US20140199124A1 - Buoyancy element, riser assembly including a buoyancy element and a method of supporting a riser - Google Patents

Buoyancy element, riser assembly including a buoyancy element and a method of supporting a riser Download PDF

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Publication number
US20140199124A1
US20140199124A1 US14/116,307 US201214116307A US2014199124A1 US 20140199124 A1 US20140199124 A1 US 20140199124A1 US 201214116307 A US201214116307 A US 201214116307A US 2014199124 A1 US2014199124 A1 US 2014199124A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
buoyancy
riser
fluid
buoyancy element
flexible
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US14/116,307
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English (en)
Inventor
John Rosche
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Baker Hughes Energy Technology UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Wellstream International Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Wellstream International Ltd filed Critical Wellstream International Ltd
Priority to US14/116,307 priority Critical patent/US20140199124A1/en
Assigned to WELLSTREAM INTERNATIONAL LIMITED reassignment WELLSTREAM INTERNATIONAL LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ROSCHE, John
Publication of US20140199124A1 publication Critical patent/US20140199124A1/en
Assigned to GE OIL & GAS UK LIMITED reassignment GE OIL & GAS UK LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: WELLSTREAM INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B22/00—Buoys
    • B63B22/18—Buoys having means to control attitude or position, e.g. reaction surfaces or tether
    • B63B22/20—Ballast means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B22/00—Buoys
    • B63B22/18—Buoys having means to control attitude or position, e.g. reaction surfaces or tether
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
    • E21B17/01—Risers
    • E21B17/012—Risers with buoyancy elements
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
    • E21B17/01—Risers
    • E21B17/015—Non-vertical risers, e.g. articulated or catenary-type
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L1/00—Laying or reclaiming pipes; Repairing or joining pipes on or under water
    • F16L1/12—Laying or reclaiming pipes on or under water
    • F16L1/20—Accessories therefor, e.g. floats, weights
    • F16L1/24—Floats; Weights

