Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for the transfer of cryogenic product from a first floating structure (330) for storing cryogenic product to a second fixed or floating structure for storing cryogenic product, comprising pipes (100) configured to transport the cryogenic product between a duct (300) linked to the first structure and a duct (200) linked to the second structure. Said pipes (100) are rigid, carried by buoyancy means (400) and fluidically connected in pairs by connection means (600) suitable for transporting the cryogenic product and allowing at least one degree of freedom. The present invention also concerns a method for retracting a device for the transport of cryogenic product.

Abstract: Methods of capturing carbon dioxide in a wellbore can include installing a sealing element in the wellbore. The sealing element swells in the presence of carbon dioxide and can be used for capturing the carbon. The sealing element can include a carbon-swelling material, such as a carbon-swelling polymers, metal-based materials, or combinations of elastomeric polymers and metal-based materials. The sealing element can also include combinations of different carbon-swelling materials, fillers or other compounds, and materials that are not carbon swellable. The sealing element can create a seal, form an anchor, or create a seal and form an anchor in the wellbore after swelling.

Abstract: A flowline jumper for providing fluid communication between first and second spaced apart subsea structures includes a length of conduit having a predetermined size and shape and first and second connectors deployed on opposing ends of the conduit. The first and second connectors are configured to couple with corresponding connectors on the subsea structures. At least one electronic sensor is deployed on the conduit. The sensor is configured to measure at least one of a vibration and a load in the conduit.

Abstract: A modular conduit cable management assembly is used with tall vertical structures for holding and managing one or more cables, with the assembly having a plurality of conduit members and a plurality of removable closure members. Each conduit member has at least one retaining arm, a plurality of prongs, an anchor, and a core, with each conduit member defining a slot opening, a plurality of apertures, a holding cavity forming a conduit track, and a receiving chamber. Once assembled, one or more cables can be installed within the conduit track, with at least one of the closure members closing the conduit member slot opening. The cables and each conduit track may be accessed at a later time after removing the closure member.

Abstract: A drilling marine riser section comprises a main riser pipe with radially extending flanges and multiple auxiliary pipes at least comprising a choke line and a kill line. One or more clamps retain the auxiliary pipes. Further the riser section has buoyancy members. The choke line and the kill line are connected to each of the flanges in a tensile load sharing arrangement, so that—in vertical use orientation of the riser section in a riser string—weight stress is distributed in the main riser pipe and the choke line and the kill line. The buoyancy members form an exterior of the riser section including diametrically opposed and parallel flat bottom and top stacking faces relative to the axis of the main riser pipe, allowing stacking of riser sections in horizontal orientation. The choke line and the kill line are arranged diametrically opposite from one another and between the flat bottom and top stacking faces.

Abstract: A buoyancy device (1) comprises a support structure 2, which can be connected to an underwater application (3) and one or more buoyancy spheres (4) having a specific weight of less than 500 kg/m3 connected to the support structure (2) and having a light metal spherical shell (5) defining a spherical inner volume (6) and which has an outer diameter (d) greater than 0.5 cm, and a radial thickness (t) greater than 0.08 mm, wherein the spherical shell (5) is obtained in one piece in nano-crystalline metal with an average grain size of less than 1000 nanometers.

Abstract: A single point mooring includes a yoke-shaped articulated arm assembly, which is affixed to the seabed by a fixed foundation or mooring base assembly, and a mooring support structure, which is retrofitted to a vessel. The articulated arm is connected to the base by a triaxial articulation joint for accommodating yaw, pitch and roll. To moor the vessel, the arm is connected to the mooring support structure with weighted pendants on port and starboard sides. The pendants are suspended at an adjustable elevation with respect to the mooring support structure, thus allowing the mooring system to be used at varying water depths. A combined connection bracket hosts both pendant linkages and umbilicals or hoses for speeding the process of connecting and disconnecting a vessel from the mooring system. A removable anchor, such as a suction pile, fixes the mooring system to the seabed, allows the system to be easily redeployed to another location.

Abstract: A coated or sleeved pipe for a hybrid riser tower is disclosed. The pipe has at least one stop formation that is integral with or attached to an external coating or sleeve of the pipe. The stop formation is arranged to restrain movement along the pipe of a structure attached to the pipe, such as a guide frame.

