A method for forming an offshore well comprises forming a well structure (1) which includes a lower well portion extending below a seabed and an upper well portion (2) extending upwardly between the seabed (18) and a terminating upper end (3) of the well structure, wherein the well structure comprises a plurality of concentrically arranged tubular strings (22) and at least one annulus (48) defined therebetween. The method includes steps for minimising the bending stiffness of the upper well portion. In one example minimising the bending stiffness of the upper well portion may comprise partially filling at least one annulus with cement (52) to a height which: is intermediate the seabed and the terminating upper end of the well structure. In another example minimising the bending stiffness of the upper well portion may comprise providing a cement disruptor within at least one annulus and locating cement within said at least one annulus to define a cement sheath, wherein the cement disruptor, for example sleeve (122), reduces resistance of at least a portion of the cement sheath to bending of the upper well portion. In a further example minimising the bending stiffness of the upper well portion may comprise locating a flexible material within at least one annulus; and In a further example minimising the bending stiffness of the upper well portion may comprise varying the bending stiffness along at least one of the plurality of tubular strings.

A bend restrictor segment (500) for defining a minimum radius of curvature of a portion of an elongate member. The bend restrictor segment comprises a first body portion (502) and a further body portion (504). The first and further body portions are connectable to form an annular body. The first body portion further comprises a fixing assembly (510) on an outer circumferential edge (508) of the first body portion, for connecting the first and further body portions together, the fixing assembly being integrally connected with the first body portion.

In order to achieve the objects described above, the present invention provides an adapter tool for coupling a ben stiffener with interface for bell mouths of models with connection type BSN900E in a diverless bell mouth (BSDL), consisting of a adapter split ring (1), guide pin holes (C), fastener eyes (D), and through holes (E). The adapter tool is capable of keeping interchangeability and flexibility between projects or project phases, even if different bellmouth models are used. The interconnection method between the helmet (9) and the adapter split ring (1) can be done by direct attachment by bolt, or by attachment by ring/rod support. Both interconnections can be made on board a flexible line launching vessel, in the case of reusing lines from other projects, or at the factory, in the case of sharing new flexible lines.

A bend stiffener 4 comprising a plurality of beams 5a-g arranged to be disposed around a tubular member 2. A support is provided for connecting the bend stiffener 4 to the tubular member 2. A first rigid rod 6a connects a first beam 5b of the plurality of beams to a second beam 5c of the plurality of beams. The first rigid rod 6a is connected at a surface of the first beam 5b such that it does not lie on the same axis as a second rigid rod 7a connected at an opposite surface of the first beam 5a. A stiffness of any of the plurality of beams and connectors between beams and rods provides bend stiffening to the tubular member 2.

A male connector (3) to be inserted into a female connector (5). The male connector defines a conduit and comprises a locking means (39) operable to engage the female connector to thereby lock the male connector relative to the female connector. The male connector also comprises a release means (17) for unlocking the male connector to permit the male connector to be separated from the female connector. The release means is accessible from within the conduit. There may be a release tool (50) operable to disengage the male connector from the female connector and retain the male connector after the male connector has been disengaged from the female connector.

A bend stiffener is operable to be installed on site in a collapsed state and expanded upon installation to provide increased coverage of a tubing string to be reinforced by the bend stiffener. The bend stiffener is expandable upon the tripping of tubing through the bend stiffener. The bend stiffener includes a flexible sleeve having an outer flange at an upper end and sized to receive the tubing. The bend stiffener also includes an intermediary sleeve and an external sleeve. The intermediary sleeve has a cylindrical body and an internal flange for engaging and supporting the outer flange of the flexible sleeve. Similarly, the external sleeve has an internal flange for supporting an external flange of the intermediary sleeve. When installed, the flexible sleeve slides from the intermediary sleeve and the intermediary sleeve slides from the external sleeve so that each sleeve encloses and reinforces a segment of tubing.

Stress reducing system and associated method for reducing stresses at a desired position in an offshore production or drilling system, the offshore production or drilling system comprising: a seabed structure, a floating structure and a riser (24) extending there between, the riser being tensioned, the riser (24) comprising at least a first part (45) and a second part (46), which second part (46) is connected to the first part (45) via a flexible connection (20) allowing an axial, angular and/or rotational movement between the first and second parts (45, 46), said stress reducing system comprises:a first sensor (41) for real-time monitoring of stresses at the desired position, positioned at or close to the desired position (20),an actuating system (42) arranged at the flexible connection (20, the actuating system (42) being connected to said first and second parts (45, 46), and wherein the actuating system (45, 46) is configured to apply a force to the first or second part (45, 46) when the first and second parts (45, 46) are moved out of a neutral position,a control system (40) adapted to receive monitoring data from the first sensor (41), wherein the control system (40) is connected to the actuating system (42) and is able of providing instruction signals to the actuating system (42), wherein the control system (40), based on said monitoring data from the first sensor (41), is able to calculate a real-time set of data for control of the applied force of the actuating system (42) and instructing the actuating system (42) to act accordingly, such as to reduce the stress at said desired position.

A method of installing and implementing a rigid tube (10) referred to as a main tube, wherein the following steps are performed: a) lowering an end of the main tube from a floating support or vessel (13) on the surface (14) to below sea level (14) to be connected to undersea equipment (16) that is immersed (17); and b) maintaining the main tube as immersed in this way for a given period of time. The said main tube (10) is caused to pass through a cylindrical orifice (4) of circular section in a stress limiter device, the orifice having a slippery internal coating (3) secured to a support structure (9) secured to the floating support or vessel, the service tube thus being suitable for sliding in contact against the slippery coating during steps a) and b).

The present disclosure provides a system and method for supporting a catenary riser coupled to an offshore platform system including a pull tube and a pull tube stress joint for girth weld stress reduction and improved fatigue performance. A pull tube sleeve is coupled around a welded connection of the pull tube. The sleeve has a larger inner diameter than an outer diameter of the pull tube to form an annular space therebetween, and a fill material is filled into the space between the sleeve and the pull tube. The fill material provides a supportive coupling between the sleeve and the pull tube. The sleeve, the pull tube, or both can have gripping surfaces formed in or on their surfaces to retain the fill material in the space. The sleeve can be formed from a plurality of portions and be welded, fastened, or otherwise coupled around the pull tube.

Techniques and systems to reduce deflection of a riser extending from offshore platform. The riser may be coupled to a seafloor and may experience movements due to, for example, currents. A riser restraint device may be utilized to reduce these movements of the riser. This riser restraint device may be coupled to the seafloor. This coupling of the riser restraint device may aid in allowing the riser restraint device to reduce movement of the riser and, thus, reduce deflection of the riser.