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a buoyancy element, riser assembly including a buoyancy element, and a method of supporting a riser.
  • the present invention relates to a riser assembly suitable for use in the oil and gas industry.
  • Flexible pipe is utilised to transport production fluids, such as oil and/or gas and/or water, from one location to another.
  • Flexible pipe is particularly useful in connecting a sub-sea location (which may be deep underwater) to a sea level location.
  • Flexible pipe is generally formed as an assembly of a flexible pipe body and one or more end fittings.
  • the pipe body is typically formed as a combination of layered materials that form a pressure-containing conduit.
  • the pipe structure allows large deflections without causing bending stresses that impair the pipe's functionality over its lifetime.
  • the pipe body is generally built up as a combined structure including metallic and polymer layers.
  • the pipe includes one or more tensile armour layers.
  • the primary load on such a layer is tension.
  • the tensile armour layer experiences high tension loads from the internal pressure end cap load as well as weight. This can cause failure in the flexible pipe since such conditions are experienced over prolonged periods of time.
  • buoyancy aids at predetermined locations along the length of a riser. Employment of buoyancy aids involves a relatively lower installation cost compared to some other configurations, such as a mid-water arch structure, and also allows a relatively faster installation time. Examples of known riser configurations using buoyancy aids to support the riser's middle section are shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b , which show the ‘steep wave’ configuration and the ‘lazy wave’ configuration, respectively.
  • a riser assembly 200 suitable for transporting production fluid such as oil and/or gas and/or water from a subsea location to a floating facility 202 such as a platform or buoy or ship.
  • the riser is provided as a flexible riser, i.e. including a flexible pipe, and includes discrete buoyancy modules 204 affixed thereto.
  • the positioning of the buoyancy modules and flexible pipe can be arranged to give a steep wave configuration 206 1 or a lazy wave configuration 206 2 .
  • the buoyancy modules may react to changes in riser assembly weight, for example caused by marine growth (shellfish and other sea life and/or sea debris attaching to the riser).
  • the buoyancy modules may experience a gradual or sudden change in content density due to movement or general day to day wear. This may cause the amount of buoyancy support (and therefore the relative height above the sea bed) of the riser to change.
  • maximum uplift is provided at the beginning of a buoyancy module's life, and uplift decreases over time. Any change in the amount of buoyancy support may have an adverse effect on the tension relief provided to the flexible pipe, which could ultimately decrease the lifetime of a riser.
  • a buoyancy element for providing buoyancy to a flexible riser, comprising:
  • a riser assembly for transporting fluids from a sub-sea location, comprising:
  • one or more buoyancy element comprising a body of at least partly flexible structure having a volume that is adjustable between an expanded and contracted position, and an entry port for fluid to be supplied to and/or removed from the body to thereby adjust the volume of the body
  • Certain embodiments of the invention provide the advantage that the volume of fluid within a buoyancy element can be increased and/or decreased enabling the buoyancy level to be changed. Certain embodiments of the invention provide the advantage that a buoyancy element is provided that allows enhanced control over riser configuration. Certain embodiments of the invention enable an operator to have full control of the height of a buoyancy element above the seabed.
  • the buoyancy element can be actively inflated or deflated to adjust its buoyancy in response to external influences on buoyancy such as marine growth, as well as internal influences such as gradual changes in internal fluid density.
  • a riser supported by such buoyancy element would be thereby controlled.
  • the configuration of a riser could be more rapidly changed to avoid passing vessels, or be sunk during a severe storm and later recovered, for example.
  • buoyancy can be continually or intermittently adjusted and controlled as required by an external operator or by internal means.
  • FIG. 1 a illustrates a known riser assembly
  • FIG. 1 b illustrates another known riser assembly
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a flexible pipe body
  • FIG. 3 illustrates another riser assembly
  • FIG. 4 a illustrates a buoyancy module
  • FIG. 4 b illustrates the buoyancy module of FIG. 4 a in use on a flexible pipe
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a further buoyancy module in use
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a yet further buoyancy module
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a yet further buoyancy module.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates how pipe body 100 is formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention from a combination of layered materials that form a pressure-containing conduit. Although a number of particular layers are illustrated in FIG. 2 , it is to be understood that the present invention is broadly applicable to coaxial pipe body structures including two or more layers manufactured from a variety of possible materials. It is to be further noted that the layer thicknesses are shown for illustrative purposes only.
  • a pipe body includes an optional innermost carcass layer 101 .
  • the carcass provides an interlocked construction that can be used as the innermost layer to prevent, totally or partially, collapse of an internal pressure sheath 102 due to pipe decompression, external pressure, and tensile armour pressure and mechanical crushing loads. It will be appreciated that certain embodiments of the present invention are applicable to ‘smooth bore’ operations (i.e. without a carcass) as well as such ‘rough bore’ applications (with a carcass).
  • the internal pressure sheath 102 acts as a fluid retaining layer and comprises a polymer layer that ensures internal fluid integrity. It is to be understood that this layer may itself comprise a number of sub-layers. It will be appreciated that when the optional carcass layer is utilised the internal pressure sheath is often referred to by those skilled in the art as a barrier layer. In operation without such a carcass (so-called smooth bore operation) the internal pressure sheath may be referred to as a liner.
  • An optional pressure armour layer 103 is a structural layer with a lay angle close to 90° that increases the resistance of the flexible pipe to internal and external pressure and mechanical crushing loads.
