Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20090052992 | SEISMIC SENSOR TRANSFER DEVICE - A method and apparatus for storing, transporting, and transferring one or more sensor devices is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a transfer device having a frame, and a movable platform coupled to the frame. A mesh material may be coupled to the frame and surround at least one side of the movable platform and a mating interface is formed in a side of the frame that is adapted to couple with a remotely operated vehicle in an underwater location. | 02-26-2009 |
20090067931 | POTASSIUM FORMATE GEL DESIGNED FOR THE PREVENTION OF WATER INGRESS AND DEWATERING OF PIPELINES OR FLOWLINES - A gelled composition for pipeline, flowline, pipeline jumper or flowline jumper dewatering or preventing ingress of seawater into open pipeline systems or components during tie-in operations of jumpers or additional pipe, valving, manifolds, subsea pipeline architecture or flow conduits operations is disclosed, where the composition includes a concentrated metal formate solution and a hydratable polymer. The gelled formate compositions have improved dewatering properties with 100% or 360 pipe coverage. The gelled formate compositions have can also be reused by breaking and reformulation. | 03-12-2009 |
20090142138 | Pipe Structure and Methods of Laying and Use of a Pipeline Including Such a Pipe Structure - A pipe structure suitable for being laid in the sea comprises an inner pipe ( | 06-04-2009 |
20090324338 | NODE STORAGE, DEPLOYMENT AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM - 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. | 12-31-2009 |
20100226723 | Offshore petroleum discharge system - A method and associated vessel for transferring liquids from offshore tankers to an onshore storage facility. The system utilizes a flexible pipe that is heavier than the water it displaces, such that the flexible pipe sinks to the sea floor even when empty. The high weight and relatively small profile of the flexible pipe avoids the need for anchoring the pipe to the sea floor. The flexible pipe has a bending radius of no greater than five feet, such that it can be wound onto spools onboard the vessel, and can be rapidly deployed, retrieved, and reused in another location. The vessel containing the spools of flexible pipe is dynamic positioning capable, and contains the equipment required to establish a position onshore to receive the liquid being transferred; means to deploy, retrieve, and repair the flexible pipe; and means to receive liquid from a tanker vessel and pump that liquid through the flexible pipe to the onshore storage facility. | 09-09-2010 |
20100260551 | Bendable Pre-Insulated Pipeline Assembly - This invention relates to a pipeline assembly especially for offshore installation comprising an inner carrier pipe, a casing and at least one closed-cell and/or solid thermal insulation material layer placed in between the casing and the inner carrier pipe, and the at least one insulation layer being directly or indirectly bonded to at least the casing and the inner carrier pipe. The pipeline assembly has improved bending properties which is achieved as the insulation material layer comprises at least one slit substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction of the pipeline assembly. The slit can be applied as a helical or circumferential cut, enabling the pipeline assembly to be rolled onto a reel or spool which greatly improves the pipeline assembly installation process. Methods of improving the bending properties of such a pipeline assembly are also described. | 10-14-2010 |
20100329791 | SYSTEM FOR DEPLOYMENT OF A SEABED CABLE DISTRIBUTION NETWORK - The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for retrieval and deployment of a cable distribution network comprising a main cable and secondary cable sections branched off from the main cable. Retrieval and deployment of the cable network is accomplished by use of a multi-reel system having separate primary and secondary reels for accommodating sections of the main cable and the secondary cable sections. Since the primary and secondary reels are independently rotatable, the cable network can be installed efficiently and reliably. | 12-30-2010 |
20110070029 | VESSEL WITH ABANDONING AND RECOVERING SYSTEM FOR PIPELINES, METHOD, AND USE OF SAID VESSEL AND SYSTEM | 03-24-2011 |
20110081203 | Movable pipeline tee - The method of protecting two subsea pipelines which cross each other in a subsea environment from damaging one another when subsea currents slide the upper pipeline along the upper surface of the lower pipeline by providing roller around the upper pipeline and rollers around the lower pipeline which are connected together by a rotatable connection which allows the sets of roller to match the angle of the pipeline. | 04-07-2011 |