Abstract: Pressure activated linear locking mechanisms and related methods. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems including: a first and second cover defining an inner and outer surface, a length, and a locking portion, respectively; a first and second hollow defined in the locking portion of the first and second cover member, respectively, the hollows extending along the length of the first and second cover members, respectively; a locking member defining first and second appendages extending along a first and second side, respectively, each appendage defines a cross-section and an internal volume; said first and second appendages disposed within the first and second hollows, respectively, and when the releasable cover is exposed to atmospheric pressure, the first and second appendages in an inflated condition; and the first and second appendages are configured to transition to a deflated condition in response to a predetermined pressure greater than the initial pressure.

Abstract: A wireline floatation device capable of reducing the weight of a wireline deployed down a well bore may include a floatation module capable of being detachably affixed to a wireline and formed at least partially of a buoyant material. A groove in the floatation module may extend longitudinally from a top face to a bottom face and laterally from an inner portion to an outer surface to receive the wireline. The groove may include a wireline receptacle portion capable of operatively housing the wireline. The floatation module may also include one or more gripping means capable of retaining the floatation module at a predetermined position on the wireline. The floatation module may further include a retaining means capable of selectively retaining the wireline within the groove. The floatation module may include a plurality of floatation modules capable of being operatively engaged to each other and detachably affixed to the wireline.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an underwater floating device (1) characterized in that it comprises: an insert (4) comprising a thermoplastic material and a hollow tube (7), a foam (5) of a thermoplastic material, at least partly covering the insert (4), an outer skin (6) comprising a thermoplastic material formed by injection molding over the foam and configured for being in contact with water during use.

Abstract: A method of providing buoyancy, the method comprising the steps of: (a) adding a buoyant fluid to a container, the buoyant fluid comprising a base fluid, an activator and from 25 to 60% vol/vol microspheres; and (b) increasing the viscosity of the buoyant fluid to at least 80,000 mPa·s at a shear rate of 0.8 s?1 at 293K. The structure may be a tubular-shaped container that is used subsea, such as a frame of a cable laying plough. Embodiments thus provide a convenient method of adding buoyancy to a structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a replaceable flotation device for providing buoyancy to a flexible hose. The device generally comprises two or more buoyancy members for surrounding said hose, said buoyancy members are operably connected as an assembly which can be easily replaced or repositioned along a length of the hose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an underwater floating device (1) characterized in that it comprises: an insert (4) comprising a thermoplastic material and a hollow tube (7), a foam (5) of a thermoplastic material, at least partly covering the insert (4), an outer skin (6) comprising a thermoplastic material formed by injection molding over the foam and configured for being in contact with water during use.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing means to supply cold water from depth to a floating vessel comprises a template having a plurality of receptacles for receiving a plurality of vertically-oriented cold water pipes. A method for installing a plurality of cold water pipes at a floating, offshore ocean thermal energy conversion facility comprises: lowering such a template to the seafloor; inserting vertically-oriented pipes into the receptacles on the template; providing sufficient buoyancy near the top of the pipe to maintain the pipe in a generally vertical state; positioning a floating vessel having receptacles configured to engage the upper ends of the pipes over the template; raising the template with the inserted pipes from the seafloor until the upper ends of the pipes engage the receptacles; and, locking the pipes in the receptacles such that the pipes are in fluid communication with a cold water sump on the floating vessel.

Abstract: A wireline floatation device capable of reducing the weight of a wireline deployed down a well bore may include a floatation module capable of being detachably affixed to a wireline and formed at least partially of a buoyant material. A groove in the floatation module may extend longitudinally from a top face to a bottom face and laterally from an inner portion to an outer surface to receive the wireline. The groove may include a wireline receptacle portion capable of operatively housing the wireline. The floatation module may also include one or more gripping means capable of retaining the floatation module at a predetermined position on the wireline. The floatation module may further include a retaining means capable of selectively retaining the wireline within the groove. The floatation module may include a plurality of floatation modules capable of being operatively engaged to each other and detachably affixed to the wireline.

