Abstract: A pipeline alignment termination device comprises a connecting piece (22, 24, 28) connected at its first end to a pipeline (29). The connecting piece is supported on a skid base (12) by an articulated support (24). Adjustable constraints (25, 26, 30, L) operable by ROV, permit the second end (20) to be accurately aligned by transverse and rotational adjustments with the end of a spoolpiece (232, 234). After alignment and connection, constraints on the rotation and transverse movement are removed, leaving the connecting piece supported but free to move with up to five degrees of freedom.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses for an offshore connection between a floating vessel and seabed pipelines.

Abstract: Marine pipelaying method and system for installing an offshore pipeline (1) that includes one or more accessories (10). The method includes the steps of providing a vessel (2), launching the pipeline (1) in a firing line from the vessel (2) in the direction of the seabed, engaging the pipeline (1) with a clamping device (5b) that is connected to the vessel (2) and adapted to support the weight of the previously launched pipeline (1), and moving the accessory (10) into the firing line to a position above the clamping device (5b).

Abstract: A bottom-surface connection installation for at least two undersea pipes resting on the sea bottom, the installation comprising: a first hybrid tower having a vertical riser anchored to a first base and connected to an undersea pipe resting on the sea bottom and having its top end connected to a first float below the surface, and a first connection pipe, preferably a flexible pipe, providing a connection between a floating support and the top end of said riser; and at least one second rigid pipe rising from the sea bottom where it rests or from a second undersea pipe resting on the sea bottom and to which its bottom end that is not anchored to said first base is connected, up to below the surface, where its top end is connected to a second float situated at substantially the same depth as said first float, and fastened to said first float to at least one respective said connection pipe that is flexible and serves to connect it to the same said floating support.

Abstract: Provided are a helically-reinforced horizontal water-gathering pipe having a multi-diameter, which is used in a riverbed filtration system that is installed in a predetermined depth of a riverbed to receive filtered water that is filtered through an aquifer and transfer the filtered water to a collector well or a collector trench, the helically-reinforced horizontal water-gathering pipe including: drain pipes including a plurality of inflow holes through which the filtered water flows, wherein the drain pipes have different diameters and each of the drain pipes having a larger diameter is disposed near the collector well or the collector trench; and at least one reinforcing screw helically protruded along an outer perimeter of each of the drain pipes, and a method of inserting the helically-reinforced horizontal water-gathering pipe.

Abstract: Existing underwater networks are formed using telecommunications cable technology designed for intercontinental links. The network is formed by a continuous series of transport segments that are connected in the factory by repeaters or bypasses and deployed continuously from the surface by a cable ship.

Abstract: Connector assembly adapted to connect riser member of riser device to another riser member for connecting an oil well to an oil rig includes a male part having a male axial portion and a female part having a female axial portion opposite to said male axial radial portion, which together form a seat. A sealing ring having a radially extending annular stem provided with first and second axial seal support portions, and a radial annular portion interconnecting said first and second seal support surfaces being axially separated. Said radially extending annular stem has a first axial seal support portion adapted at atmospheric pressure to abut said male axial portion and a second axial seal support portion adapted during use to abut said female axial portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing, deploying and retrieving a plurality of seismic devices is described. The apparatus includes a ramp device coupled to a portion of a trailing end of a vessel, a cable handling device positioned between the ramp device and a leading end of the vessel to define a cable path across the ramp device, and at least one conveyor system having a first end located adjacent the ramp device and a second end extending toward the leading end of the vessel. A deployment method includes providing nodes from a storage area to a workstation where the nodes may be attached to a cable. A retrieval method includes routing a cable through a workstation to detach nodes from the cable section and transfer the detached nodes to the storage area.

Abstract: The marine pipelaying system for vertical or near vertical laying of an offshore pipeline (20) includes a main supporting structure (5); a pipe connecting station (30), wherein a pipe section (21) is connected to an uppermost end (20a) of a previously launched pipeline; a static clamp (35) adapted for releasably securing the uppermost end of the previously launched pipeline, wherein the static clamp is adapted to support the weight of the<->previously launched pipeline; a mobile clamp (40) adapted for releasably securing the previously launched pipeline at a position below the static clamp, wherein the mobile clamp is adapted to support the weight of the offshore pipeline as the offshore pipeline is released from the static clamp; and a mobile clamp hoist (10) connected to the mobile clamp.