20110158748 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USE IN LAYING PIPE ON THE SEA FLOOR - When laying pipe from a pipelay vessel into the sea, the pipe is subject to torsion. To relieve this torsion an apparatus to perform controlled relative rotation between the pipe and the vessel is proposed, although it is also applicable to performing controlled relative rotation for other purposes, such as joint alignment. The pipe is secured in securing means, such as clamping means, adapted to support the weight of the pipe. The clamping means are mounted to the vessel via a mounting means, adapted to provide the controlled relative rotation and comprising a turntable, a brake assembly, a drive means and a thrust bearing, and a vessel support structure such as a vessel structural support trolley or a Top Hat element gripped by a hold off clamp. | 06-30-2011 |
20110176874 | Coiled Tubing Compensation System - A tubing sheave apparatus is disclosed. A circular member has a grooved circumference. A hub is coupled to the circular member via one or more radial support members. The circular member and the hub have a rotational axis. A roller is disposed near the grooved circumference. An actuator is coupled to the roller and configured to move the roller at least toward the grooved circumference. The roller and the grooved circumference are configured to contact tubing disposed therebetween. | 07-21-2011 |
20110217123 | OCEAN BOTTOM SEISMIC SENSOR DEPLOYMENT VEHICLE - Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus and method for transferring one or more seismic sensor devices to or from a support vessel on or near a surface of a body of water and a subsurface marine location. In one embodiment, an apparatus for transferring seismic sensor devices is provided. The apparatus includes a frame structure having one or more rails disposed thereon, the one or more rails comprising an elevator mechanism and defining at least one exit path for one or more seismic sensor devices, and one or more motors coupled to the elevator mechanism. | 09-08-2011 |
20110236137 | PIPE-LAYING VESSEL AND METHOD OF LAYING A PIPELINE - A pipe-laying vessel ( | 09-29-2011 |
20110286800 | DEPLOYMENT METHOD FOR OCEAN BOTTOM SEISMOMETERS - A method and apparatus for deployment and retrieval of ocean bottom seismic receivers. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a carrier containing a plurality of receivers attached to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The carrier comprises a frame in which is mounted a structure for seating and releasing said receivers. The structure may comprise a movable carousel or a movable conveyor or fixed parallel rails or a barrel. In the case of the barrel, the receivers are axially stacked therein. The structure is disposed to deliver said receivers to a discharge port on said frame, where the receivers are removable from said carrier. The apparatus includes a discharge mechanism for removing said receivers from said carrier. In another embodiment, the method comprises the steps of loading a carrier with a plurality of receivers, attaching said carrier to an ROV, utilizing said ROV to transport the carrier from a surface vessel to a position adjacent the seabed and thereafter utilizing said ROV to remove receivers from said carrier and place the receivers on the seabed. In yet another embodiment, an ROV adjacent the seabed engages a deployment line extending from the vessel. The deployment line is used to guide receivers attached thereto down to the ROV for “on-time” delivery and placement on the seabed. | 11-24-2011 |
20110299932 | DEPLOYABLE OPTICAL FIBER CARTRIDGE - A spool has a cylinder, a first flange coupled to a first end of the cylinder and a second flange coupled to a second end of the cylinder. A compressible material surrounds the cylinder and an optical fiber is wrapped around the compressible material. When tension is applied to the optical fiber the compressible material can be deformed to reduce the tension on the optical fiber. When submerged underwater the water pressure will not compress the compressible material. | 12-08-2011 |
20120099928 | POWERED SHEAVE FOR NODE DEPLOYMENT AND RETRIEVAL - A method and apparatus for deploying a plurality of seismic sensor units into a water column is provided. In one embodiment, a marine vessel is provided. The marine vessel includes a node storage and handling system disposed on a deck of the vessel. The node storage and handling system comprises a cable handler positioned adjacent a workstation proximate to a stern of the vessel, a node storage rack positioned between a bow and the stern of the vessel, the workstation being substantially parallel to a length of the node storage rack, and at least a first conveyor and a second conveyor positioned between the node storage rack and the workstation, wherein one of the first conveyor or the second conveyor is vertically movable relative to the node storage rack. | 04-26-2012 |
20120263539 | POWER UMBILICAL COMPRISING SEPARATE LOAD CARRYING ELEMENTS OF COMPOSITE MATERIAL - A power umbilical for transfer of large amounts of electric power, fluids and electric current/signals from the sea surface to equipment deployed on the sea bed, in particular in deep waters includes a number of electric power conducting cables, pipes and electric conductors/wires collected in a bundle, a filler material lying at least partly around and between the pipes, cables and the conductors/wires, and a protective sheath enclosing the pipes, cables conductors/wires and filler material. The load carrying elements of the power umbilical are light weighted rods of composite material that can either be collected in bundles or appear individually or in a combination thereof. | 10-18-2012 |
