Abstract: The invention provides a jumper termination apparatus for a subsea jumper flowline, a flow system incorporating a jumper termination apparatus, and a method of use. The jumper termination apparatus comprises a body, a jumper coupling means configured to couple the body to a jumper flowline, a connector coupling means configured to couple the body to a subsea manifold connector, and an access interface disposed on the body, arranged above the connector coupling means and vertically oriented to enable access from above. The body defines a first flow path from a coupled jumper flowline to a coupled subsea manifold connector, and a second flow path from the access interface to the first flow path or the subsea manifold connector. The access interface is configured to be connected to a termination apparatus of a second jumper flowline in a vertically stacked arrangement.

Abstract: A foundation for a subsea assembly is provided. The foundation includes connection points. The connection points permit other components to be connected to the foundation and permit loads to transfer from the other components into the foundation. The foundation may be a suction anchor. A method of converting an exploration well using the foundation to a production well is also provided.

Abstract: A top connection arrangement for a subsea riser comprises a pivot or joint combination disposed between, and fluidly connecting, upper and lower sections of rigid pipe. The pivot combination comprises an upper ball joint about which the upper pipe section is pivotable. A lower joint, being a flexible joint or a tapered stress joint to which the lower pipe section is attached, is fixed to the ball joint in series. A sleeve is fixed to the ball joint and surrounds the upper pipe section to permit limited pivotal movement of that pipe section about the ball joint. The sleeve may seat into the bellmouth of an I- or J-tube of a surface facility or may be omitted if the lower joint is seated in a hang-off formation. A locking mechanism is capable of locking the ball joint and hence preventing pivotal movement of the upper pipe section.

Abstract: An attachment device for securing a buoyancy module to a riser, the attachment device comprising an annular collar which is split into at least two parts, and at least one flange part, which is separable from the collar and has a generally planar flange and a connecting formation by means of which the flange part may be releasably connected to the collar so that the flange extends radially outwardly relative to the collar.

Abstract: A top connection arrangement for a subsea riser comprises a pivot or joint combination disposed between, and fluidly connecting, upper and lower sections of rigid pipe. The pivot combination comprises an upper ball joint about which the upper pipe section is pivotable. A lower joint, being a flexible joint or a tapered stress joint to which the lower pipe section is attached, is fixed to the ball joint in series. A sleeve is fixed to the ball joint and surrounds the upper pipe section to permit limited pivotal movement of that pipe section about the ball joint. The sleeve may seat into the bellmouth of an I- or J-tube of a surface facility or may be omitted if the lower joint is seated in a hang-off formation. A locking mechanism is capable of locking the ball joint and hence preventing pivotal movement of the upper pipe section.

Abstract: —a subsea pump (30) arranged in fluid connection with the well interior (38, 39) providing a closed system suitable for pressure and flow regulation and establishing a temporary fluid flow between the subsea pump and the well interior, —a fluid source (31) supplying fluid to the subsea pump, wherein the subsea pump has a mode of operation for regulation of the flow and/or pressure between the pump and the well interior to operate equipment arranged in the well, —a safety control system for controlling shut down of a valve arrangement in a subsea position, which safety control system is also arranged in a subsea position and comprises a control unit (60) and an actuation unit (70) for local control and operation of the valve arrangement, —the valve arrangement is operated by the control unit into a valve configuration providing a barrier system between a reservoir in fluid communication with the well interior and the surroundings, —a plurality of sensors (100, 51, 52) arranged for measuring fluid parameters tr

Abstract: A system, including one or more supports disposed on a drill floor.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for accessing a flow system (such as a subsea tree) in a subsea oil and gas production system, and method of use. The apparatus comprises a body defining a conduit therethrough and a first connector for connecting the body to the flow system. A second connector is configured for connecting the body to an intervention apparatus, such as an injection or sampling equipment. In use, the conduit provides an intervention path from the intervention apparatus to the flow system. Aspects of the invention relate to combined injection and sampling units, and have particular application to well scale squeeze operations.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical element adapted for immersion in a fluid medium, the cylindrical element comprising an elongate body having a length and a generally circular cross-section, and a plurality of raised body portions disposed about and extending along the length of the elongate body, the raised body portions being arranged generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body and having a height between 2% and 10% of a diameter of the body. The plurality of raised body portions are adapted to reduce vortex-induced vibration and/or drag on the cylindrical element when the cylindrical element is immersed in the fluid medium and there is relative movement between the cylindrical element and the fluid medium.

