A method and apparatus for providing a fibre element are disclosed. The method includes the steps of opening a first control valve element (355) at a proximate end region of a first lumen (310) that extends along a flexible pipe (100), opening a first vent valve element (382) at a remote end region of a second lumen (320) that extends along the flexible pipe (100), providing a new fibre element along the second lumen (320) via an opening (350) at a proximate end region of the second lumen (320) and closing the first vent valve element (382) and the first control valve element (355).