fixed structure, and a supporting portion configured to support a section of flexible pipe, the supporting portion having a bearing surface for the section of flexible pipe to bear against to thereby restrain the flexible pipe from upward movement.

Abstract: A riser assembly and method of installing a riser assembly are disclosed. The riser assembly includes a first attachment element connected to a first portion of flexible pipe and a second attachment element connected to a second portion of flexible pipe. The first attachment element and second attachment element are connected by at least one tether element, via a fixed structure in a configuration such that, in use, in response to movement of the first and second portions of flexible pipe, the tension load at any moment in time, at each attachment element, remains substantially equal.

Abstract: A riser assembly for transporting fluids from a sub-sea location is disclosed. The riser assembly includes a riser having at least one segment of flexible pipe and a plurality of buoyancy compensating elements connected to the riser and connected together in an in-line configuration to form a mid-line buoyancy section. The riser assembly also includes at least one buoyancy aid connected to the riser at a position above and spaced apart from the mid-line buoyancy section. The at least one buoyancy aid forms a first distributed buoyancy section and is sufficiently buoyant to maintain a tension load on the riser between the first distributed buoyancy section and the mid-line line buoyancy section. The riser assembly further includes at least one further buoyancy compensating element connected to the riser at a position above and spaced apart from the first distributed buoyancy section to form a second distributed buoyancy section.

Abstract: A riser assembly and method of installing a riser assembly are disclosed. The riser assembly includes a first attachment element connected to a first portion of flexible pipe and a second attachment element connected to a second portion of flexible pipe. The first attachment element and second attachment element are connected by at least one tether element, via a fixed structure in a configuration such that, in use, in response to movement of the first and second portions of flexible pipe, the tension load at any moment in time, at each attachment element, remains substantially equal.

Abstract: A riser assembly and method of supporting a riser assembly are disclosed. The riser assembly includes a riser; at least one buoyancy compensating element attached to the riser; and at least one damped biasing element for controlling movement of the riser about a neutral position with respect to an adjacent underwater structure. The biasing element is directly or indirectly connected to the riser and is directly or indirectly connectable to the adjacent underwater structure.

Abstract: A riser assembly for transporting fluids from a sub-sea location is disclosed. The riser assembly includes a riser having at least one segment of flexible pipe and a plurality of buoyancy compensating elements connected to the riser and connected together in an in-line configuration to form a mid-line buoyancy section. The riser assembly also includes at least one buoyancy aid connected to the riser at a position above and spaced apart from the mid-line buoyancy section. The at least one buoyancy aid forms a first distributed buoyancy section and is sufficiently buoyant to maintain a tension load on the riser between the first distributed buoyancy section and the mid-line line buoyancy section. The riser assembly further includes at least one further buoyancy compensating element connected to the riser at a position above and spaced apart from the first distributed buoyancy section to form a second distributed buoyancy section.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supporting a riser are disclosed. The apparatus includes an anchoring element for anchoring a riser to a fixed structure, and a supporting portion configured to support a section of flexible pipe, the supporting portion having a bearing surface for the section of flexible pipe to bear against to thereby restrain the flexible pipe from upward movement.

Abstract: A riser assembly and method of producing a riser assembly for transporting fluids from a sub-sea location is disclosed. The assembly includes a riser comprising at least one segment of flexible pipe, the riser having a first end for connection to a floating facility and a further end; at least one buoyancy element for enabling a portion of the riser to form a hog bend configuration and an adjacent portion of the riser to form a sag bend configuration; and a weight element provided between the first end of the riser and the at least one buoyancy element, such that in an initial deployment position, the weight element is provided at least partially in the sag bend portion of the riser.

Abstract: A buoyancy compensating element for connection to a flexible pipe and method of producing a buoyancy compensating element are disclosed. The buoyancy compensating element includes a first body portion and a further body portion, wherein the first and further body portion are configured to be connectable to each other and in use to encompass a portion of flexible pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supporting a riser are disclosed. The apparatus includes an anchoring element (420) for anchoring a riser to a fixed structure, and a supporting portion (412) configured to support a section of flexible pipe (406), the supporting portion having a bearing surface for the section of flexible pipe to bear against to thereby restrain the flexible pipe from upward movement.

Abstract: A riser assembly and method of providing a riser assembly for transporting production fluids from a location deep under water are disclosed. The riser assembly includes a riser comprising a flexible pipe, the riser having a hang off point which is an end of the riser that in use connects with a floating facility, and a touchdown zone which in use is a section of the riser in the region of where the riser meets the seabed or other fixed structure; and at least one buoyancy element arranged at the touchdown zone or within about 50 m of the touchdown zone of the riser to support the riser in a configuration for accommodating kinetic energy propagating along the riser from the hang off point.

Abstract: A connector assembly, riser assembly and method of producing a connector assembly are disclosed. The connector assembly includes a body portion for locating over a flexible pipe and arranged to be connectable to or formed integrally with one or more buoyancy compensating element, and one or more protrusion extending from the body portion and arranged to reduce or interrupt vortex induced vibrations in water surrounding the flexible pipe in use.

Abstract: A riser assembly and method of supporting a flexible pipe are disclosed. The assembly includes a riser; at least one buoyancy compensating element attached to the riser for providing positive, negative or neutral buoyancy to the riser; and a tethering element connecting a first point of the riser with a further point of the riser so as to form a hog bend or a sag bend in the riser.

Abstract: A connector assembly, riser assembly and method of producing a connector assembly are disclosed. The connector assembly includes a body portion for locating over a flexible pipe and arranged to be connectable to or formed integrally with one or more buoyancy compensating element, and one or more protrusion extending from the body portion and arranged to reduce or interrupt vortex induced vibrations in water surrounding the flexible pipe in use.

Abstract: A buoyancy compensating element for connection to a flexible pipe and method of producing a buoyancy compensating element are disclosed. The buoyancy compensating element includes a first body portion and a further body portion, wherein the first and further body portion are configured to be connectable to each other and in use to encompass a portion of flexible pipe.

Abstract: A riser assembly and method of producing a riser assembly for transporting fluids from a sub-sea location is disclosed. The assembly includes a riser comprising at least one segment of flexible pipe, the riser having a first end for connection to a floating facility and a further end;at least one buoyancy element for enabling a portion of the riser to form a hog bend configuration and an adjacent portion of the riser to form a sag bend configuration; and a weight element provided between the first end of the riser and the at least one buoyancy element, such that in an initial deployment position, the weight element is provided at least partially in the sag bend portion of the riser.

Abstract: A riser assembly and method of producing a riser assembly are disclosed. The riser assembly includes a riser having a plurality of buoyancy elements provided at predetermined intervals along the length of the riser for supporting the riser, and at least one further buoyancy element arranged to support the riser in a configuration for accommodating tension changes in the riser due to vessel movement.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supporting a riser are disclosed. The apparatus includes an anchoring element (420) for anchoring a riser to a fixed structure, and a supporting portion (412) configured to support a section of flexible pipe (406), the supporting portion having a bearing surface for the section of flexible pipe to bear against to thereby restrain the flexible pipe from upward movement.