20120269578 | SUBSEA PIPE STUB PULLING DEVICES AND METHODS - A device for retrieving a subsea tubular comprises a housing. In addition, the device comprises a receiving body slidingly disposed within the housing. The body has a central axis, a lower end, and a receptacle extending from the lower end. Further, the device comprises an actuation member configured to move the housing axially relative to the body. Still further, the device comprises a plurality of cam members. Each cam member is rotatably coupled to the lower end of the body and has a cam head extending radially into the receptacle and a lever arm extending from the cam head. Each cam member is configured to rotate in a first direction to move the cam head radially inward and rotate in a second direction to move the cam head radially outward. Moreover, the device comprises a plurality of biasing members configured to bias the cam members in the first direction. | 10-25-2012 |
20130071190 | CABLE PLACEMENT AND RETRIEVAL DEVICE - A cable placement and retrieval device includes a main shaft forming a hook opening defined by a generally inverted U-shaped bend terminating at a spherical bead, a rigid push rod radiating up and away from the main shaft in the opposite direction of the hook opening and terminating in a second spherical bead and a hollow proximal portion meant to receive extension arms and other complementary attachments. | 03-21-2013 |
20130183100 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOW-TENSION RETRIEVAL OF INSTRUMENTED MARINE CABLES - Apparatus and method for retrieving instrumented marine cables. The cable-handling apparatus comprises carriers that capture and pull on rigid elements in or on a marine cable to retrieve the cable hand-over-hand onto a deployment vessel. The carriers are spaced apart along an endless path on spacings matching the spacings of the rigid elements in the cable. A take-up mechanism allows manual adjustment of the relative spacings of the carriers to account for tolerances in the spacings of the rigid elements on the cable. | 07-18-2013 |
20130251455 | Ship Having a Bridge Comprising a Cavity with a Built-In Rotary Plate - A ship for laying flexible undersea lines at sea, the ship having a deck including a cavity receiving said turntable and a motor-driven device for rotating the turntable and fastened to the carrier structure of the hull of the ship, also known as the “hull girder”. The top face of the circular turntable does not project significantly above the plane of the deck that is juxtaposed therewith. The turntable presents attachment elements for attaching a modular storage and handling device for storing and handling flexible lines by winding and unwinding the flexible lines. | 09-26-2013 |
20130259577 | SUBSEA POSITION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ELONGATE ARTICLES - A method of controlling subsea laying of an elongate article is disclosed and includes guiding the article using a submersible vehicle such as an ROV that carries a guide tool. The guide tool has a sleeve through which the article moves axially during laying, while the vehicle applies cross-axial guide forces to the article via the sleeve. Also disclosed is a guide tool including a sleeve through which the article can move axially during laying, and a grab handle whereby a submersible vehicle may hold the tool using a grabber. Alternatively, the guide tool can be attached to or integrated with the vehicle. | 10-03-2013 |
20130315673 | Curvature Limiter For A Flexible Undersea Line, And Seabed-To-Surface Linking Equipment Including Same - The present invention relates to a curvature limiter device constituted by fastening tubular sleeves ( | 11-28-2013 |
20140037384 | CABLE HANG-OFF ARRANGEMENT - A cable hang-off arrangement for an elevated support including a cable assembly with a flexible reinforced protective tube for accommodating a transmission cable arrangement, a mounting assembly arranged on the elevated support, and a lifting assembly for lifting the cable assembly from a lower level to the elevated support, which lifting assembly is realised to engage with the mounting assembly such that the cable assembly is suspended between the elevated support and the lower level. An offshore facility mounted on an elevated support above a variable lower level including a transmission cable arrangement and a flexible protective tube for guiding the transmission cable arrangement through an essentially vertical direction from the elevated support to the lower level into an essentially horizontal direction at the lower level is also provided. A method of mounting such a cable hang-off arrangement is also provided. | 02-06-2014 |
20140044487 | STINGER FOR A PIPELINE LAYING VESSEL - A stinger ( | 02-13-2014 |
20140079486 | BLOCKING DEVICE - Blocking device ( | 03-20-2014 |
