Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include methods and apparatus for a shroud that permits efficient installation and removal thereof from a flange of a pipeline. In one embodiment, a shroud is disclosed that includes a cover structure, and a plurality of retaining members coupled to an interior surface of the cover structure. Each of the plurality of retaining members comprises a rectangular arm coupled to a hinge structure, the hinge structure comprising a spring that fixes the rectangular arm in a position that is substantially orthogonal to a plane of the interior surface, wherein the hinge structure allows movement of the rectangular arm in a first direction and temporarily prevents movement of the rectangular arm in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: An anode composition includes an electrochemically active material comprising silicon; and a cement.

Abstract: A method for repairing a support piling, in situ, while immersed in water, comprising the steps of encircling a portion of said piling in need of repair above and below the water line in a coffer dam; and evacuating water from said coffer dam for exposing the portion of the piling in need of repair. Repair steps include blasting damaged portions with high pressure water and/or abrasive particles, adding metal support rods where needed, applying zinc or similar metal for protection against electrolysis, and treating the repaired area with a protective coating such as concrete or grout.

Abstract: A vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device including a body having a wall dimensioned to at least partly envelope a tubular member in an interior area of the body. The device further including a fin protruding outward from an exterior surface of the wall and a stand-off member positioned along an interior surface of the wall. The stand-off member dimensioned to space the body away from the tubular member and having a protruding portion formed by the interior surface of the wall and an indention portion formed by the exterior surface of the wall.

Abstract: An anode sled for assembly is disclosed which is constructed using a bag or sack which can be filled on-site with ballast. The sled design includes at least one stanchion or post extending upward from the sack and supports an anode. The sled can be used for both sacrificial anode and impressed current applications.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing a structural member comprises positioning a shell around the structural member, placing a force dampening material around an exterior of the shell and securing the force dampening material around the shell. In certain arrangements, the method further includes at least partially filling a space defined between the structural member and the shell with a filler material. In some embodiments, the filler material comprises a concrete, a grout, an epoxy, combinations thereof and/or the like. In one embodiment, the shell comprises a fiber reinforced polymer (e.g., CFRP, GFRP, aramid fibers, epoxy, other resins, etc.). In alternative embodiments, the methods additionally includes placing one or more layers of fiber reinforced polymer around the shell prior to placing a force dampening material around an exterior of the shell. In some embodiments, the layer of fiber reinforced polymer comprises CFRP, GFRP or any other type of fiber reinforced polymer.

Abstract: A system comprises towed marine geophysical equipment, adapted for towing through a body of water; and a surface covering, comprising a textural attribute of shark skin, attached to the marine geophysical equipment. A method comprises towing marine geophysical equipment having a surface covering, comprising a textural attribute of shark skin, attached thereto.

Abstract: An anode assembly for an impressed current cathodic protection system is disclosed. The anode assembly is arranged to protect a structure in a body of water. It includes an anode, an anode support and a base and is arranged to be electrically connected to the cathodic protection system. The base is a weighted member. The anode comprises a spherical hollow titanium body coated with a mixed metal oxide and filled with a non-conductive material. The anode support is an elongated titanium tube that projects upward from the base. The anode is welded on the top portion of the support to be disposed above the bed of the body of water. The anode assembly is connected to the cathodic protection system by an electrical connector mounted in a box.

Abstract: A floating pile saver device that prevents substantial growth of marine life on a pile installed in a marine environment. The device is configurable to be associated with piles that have a plurality of pile shapes. The pile saver may also providing additional useful features and functions such as mooring functions and electronic monitoring and communications functions. The pile saver device is configured to be movably associated with a pile so that such pile saver can float and rub a section of the surface of said pile as the water level changes (e.g. due to tidal variations in water level). Such rubbing prevents marine growth attachment along the “rub area”. Alternative embodiments of the invention provide numerous additional features including: (a) mooring a vessel, (b) providing a mooring bumper to protect the boat moored to the invention, (c) a platform, and (d) electronic features.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anode retainer for cathodic corrosion protection apparatuses of foundation pipes of offshore wind turbines, comprising: a metal cylinder ring having a longitudinal axis and an outside and an inside, wherein a plurality of positioning devices for concentrically self-positioning, in particular without tools, and fixing, in particular in a force-closed manner, the cylinder ring on a foundation pipe under gravity while interacting with corresponding positioning projections located on the outside of the foundation pipe is provided on the inside or the cylinder ring over the circumference, to a foundation pipe of an offshore wind turbine, characterized in that a plurality of positioning projections is provided on the outside of said foundation pipe over a cylinder ring area and a connecting structure therebetween, to a cathodic corrosion protection device for foundation pipes of offshore wind turbines, and to an offshore wind turbine having the same.