Abstract: An underwater termination assembly for use with a subsea system such as a well tree, comprises a construction having first and second limbs substantially at a right-angle to each other, which construction may be lowered having an umbilical connected to one of the limbs so that said one of the limbs sits on the bed of a body of water.

Abstract: Apparatuses including a subsea pipeline (18) extending from a first location (14) to a second location (16) and including at least one distributed buoyancy region (102) to traverse a seabed topographic feature (12) are presented. Methods including laying a subsea pipeline (218) including laying a negatively buoyant section of pipeline (218A), a distributed buoyancy section (202) of pipeline (218), and a second negatively buoyant section of pipeline (218B) from a pipelay vessel (220) to traverse an undersea topographic feature (212) are also presented.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of moving a pig through pipeline, the method comprising the steps of: a) introducing the pig into the pipeline; b) causing a chemical reaction between two or more reagents to produce at least one reaction product that would be in a gaseous state at STP, wherein the reagents would be in a non-gaseous state at STP; and c) introducing the gaseous reaction product into the pipeline. The invention also provides a method of moving a pig through a pipeline, the method comprising the steps of: a) introducing the pig into the pipeline; b) introducing into the pipeline two or more reagents capable of chemically reacting to produce at least one reaction product that would be in a gaseous state at STP, wherein the reagents would be in a non-gaseous state at STP.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and methods for laying of elongate articles from a vessel. The vessel includes a tower (2), on which is supported tensioning means (20,21), straightening means (19), and a hold-off clamp (14). The hold-off clamp (14) is mounted independently of the tower on a trolley (13) which can be moved into and out of alignment with the laying axis of the tower while supporting the elongate article under laying tension. This enables the pipe string to be moved out of the line of the tower (2) for the fitting of equipment such as mid-line connectors and PLETs. Methods are disclosed for using the apparatus for fitting a connection to the elongate article being laid using cranes etc provided on the vessel to move the trolley (13) and hold the laid pipe string or connection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to overpressure protection systems and methods for use on a production system for transferring hydrocarbons from a well on the seafloor to a vessel floating on the surface of the sea. The production system includes a subsea well in fluid communication with a turret buoy through a production flowline and riser system. The turret buoy is capable of connecting to a swivel located on a floating vessel. The overpressure protection device is positioned upstream of the swivel, to prevent overpressure of the production swivel and downstream components located on the floating vessel. The device may include one or more shut down valves, one or more sensors, an actuator assembly, and a control processor.

Abstract: A subsea system for securing an end portion of a pipeline includes a subsea foundation. The foundation has a lower portion located below the sea floor and an upper portion extending above the sea floor. The subsea foundation has a receptacle formed in the upper portion. The system includes a base frame that lands on the subsea foundation. The base frame has a track formed therein. A stab is hingedly mounted to the base frame. The stab stabs into the receptacle to secure the base frame to the subsea foundation. A sliding mechanism is carried by the base frame and moves along the track. The sliding mechanism is connected to a segment of the pipeline extending along the sea floor. A terminal assembly for an end portion of a pipeline and a method for securing an end portion of a pipeline are also included herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to overpressure protection systems and methods for use on a production system for transferring hydrocarbons from a well on the seafloor to a vessel floating on the surface of the sea. The production system includes a subsea well in fluid communication with a turret buoy through a production flowline and riser system. The turret buoy is capable of connecting to a swivel located on a floating vessel. The overpressure protection device is positioned upstream of the swivel, to prevent overpressure of the production swivel and downstream components located on the floating vessel. The device may include one or more shut down valves, one or more sensors, an actuator assembly, and a control processor. Each shut down valve and sensor is coupled to a production flowline. Each of the sensors is capable of generating a signal based upon a pressure sensed within the production flowline. The actuator assembly is connected to each of the shut down valves for operating the shut down valves.