20140086687 | UNDERWATER CABLE DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - An underwater cable deployment system for deploying an ocean bottom cable on the seabed including a cage having a lower frame and an upper frame, which lower frame is adapted to receive the ocean bottom cable and the upper frame is connected to an umbilical cable mounted on a vessel, the upper frame being removably attached to the lower frame, guiding and tensioning means for deploying the ocean bottom cable on the seabed, the lower frame further including a recording unit which is connected to the ocean bottom cable and is adapted to record data detected by at least one sensor unit of the ocean bottom cable and an electrical power unit adapted to provide power to the recording unit and to the ocean bottom cable. | 03-27-2014 |
20140140772 | PIPELAYING - An apparatus for clamping elongate elements in a parallel piggybacked arrangement during subsea laying of the elements is disclosed. The apparatus has opposed reciprocating jaws for forcing together clamp segments around the elongate elements to assemble a piggybacking clamp that applies clamping forces to the elongate elements. | 05-22-2014 |
20140241808 | LAYING VESSEL FOR LAYING PIPELINES ON THE BED OF A BODY OF WATER, AND LAYING VESSEL OPERATING METHOD - A laying vessel configured to lay pipelines on the bed of a body of water has a floating structure; a laying tower hinged to the floating structure and configured to assemble and lay a pipeline on the bed of the body of water; and an A&R system configured to abandon and recover the pipeline; and wherein the A&R system has a haul line; and a sheave assembly configured to guide the haul line, and which is fitted to the floating structure to move between a work position at the laying tower, and a position away from the laying tower. | 08-28-2014 |
20140248086 | PIPELAYING - A piggybacking clamp for subsea laying of two or more elongate elements in a piggybacked arrangement is disclosed. The piggybacking clamp has a plurality of clamp segments assembled to surround and clamp the elongate elements. Each clamp segment has two or more generally parallel mutually spaced recesses shaped to extend partially around respective ones of the elongate elements. The piggybacking clamp additionally has retainers that hold the clamp segments together when assembled, such that the assembled clamp segments apply clamping forces to the elongate elements in the recesses. | 09-04-2014 |
20140255102 | Cable pull-in with inflatable sealing section - A cable pull-in system and method for offshore structures ( | 09-11-2014 |
20140286708 | RELATING TO PIPELAYING - An alignment tool for aligning a secondary elongate element with a primary elongate element for subsea laying of the elements in a piggybacked arrangement is disclosed. The alignment tool comprises a support structure arranged to embrace the primary element. The support structure has an opening for accommodating the primary element such that the primary element can move longitudinally through the opening in a launching direction. The alignment tool further comprises attachment points for supporting the tool to maintain or control its longitudinal and/or angular position with respect to the primary element as the primary element moves through the opening. | 09-25-2014 |
20140348590 | POWERED SHEAVE FOR NODE DEPLOYMENT AND RETRIEVAL - In one embodiment, a marine vessel is provided. The vessel includes a cable storage device disposed on a deck of the vessel, a workstation disposed on the vessel, a ramp at least partially disposed on the deck, and a node storage and handling system disposed on the vessel. The node storage and handling system comprises a cable handler disposed between the cable storage device and the ramp, the cable handler having a cable disposed thereon and the cable defining a cable path passing over the workstation during a node deployment or retrieval operation, a node storage rack positioned between a bow and a stern of the vessel, and at least one conveyor belt to transfer nodes between the workstation and the node storage rack. | 11-27-2014 |
20150063914 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ARRESTING FAILURES IN SUBMERGED PIPELINES - A packer apparatus includes a spindle including a pressure plate disposed adjacent a first end of the packer apparatus, a first end cap defining the second end of the packer apparatus; a seal plate disposed between the pressure plate and the first end cap; a mandrel and a brake disposed between the pressure and seal plates, and an elastomeric expansion boot disposed between the seal plate and the first end cap. The mandrel includes a tapered outer surface and the brake includes a tapered inner surface abutting the tapered inner surface of the mandrel. The pressure plate is configured to be actuated by fluid pressure within the pipeline to move the spindle axially toward the first end cap from a first position to a second position to cause the expansion boot and the brake to engage an inner surface of the pipeline. | 03-05-2015 |