Abstract: A pipe pile, for use in a foundation or a retaining wall, comprises a substantially cylindrical, and preferably steel, pipe body extending longitudinally between two opposite ends, the pipe body being formed of a plurality of pipe sections, interlocked or welded together end-to-end and arranged on a common central longitudinal axis between the two ends. All of the pipe sections have substantially the same outside diameter; however, two or more pipe sections have differing inside diameters, and thus a differing wall thickness, between the two ends of the pipe pile.

Abstract: A method for making a riser tensioner component is provided. The method comprises the steps of (a) applying a cold spray composition to a metal substrate to achieve a first coating on the metal substrate, wherein the cold spray composition comprises a metal alloy, and wherein the first coating has a thickness in a range from about 5 to about 50 mils; and (b) rough finishing the first coating to achieve a second coating having an average roughness, Ra of less than about 32 micro-inches. A riser tensioner component is also provided, wherein the riser tensioner component comprises a cold spray applied coating on a metal substrate, wherein the coating comprises a metal alloy, and wherein the coating has a thickness in a range from about 5 to about 50 mils; and an average roughness, Ra of less than about 32 micro-inches.

Abstract: The present embodiment of the invention relates to an apparatus and method for using components in a subsea assembly formed from a raw polymer material combined with a marine growth inhibitor material.

Abstract: Corrosion of metallic tubulars in an oil, gas or geothermal well may be inhibited by introducing into the well a dithiazine of the formula: wherein R is selected from the group consisting of a C1 to C10 saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group or a C1 to C10 ?-hydroxy saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group. The dithiazine may be isolated from a whole spent fluid formed by reaction of hydrogen sulfide and a triazine. Alternately, the whole spent fluid containing the dithiazine may be introduced into the well. In addition, the dithiazine or whole spent fluid may be formulated with at least one component selected from alkyl, alkylaryl or arylamine quaternary salts; mono or polycyclic aromatic amine salts; imidazoline derivative or a quaternary salt thereof; a mono-, di- or trialkyl or alkylaryl phosphate ester; or a monomeric or oligomeric fatty acid.

Abstract: Corrosion of metallic tubulars in an oil, gas or geothermal well may be inhibited by introducing into the well a dithiazine or dithiazine of the formula: wherein R is selected from the group consisting of a C1 to C12 saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group or a C1 to C10 ?-hydroxy saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group; R1 is selected from the group consisting of a C1-C24 straight chain or branched alkyl group or a C1-C24 arylalkyl; R2 is selected from the group consisting of X-R4-X, R4 being a C1-C6 alkyl group; and X is chlorine, bromine or iodine. The dithiazine may he isolated from a whole spent fluid formed by reaction of hydrogen sulfide and a triazine. Alternately, the whole spent fluid containing the dithiazine may be introduced into the well. The dithiazines of formulae (II) and (III) are quaternized derivatives of the dithiazine of formula (I).

Abstract: This invention refers to a device that has a direct applicability in the oil industry, detecting on a prevention basis, failures that may be externally visualized on the walls of the risers. Externally coupled to a pipe in free catenary, called riser, the device involves such a pipe in its entire perimeter and allows for the making of non-destructive inspections of several natures concurrently, while the device moves along all its extension. The device moves along the riser downwards and upwards by a combination of gravity, buoyancy, thrusters and action of expansion of gases.

Abstract: A method of monitoring cathodic protection of an item located underwater at a facility, the facility further including a processing means, comprises the steps of providing a pair of first and second electrodes, the first electrode being electrically connected to the item and the second electrode being in contact with water proximate the item, measuring the potential between the first and second electrodes, producing an electrical signal indicative of the cathodic protection level, converting the signal into a communications format compatible with the processing means and passing it to the processing means, and transmitting the converted signal from the processing means to a surface location.

Abstract: A method of insulating pipeline bundles used in recovering hydrocarbons from wells is disclosed. A polymeric substance, such as an orthophosphate ester, is injected into the annulus between a carrier pipe and the hydrocarbon conveying tubulars. A ferric salt, such as ferric sulphate, may be added as a gelling agent. The mixture results in a gel having a dynamic viscosity of greater than (1000) PaS. The gel insulates the inner hydrocarbon-conveying tubulars from the surrounding seawater thus helping to maintain the relatively high temperature therewithin. This in turn reduces the likelihood for chemicals, such as hydrates, to be precipitated out of the oil phase.

Abstract: An anode column for protecting a marine structure from corrosion includes: (a) an elongated guide having upper and lower ends, and adapted to be physically supported in an upright position in a body of water which overlies a seabed, independent of the marine structure; (b) an elongated conductive anode carrier surrounding the upright guide; (c) at least one sacrificial anode carried by the anode carrier and; and (b) an electrical conductor extending from the column and adapted to be connected to the marine structure at a location accessible from a surface of the body of water, wherein the at least one anode is electrically connected to the conductor through the anode carrier. A method is provided for installing the anode column from the surface.

