Patent ID: 9353579
Filing Date: 2016-05-31
CPC Classification: E21B

Claim Text:
1. An assembly comprising a plurality of buoyancy compensating elements for connection to a flexible pipe for increasing or decreasing buoyancy of the portion of flexible pipe, wherein the plurality of buoyancy compensating elements are connected together in an in-line configuration, each buoyancy compensating element comprising: a first body portion; a further body portion; and a first connector for connecting the buoyancy compensating element to a further buoyancy compensating element or to a midline connection of a flexible pipe, and a further connector provided at an opposing side of the buoyancy compensating element, for connecting the buoyancy compensating element to a further buoyancy compensating element, wherein the first and further body portion are configured to be connectable to each other and in use to encompass a portion of flexible pipe, wherein at least one of the plurality of buoyancy compensating elements is connected to the flexible pipe via a midline connection of the portion of flexible pipe, wherein the plurality of buoyancy compensating elements connected together in an in-line configuration with first connector and further connector, are configured such that any compressive load from the buoyancy compensating element is directed via the connectors to the midline connection.