Abstract: A buoyancy element, riser assembly including a buoyancy element and a method of supporting a riser are disclosed. The buoyancy element includes a body of at least partly flexible structure having a volume that is adjustable between an expanded and contracted position, and an entry port for fluid to be supplied to and/or removed from the body to thereby adjust the volume of the body.

Abstract: A removal impact cover (14) for a marine riser buoyancy module (10) has an arcuate shape with an open face (21). The cover (14) has a number of recesses (18) arranged to engage with recesses (22) on the module (10). The recesses (18) each contain an aperture (20) and the recesses (22) each contain an aperture (23). The cover (14) and the module (10) are engaged by fastening means preferably extending the apertures 20 and 23. More preferably the engaged cover (14) is spaced from the module (10) to reduce direct transmission of forces to the module (10).

Abstract: A float device for use in a body of water includes a float configured to transform between a deflated state and an inflated state. The float includes at least one internal chamber. The float includes a manual inflation value configured to provide a passageway for adding gas to the at least one internal chamber and a deflation valve configured to provide a passageway for releasing gas from the at least one internal chamber. A float attachment member is attached to the float, such that when the float is placed in the body of water, the float attachment member is underwater.

Abstract: A riser support system for use in a body of water comprises a buoyant and ballastable support structure and a plurality of substantially vertical and rigid risers each of which is attached to the inside of the support structure at a location below the center of buoyancy of the support structure and below the surface of the body of water. Usually, each riser passes through the inside of a single tube in the support structure. Typically, the riser support system is used to support a plurality of risers and their surface wellheads inside the hull of an offshore platform, usually in such a manner that the axial movement of the risers and support structure is independent of the axial movement of the hull.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a buoyancy module onto a rigid pipe having a clamp. In one embodiment the clamp 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 includes 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 includes 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 float assembly including at least one float member securable to an elongate conveyance wherein the float members are nestingly stackable when not in use. In another form, the float assembly includes two float members wherein each of the float members define a radially inward facing generally arcuate surface having one or more clamping members extending radially inward wherein securement of the two float members to a generally cylindrical conveyance engages the clamping members with the conveyance. The float members may also include an alignment projection and recess wherein the alignment projections of each of the float members are inserted into the alignment recesses of the opposing float member when the float members are secured about a conveyance. In another form, the float assembly includes at least one float member having a plurality of projections which define openings for the fork of a forklift.

Abstract: A releasable reel strip attachment assembly including an attachment strip with snap rivets that snaps through corresponding apertures in a reel strip and into apertures in a reel cage. The attachment strip includes an adhesive layer protected by a release backing that is removed to expose the adhesive layer. The reel strip is positioned over the reel cage so that the apertures in the reel strip co-align with those of the reel cage, and the snap rivets are inserted through the aligned apertures to attach the reel strip to the reel cage in a reliable, precise, and consistent manner. The reel strip is wound around the reel cage and the free end of the reel strip is pressed onto the exposed adhesive layer of the attachment strip.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon loading hose (4) for connection between a GBS (1) and a shuttle hydrocarbon transport vessel (2), arranged in water (W) and at a distance apart, comprises buoyancy means (5) in its mid region and at least one buoyancy element (7a, b) in a free end region.

Abstract: A floating device (2, 102) for pipes (1) is described comprising at least two floating elements (3) each comprising a substantially semi-tubular body (4) and removably associable so as to define a pipe (1) housing seat (5), wherein the substantially semi-tubular body (4) of the floating elements (3) comprises at least a first protrusion (6) and at least a first slot (7) at a first longitudinal edge (8) thereof and at least a second protrusion (9) and at least a second slot (10) at a second opposite longitudinal edge (11) thereof; advantageously, the protrusions (6, 9) are substantially aligned with the slots (7, 10) at opposite parts with respect to a longitudinal centerline plane (TXL) of the floating element (3) so as to allow at least a partial interpenetration of the substantially semi-tubular bodies (4) of the floating elements (3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an underwater floating device (1) characterized in that it comprises: an insert (4) comprising a thermoplastic material and a hollow tube (7), a foam (5) of a thermoplastic material, at least partly covering the insert (4), an outer skin (6) comprising a thermoplastic material formed by injection molding over the foam and configured for being in contact with water during use.

