Abstract:
A method and apparatus are provided for launching a towable body from onboard a towing ship while the towing ship is underway. Inasmuch as the towable body has a tendency to swing from side to side due to motion of the towing ship as the towable body is being lowered into the water, stabilizing apparatus which is attached to the towable body is lowered into the water first, the stabilizing apparatus tending to damp the side to side movement of the towable body.
Abstract:
The positions of seismic subarrays are determined using special hydrophones in a streamer cable which listen for acoustic signals generated from each seismic subarray.
Abstract:
A jackup platform trailer for surface or undersea work is formed from a deck structure supported by a submersible flotation means. In a transport mode, the deck structure is linked via a gooseneck arm and swivel joint to a workboat. In an operational mode, the submersible flotation means is fully submersed to support the deck structure from the ocean floor, without need for an attached workboat.
Abstract:
A diverless and guidelineless method to connect two subsea flowlines by a jumper assembly is provided. Pivotable stabs and fluid connection means are provided on each end of the jumper assembly. The stabs mate into receptacles located on the subsea flowline connections. The flowline is preferably lowered vertically and hinged over while sequentially landing the two pivotable stabs into their respective stab receptacles.
Abstract:
An end terminal is provided for an underwater electrical cable, the terminal having a booted seal and being field installable and repairable.
Abstract:
An eccentric hinge is provided for laying submarine pipelines which facilitates joining long segments of the pipeline by raising adjacent ends of the segments, attaching the hinge thereto, and lowering the segments and hinge to the sea-floor while remotely applying tension to one of the segments.
Abstract:
A pressure-actuated release mechanism is assembled using a prebuckled pipe segment as a pressure-triggering mechanism. The trigger mechanism is employed to attach buoys to an offshore structure or pipeline under construction. The attached buoys move with the structure or newly added pipe string toward the sea bottom, easing the descent. As a preselected external pressure is sensed, the buckle in the pipe segment propagates and the trigger mechanism actuates, releasing buoys from the structure or pipeline as each buoy in turn reaches the same depth or pressure.
Abstract:
Skimmer for removing oil from the surface of a body of water which is articulated from front to rear to be wave conformable and/or has a quiescent collection zone formed by bottom and/or forward baffles. Flexible skimming head for use with or independently of the above skimmer composed of a foraminous sheet having an integral chevron flow pattern on its upper surface; floating skimming head for use similar to the preceeding head with a central, axially vertically movable cone or other configuration forming a suction mouth. Boom for use with or independently of the above skimmer which is composed of converging double booms. Storage capacity for oil collected by the above skimmer or otherwise composed of onboard and/or offboard membranes.
Abstract:
Vortex-induced vibrations of unsupported segments of subsea pipelines are reduced by providing a shroud that can be lowered onto the subsea pipeline wherein the shroud creates turbulence that interferes with vortex shedding and thereby reduces the amplitude of vibrations are reduced. The preferred shroud comprises a plurality of rods supported in vertical planes along the sides of the pipeline. Installation can be performed without the use of divers.
Abstract:
Subsea pipelay is accomplished by flying the pipestring underwater with the use of wings which provide sufficient lift to maintain the pipestring off bottom as it is towed.