A crown seal for sealing between the body of a female hydraulic coupling member and the probe section of male hydraulic coupling member has sealing projections on or near its outer diameter to provide enhanced sealing effectiveness between the crown seal and the body of the female member and obviate the need for circumferential O-ring seals. In a first embodiment, the sealing projections have a substantially circular cross section and project both axially and radially from the body of the crown seal. In a second embodiment, the sealing projections have a semicircular cross section and project in an axial direction from certain outside edges of the crown seal. Crown seals according to the invention may be retrofitted to female hydraulic couplings of the prior art. Alternatively, the body of the female coupling or a seal retainer or seal cartridge fitted therein may be provided with grooves or contoured surfaces to fit the sealing projections on the crown seal.

A submersible mixing and sampling apparatus with submersible supply systems (12, 14) for first and second liquid components such as a thermoset resin and a curing agent is disclosed. Each supply system has a respective submersible tank (24) for holding a respective one of the liquid components. Submersible mixers (46, 48, 50) downstream of the supply systems mix the liquid components underwater to form a curable mixture for injection into a subsea chamber such as a tee (102). Submersible sampling devices downstream of the mixers take samples (94) of the mixture underwater before, during and after injection, and optionally also at the surface. The samples may be cured and tested underwater or may be lifted to the surface for testing. The apparatus may be mounted on a subsea skid (100) or basket.

A submersible mixing and sampling apparatus with submersible supply systems (12, 14) for first and second liquid components such as a thermoset resin and a curing agent is disclosed. Each supply system has a respective submersible tank (24) for holding a respective one of the liquid components. Submersible mixers (46, 48, 50) downstream of the supply systems mix the liquid components underwater to form a curable mixture for injection into a subsea chamber such as a tee (102). Submersible sampling devices downstream of the mixers take samples (94) of the mixture underwater before, during and after injection, and optionally also at the surface. The samples may be cured and tested underwater or may be lifted to the surface for testing. The apparatus may be mounted on a subsea skid (100) or basket.

A pulling and alignment system for flanged components has pairs of flange attachments fixed to respective flanges of components that are to be pulled together and aligned for coupling. A puller device is supported by a flange attachment of each pair. A flexible elongate pulling link extends between the flange attachments of the pair and is engaged by, and movable relative to, the puller device to act in tension between those flange attachments. Each flange attachment is a flange extension that comprises an arm cantilevered from a mounting to extend beyond the flange and to hold the pulling link outboard of the flange. The pulling link is an articulated rod having a longitudinal series of rigid elements, each of those elements being pivotably coupled to at least one other of those elements.

A clamp device is for repairing a damaged part of a pipe section. The clamp device has a patch member and a support structure having a clamp body supporting the patch member. The clamp device has a first engagement member configured to engage with a first part of the pipe section and a second engagement member configured to engage with a second part of the pipe section. The clamping device has a first mechanism configured to engage the first engagement member with the first part and compress the patch member at the damaged part, and a second mechanism configured to engage the second engagement member with the second part and induce a compressive force between the first engagement member and the second engagement member.

The present invention provides a nonresident system for depressurizing subsea apparatus and lines comprising a depressurizing tool (5) adapted for being coupled to an ROV interface (6) of a subsea apparatus, wherein the depressurizing tool (5) is coupled to an ROV (4), wherein: the ROV interface (6) comprises a first pipeline (6a) for connection to a first hydrocarbon transport line (8), a second pipeline (6b) for connection to second hydrocarbon transport line (9), and a connection mandrel (6d); and the depressurizing tool (5) comprises a suction line (5a) adapted for being connected to the first pipeline (6a) for connection to the first hydrocarbon transport line; a discharge line (5b) adapted for being connected to the second pipeline (6b) for connection to the second hydrocarbon transport line; a pump (5c); and a connector (5d) adapted for being connected to the connection mandrel (6d) of the ROV interface (6). A method is also provided for depressurizing subsea apparatus and lines, comprising the steps of: removing a blind cap (15) from an ROV interface (6) with aid of an ROV (4); coupling a depressurizing tool (5) to the ROV interface (6) of a subsea apparatus (10); suction and removal of fluid from a first hydrocarbon transport line, wherein the first hydrocarbon transport line comprises hydrate formation; and pressurizing and reinjecting the fluid into a second hydrocarbon transport line.

The present invention provides a nonresident system for depressurizing subsea apparatus and lines comprising a depressurizing tool (5) adapted for being coupled to an ROV interface (6) of a subsea apparatus, wherein the depressurizing tool (5) is coupled to an ROV (4), wherein: the ROV interface (6) comprises a first pipeline (6a) for connection to a first hydrocarbon transport line (8), a second pipeline (6b) for connection to second hydrocarbon transport line (9), and a connection mandrel (6d); and the depressurizing tool (5) comprises a suction line (5a) adapted for being connected to the first pipeline (6a) for connection to the first hydrocarbon transport line; a discharge line (5b) adapted for being connected to the second pipeline (6b) for connection to the second hydrocarbon transport line; a pump (5c); and a connector (5d) adapted for being connected to the connection mandrel (6d) of the ROV interface (6). A method is also provided for depressurizing subsea apparatus and lines, comprising the steps of: removing a blind cap (15) from an ROV interface (6) with aid of an ROV (4); coupling a depressurizing tool (5) to the ROV interface (6) of a subsea apparatus (10); suction and removal of fluid from a first hydrocarbon transport line, wherein the first hydrocarbon transport line comprises hydrate formation; and pressurizing and reinjecting the fluid into a second hydrocarbon transport line.

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.

A torquing tool for rotating bolts connecting a pipe flange in a subsea environment, comprising a first guide for guiding movement of the torquing along a pipe, a socket for engaging a first bolt, a shaft for transferring torque from a motor to the socket, and a first protruding member for insertion between the pipe and a second bolt of the pipe flange, to prevent the torquing tool from rotating due to counter torque created while applying torque to the first fastener. The torquing tool can further comprise a second protruding member adjacent the socket, wherein the second protruding member can be inserted between the pipe and a third bolt of the pipe flange. The torquing tool can further comprise an angled shaft for transferring torque from the motor to the socket, wherein an axis of rotation of the motor is different from an axis of rotation of the socket.

A torquing tool for rotating bolts connecting a pipe flange in a subsea environment, comprising a first guide for guiding movement of the torquing along a pipe, a socket for engaging a first bolt, a shaft for transferring torque from a motor to the socket, and a first protruding member for insertion between the pipe and a second bolt of the pipe flange, to prevent the torquing tool from rotating due to counter torque created while applying torque to the first fastener. The torquing tool can further comprise a second protruding member adjacent the socket, wherein the second protruding member can be inserted between the pipe and a third bolt of the pipe flange. The torquing tool can further comprise an angled shaft for transferring torque from the motor to the socket, wherein an axis of rotation of the motor is different from an axis of rotation of the socket.