Abstract: This invention provides a hose for conveying an emulsion explosive together with an annular stream of aqueous solution around the emulsion explosive as a lubricant, wherein the hose comprises an internal surface that reduces disruption of the annular stream during conveying of the emulsion explosive. Also provided is a method of producing this type of hose and practical applications of the hose in commercial mining and blasting operations.

Abstract: A subsea processor may be located near the seabed of a drilling site and used to coordinate operations of underwater drilling components. The subsea processor may be enclosed in a single interchangeable unit that fits a receptor on an underwater drilling component, such as a blow-out preventer (BOP). The subsea processor may issue commands to control the BOP and receive measurements from sensors located throughout the BOP. The subsea processor may relay information to the surface for recording or monitoring. The subsea processor may also be programmed with a model from which to base operation of the BOP, such as in emergency conditions.

Abstract: An offshore drilling vessel includes a floating hull subjected to heave motion. The hull includes a moonpool and a drilling tower near the moonpool. A drilling tubulars storage rack is provided for storage of drilling tubulars. The vessel includes a heave motion compensation support that is adapted to support a slip device whilst performing heave compensation motion relative to the heaving motion of the vessel. A racking device is provided with a heave motion synchronization system that is adapted to bring a tubular retrieved from the storage rack in heave motion into a vertical motion that is synchronous with the heave compensation motion of the string slip device. The racking device includes vertical rails and at least two separate motion arm assemblies mounted on said vertical rails. Each separate motion arm assembly includes its own vertical drive which is electrically connected to the heave motion synchronization system.

Abstract: A drilling system for drilling a subterranean well bore includes a controller and a first and a second set of field devices. Each of the first and second set of field devices measure a physical characteristic of the drilling system and to transmit to the controller signals representing a measured value of the physical characteristic. The controller is programmed to use a first set of algorithms to process the signals received from the first set of field devices to determine if the measured values represented by the signals indicate that there might have been an influx of formation fluid into the subterranean well bore, and a second set of algorithms to process the signals received from the second set of field devices to determine if the measured values represented by the signals indicate that there might have been an influx of formation fluid into the subterranean well bore.

Abstract: A fuel bunkering apparatus shapes fluid flow in a flow shaping line preferably shaped to have a plurality of loops. Shaping the two-phase flow drives the heavier, denser fluids to the outside wall of the flow shaping line and allows the lighter, less dense fluids such as gas to occupy the inner wall of the flow shaping line. With the gas positioned on the inner wall, an exit port on the inner wall permits a majority, if not all, of the gas, along with a minimal amount of liquid, to be diverted to a conventional gas-liquid separator at a flow rate much lower than the total flow rate within the flow shaping line. The remaining liquid flow in the flow shaping line is subsequently introduced into an adjustable phase splitter to separate different liquid components from one another.

Abstract: In an amphibious or flotational device for supporting one or more submersible pumps, the flotational device is structurally configured to provide the means for enabling both static and dynamic positioning of the submersible pumps at selected depths below the flotational device, and to provide means for improved pay-out and storage of flexible piping that enables improved dynamic positioning of the submersible pumps.

Abstract: A bend stiffener for resisting excessive-bending of an elongate underwater member in a region where it meets a rigid structure, comprises: a sleeve (1) for receiving said elongate underwater member, said sleeve being capable of some degree of flexure; and a rigid interface mount (3) secured to said sleeve, said rigid interface mount being suitable for attachment to said rigid structure; wherein said rigid interface mount comprises one or more slots (4) or holes which are alignable with corresponding slots, holes or recesses on said rigid structure such that the rigid interface mount may be locked to the rigid structure by locking means (2), said locking means comprising projection(s) through the slots or holes of the rigid interface mount into the slots, holes or recesses of the rigid structure. The bend stiffener is particular suited to mid-line applications, amongst other applications.

Abstract: An installation of bottom-to-surface connections of at least two undersea pipes (11-1, 11-2) resting on the sea bottom (10), and a rigid pipe (1-1, 1-2) constituted by a vertical riser having its bottom end (1a) fastened to a base (9-1, 9-2) at the sea bottom (10), and having its top end (1b) tensioned by an immersed float (4-1, 4-2); and a flexible connection pipe (2-1, 2-2) providing the connection between a common floating support (12) and the top end (1b) of the vertical riser via a junction device (3-1, 3-2; wherein two hybrid towers are connected together by at least one rigid separator bar (5) having a length not less than the diameter of the larger-diameter float.

Abstract: A flow modification device connectable to a generally cylindrical element adapted for immersion in a fluid medium, the device comprising an elongate body having a length and a generally circular cross-section; a plurality of raised body portions disposed about and extending along the length of the elongate body, the raised body portions being arranged generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body and having a height between 2% and 10% of a diameter of the body; and an aperture extending through the length of the elongate body, the aperture being adapted to receive the generally cylindrical element such that the flow modification device is arranged about the cylindrical element.