20150063915 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ARRESTING FAILURES IN SUBMERGED PIPELINES - A packer apparatus is configured to be arranged within and arrest a failure of a submerged pipeline. In one example, the packer apparatus includes first and second mandrels in axially moveable relation to one another, a brake connected to the second mandrel, and an elastomeric expansion boot circumferentially disposed around a portion of the first and second mandrels. The first mandrel is configured to move axially toward the second mandrel from a first position to a second position. In the second position, the first mandrel is configured to cause the expansion boot to be compressed axially between the first and second mandrels and expanded radially into engagement with an inner surface of the pipeline, and to cause the brake to move radially outward to engage the inner surface of the pipeline. | 03-05-2015 |
20150139735 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ARRESTING FAILURES IN SUBMERGED PIPELINES - A packer apparatus includes an actuator disk in axial moveable relation with a mandrel, an elastomeric expansion boot arranged between the actuator disk and the mandrel, and a brake pivotally connected to the mandrel. The actuator disk is configured to be actuated by fluid pressure within a pipeline to move axially toward the mandrel from a first position to a second position. In the second position, the actuator disk is configured to cause the expansion boot to be compressed axially between the actuator disk and the mandrel and to be radially expanded into engagement with an inner surface of the pipeline, and the brake to pivot relative to the mandrel, which causes the brake to move radially outward into engagement with the inner surface of the pipeline. | 05-21-2015 |
20150298773 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HANDLING REELS FOR LAYING ELONGATED MEMBERS ON THE BED OF A BODY OF WATER, AUXILIARY STRUCTURE, AND LAYING VESSEL - A system configured to handle reels for laying elongated members on the bed of a body of water, and in particular for transferring reels between an auxiliary structure and a laying vessel, has a bridge configured to connect the auxiliary structure and the laying vessel; and actuators configured to move a reel along and resting on the bridge. | 10-22-2015 |
20150331130 | AUTONOMOUS SEISMIC NODE HANDLING AND STORAGE SYSTEM - Embodiments of systems and methods for storing and handling a plurality of autonomous seismic nodes are presented. The node handling and storage system may be coupled to a node deployment system that deploys and/or retrieves nodes from water from the back deck of a marine vessel. One embodiment of the node handling and storage system includes a plurality of portable containers that may be assembled in a variety of configurations based on the vessel and survey requirements. The containers are coupled to an autonomous or semi-autonomous node conveyor and/or transport system that moves the nodes between and within the containers for node cleaning, downloading, charging, servicing, and storage. The conveyor system may include a plurality of different transport devices and/or systems, such as rotatable conveyors, lateral conveyors, lift mechanisms, and elevators. | 11-19-2015 |
20150377385 | Improvements Relating to Abandonment and Recovery of Pipelines - A method of abandoning a pipeline during subsea pipelaying from a pipelay vessel includes suspending the pipe string from a tendon element of an abandonment string and engaging further tendon elements to an upper end of the abandonment string while lowering the pipe string to a handover depth. At the handover depth, tension is applied via a wire to the top of the pipe string at an acute angle to the launch axis. This deflects the pipe string from the launch axis into axial alignment with the wire to transfer the weight load of the pipe string to the wire, whereupon the abandonment string can be decoupled from the pipe string. Recovery of the pipeline from the seabed can be effected by a reverse process. | 12-31-2015 |
20160097468 | APPARATUS FOR LAUNCH AND RECOVERY OF FLEXIBLE HOSE AND METHOD OF USE - An apparatus ( | 04-07-2016 |
20160153585 | Subsea Position Control System for Elongate Articles | 06-02-2016 |
20160167754 | DEVICE FOR WINDING AND UNWINDING A CABLE AROUND A DRUM | 06-16-2016 |
20160377757 | AUTONOMOUS SEISMIC NODE HANDLING AND STORAGE SYSTEM - Embodiments of systems and methods for storing and handling a plurality of autonomous seismic nodes are presented. The node handling and storage system may be coupled to a node deployment system that deploys and/or retrieves nodes from water from the back deck of a marine vessel. One embodiment of the node handling and storage system includes a plurality of portable containers that may be assembled in a variety of configurations based on the vessel and survey requirements. The containers are coupled to an autonomous or semi-autonomous node conveyor and/or transport system that moves the nodes between and within the containers for node cleaning, downloading, charging, servicing, and storage. The conveyor system may include a plurality of different transport devices and/or systems, such as rotatable conveyors, lateral conveyors, lift mechanisms, and elevators. | 12-29-2016 |