Abstract: A substantially cylindrical buoyancy module for a marine riser includes a plurality of buoyancy elements separated along at least one helical separation plane.

Abstract: Depth triggers for marine geophysical survey cable retriever systems. At least some of the illustrative embodiments include causing a submerged geophysical survey cable to surface. In some cases, the causing the cable to surface may include: fracturing a frangible link wherein the frangible link, before the fracturing, affixes position of a piston within a cylinder bore of a housing coupled to the geophysical survey cable, and the fracturing of the frangible link responsive to pressure exerted on a face of the piston as the geophysical survey cable reaches or exceeds a predetermined depth; moving the piston within the cylinder bore; and deploying a mechanism that makes the geophysical survey cable more positively buoyant.

Abstract: A marine geophysical survey cable retriever system. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including causing a submerged survey cable to surface. In some cases, causing the submerged survey cable to surface includes: shedding ballast weights when the survey cable reaches or exceeds a first predetermined depth; and inflating a lifting bag when the survey cable reaches or exceeds a second predetermined depth.

Abstract: Retriever systems for marine geophysical survey cables. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including causing a submerged sensor streamer to surface by flooding an intermediate chamber with water, the intermediate chamber defined within a cylinder of a housing coupled to the sensor streamer, the flooding of the intermediate chamber responsive to the sensor streamer reaching or exceeding a predetermined depth; and responsive to flooding the intermediate chamber moving a first piston within the cylinder; and thereby puncturing a seal of a compressed gas cylinder responsive to movement of the first piston, the puncturing makes the sensor streamer more positively buoyant.

Abstract: Depth triggers for marine geophysical survey cable retriever systems. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including causing a submerged geophysical survey cable to surface. The cause may include: moving a piston within a cylinder of a housing coupled to the geophysical survey cable, the moving of the piston responsive to pressure exerted on a face of the piston as the geophysical survey cable reaches or exceeds a predetermined depth, wherein the movement of the piston overcomes a force created by interaction between two materials, the force latches the piston in place at depths above the predetermined depth; and responsive to the piston overcoming the force that latches the piston deploying a mechanism that makes the geophysical survey cable more positively buoyant, the deploying responsive to movement of the piston.

Abstract: An offshore drilling riser joint has a central riser pipe, a number of auxiliary lines mounted around it, and a buoyancy module assembly of a buoyant material. A pair of upper thrust sleeves slide over two of the auxiliary lines, each of the upper thrust sleeves having a flange in contact with an upper end of the buoyancy module assembly. Each of the upper thrust sleeves transfer upward thrust imposed by the buoyancy module assembly to an upper support flange mounted to the central riser pipe. A pair of lower thrust sleeves slide over two of the auxiliary lines. Each lower thrust sleeve has a lower thrust flange that is engaged by a lower end of the buoyancy module assembly. Each of the lower thrust sleeves transfer weight of the buoyancy module assembly while out of water to a lower support flange mounted to the central riser pipe.

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: Provided is a floater for marine hose, which can be easily formed into an annular shape conformable even to marine hoses having variations in the circularity of their cross-section or to marine hoses of different outside diameters. A belt-like floater 1 is formed by rotatably connecting together, by using connection pins 7a, float blocks 2 equal to the number corresponding to the outside diameter of a marine hose 10. A fitting groove is formed on the inner side of the belt-like floater 1. The groove is placed along the outer surface of the marine hose 10 while being fitted onto a location collar 11 projected on the outer surface of the marine hose 10. Then, the end portions of the floater are coupled together by an end coupling member 7b. Thus, the floater 1 is fitted in annular shape onto the marine hose 10.

Abstract: A riser support system for use in a body of water comprises a buoyant and ballastable support structure and a plurality of substantially vertical and rigid risers each of which is attached to the inside of the support structure at a location below the center of buoyancy of the support structure and below the surface of the body of water. Usually, each riser passes through the inside of a single tube in the support structure. Typically, the riser support system is used to support a plurality of risers and their surface wellheads inside the hull of an offshore platform, usually in such a manner that the axial movement of the risers and support structure is independent of the axial movement of the hull.