Abstract: A system, including one or more supports. The system also includes a movable platform slidingly coupled to the one or more supports and configured to be selectively moved towards a drill floor and away from the drill floor. The system further includes a roughneck disposed on the movable platform and configured to make up or break out a threaded joint between a first tubular segment and a second tubular segment, wherein the roughneck is configured to be selectively movable along the movable platform from a first position disposed adjacent to the one or more supports and a second position disposed adjacent to the first tubular segment and the second tubular segment.

Abstract: A pile top assembly includes an adapter configured to couple to an upper end of a subsea anchor, a tensioning system mounted on an upper end of the adapter, and a flexible tension member having a first end coupled to the tensioning system. The tensioning system is operable to pay in and pay out the flexible tension member relative to the tensioning system. The pile top assembly further includes means coupled to the adapter for selectively engaging the upper end of the subsea anchor.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for monitoring an annular packer are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for monitoring a sealing element of a blowout preventer may include providing a fluid to a chamber disposed within a blowout preventer to actuate a piston disposed within the chamber, wherein the actuation of the piston causes a reduction of an inner diameter of a sealing element; measuring one or more parameters of the fluid via a sensor; receiving data relating to the one or more parameters from the sensor; determining a stiffness of the sealing element utilizing the data relating to the one or more parameters; and determining an amount of degradation of the sealing element by comparing the determined stiffness of the sealing element to a known data profile.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a riser tensioner includes a cylinder barrel, a rod reciprocally carried within the cylinder barrel and having an external end sealingly extending out of a proximal end of the cylinder barrel, and a piston on an interior end of the rod that slides and seals against an inner surface of the cylinder barrel. The tensioner further includes a selectively sealed low pressure chamber in the cylinder barrel between the piston and a distal end of the cylinder barrel and fillable with a low pressure fluid, and a selectively sealed annulus between the rod and the cylinder barrel, the annulus extending between the piston and the proximal end of the cylinder barrel and fillable with an annulus fluid at a pressure higher than the low pressure fluid, thereby urging the piston and rod towards retraction.

Abstract: A marine riser system, a buoyancy system, and a method of buoying a body. A riser joint includes a body, a buoyancy module, a thrust collar, and a reaction collar. The buoyancy module is coupled around the body and configured to produce a buoyant force when submerged at a subsea location. The thrust collar is coupled around the body and engaged with the buoyancy module to transfer the buoyant force to the body. The reaction collar is engaged with the body such that movement of the buoyancy module is restricted by the reaction collar.

Abstract: A marine riser includes at least two riser sections which are connected in an end-to-end relationship. The at least two riser sections extend between a subsea installation and a suspension device arranged above the subsea installation. At least one of the at least two riser sections includes at least one pipe having a heat exchanger.

Abstract: A system includes a mud return system. The mud return system includes a pressure exchanger (PX) configured to be installed in a body of water, to receive used drilling mud, to receive a second fluid, to utilize the second fluid to pressurize the drilling mud for transport, via a mud return line, from a first location at or near the sea floor to a second location at or near a surface of the body of water.

Abstract: A riser system with a primary conduit extends between a surface vessel and a subsea location and an auxiliary conduit that extends adjacent the primary conduit. In one example a composite jumper conduit extends from the surface vessel and is fluidly connected to the auxiliary conduit. The jumper conduit includes a composite material formed of at least a matrix and one or more reinforcing elements embedded within the matrix. In one example a subsea composite jumper conduit extends from subsea infrastructure and is fluidly connected to the auxiliary conduit. The subsea jumper conduit includes a composite material formed of at least a matrix and one or more reinforcing elements embedded within the matrix.

Abstract: An offshore drilling vessel includes a floating hull subjected to heave motion. The hull includes a moonpool and a drilling tower near the moonpool. A drilling tubulars storage rack is provided for storage of drilling tubulars. The vessel includes a heave motion compensation support that is adapted to support a slip device while performing heave compensation motion relative to the heaving motion of the vessel. A racking device is provided with a heave motion synchronization system that is adapted to bring a tubular retrieved from the storage rack in heave motion into a vertical motion that is synchronous with the heave compensation motion of the string slip device. The racking device includes vertical rails and at least two separate motion arm assemblies mounted on said vertical rails. Each separate motion arm assembly includes its own vertical drive which is electrically connected to the heave motion synchronization system.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe cylindrical structures with indents configured to reduce vortex induced vibrations (VIV). For example, the cylindrical structures may be configured to reduce VIV for drilling risers subject to ocean currents. In embodiments, the indents may be positioned on an outer surface of the cylindrical structures, wherein the indents may be parallel pairs. The pairs may be mirrored between a first end and a second end of the cylindrical structure, and be positioned in a helical pattern, which may be continuous or staggered.