  • the layer also structurally supports the internal pressure sheath, and typically consists of an interlocked construction.
  • the flexible pipe body also includes an optional first tensile armour layer 105 and optional second tensile armour layer 106 .
  • Each tensile armour layer is a structural layer with a lay angle typically between 10° and 55°. Each layer is used to sustain tensile loads and internal pressure. The tensile armour layers are often counter-wound in pairs.
  • the flexible pipe body shown also includes optional layers of tape 104 which help contain underlying layers and to some extent prevent abrasion between adjacent layers.
  • the flexible pipe body also typically includes optional layers of insulation 107 and an outer sheath 108 , which comprises a polymer layer used to protect the pipe against penetration of seawater and other external environments, corrosion, abrasion and mechanical damage.
  • Each flexible pipe comprises at least one portion, sometimes referred to as a segment or section of pipe body 100 together with an end fitting located at at least one end of the flexible pipe.
  • An end fitting provides a mechanical device which forms the transition between the flexible pipe body and a connector.
  • the different pipe layers as shown, for example, in FIG. 2 are terminated in the end fitting in such a way as to transfer the load between the flexible pipe and the connector.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a riser assembly 300 suitable for transporting production fluid such as oil and/or gas and/or water from a sub-sea location 301 to a floating facility 302 .
  • the sub-sea location 301 includes a sub-sea flow line.
  • the flexible flow line 305 comprises a flexible pipe, wholly or in part, resting on the sea floor 304 or buried below the sea floor and used in a static application.
  • the floating facility may be provided by a platform and/or buoy or, as illustrated in FIG. 3 , a ship.
  • the riser assembly 300 is provided as a flexible riser, that is to say a flexible pipe 303 connecting the ship to the sea floor installation.
  • the flexible pipe may be in segments of flexible pipe body with connecting end fittings.
  • Embodiments of the present invention may be used with any type of riser, such as a freely suspended (free, catenary riser), a riser restrained to some extent (buoys, chains), totally restrained riser or enclosed in a tube (I or J tubes).
  • a freely suspended riser such as a freely suspended (free, catenary riser), a riser restrained to some extent (buoys, chains), totally restrained riser or enclosed in a tube (I or J tubes).
  • FIG. 3 also illustrates how portions of flexible pipe can be utilised as a flow line 305 or jumper 306 .
  • FIG. 4 a An example of a buoyancy module 400 according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 4 a .
  • the buoyancy module is an inflatable bladder having a flexible body 402 of heavy duty plastic material.
  • the buoyancy module also has a port 404 formed by an opening in the body 402 .
  • the port 404 acts as a fluid supply/removal means for fluid to be introduced and removed from the body 402 .
  • the buoyancy module is shown in use in FIG. 4 b , in which the buoyancy module 400 is provided directly around a flexible pipe 450 which itself forms a riser.
  • a conduit here a fluid supply tube 406 , is connected to the port 404 and runs along the outside of the flexible pipe 450 to link an external fluid source 408 , which in this case is an air flow system located on a vessel carrying the riser, to the port 404 .
  • the air flow system 408 may include a pump system for moving air down the tube 406 , towards and into the buoyancy module 400 , and a suction system for sucking air from the buoyancy module 400 up the tube 406 and away for removal.
  • the port 404 is aptly fitted with a suitable two-way valve for maintaining the fluid within the body 402 until overcome by a predetermined air flow pressure in either direction.
  • the tube 406 need not function as both the delivery and removal tube.
  • the tube 406 could function only as a fluid delivery tube.
  • a fluid removal system may not be required, or a separate outlet port could be provided for dispelling fluid from the body 402 to the exterior (either via a further tube to the surface or simply directly into the surrounding sea).
  • the fluid need not be air.
  • the fluid could be many types of gas or gas mixtures, having a weight/density less than water (per unit volume).
  • the fluid could also be a liquid.
  • the buoyancy module could include a monitoring device such as a depth gauge for monitoring the relative buoyancy of the buoyancy module.
  • the depth gauge could be linked to a controller system at the surface, by wire or other signaling system.
  • the controller system could be manually operated at the surface. Then, the buoyancy of the buoyancy module and adjacent riser portion can be monitored, and the operator can operate the pump system and suction system as appropriate to alter the volume of air in the body, and thus alter the buoyancy of the buoyancy module.
  • the monitoring device could alternatively be a fluid density monitor or other suitable device.
  • the volume of fluid within the module can be increased or decreased enabling the buoyancy level to be increased or decreased.
  • a buoyancy module 500 is provided with both a gas and liquid supply (see FIG. 5 ).
  • the principle of changing the fluid volume within the body 502 may be used to affect the buoyancy level.
  • the addition of a liquid into the buoyancy module (of a relatively higher density than the gas) would decrease the buoyancy, and possibly compress the gas element present.
  • the gas and liquid are supplied through separate hoses 506 , 508 .
  • the gas supply tube 506 is connected to the port 504 , and liquid supply tube 508 is connected to a port 510 , and each tube runs along the outside of the flexible pipe 550 to each link to an external fluid source.
  • the gas and liquid could be supplied through a single hose. There may be a single outlet hose or port, or separate outlet hoses/ports.
  • the buoyancy module 500 includes a depth gauge 512 for monitoring the relative buoyancy of the buoyancy module.
  • the depth gauge 512 is linked to a controller system 514 at the surface, by wire or other signaling system.
  • the controller system in this example is manually operated at the surface.
  • the buoyancy of the buoyancy module and adjacent riser portion is monitored, and the operator can operate a pump and suction system as appropriate (for example similarly to the air flow system 408 described above) to alter the volume of fluids in the body 502 , and thus alter the buoyancy of the buoyancy module 500 .
  • the monitoring device 512 could alternatively be a fluid density monitor or other suitable device.