Abstract: Process for the towing of underwater pipelines by means of head tugs for the pulling and tail tugs for the counter-pulling characterized in that it is effected by the use of a set of equipment, connected to the pipeline itself, including floats, of which at least a part has a variable buoyancy or partially variable buoyancy, which, when placed in a pre-established position and at pre-established intervals, provide a graded buoyancy to the pipeline in relation to the distance from the bed so as to obtain a “festoon” configuration of the pipeline, i.e. with suspended sections of pipeline, in correspondence with the floats, alternating with resting sections.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention describe a float for use with a running gear entanglement system (RGES) deployed on water, in addition to an improved system and method for using an RGES deployed in water. The floats lock securely onto the RGES mainline rope. The floats may be stacked for additional buoyancy or to allow for multiple RGES ropes in the same deployment. The floats are designed to permit the RGES to be retrieved/stored on and deployed from a reel. The floats may be constructed of any color and may also be luminescent. The floats may be ballasted to assist in anchoring the RGES.

Abstract: The method of providing flotation modules on subsea drilling riser joints comprising providing flotation modules as a full circle, installing said flotation modules sequentially onto the end of the central pipe of said drilling riser joints in a desired orientation, providing passageways through said flotation modules which extend from one end of said subsea drilling riser joints to the other end of said drilling riser joints.

Abstract: A floating device (2, 102) for pipes (1) is described comprising at least two floating elements (3) each comprising a substantially semi-tubular body (4) and removably associable so as to define a pipe (1) housing seat (5), wherein the substantially semi-tubular body (4) of the floating elements (3) comprises at least a first protrusion (6) and at least a first slot (7) at a first longitudinal edge (8) thereof and at least a second protrusion (9) and at least a second slot (10) at a second opposite longitudinal edge (11) thereof; advantageously, the protrusions (6, 9) are substantially aligned with the slots (7, 10) at opposite parts with respect to a longitudinal centreline plane (TXL) of the floating element (3) so as to allow at least a partial interpenetration of the substantially semi-tubular bodies (4) of the floating elements (3).

Abstract: A buoyancy module assembly reduces the effective weight of a sub-sea conduit used in a deep-water wellbore drilling installation. The assembly includes a buoyant sleeve positioned around the conduit between upper and lower stop collar assemblies. The sleeve contains buoyant material forming most of its cross-section, with cross sectional segments thereof each encapsulated in a non-porous resinous material that forms an outer jacket around each segment. In one embodiment, a non-rotating generally circular inside diameter of the sleeve is formed by the thin layer of jacket material bonded directly to an interior reinforcing cage. A narrow gap is formed between the ID of the non-rotating sleeve and the OD of the conduit. The collar assemblies comprise an inner collar rigidly affixed to the conduit and contained within a larger diameter outer shell adapted for rotation relative to the fixed inner collar.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ship that is to be coupled electrically to a terminal, and also to a method and a method and a device for connecting an electrical power line (1) between a ship (3) and a terminal (5), comprising: unwinder means (7) for unwinding a traction cable (13) from the ship (3) towards a connection end (15) of said electrical power line (1); lashing means (9) for lashing said traction cable (13) to said connection end (15); and traction means (11) for pulling said electrical power line towards the ship (3) so as to connect said connection end (15) with an electrical interface (17a) of the ship (3).

Abstract: Provided is a floater for marine hose, which can be easily formed into an annular shape conformable even to marine hoses having variations in the circularity of their cross-section or to marine hoses of different outside diameters. A belt-like floater 1 is formed by rotatably connecting together, by using connection pins 7a, float blocks 2 equal to the number corresponding to the outside diameter of a marine hose 10. A fitting groove is formed on the inner side of the belt-like floater 1. The groove is placed along the outer surface of the marine hose 10 while being fitted onto a location collar 11 projected on the outer surface of the marine hose 10. Then, the end portions of the floater are coupled together by an end coupling member 7b. Thus, the floater 1 is fitted in annular shape onto the marine hose 10.