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 method of manufacturing is presented. The method includes providing a plurality of structural layers comprising a plurality of composite rods, wherein at least one structural layer from the plurality of structural layers is attached to a separation layer. The method further includes stacking the plurality of structural layers, detaching the separation layer from the at least one structural layer, and curing the plurality of structural layers to form a structural component of a wind turbine blade.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing subsea drilling operations. An example method may include receiving drilling fluid from a drilling fluid source at a first pressure by a pressure exchanger located within a subsea environment and receiving seawater from the subsea environment at a second pressure by the pressure exchanger to increase pressure of the drilling fluid within the pressure exchanger to a third pressure. The second and third pressures are substantially greater than the first pressure. The method may further include discharging the drilling fluid from the pressure exchanger into piping to communicate the drilling fluid to a drill forming a wellbore in a seabed and discharging the seawater from the pressure exchanger into the subsea environment.

Abstract: A customer's server datagram request and/or customer field unit's datagram is wrapped with a header and footer that contains a defined hopping path with direction control. An IP Host stores predefined hopping paths to all of the customer's field units, and looks at the address of the customer's request packet to determine the correct hopping path. A communication device receives the customer's field unit's datagrams and adds a defined hopping path to send the datagram to the IP Host which removes the hopping path and sends the datagram to the customer server.

Abstract: An example deflection absorbing tensioner frame for a platform of an offshore vessel may include at least one metal beam supporting a tensioner. A deflection absorber may be coupled to at least one metal beam. The deflection absorber may be configured to absorb axial, rotational, and lateral deflections in a platform deck coupled to the deflection absorber.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a fluid conduit including a plurality of segments having a substantially flexible segment. The substantially flexible segment has substantially concentric inner and outer sidewalls and includes an adjustable pressure device configured to vary an internal annular pressure of the substantially flexible segment to counteract external pressure from a surrounding environment.

Abstract: In an apparatus of the type comprising a first assembly, a second assembly, an orientable rotatable connection between the first assembly and the second assembly, and a control device associated with the orientable rotatable connection, a method for controlling the actuation of the control device. Particular embodiments of the method include comparing an actual orientation of the second assembly with a target orientation, actuating the control device to perform a control device actuation cycle if the actual orientation is not acceptable, determining an updated actual orientation of the second assembly, comparing the updated actual orientation with the target orientation, and repeating the control device actuation cycle if the updated target orientation is not acceptable. A first exemplary embodiment of the method represents a target approach to achieving the target orientation. A second exemplary embodiment of the method represents an incremental approach to achieving the target orientation.

Abstract: Tension meter (82) for measuring a mechanical tension (F1) along a longitudinal direction (L) between a first element (84) and a second element (80) deployed in a well containing a fluid (50) having a fluid pressure, the tension meter comprising:—a bar (108) comprising a first portion (152), a second portion (154), and a measurement portion (156), and—a hollow member (110) defining a first chamber (169) surrounding the measurement portion, the bar being free to expand within the hollow member under the mechanical tension (F1) to be measured. The measurement portion includes at least one strain gauge (172). The tension meter includes first sealing elements for keeping the first chamber at a first chamber pressure, the measurement portion being subject to a compression force (F2) due to a difference between the fluid pressure and the first chamber pressure.

Abstract: A riser or jumper assembly for transporting production, exportation or injection fluids is disclosed as is a method for providing buoyancy to such an assembly. The riser or jumper assembly includes a first segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a first and second end fitting, a further segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a first and second end fitting and an intermediate segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a first and second end fitting and at least one buoyancy element.

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: Methods and systems are described for monitoring the integrity of a subsea pipeline network to transport the production fluid from a subsurface wellhead to surface facilities. More specifically, the described methods and systems are for monitoring the integrity of a riser pipe network and can include installing one or more inclinometers to the buoyancy tank and/or vertical riser structures.

Abstract: A tensioning apparatus for applying a substantially constant tension to a workover riser (12) includes a first portion (40) adapted to be coupled to a workover riser, a second portion (44) adapted to be coupled to a marine riser (14) and tensioning means (46) for providing relative movement between the first portion and the second portion to, in use, tension the workover riser.

Abstract: A marine riser includes one or more buoyancy modules running along a length of the marine riser, wherein the one or more buoyancy modules are molded such that an umbilical may be secured along a length of the one or more buoyancy modules.