  • the buoyancy level can be actively controlled, periodically or constantly throughout the entire lifetime of buoyancy module and the flexible pipe to which it may be attached.
  • the fluid content of the buoyancy module can be actively changed via the supply port (and/or exit port) to increase or decrease buoyancy as required.
  • the at least partly flexible body portion of the buoyancy module helps in the adjustment of fluid content, since the volume within the buoyancy module is not fixed.
  • This adjustment of buoyancy may be occasional or periodical injections of fluid to counteract gradual changes in buoyancy, such as that caused by marine growth over buoyancy modules and flexible pipes.
  • the adjustment in buoyancy may be a large, sudden change in buoyancy, to rapidly change the position of the riser, to avoid a passing vessel for example.
  • the riser could be sunk to a deeper level below the sea surface during a storm, and then raised back upwards to its original position when it is safe to do so.
  • the height in water depth of a flexible pipe can be changed.
  • the buoyancy may be constantly monitored throughout the lifetime of a riser assembly.
  • the controller may be automatic, such as a computer system arranged to receive signals relating to the buoyancy and instruct injection or release of fluid.
  • the controller may be a human, manually analysing the buoyancy level and changing the fluid volume as necessary.
  • the controller could be a combination of both automatic and manual operation.
  • FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the present invention.
  • a buoyancy module 600 includes a flexible, conformable bladder 602 and a rigid support structure 604 .
  • the support structure may be formed of steel, for example.
  • the support structure 604 includes clamps 606 for clamping the buoyancy module 600 to a flexible pipe 650 .
  • a fluid supply tube 608 is connected via the support structure 604 to the bladder 602 , and at its distal end (not shown) to a fluid source.
  • the clamps allow the buoyancy module to be securely attached to a flexible pipe.
  • the clamps also allow the inflatable portion of the buoyancy module to not necessarily directly surround the flexible pipe. That is, in this embodiment, the bladder 602 is offset to one side of the flexible pipe 650 .
  • FIG. 7 shows a yet further embodiment of the present invention.
  • a buoyancy module 700 includes a body portion including a flexible bladder 702 and a rigid outer shield 704 .
  • the bladder 702 is positioned directly around the flexible pipe 750 in use.
  • the outer shield 704 is positioned to partly cover the bladder 702 , acting as a protective armouring to protect the bladder 702 from abrasion, puncture or other damage at least from one direction.
  • the shield 704 may be provided on the upper side of the buoyancy module 700 so as to give resistance and protection in the event that a passing vessel was to strike the buoyancy module.
  • the buoyancy module 700 also includes a filler hose 706 connecting a fluid source (not shown) to the bladder 702 via the shield 704 , for allowing fluid to be introduced into the bladder 702 .
  • the volume of fluid within the module can be increased and/or decreased enabling the buoyancy level to be changed.
  • the volume and/or density of fluid within the module can be increased or decreased.
  • the buoyancy level can be monitored and adjusted in response thereto.
  • the present invention as described herein may offer a reduced cost and/or reduced installation time compared to other fixed buoyancy support structures such as a mid-water arch or other more complex support structures including buoyancy modules.
  • more than one buoyancy module as described above can be used support a flexible pipe as needed.
  • the weight of a riser for the oil and gas industry may require more than one buoyancy module, depending on the size of the riser.
  • the plurality of buoyancy modules may be each linked in series or in parallel to a fluid supply/removal system. With additional controllable buoyancy modules, the configuration of the riser would become more controllable and the overall shape of the riser can be precisely arranged and manoeuvred in response to external influences.
  • a tube for performing the same function could instead be incorporated into the flexible pipe within a layer of the pipe body such as the outer sheath layer.
  • the connection of the tube to the buoyancy module would be adapted accordingly.
  • the fluid supply tube need be only a small diameter hose in comparison to the diameter of a flexible pipe. As such, the small diameter hose will have a high resistance to collapse under water, and need not be protected from external pressure by complex structural arrangements.
  • the buoyancy module may further optionally include a check valve configured to allow a predetermined maximum pressure of fluid to be present in the body of the buoyancy module.
  • the check valve could be installed on the fluid supply line, on the buoyancy module itself, or at the host vessel. Such a feature would ensure that the buoyancy module could not be accidentally over-inflated, for example.
  • a suitable valve could also be used to relieve the pressure by allowing fluid to be exhausted.
  • an alarm means could be provided for warning against over inflation or under inflation.
  • a riser assembly may include further optional features so as to prevent rapid pressurization or depressurization.
  • the riser assembly may include a tether arrangement such as a chain connecting the riser to an anchor on the seabed or a platform.
  • the tether may be fixed around a suitable connecting portion of the riser, and of a length so as to restrict the movement of the riser beyond a certain predetermined limit.
  • a riser assembly may optionally include wing-type sections for causing a certain amount of drag on the riser when the riser moves through water.
  • the wing-type sections of the riser would decrease the speed at which the riser assembly may travel through water, so as to prevent very a rapid descent of the riser through water (which could lead to damage of the riser upon hitting the seabed or other surface).
  • a riser system may include one or more known ‘standard’ buoyancy modules, of substantially fixed buoyancy and not connected to a fluid supply/removal system. This would help ensure that the riser assembly only ever descended to a predetermined depth below the surface. Again this would help prevent damage to the riser in the case of depressurization.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
  • Rigid Pipes And Flexible Pipes (AREA)
US14/116,307 2011-05-19 2012-04-24 Buoyancy element, riser assembly including a buoyancy element and a method of supporting a riser Abandoned US20140199124A1 (en)