Abstract: A tubing arrangement (1) for an offshore facility, e.g. a wind turbine, and comprising a first tube section (2) comprising a curved part (3), e.g. a J-tube, a second tube section (4) being substantially rigid and a joint part (6), e.g. a hinge, interconnecting the second tube section (4) and the curved part (3) of the first tube section (2). The joint part (6) allows the tube sections (2, 4) to pivot relatively to each other. When a scour hole (13) occurs at the offshore facility, a cable (11) can be mounted safely and easily in the tubing arrangement (1) with no or only little use of divers, even if the opening of the J-tube is positioned at a distance from the seabed (9) due to the scour hole (13). Furthermore, an offshore facility comprising such a tubing arrangement (1) and a method of mounting a cable (11) on an offshore facility are disclosed. According to the method, the cable (11) is inserted in the tubing arrangement (1) above a level defined by the seabed (9), preferably above the water surface (8).

Abstract: A plug for use during a pipeline laying operation for sealing off sections of the pipeline in case of water ingress. A sealing and gripping assembly is formed of slip segments around a partially conical shaped surface, the slip segments being moved by a piston/cylinder arrangement. A valve connected to a pressure vessel actuates the piston/cylinder in response to the detection of conductivity of fluid around the plug.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved freestanding hybrid riser system (FHRS) with new component configurations at the interfaces at the top (3) and bottom (5) ends of the vertical section of the riser (1) in comparison with configurations already installed by the industry. This proposed invention also describes a method for installation of the proposed FHRS which makes it possible to use vessels which are more available on the world market and therefore to bring about improved technical and operational gains.

Abstract: A pipe string (44) is pulled out by a tug boat (30) from a floating structure (12) such as a production vessel, as pipe sections (54, 56) are connected in series on the vessel, to eventually lay the pipe string in a catenary curve from the vessel to the sea floor and then along the sea floor to a distant subsea well head (86). To save time and cost in coupling the pipe sections, lower fatigue resistant pipe couplings, such as non weld-on couplings (120) that include a threaded sleeve (134), are used to connect pipe sections that will lie in a quiescent zone such as on the sea floor (zone Az), and in a zone (Cz) lying along the middle of the catenary curve. Higher fatigue resistant pipe couplings such as weld-on couplings (150) are used along active zones such as top and bottom zones (Dz, Bz) of the catenary curve.

Abstract: A riser installation method including the steps of providing a first vessel situated over a hydrocarbon well, supporting a hydrocarbon transfer duct from the first vessel by a first end that is attached to a lowering device on the first vessel, and attaching a second end of the hydrocarbon duct to a second vessel, at a position near the first vessel. The method also includes the steps of lowering the transfer duct, increasing the distance of the second vessel from the first vessel, pulling the transfer duct until the second vessel is near the third vessel, contacting a section of the transfer duct with the sea bed, displacing the second end of the transfer duct from the first vessel, returning the second end of the transfer duct to the mooring position, and bringing the second end of the hydrocarbon transfer duct in fluid communication with the third vessel.

Abstract: A fitting includes a body having at least two portions coupled together to form a body having a passage through the body. The passage allows at least a portion of a conduit to be located at least substantially lengthwise within the body. A first seal is located on the passage wall proximate a first end of the body. A second seal is located on the passage wall proximate a second end of the body. A translatable ring is located on the passage wall between the first and second seals. The ring moves along the passage wall when the first seal is activated so that the second seal is activated. The first and second seals provide a seal in the passage.

Abstract: An articulated flowline connection, or coupling, between a flowline and a structure. In some embodiments, the coupling includes a housing and three cylindrical members, each disposed within the housing. The housing has a first longitudinal centerline. The first cylindrical member is rotatable relative to the housing about the first centerline, the first cylindrical member supporting the flowline, whereby the flowline is rotatable about the first centerline relative to the housing. The second cylindrical members are immovable relative to the structure. The housing and the first cylindrical member disposed therein are rotatable about a second axis normal to the first centerline relative to the second and third cylindrical members, whereby the flowline is rotatable about the second axis relative to the structure. In some embodiments, the flowline is also rotatable about a third axis normal to the first centerline and the second axis relative to the coupling.