Abstract: A marine riser includes a plurality of central pipes assembled end to end to form a main conduit. A plurality of tension members runs the length of the main conduit. The tension members are coupled to the main conduit to support and constrain an axial motion of the main conduit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for inspecting and monitoring flexible collection and production lines in real time, rendering possible constant tracking of the condition of the internal structures of a flexible riser, specifically of the tensile armor thereof. The device may be provided at any point along the riser ensuring the establishment of an area of physical and visual contact directly over the surface of the tensile armor of the riser for the installation of equipment for analysis, which area permits further accesses without destroying the sealing of the chamber there formed.

Abstract: A cap for protecting a sealing surface of a hub of a subsea device includes an equalization valve and a fluid conduit. The equalization valve includes a valve body having a pressure equalization conduit, a sleeve disposed about the valve body and having a port allowing fluid communication across the sleeve, and a valve spring configured to bias the sleeve to a closed position. The sleeve is configured to move to an open position in response to a force that depresses the sleeve and causes the valve spring to compress and the port is fluidly isolated from the pressure equalization conduit in the closed position and is in fluid communication with the pressure equalization conduit in the open position. In the open position, an interior environment of the subsea device is in fluid communication with the environment outside the cap through the equalization valve.

Abstract: A hybrid riser tower is disclosed with a rigid riser column and a buoyancy tank positioned to apply tension to the riser column by buoyant upthrust when the tower is in an upright orientation for use. At least one jumper support structure is attached to a side of the buoyancy tank between upper and lower ends of the buoyancy tank when the tower is oriented for use. At least one riser connection extends outside the buoyancy tank from a riser pipe of the riser column to the jumper support structure, where it connects to a flexible end fitting carried by the jumper support structure. The riser connection splays laterally moving from the riser pipe toward the jumper support structure.

Abstract: A modular exploration and production system combined with an oil well testing and service vessel is provided, the vessel comprising equipment for separating hydrocarbons and/or associated fluids and solids by means of a processing plant. The vessel is equipped with suitable equipment packages for all required functionality, so fluid received from wells, piping and installations at sea or inland waters is processed for the separation, control and ecological handling of the mixture (crude oil, gas, solids, chemicals and oily or production water) in a plurality of phases such as exploration, drilling, finishing, repair, stimulation, production, and production measurement.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an in-situ system and method for transferring a load from a tensioned flexible link between at least two bodies, such as between a buoyancy can and a subsea riser or between a moored offshore platform and a pile. The system and method provides a tether assembly having a hydraulic cylinder and/or a transfer assembly, where the hydraulic cylinder is configured upon actuation to decrease a distance between the two bodies; and the transfer assembly includes a mechanical interlock configured upon actuation to maintain the decreased distance between the two bodies independent of the hydraulic cylinder. The mechanical interlock can include various embodiments that can be selectively activated and deactivated position to allow the hydraulic cylinder to operate at various times in the transfer process. A support assembly can provide additional support to the flexible link independent of or in addition to the transfer assembly.

Abstract: A system for bringing producing oil and gas from a subsea gathering manifold or wellhead, including a loop having an upper end at the surface and a lower end below the surface, the loop rotatable around a closed path, and production vessels attached to the cable loop, each production vessel having a hollow interior, the weight of the plurality of production vessels sufficient, when filled with seawater, to cause the production vessels to sink, the plurality of production vessels each having an inlet pipe. The system also includes a plurality of receivers attached to the production gathering manifold or wellhead that receive production fluid, the receivers engaging production vessels and filling them with well fluid while seawater is discharged from the production vessels, the production fluid having a lower density than ambient seawater so that the production vessels become buoyant when filled with the production fluid.

Abstract: A method, device, and system for determining whether liquid enters a subsea system includes a flow line having an inside bore capable of carrying producing fluids from a subsea wellhead to a floating production storage and offloading vessel (FPSO). An annulus is defined between an innermost sheath that surrounds the inside bore and an outermost sheath at an exterior of the flow line. The device further includes a housing element disposed within the annulus and in hydraulic communication with the annulus; a sensor element disposed at a predetermined location within the housing element; and data acquisition equipment capable of: determining environmental characteristics of the annulus based on measurements made by the sensor element, and determining at least one of the presence, location, and rate of collection of liquids in the subsea system based on the environmental characteristics of the annulus.

Abstract: A well intervention system is described which has a riser access drive adapted to be located below a vessel, or a rig, work floor. The riser is tensioned and extends from a subsea wellhead to the access device which, in use, is attached to the riser at the location below the work floor. Embodiments of the invention are described.