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US14/116,307 US20140199124A1 (en) 2011-05-19 2012-04-24 Buoyancy element, riser assembly including a buoyancy element and a method of supporting a riser

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US201161488074P 2011-05-19 2011-05-19
US14/116,307 US20140199124A1 (en) 2011-05-19 2012-04-24 Buoyancy element, riser assembly including a buoyancy element and a method of supporting a riser
PCT/GB2012/050901 WO2012156681A1 (fr) 2011-05-19 2012-04-24 Élément de flottaison, ensemble colonne montante comprenant un élément de flottaison et procédé de soutien d'une colonne montante

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US20140199124A1 true US20140199124A1 (en) 2014-07-17

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US (1) US20140199124A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2709899A1 (fr)
CN (1) CN103619699A (fr)
AU (1) AU2012257618A1 (fr)
BR (1) BR112013029419A2 (fr)
WO (1) WO2012156681A1 (fr)

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US20140017098A1 (en) * 2012-01-03 2014-01-16 Daniel Jay Lewis Float device
US20140326461A1 (en) * 2011-11-29 2014-11-06 Wellstream International Limited Buoyancy compensating element and method
US20190195025A1 (en) * 2017-12-22 2019-06-27 Ge Oil & Gas Uk Limited Apparatus and method

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WO2016086268A1 (fr) * 2014-12-02 2016-06-09 Matrix Composites & Engineering Ltd. Module de flottabilité et procédé de formation
GB2533123A (en) * 2014-12-10 2016-06-15 Magma Global Ltd Composite component deployment configurations
CN110249393A (zh) * 2016-12-07 2019-09-17 Abb瑞士股份有限公司 用于检查载具的系绳
GB2561196B (en) * 2017-04-04 2020-05-27 Technip France Subsea pipeline buoyancy module

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US4745583A (en) * 1986-12-18 1988-05-17 Exxon Production Research Company Marine cable system with automatic buoyancy control
JPH04322115A (ja) * 1991-04-18 1992-11-12 Furukawa Electric Co Ltd:The 長尺体の水中吊り下げ布設構造体
US5379267A (en) * 1992-02-11 1995-01-03 Sparton Corporation Buoyancy control system
US6206742B1 (en) * 1997-01-15 2001-03-27 Abb Offshore Technology As Buoyancy device and method for using same
US6595725B1 (en) * 1998-11-23 2003-07-22 Foster Wheeler Energy Limited Tethered buoyant support for risers to a floating production vessel
US20090293792A1 (en) * 2005-05-05 2009-12-03 Vincent Marcel Ghislain Alliot Towing and subsea installation of long articles
US7669660B1 (en) * 2008-11-26 2010-03-02 Floatec, Llc Riser disconnect and support mechanism
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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140326461A1 (en) * 2011-11-29 2014-11-06 Wellstream International Limited Buoyancy compensating element and method
US9353579B2 (en) * 2011-11-29 2016-05-31 Ge Oil & Gas Uk Limited Buoyancy compensating element and method
US20140017098A1 (en) * 2012-01-03 2014-01-16 Daniel Jay Lewis Float device
US9429250B2 (en) * 2012-01-03 2016-08-30 Daniel Jay Lewis Float device
US20190195025A1 (en) * 2017-12-22 2019-06-27 Ge Oil & Gas Uk Limited Apparatus and method

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BR112013029419A2 (pt) 2017-01-31
WO2012156681A1 (fr) 2012-11-22
CN103619699A (zh) 2014-03-05
AU2012257618A1 (en) 2014-01-09
EP2709899A1 (fr) 2014-03-26

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