Abstract: A marine pipeline installation tensioner comprising a tensioner frame and multiple track units mounted in said frame, wherein each track unit includes an endless track, a chassis, support rollers or other bearing means mounted therein for the endless track, and one more track drive/brake members for effecting drive and/or braking motion of the track, and wherein each track unit is arranged mobile within the associated frame. Each track unit is arranged mobile within the associated frame by a parallel linkage bar system with parallel linkage bars between the chassis of the track unit and the frame of the tensioner.

Abstract: A method of making steel undersea pipes (1) designed to convey corrosive fluids and in particular water, the method comprising the steps consisting in: 1) acting in a workshop on land to assemble together respective ends of at least two unitary pipe elements (2a-2d) by means of carbon-steel first welds (41) so as to form pipe strings (3a, 3b), said first welds being protected by first linings (61); and 2) acting at sea from a laying ship (20) to assemble together respective ends of said strings (3a, 3b) by use of anti-corrosion second welds (42) of stainless steel or of anti-corrosion alloy so as to form a said pipe; each of the ends (31, 32) of said strings being provided with an anti-corrosion cladding (5) of same said stainless steel or of same said corrosion-resistant alloy, which cladding extends over the inside surface made of carbon steel of each said end unitary pipe element over a first length (l1) of at least 4 times the thickness of the wall of the pipe, and preferably in the range 4 times to 20 ti

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system and method for installing subsea equipment, such as a pipeline and equipment associated therewith in a target area, generally having restricted overhead access. An anchor can be installed in the seabed and can include one or more sheaves. A pipeline can be provided, which can include related equipment and/or one or more coupling devices situated remotely from the anchor relative to the target area. A winch wire can be provided and is adapted to be directly or indirectly coupled across at least a portion of the target area to the pipeline. A transfer sling having a pull wire and an initiation wire can be coupled between the winch wire and pipeline to assist the winch wire pulling the pipeline into the target area and transferring a pipeline force from the sheave to the anchor independent of the sheave.

Abstract: The invention relates to a riser pipe installation that comprises a flexible duct of the non-bound type, the duct being vertically arranged between a mechanical connection with a submerged buoy at the stub on the one hand, and a mechanical connection with the seabed at the bottom on the other hand, wherein fluid connections are provided at the stub and at the bottom for connecting the riser pipe with surface equipment on the one hand and bottom equipment on the other hand; the bottom of the pipe is located at a depth of at least 1000 m where it is submitted to a computable maximum reverse bottom effect F, while the buoy is oversized in order to generate at the bottom of the riser pipe a reaction tension T higher than at least 50% or even 100% of the computable maximum reverse bottom effect F applied at the bottom of the pipe.

Abstract: A connector means (10; 20) for tie-in and connecting of a first pipeline and a second pipeline on the seabed is shown. The connector means comprises a first connector part (1; 1?) retaining a first end of the first pipeline. The first connector part and the first pipeline are designed to be lowered and deployed on the seabed in advance of the connecting operation. A submersible second connector part (2; 2?) that retains a second end of the second pipeline (4) is also included. The second connector part and the second pipeline are designed to be lowered from the surface of the water toward the first connector part (1; 1?).

Abstract: Existing underwater networks are formed using telecommunications cable technology designed for intercontinental links. The network is formed by a continuous series of transport segments that are connected in the factory by repeaters or bypasses and deployed continuously from the surface by a cable ship.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a buoyancy module onto a rigid pipe having a clamp means. In one embodiment the clamp means includes pads for clamping onto the outer surface or coating of the rigid pip, the pads having a teeth or serrations formed thereon for gripping the outer surface of the pipe. In a second embodiment, the clamp means comprises one or more coil springs formed from a resilient material adapted to be wound around the outer circumference of the pipe. The method for mounting a buoyancy module onto a rigid pipe comprises the steps of reducing the outer diameter of the pipe at a location of the pipe to which a buoyancy module is to be attached and subsequently mounting a buoyancy module at such location.