Abstract: Sheath (20, 21) with specially designed artificial rugosity (18, 19), to be put on structures and objects (10) submerged in a flow (12) and leaning on a scourable bottom, such as piers and abutments of bridges, pipelines, and others. The rugosity diminishes the intensity of the secondary flow that occurs in the border of attack of the structure and also reduces the turbulent wake; as a result, there is a decrease in the local scour that can put the mentioned structures at risk. The sheath also reduces the drag force due to the relative movement of the structure (10) in relation to the liquid medium, so it can be applied to moving objects in a liquid medium at rest. The sheath may have an efficient streamlined profile that produces an additional decrease of the scour and the drag force; it may also include a mechanism to turn the sheath automatically, if the flow has variable direction.

Abstract: A sleeved composite pipe or piling structure formed of an elongated polyethylene pipe or tube of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or another polyethylene material installed over a substantially rigid and incompressible hollow metal pipe or solid wood core having an outer diameter that is the same or slightly larger than a normal inside diameter of the polyethylene pipe or tube when measured in a relaxed state at ambient temperature. The polyethylene pipe or tube is, for example, a HDPE 3408 material formed of virgin PE 3408 resin as specified in ASTM D3350 with UV protection, and the pipe is produced to ASTM A-3408. The metal pipe core can be ferrous or nonferrous pipe.

Abstract: An anode column for protecting a marine structure from corrosion includes: (a) an elongated guide having upper and lower ends, and adapted to be physically supported in an upright position in a body of water which overlies a seabed, independent of the marine structure; (b) an elongated conductive anode carrier surrounding the upright guide; (c) at least one sacrificial anode carried by the anode carrier and; and (b) an electrical conductor extending from the column and adapted to be connected to the marine structure at a location accessible from a surface of the body of water, wherein the at least one anode is electrically connected to the conductor through the anode carrier. A method is provided for installing the anode column from the surface.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a collapsible pod for providing cathodic protection to a preferred structure 12. The present invention 10 has a top frame 20 and a bottom frame 22 with a plurality of folding leg segments 24 positioned therebetween. The leg segments are comprised of the anode material having a pivot 30 positioned at each distal end. Also extending between the top 20 and bottom 22 frame is the folded retaining means 28 that prevents random deployment of the structure. To expand the structure the folded retaining means 28 is disengaged whereby the top 20 and bottom 22 frame are spaced apart by the segmented leg elements 24. Also shown are stabilizers 26 and a rest channel 32 for the upper anode. Also disclosed is a lock bracket 34 forming a dual pivot point 30 for each leg segment 24. The lock bracket 34 provides means whereby each leg segment 24 lays in communication with each other adding rigidity to the folded structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a pipeline support for reducing corrosion on a pipeline surface comprising support fill material, a case for housing the support fill material; wherein when a cathodic protective current contacts the support, the current flows through the support to the pipeline surface to reduce corrosion on the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus designed for installing anode bracelets upon pipes used in cathodic protection systems. The apparatus includes a pair of grasp booms which hold the anode bracelet during installation of the bracelet around the pipe to be cathodically protected. The grasp booms can be rotated for the installation of the anode bracelet and can be opened to receive each half of the bracelet and closed to mount the bracelet around the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting a piling and protecting items that would impact the piling includes a plastic sheet of substantial durability and fluid impermeability having flexibility to be wrapped around a piling and be in close conformance with its exterior surface. Mounting hardware would affix the wrap to the piling at various places along the overlapping portions of the wrap.

Abstract: A product for the treatment of an area of an article residing underwater. The product is constituted by a plurality of shapes formed from copper or a copper nickel alloy and a carrier film. The product is adapted in use to be secured to the area of the article residing underwater such that the shapes contact or substantially contact each other. The shapes can be releasably secured to the carrier film or permanently secured to the carrier film. Suitable methods of applying the product to the area of the article are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and composition of matter for the encapsulation of the upper portion of a piling and header associated with a wharf, pier or the like, whereby this upper portion of the piling and header, while normally above the high tide mark, is often subjected to submergence due to climatic conditions and requires encapsulation by the composition of matter disclosed herein to prevent attack from marine microorganisms or marine borers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for suppressing vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) of aquatic elements of underwater structures. The system includes use of a sleeve positioned around at least a portion of an aquatic element and at least one strake positioned along at least a portion of the length of the aquatic member. The apparatus further comprises copper to suppress the growth of aquatic organisms.

