A drone vessel for an ROV. The drone vessel utilizes dynamic positioning. The drone vessel is remotely controlled by radio telemetry, preferably modular in construction, and may be semi-submersible. The vessel contains a radio telemetry package, one or more generators, an umbilical winch for lowering and raising an ROV, space for receiving and storing an ROV, and ballast control. The central compartment in the drone vessel is free flooding and houses the drum for storing umbilical line and the w...

An approximately neutrally buoyant system for operations in a subsea environment having a buoyant upper module, a heavy lower module, and multiple connecting members which allows trim stability and extended lifting capacity for the buoyant upper module when the heavy lower module is landed on the ocean floor or available structures.

A method is disclosed for deploying a suction pile anchor in which flood valves are opened on the top of a suction pile and the suction pile anchor is off loaded from the anchor boat and lowered it to the sea floor. The suction pile anchor is set down and the rate of feed is adjusted to match the rate of self-penetration. An ROV with pump capability closes the flood valves on the top of the suction pile and attaches to the pumping port of the suction pile. The pump of the ROV operates to draw do...

A subsea connector is remotely actuated to connect a subsea flowline to a subsea connector hub. The connector has a frame with a tubular mandrel located within it. The mandrel connects to the flowline and has a forward end that engages the connector end. The mandrel moves axially relative to the frame between retracted and extended positions. A lock member on the forward end of the mandrel will engage the profile of the connector hub. An actuator mounted to the mandrel causes the lock member to ...

A projecting actuation point and a hollow ROV-operable tool for subsea equipment both have a larger diameter surface and a smaller diameter surface, the former being nearest to the subsea equipment. The smaller diameter surface of the actuation point provides a coarse guidance and early alignment of the tool over the actuation point and the larger and smaller surfaces, which fit closely, provide in combination two sets of interfaces for final alignment. The principle can be applied to a wide var...

An improved system connects subsea coupling components mounted to a movable junction plate assembly and a fixed junction plate assembly of a subsea petroleum recovery tree. The connecting handle on a movable junction plate assembly is biased for locking engagement with a movable plate to manipulate the movable junction plate assembly, but may be unlocked upon engagement with the fixed junction plate assembly to permit rotation of the connecting handle and thereby threadedly connect the junction ...

A remotely operated ROV service vessel. The remotely operated vessel utilizes dynamic positioning. The vessel is remotely controlled by radio telemetry, preferably modular in construction, and may be semi-submersible. The vessel contains a radio telemetry package, one or more generators, an umbilical winch for lowering and raising an ROV, space for receiving and storing an ROV, and ballast control.

A submersible ROV removes extraneous material from the surface of submerged metal with a cleaning tool and measures the thickness of the metal with an ultrasonic probe. A camera allows visual operation of the ROV. The cleaning tool and ultrasonic probe can reach areas of limited access making the ROV useful for inspecting the interior of holding tanks. A submersible, electrical power supply can be combined with the ROV to provide an intrinsically safe system which is particularly useful in envir...

A protector for placement over subsea wellheads. A main body is cylindrical, with an inner diameter of sufficiant size to fit over a subsea wellhead. One end of the main body has a cap across it. A vent and a pump-through port, which permits pumping in of corrosion inhibitors, is in the cap. The open end of the main body has an outwardly flaring skirt to help guide the protector into place over the wellhead. The main body is formed from polyurethane via molding or other suitable methods.

A TMS, cage type or top hat type incorporates a deployment frame. The TMS may be operated by a winch from a surface vessel. The TMS delivers a main ROV and a smaller mini ROV. The main ROV is fully functional to accomplish the necessary task subsea. However, in the event there is an operational failure of the main ROV, the mini ROV can be deployed. The mini ROV may have fewer functionalities than the main ROV, but can at least offer video and lighting to allow monitoring of a particular location...