Abstract: A method for installing a subsea flowline and riser assembly on a sea floor includes providing a flowline having an axis and an end connected to a hinge-over joint, and a riser having an axis and an end connected to the joint such that the axes of the riser and flowline extend substantially parallel. An end of the flowline opposite the joint is lowered to the sea floor. The end of the flowline connected to the joint is lowered to the sea floor. The joint is connected to a foundation that is installed in the sea floor. The riser is rotated about the hinge-over joint such that the riser axis is substantially perpendicular to the flowline axis. A subsea jumper is connected between an opening formed in the flowline and an opening formed in the riser so that the riser is in fluid communication with the flowline.

Abstract: There is disclosed a floating system positioned in a body of water having a water bottom, the system comprising a host member floating in the water; an elongated underwater line structure, comprising a top connected to the host; a bottom extending to the seabed and adapted to connect to a flowline lying on the seabed; a first portion of the line structure being shaped concave upward; a second portion of the line structure being shaped concave upward; and a transition segment between being shaped concave downward, the transition segment located between the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a variety of arrangements for laying of rigid pipe from reeled storage and/or on-board welding fabrication. Thirteen independent aspects of the invention are identified. In one particular arrangement (FIGS. 3a-3b), a tilting lay tower (106) having two travelling clamps (210, 220) is provided centrally on a pipelay vessel with a radius control arch (140) pivotable to receive rigid pipe from either port or starboard lay paths. A vertical axis reel or carousel (104) is provided, within an arrangement of curved take-off arms (130, 134) and a large radius curved wall (128). By these means, pipe can be loaded onto the carousel either clockwise or anti-clockwise, and can be supplied to the lay tower via the port or starboard lay path. Continuous rigid product fabricated by a selection of welding lines (112, 114, 116) at the port side can be guided around the large radius wall either for reeling onto the carousel or for direct feeding to the lay tower.

Abstract: Marine pipe laying systems and methods including a hoisting device for laying an offshore pipeline are disclosed. The hoisting device includes a tower with a tower top side provided with cable pulleys and a moveable traveling block displaceably attached to the tower. The traveling block includes first and second blocks with cable pulleys. A clamp attaches to the first block for holding pipe sections and lowering pipelines after the pipe section connects to the pipeline. The hoisting device includes a hoisting means including hoisting cable and a winch. The hoisting cable can be guided over the cable pulleys on the tower and the traveling block. The first and second blocks are adapted to be releasably coupled for traveling along the tower as a unit and for supporting greater pipeline weights. The second block can be locked to the tower to remain stationary while the first block travels along the tower.

Abstract: A device for laying pipes from a laying vessel. The pipes convey a fluid within. The device comprises a lower retaining device to retain a pipe and a lower securing device to support the lower retaining device. An upper retaining device retains the pipe and is able to move translationally with respect to the lower retaining device. Both retaining devices retain the pipe from the inside. An upper securing device to which the lower retaining device can be coupled through a pipe section to be connected in order to release the lower securing device and in order to secure thereto the said upper retaining device after the then lower pipe section has been connected and submerged.

Abstract: A device for transferring fluid between two floating supports anchored to the sea bottom, having a rigid central undersea pipe installed below the surface with its ends each being connected to respective ones of two supports via a flexible hose. The main portion of the rigid central pipe includes or co-operates with buoyancy elements such that the central pipe adopts, in a quasi-static rest state, a configuration of an arch, preferably following a curve such that the angles between the half-lines of the axes of the rigid pipe and the horizontal half-lines at each of its ends extending towards the other end present absolute values of less than 20° and the flexible hoses present lengths and curvatures such that variations in the curvatures of the flexible hoses are suitable for compensating the movements of the floating supports.