Abstract: Sheathing members surround the pile and are clamped to it by bolts inserted through flange members or portions outside the piles, which clamp the sheathing members against the pile above and below a deteriorated section of a pile and which bridge the deteriorated section of a pile. An embodiment designed for H-piles includes two channel members and one is placed in each channel of the portion of the H-pile to be repaired. A locking bar member is placed along a longitudinal edge of the H-pile and is clamped to the H-pile and the corresponding outwardly projecting flange portion of the channel patch member by nuts and bolts.

Abstract: A cylindrical buoyancy unit is composed of separate sections which are held together to surround a marine object such as a riser or pipe with additional conduits. The sections combine to define an internal cavity which is shaped to conform with the marine object. Each unit section is a thermosetting resin composite with a bulk interior of syntactic foam and an outer layer of different characteristics and an intermediate reinforcement layer. The intermediate layer is disposed close to the outer layer and is mechanically embedded but not tightly bonded into the structure. The intermediate layer is made as a mesh of high strength polymer fibres.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for structurally reinforcing a tubular member, or an assembly of tubular members in a marine environment is provided. The assembly includes a smaller diameter inner flow casing and a larger diameter outer conductor pipe, providing an annulus in between the flow casing and the conductor pipe. The method first dewaters the annulus places a plurality of lug anchor points in the annulus, in between the smaller diameter flow casing and the larger diameter conductor pipe. A volume of a first grout product is then pumped into the annulus at a selected lower elevational position. A volume of a second grout product is then pumped into the annulus at a position above the first grout product. A jacket is placed around the larger diameter conductor pipe, the jacket preferably being of variable diameter sections so that a larger upper section can receive a reinforcement cage. A reinforcement cage can be placed in between the larger diameter conductor pipe and the jacket.

Abstract: A cathodic protection system for offshore structures includes an elongated electrode carrier, such as a pipe, with a plurality of sacrificial anodes attached, that is placed on the ocean floor and electrically connected to the structures to be protected. The system is particularly useful for retrofitting cathodic protection systems for offshore structures that have exceeded their expected life.

Abstract: Corrosion resistance is provided for a power cylinder by providing a preloaded molded urethane elastomer sleeve liner within an outer cylinder of material such as a copper/nickel alloy which is subject to corrosion from long-term exposure to ambient fluids such as sea water. Preloading is preferably provided by thermal shrink fitting of the molded urethane sleeve liner to the inner bore of an outer metal cylinder. Preloading of a structure which has high structural integrity and low permeability thus effectively prevents incursion of fluids and gases at the interface between the outer cylinder and the sleeve liner as well as providing a surface which can be machined to a high degree of smoothness and against which reciprocating piston seals and wear assemblies can directly ride and which is resistant to abrasion therefrom even at high piston speeds.

Abstract: A pylon servicing apparatus comprising a carriage (11) having a first drive mechanism (17) provided on the carriage (11), the first drive mechanism (17) being adapted to engage the pylon (10) to enable the carriage (11) to be moved longitudinally along the pylon (10), the carriage (11) supporting a housing defining a space, the housing having two opposed end walls and at least one side wall extending between the end faces, the end faces having inner edges (30) being configured to be receivable about the pylon (10), the housing being divided axially into at least two portions (13) which are pivotally interconnected to be movable between a closed position defining the space and an open position, a second drive mechanism (16) provided between the portions (13) to enable the movement between the open, and closed position, wherein when the portions (13) are in the closed position they can cooperate with the pylon (10) to form an annular space surrounding the portion of the length of the pylon located between the e

Abstract: Flexible elastomer wrap panels stretched and clamped encircling submerged pilings, risers and pipelines are coated to resist degradation by any form of marine life, and incorporate an interior pile-facing felt layer impregnated with a corrosion inhibiting and biocidal gel, providing long term protection for pilings and like submerged objects. The wrap panels present radial rib-strakes protruding outward from the piling and extending along the piling in a longitudinal direction, either vertically, parallel to the vertical axis of the piling or pipe, or slanting helically, reducing or eliminating aeolian vibration induced by flowing ocean currents causing vortex formation. In some embodiments, the wrap panels and strakes incorporate a marine growth inhibiting filler material.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a pipeline is disclosed. The apparatus has a housing through which pipeline fluids may enter from the rear of the housing, pass through the housing and subsequently exit from the housing. A first bonnet, having several openings, is mounted at the front of the housing on a shaft which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. A second bonnet is mounted on the housing and fits over the first bonnet. The second bonnet has openings which, when aligned with the openings in the first bonnet, permit the flow of pipeline fluid out of the housing in various directions. The first bonnet is movable in relation to the second bonnet so as to vary the degree of alignment of the openings in the bonnets. By varying the degree of alignment of the openings in the bonnets, the flow of fluids through the housing is regulated so as to control the speed of the apparatus.