Abstract: An assembly of support buoys for a flexible submarine pipeline which is designed for the transport of hydrocarbons. A plurality of buoys which can be installed gradually on at least one portion of the flexible submarine pipeline. A fixing device blocks translational movement of the buoys on the portion of the pipeline. The fixing device includes a hitching or coupling line which connects each of the buoys successively to one another. The translational movement of each of the buoys is gradually blocked on the coupling line. Connecting devices maintain the coupling line taut at locations along the portion of the pipeline.

Abstract: A clamp for securing to a pipe or flowline for mounting buoyancy thereon, the clamp comprising: (i) a clamp body (2) having surfaces against which buoyancy may abut, (ii) a strap (6) for urging the clamp towards the pipe, and (iii) a radially resilient member (9) capable of expanding or contracting to conform to changes in diameter of the pipe.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system comprising a vessel floating in a body of water, a line comprising a first portion connected to the vessel and a second portion in the body of water, a tool connected to the second portion of the line, the tool in the body of water below the vessel, a stationary apparatus connected to the second portion of the line, the stationary apparatus in the body of water below the vessel, and a mechanism on the vessel connected to the first portion of the line, the mechanism adapted to keep the line taut as the vessel heaves up and down.

Abstract: Buoyancy modules for subsea riser pipes are made of syntactic foam solid cores covered with tough high density polyethylene shells. Inner surfaces have partial semi-cylindrical surfaces to fit the riser pipes. Internal radial grooves hold flexible contact pads. Recesses in the inner surfaces hold auxiliary lines. Flat surfaces between the inner and outer semi-cylindrical surfaces have complementary longitudinally extending semi-cylindrical grooves to position choke and kill lines. Grooves in the outer semi-cylindrical surfaces hold composite fiber tensioning straps directly outward from the flexible contact pads. Flat areas of the grooves hold tensioning hardware. Tensioning the straps grips the riser pipe with the pads and grips the choke and kill lines in the semi-circular grooves. Cavities in the ends allow the buoyancy module halves to be assembled on the riser pipe around clamps which hold the accompanying lines.

Abstract: A riser support system for use in a body of water comprises a buoyant and ballastable support structure and a plurality of substantially vertical and rigid risers each of which is attached to the inside of the support structure at a location below the center of buoyancy of the support structure and below the surface of the body of water. Usually, each riser passes through the inside of a single tube in the support structure. Typically, the riser support system is used to support a plurality of risers and their surface wellheads inside the hull of an offshore platform, usually in such a manner that the axial movement of the risers and support structure is independent of the axial movement of the hull.

Abstract: Flexible hang-off arrangement is provided for a catenary riser suspended from an offshore or inshore platform, which includes floating or fixed platforms, vessels or/and buoys. The bending loads in the top segments of the said riser are reduced by incorporating a pivot at the riser hang-off. Pressure containing welded, bolted, rolled or swaged pipe spools transfer fluids, including hydrocarbons between the riser and the platform. Along significant spool lengths the tangents to the center lines of said spools are orthogonal to and offset from the tangent to the center line of the riser at the hang-off. The said pressure containing spools include arbitrary looped, spiral and helicoidal designs that are subject to torsion.

Abstract: An assembly of support buoys for a flexible submarine pipeline which is designed for the transport of hydrocarbons. A plurality of buoys which can be installed gradually on at least one portion of the flexible submarine pipeline. A fixing device blocks translational movement of the buoys on the portion of the pipeline. The fixing device includes a hitching or coupling line which connects each of the buoys successively to one another. The translational movement of each of the buoys is gradually blocked on the coupling line. Connecting devices maintain the coupling line taut at locations along the portion of the pipeline.

Abstract: Modular vertical floating pipe comprising a plurality of modules, each module formed by (a) two pipe segments of slightly different diameter, the lower segment with the smaller diameter segment joined by a collar with the upper pipe segment and (b) an annular floater of such dimensions that could slide up only in the lower vertical segment. A longer pipe would be formed by inserting one module on top of another, and repeating the operation until all modules have been utilized. The additional weight of a new module will be pushing the section of the pipe already formed down. The difference in diameter between the upper and lower segments will allow the pipe to bend with undersea currents. Appropriate seals will dampen the bending movements and cabling supporting a weight attached to cabling guides will prevent disengagement of the modules.