Abstract: A pipeline termination skid to be mounted to a pipeline end section to support a pipeline hub during the connection of the pipeline hub to a corresponding spool piece hub. The pipeline termination skid is so designed that a pipeline end section may be mounted thereto subsea by lowering the pipeline end section into a seat of one or several holding devices of the pipeline termination skid and thereafter displacing the pipeline termination skid along the pipeline end section so that the respective seat is brought into engagement with an alignment element secured about the pipeline end section so as to thereby fix the pipeline end section axially and radially in relation to the pipeline termination skid. A connection arrangement includes the pipeline termination skid, a pipeline termination designed for co-operation with the termination skid and a method for subsea connection of a pipeline to a spool piece.

Abstract: A single-module deployable bolted flange connection apparatus (10) makes up standard flange joints (24,32) for various pipeline tie-in situations, such as spool piece connection and flowline-tree connections, without the use of divers and auxiliary multiple pieces of equipment. An outer Flange Alignment Frame (FAF) (14), carries one or more claws (38) for grabbing the pipe/spool to provide flange alignment. The claws are suspended and driven by a novel arrangement of five hydraulic rams (412-420) A crash-resistant inner frame (148) houses complete connection tooling (150, 152 etc). The tooling performs the final alignment steps, inserts the gasket and studs, applies the required tension, and connects the nuts. Studs and nuts are stored separately from the tooling in an indexed carousel, to permit multiple operations, reverse operations (disconnection), and re-work of failed steps, all without external intervention.

Abstract: A device for at least one of a pig launching/receiving device or a connecting pipe to a submerged pipeline. A deflection bend is operatively connected to the pipeline. A blind pipe projects from the deflection bend. The blind pipe is substantially concentric with and extends in an opposite direction to the pipeline. The blind pipe is not in fluid communication with the deflection bend.

Abstract: A method and an installation for connecting a rigid submarine pipe and a flexible submarine pipe. The rigid pipe terminates in a free connection end. The flexible pipe has a flow-line portion and a suspended portion. The flow-line portion has an input end connected to the free connection end. The installation comprises an anchoring device to hold the flow-line portion anchored at an anchor point and to allow the flow-line portion to form an undulation. The anchoring device is suitable for holding the anchor point at a distance and close to the free connection end to form the undulation between the anchor point and the free connection end.

Abstract: A single-module deployable bolted flange connection apparatus (10) makes up standard flange joints (24, 32) for various pipeline tie-in situations, such as spool piece connection and flowline-tree connections, without the use of divers and auxiliary multiple pieces of equipment. An outer Flange Alignment Frame (FAF) (14), carries one or more claws (38) for grabbing the pipe/spool to provide flange alignment. The claws are suspended and driven by a novel arrangement of five hydraulic rams (412-420) A crash-resistant inner frame (148) houses complete connection tooling (150, 152 etc.) The tooling performs the final alignment steps, inserts the gasket and studs, applies the required tension, and connects the nuts. Studs and nuts are stored separately from the tooling in an indexed carousel, to permit multiple operations, reverse operations (disconnection), and re-work of failed steps, all without external intervention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pipeline assembly (1) and a method of installing a pipeline assembly, wherein the pipeline (10) extends at least in part on a seabed (14) and curves upwardly from the seabed along a curved section (15) thereof, the pipeline extending toward a delivery end (36) provided at the water surface (4), wherein a connecting device (27) connects the pipeline at a coupling point (30) to an anchoring device (26) at the seabed for preventing the coupling point from moving upward. The invention further relates to a pipeline device (122) comprising at least two pipeline assemblies which are interconnected at a substantial distance from the seabed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a subsea pipeline system for connecting two hydrocarbon production, storage and/or processing structures. The subsea pipeline has a first duct section supported on the seabed, a bridging duct section extending across a lower seabed part, at a distance from the sea bed, and a second duct section supported on the sea bed. The first and second duct sections are connected to the bridging duct section via an articulation joint allowing movement of the bridging duct section in a length direction of the first and second duct sections. A first tensioning element exerts an upward force on the bridge duct sections and a second tensioning element exerts a downward force on the bridge duct section. The first and second tensioning elements include a mutual angle to exert a horizontal pulling force on the bridging duct section.

