A float apparatus includes a buoyant device that has an outer surface with a first end portion, a second end portion and an elongated portion. The elongated portion extends from the first end portion to the second end portion. The buoyant device is shaped and configured to attach to a conduit. The elongated portion of the outer surface has a concaved section that extends from the first end portion to the second end portion. The concaved section has a shape that complements an outer radius of the conduit with the buoyant device attached to the conduit.

This invention relates to oil and gas exploration and comprises a direct connection system referred to as a Lower Riser Termination Assembly (LRTA), between risers made of composite material and horizontal lines installed on the seabed (flowlines). The system is applicable to a hybrid riser and its construction method allows cost reduction and system assembly/installation time optimization. The LRTA connection system is applicable to both rigid and flexible flowlines without need for any intermediate connection section/equipment between these and the risers. The construction of the system allows free vertical expansion of the risers along the entire structure. In addition, in the construction method developed for this system, the required area is significantly reduced.

An apparatus for securing to an outer surface of a segment of flexible pipe body, comprising an outer clamp portion around a region of flexible pipe body and comprising a plurality of outer body members each having an inner surface; and an inner clamp portion in an abutting relationship between the outer clamp portion and said flexible pipe body, comprising a plurality of inner body members each having an outer surface that comprises a mating region that has a shape that mates with a shape of a corresponding mating region of the inner surface of the outer clamp portion. Each mating region comprises at least one clamping surface region that in an imaginary plane that extends through and includes a primary axis of the pipe body, arranged oblique to the primary axis when the inner clamp portion is between the outer clamp portion and the pipe body.

The invention involves utilizing variable reluctance measurement technology (“VRMT”) sensors to monitor forces and stresses on drilling risers and riser towers. The tension monitoring system described herein includes an optimized configuration of variable reluctance measurement technology sensors, wherein the sensors have increased wire turns around each end of their C-cores or alternatively are mounted on mechanical amplifiers or both. An array of optimized variable reluctance measurement technology sensors can be configured at multiple points on a riser system. The VRMT sensors may be integrally attached to the risers or flexible joints for the risers, or may be installed on existing riser or flexible joint systems.

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

An end fitting for a subsea riser comprises an engagement head to be engaged with a subsea foundation in a vertically downward longitudinal direction. A structure of the end fitting surrounds a longitudinally extending flow axis and is arranged to bear a tensile load on a load path extending longitudinally from the engagement head parallel to the flow axis. The structure includes a pivot joint assembly having a first part attached to or integral with the engagement head and a second part pivotable relative to the first part about a centre of rotation substantially aligned with the flow axis. The structure can be fixed to the engagement head or removably attached to the engagement head. The engagement head supports an upwardly facing connector hub that is offset laterally from the flow axis. A connector pipe in fluid communication with the connector hub extends from the flow axis to the connector hub. A counterweight is opposed to the connector hub and the connector pipe about the flow axis.

A subsea hydrocarbon export system includes a riser tower having a riser column extending from a seabed location to a sub-surface buoy that supports the riser column in an upright orientation. A subsea connector is operable underwater to couple the riser column temporarily to a hose suspended from a surface shuttle tanker vessel for an export operation and to release the hose after the export operation.

This invention provides a system and a method for supporting the operation of subsea installations for 3D reconstruction of flexible pipes (1) during a direct vertical connection operation, comprising the steps of painting the flexible pipe (1) with a specific regular pattern, and performing a 3D reconstruction of the points sampled on the flexible pipe (1) to obtain the radius of curvature of the flexible pipe (1), in which the 3D reconstruction comprises the steps of: capturing images of the flexible pipe (1) during the direct vertical connection operation; sending the captured images to a dedicated computer (4); and processing the captured images, generating information on the radius of curvature, wherein the method initially comprises at least one of the following steps: painting the bend restrictor (6) with a specific regular pattern; painting straps (71) for buoys (7) with a specific regular pattern; and painting straps (71) for the arch bend, in the event of second-end direct vertical connection.

An end fitting for a subsea riser comprises an engagement head to be engaged with a subsea foundation in a vertically downward longitudinal direction. A structure of the end fitting surrounds a longitudinally extending flow axis and is arranged to bear a tensile load on a load path extending longitudinally from the engagement head parallel to the flow axis. The structure includes a pivot joint assembly having a first part attached to or integral with the engagement head and a second part pivotable relative to the first part about a centre of rotation substantially aligned with the flow axis. The structure can be fixed to the engagement head or removably attached to the engagement head. The engagement head supports an upwardly facing connector hub that is offset laterally from the flow axis. A connector pipe in fluid communication with the connector hub extends from the flow axis to the connector hub. A counterweight is opposed to the connector hub and the connector pipe about the flow axis.

A float apparatus includes a buoyant device that has an outer surface with a first end portion, a second end portion and an elongated portion. The elongated portion extends from the first end portion to the second end portion. The buoyant device is shaped and configured to attach to a conduit. The elongated portion of the outer surface has a concaved section that extends from the first end portion to the second end, portion. The concaved section has a shape that complements an cuter radius of the conduit with the buoyant device attached to the conduit.