A method and apparatus for forming cemented ground support columns is disclosed. Namely, driving mandrels are provided for the efficient construction of incrementally enlarged diameter support columns. For example, the driving mandrel includes a feed tube that has a top portion and an expansion head portion. The expansion head portion further includes an expansion (or compaction) chamber and a flexible tubular egress port. Further, construction methods are provided of using the driving mandrels for the efficient construction of incrementally enlarged diameter support columns.

Systems and methods are provided for re-purposing discarded asphalt shingles as soil stabilizers in building and land surface constructions. Discarded (and typically “degraded”) Asphalt Shingles (DAS) are placed beneath building foundation slabs and parking lots in overlapping patterns to replace a measured amount of removed expansive soil to serve as a moisture barrier. DAS can be utilized beneath parking lots in areas of expansive soils by layering the shingles in overlapping patterns to create a moisture barrier from water intrusion from above or below. Building block system (BBS) units may be produced to facilitate handling and transport of the DAS materials to the construction site.

Systems and methods are provided for re-purposing discarded asphalt shingles as soil stabilizers in building and land surface constructions. Discarded (and typically “degraded”) Asphalt Shingles (DAS) are placed beneath building foundation slabs and parking lots in overlapping patterns to replace a measured amount of removed expansive soil to serve as a moisture barrier. DAS can be utilized beneath parking lots in areas of expansive soils by layering the shingles in overlapping patterns to create a moisture barrier from water intrusion from above or below. Building block system (BBS) units may be produced to facilitate handling and transport of the DAS materials to the construction site.

A foundation for a subsea assembly is provided. The foundation includes connection points. The connection points permit other components to be connected to the foundation and permit loads to transfer from the other components into the foundation. The foundation may be a suction anchor. A method of converting an exploration well using the foundation to a production well is also provided.

The invention relates to a connector, such as a subsea connector (100), for connecting a line or lines such as mooring lines (140), to a subsea structure (145), such as a submerged turret loading or a submerged turret production buoy. The invention also relates to associated apparatus, structures and methods. The subsea connector (100) comprises a first portion (105) and a second portion (110) and means (115) for connecting the first (105) and second portions (110). The means (115) for connecting comprise at least part of a through-passage (120) in the second portion (110). The first portion may comprise means (125) for connection to one or more lines (140), such as mooring lines, allowing rotational movement around or about a transverse axis of the first portion (105) with respect to the line (140). The second portion (110) may comprise means (130) for connection to a subsea structure (145) allowing rotational movement around or about a transverse axis of the second portion (110) with respect to the subsea structure (145). In some examples, the transverse axis of the first portion (105) may be substantially perpendicular to the transverse axis of the second portion (110).

The invention relates to a connector, such as a subsea connector (100), for connecting a line or lines such as mooring lines (140), to a subsea structure (145), such as a submerged turret loading or a submerged turret production buoy. The invention also relates to associated apparatus, structures and methods. The subsea connector (100) comprises a first portion (105) and a second portion (110) and means (115) for connecting the first (105) and second portions (110). The means (115) for connecting comprise at least part of a through-passage (120) in the second portion (110). The first portion may comprise means (125) for connection to one or more lines (140), such as mooring lines, allowing rotational movement around or about a transverse axis of the first portion (105) with respect to the line (140). The second portion (110) may comprise means (130) for connection to a subsea structure (145) allowing rotational movement around or about a transverse axis of the second portion (110) with respect to the subsea structure (145). In some examples, the transverse axis of the first portion (105) may be substantially perpendicular to the transverse axis of the second portion (110).

A device for coupling to a working end of a hydrovac boom hose is disclosed. The device includes a tubular suction tube configured for removably coupling to the working end of the hydrovac boom hose such that an opening of the working end remains unobstructed. A plurality of high pressure water jet nozzles is located around a circumference of the tubular suction tube such that the water jet nozzles surround the working end of the hydrovac boom hose to dislodge earthly materials under the device. The high pressure water jet nozzles are configured for emitting high pressure that dislodge earthly material. A cylindrical housing to enclose and protect the tubular suction tube, water jet nozzles, locating device and provide an air duct for the ambient air to pass down threw. A plurality of air vents in the cylindrical housing that provide flow of ambient air to an area being excavated. The conduit coupled with the cylindrical housing, the conduit for allowing ingress of water to the plurality of high pressure water jet nozzles.

A device for coupling to a working end of a hydrovac boom hose is disclosed. The device includes a tubular suction tube configured for removably coupling to the working end of the hydrovac boom hose such that an opening of the working end remains unobstructed. A plurality of high pressure water jet nozzles is located around a circumference of the tubular suction tube such that the water jet nozzles surround the working end of the hydrovac boom hose to dislodge earthly materials under the device. The high pressure water jet nozzles are configured for emitting high pressure that dislodge earthly material. A cylindrical housing to enclose and protect the tubular suction tube, water jet nozzles, locating device and provide an air duct for the ambient air to pass down threw. A plurality of air vents in the cylindrical housing that provide flow of ambient air to an area being excavated. The conduit coupled with the cylindrical housing, the conduit for allowing ingress of water to the plurality of high pressure water jet nozzles.

A floating offshore wind power generation facility includes a floating body, a mooring cable, a tower, and a windmill installed at the top of the tower, the windmill including a nacelle and a plurality of blades. The rotation axis of the windmill has a predetermined upward angle to avoid contact between the blades and the tower, and the windmill is of a downwind type in which the blades are attached to the leeward side of the nacelle and installed with the back surfaces of the blades facing windward, and the mooring point of the mooring cable to the floating body is set at a position below the surface of the sea and higher than the center of gravity of the floating body.

A gravity-based structure (1) for supporting offshore installations comprising a foundation (4). The foundation (4) has a basal portion (11). The basal portion (11) has a plurality of openings (10) for drainage of water. There is at least one first layer (7) of filter material, with a gradation suitable for draining water entrapped beneath the basal portion (11) to the openings (10). The layer (7) is installed on the seabed (8) beneath the foundation (4). The foundation has a downwardly extending skirt (5) that is adapted to penetrate into the seabed beneath the filter material layer (7).