Abstract: The marine pipelaying system for vertical or near vertical laying of an offshore pipeline includes a main supporting structure; a pipe connecting station, wherein a pipe section is connected to an uppermost end of a previously launched pipeline; a static clamp adapted for releasably securing the uppermost end of the previously launched pipeline, wherein the static clamp is adapted to support the weight of the previously launched pipeline; a mobile clamp adapted for releasably securing the previously launched pipeline at a position below the static clamp, wherein the mobile clamp is adapted to support the weight of the offshore pipeline as the offshore pipeline is released from the static clamp; and a mobile clamp hoist connected to the mobile clamp.

Abstract: A system for subsea transfer of intervention fluids to a subsea intervention apparatus, the system, in certain aspects, including a structure and a frame pivotably mounted thereto, a plurality of frame fluid conduits on the frame for conducting fluid from a connector to conduit apparatus in fluid communication with the subsea intervention apparatus, a connector at an end of the frame for releasably holding an end of a fluid stab assembly, and having a connector fluid conduits in communication with the frame fluid conduits, the connector fluid conduits located for receiving fluid from a fluid stab assembly releasably held by the connector.

Abstract: A method and device for preventing water from penetrating into the rising part/intermediate section (12) of a pipe (6) when laying the pipe (6) on or near the seabed (8) by means of a pipelay vessel (1), and where a plug (22) that seals against, travels and locks in the inside passage of the pipe (6) is arranged inside the pipe (6) between the lay vessel (1) and the seabed (8), where during normal pipelaying the plug (22) is displaced in the pipe (6) so as to essentially maintain its relative position relative to the pipelay vessel (1), and where in the event of water flowing into the pipe (6), the plug (22) is locked in the pipe (6), whereby water is prevented from filling the rising part/intermediate section (12) of the pipe (6).

Abstract: Apparatus (12) for transferring fluid between floating vessels (10, 11) is described, comprising a submerged rigid transfer arm (13) carrying a fluid pipeline (16). The apparatus (12) is provided with thrusters (21) and positioning monitoring means (24). A control system (25) operates the thrusters (21) to move the arm (13) if the position monitoring means (24) shows the arm (13) and the second vessel (11) is outside a given range, to restore the separation to within the range. The pipeline (16) may be located in a tunnel (30) on the arm (13) which opens above the waterline at each end to allow personnel access therein for inspection and maintenance of the pipeline (16).

Abstract: A method of laying a pipeline (6) underwater includes the steps of holding an end of a pipeline (6), providing a pipe section (5) for extending the pipeline (6), arranging the pipe section (5) adjacent to the end of pipeline (6) thereby defining a circumferential joint (7) to be welded, and welding the pipes (5, 6) together. A plurality of welding torches (8) move along the circumferential joint (7) and are operated simultaneously to weld the pipes together. The pipes (5, 6) are made of TMCP-SC steel. After the root weld is laid, a cooling ring (1) mounted on an internal clamp inside the pipes (5, 6) sprays cooling liquid, for example a fluid spray of atomised water (10) and air, from nozzles (2) onto an interior surface of the pipes (5, 6) in the region of the circumferential joint (7), thereby cooling the pipes (5, 6).

Abstract: Disclosed is a vessel comprising at least two parallel hulls at a predetermined mutual distance. A deck structure is supported on the hulls. Fluid storage tanks are placed in the at least two hulls, at least partly below the deck structure. The deck structure carries fluid processing and/or production equipment. The fluid is a hydrocarbon. The ratio of length to width of the vessel being at least 3, preferably at least 4. The length of the vessel being at least 150 m, preferably at least 250 m, more preferably at least 350 m.

Abstract: The relative position and orientation between two subsea structures (210, 212) are measured by ultra-short baseline acoustic metrology. Dual mode master/slave (220, 222) stations comprising a multi-transducer array are fitted in known position and orientation relative to each structure. The first station (220) is operated in master mode to determine the position and direction of the second structure (222) relative to the first (220). The second station (222) is operated in master mode to determine the position and direction data from both operations the apparatus calculates relative position and orientation between the structures. The dual mode stations can be replaced by a master station and a slave station, swapping places.