Abstract:
Process for the towing of underwater pipelines by means of head tugs for the pulling and tail tugs for the counter-pulling characterized in that it is effected by the use of a set of equipment, connected to the pipeline itself, including floats, of which at least a part has a variable buoyancy or partially variable buoyancy, which, when placed in a pre-established position and at pre-established intervals, provide a graded buoyancy to the pipeline in relation to the distance from the bed so as to obtain a “festoon” configuration of the pipeline, i.e. with suspended sections of pipeline, in correspondence with the floats, alternating with resting sections.
Abstract:
Catalytic system for partial oxidation reactions of hydrocarbons characterized in that it contains: one or more metals belonging to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd transition series; one or more elements of group IIIA, IVA or VA, wherein at least one of said metals or said elements is in the form of a nitride.
Abstract:
Device and method for the towing of underwater pipelines (1) comprising the removable connection of a series of devices (101) to the pipeline, positioned at a suitable distance from each other, said devices being capable of providing a float buoyancy to the pipeline which varies according to the distance from the sea bed so that said pipeline can establish a substantially stable attitude at a fixed distance from the bottom, without dragging and with a neutral weight, and wherein said devices form a guide by means of at least one element (5) embedded in the sea floor in order to oppose side stress and impart variations in the direction of the movement of the pipeline.
Abstract:
Procedure for the low-risk and zero-emission transportation of sulphur from solid sulphur deposits, in blocks of large dimensions, characterized in that it comprises the formation of blocks of sulphur, having suitable dimensions for being moved, by means of water cut techniques and the wrapping of the blocks obtained in polyethylene sheets.
Abstract:
A welding bug (1) comprising a welding torch (3) for welding in a groove (19). The welding torch (3) is mounted for rotational movement about an axis (21) that is substantially horizontal, relative to the welding bug, (typically tangential to a pipe during use) so that the torch is moveable, during use of the welding bug (1) when arranged to enable the torch to weld in a groove, between (i) an operating position, and (ii) a disengaged position in which the welding torch is positioned away from the groove (19). The welding bug may be less cumbersome and more compact than some known arrangements.
Abstract:
An insulated pipe structure suitable for use in an undersea pipeline comprises, intermediate its ends, an inner pipe (11) for serving as a conduit for fluid flowing through the pipe structure, thermally insulating material (3) extending around the inner pipe and an outer shell (2) extending around the insulating material (3). At each of the ends of the pipe structure the inner pipe is connected to the outer shell by a thermally insulating connecting element (4) which is secured to the inner pipe (11) at least partly by virtue of adhesive forces between the inner pipe (11) and the connecting element (4). The thermally insulating connecting element (4) and the outer shell (2) together protect the insulating material (3) from water ingress and from ambient pressure.
Abstract:
A process for pipeline installation in shallow or very shallow water. The process includes trench excavation used for positioning/guiding pipes (“pre-trenching”); optional dragging of the pipes during the pre-trenching; cleaning and maintenance of the trench in the dragging; underground insertion of the pipes positioned at a required level (“post-trenching”); possible covering of the inserted pipes (“back-filling”). The operations are effected by coordinated use of vehicles of: a tracked transport vehicle or a vehicle with tires; an autonomous power and control module to power the vehicle, equipped with an operator cabin, being either positioned on the vehicle chassis or detached and placed on a floating craft, connected to the vehicle by an umbilical duct. The vehicles are assigned to transport one or more equipment items each having one of the following functions: “pre-trenching”, “trench maintenance”, “post-trenching”, possibly dragging and/or “back-filling”, so that all the equipment having the above functions is present within the whole group of vehicles used.
Abstract:
This invention provides a seismic joint for an underwater floating tunnel having: (a) a joint portion (i) having a transverse section essentially the same as that of the tunnel, (ii) being rigidly fastened to land at one end (A) thereof, and (iii) being elastically constrained to the tunnel at its other end (B) via a plurality of operably affixed means which performs an elastic function and a damping function; (b) a collar welded onto the external surface of the tunnel facing end (B) of the portion, said collar being capable of sliding on and along the external surface of the joint portion; and (c) a means for providing a water-tight seal between the internal surface of the collar and the external surface of the joint portion.
Abstract:
A process and apparatus for installing the enbloc superstructure of an offshore platform on the fixed legs emerging from water of the lower structure or jacket including loading the whole superstructure on a vertically movable support platform provided on the deck of a semisubmersible raft or barge, completely submerging the raft in the vicinity of the jacket, the stability being maintained by vertical buoyancy tanks on the raft deck, and lifting the support platform and the superstructure by activating related hydraulic lift cylinders, to a height higher than that of the protruding ends of the jacket leg, independently from wave-motion of sea. Subsequently, cylindrical lift pillars slide, by means of hydropneumatic jacks, within tubular columns provided in the superstructure until the conical ends of the pillars enter corresponding seats in the jacket legs and, during a moment of smooth sea, the superstructure is lifted to the desired height using the hydropneumatic jacks, while at the same time, the support platform is rapidly lowered, and the raft is ballasted.
Abstract:
A flanging system for suspending casing and tubing columns for very deep, high pressure oil or gas wells having superimposed spools with adjacent outer flanges for joining the spools, and hangers having axial cylindrical bores therethrough. The spools include inner annular horizontal projections and depending frusto conical portions and the hangers have corresponding outer horizontal annular projections which rest on the inner projections of the spools and complimentary depending frusto conical shapes for positioning within the spools. The lower ends of the hangers are threaded for connection to the columns. In addition, the system has inner and outer seals, wherein the inner seal includes an annular steel ring in a seat in the top of the hanger and a counter seat in the spool immediately above the hanger, and wherein the outer seal includes an annular metal gasket between the projections and preferably annular gaskets in the frusto conical portion of the hangers.