GB2450693A

GB2450693A - Damping apparatus between conductor tube and guide

Info

Publication number: GB2450693A
Application number: GB0712791A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Duell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-07-03
Filing date: 2007-07-03
Publication date: 2009-01-07
Anticipated expiration: 2027-07-03
Also published as: WO2009004337A2; WO2009004337A3; GB2450693B; GB0712791D0

Abstract

A damping apparatus 10 for oil or gas recovery or exploration apparatus is described. In an embodiment, the apparatus has a number of resilient bodies 20 which are configured to be received in a space 16 between a conductor guide 12 and a conductor tube 18 received in the conductor guide. The resilient body is further configured to be attached to at least one of the conductor guide and the conductor tube. In a specific embodiment, the resilient bodies are elongate members which are strapped either to the conductor guide or the conductor tube using strap 26.

Description

Improved damping apparatus 17 The present invention relates to damping

apparatus S..

18 configured for use with oil or gas recovery or 19 exploration apparatus.

21 In a number of industries, subsurface wells are drilled 22 to provide for recovery of raw materials. After a fresh S...

23 well has been drilled, it is usual to install a conductor 24 pipe in the top of the weilbore.

26 The conductor tube (or conductor casing as it is also 27 known) is cemented in place at the top of the weilbore 28 and secures the open hole to prevent collapse. The bore 29 of the conductor tube provides access to the well and equipment to be used in the well is introduced via the 31 conductor tube. The tube typically comprises thick-walled 32 casing and thus can also provide support for valve tree 33 equipment, which is used in controlling operational 34 conditions of the welibore.

2 In offshore applications, the conductor tube usually 3 extends from the top of the welibore at the seabed to 4 above the sea surface. In such applications, the conductor tube is often installed and supported from a 6 welihead platform on or above the water surface. The 7 conductor tube may then be guided to the weilbore from 8 the welihead platform through a series of conductor guide 9 tubes fitted to the platform.

11 The conductor guide tubes have a greater diameter than 12 the conductor tube to accommodate protrusions on the 13 conductor tube, for example between adjacent conductor 14 tube sections. The conductor guide tubes are usually cylindrical and have a funnel-shaped mouth to provide for 16 ease of reception of a conductor tube in the conductor 17 guide tube.

19 When a conductor tube is installed, the conductor tube is typically located passively within the conductor guide 21 tube. The larger diameter conductor guide tube allows for 22 limited lateral movement of the conductor tube within the U...

23 conductor guide tube.

There are problems associated with this arrangement. More 26 specifically, the conductor tube is subject to movement 27 caused by wind and sea, which can lead to impacts between 28 the conductor guide tube and the conductor tube, 29 resulting in damage to the conductor tube.

31 In order to prevent impacts, existing techniques involve 32 use of a clamp arrangement attached to a support member 33 of the platform. In such a case, the clamp typically 34 grips the conductor tube above the guide tube to rigidly 1 secure the conductor tube to the platform in a near- 2 central position within the guide tube.

4 However, such clamp arrangements are susceptible to damage due to vibrations of the conductor tube caused by 6 the motion of the sea. In addition, installation of such 7 clamp arrangements may require removal of components of 8 the guide tube to secure the clamp in place. For example, 9 the funnel-shaped mouth of the guide tube or "tundish" may need to be removed. Accordingly, installation 11 operations can be time consuming and costly.

13 Moreover, wave induced movement of the conductor tube can 14 cause large end movements if the conductor tube and the conductor guide tube are rigidly coupled. This can lead 16 to local overstressing of the conductor tube near the 17 rigid coupling points, or for example, in locations where: S..

18 the conductor tube flexes. ..:.

In other cases, shims are located in the conductor guide 21 tubes to prevent movement of the conductor tube within 22 the conductor guide tube. However, vibrations and.....

23 movements of the conductor tube caused by the motion of 24 the sea can be transmitted by way of the shims to the conductor guide tube, thereby causing damage to the 26 conductor guide tube and associated equipment.

28 An improved arrangement that better accommodates movement 29 of the conductor pipe is disclosed in the present applicant's earlier Patent Publication Number GB 2429730.

31 This arrangement has a plurality of resilient balls 32 disposed along the conductor tube in the space between 33 the conductor guide tube and the conductor tube such that 34 movement of the conductor tube is damped. In this 1 arrangement, a containment flange and a top plate are 2 clamped to the conductor tube at opposing ends of guide 3 tube and protrude radially from the conductor tube to 4 contain the resilient balls in the space.

6 It is an aim of the invention to address drawbacks and 7 deficiencies of existing sub-surface recovery or 8 exploration apparatus.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, 11 there is provided damping apparatus configured for use 12 with oil or gas recovery or exploration apparatus, the 13 damping apparatus comprising: 14 at least one resilient body configured to be received in a space between a conductor guide and a 16 conductor tube received in the conductor guide, the at 17 least one resilient body being further configured to be:m..

18 attached to at least one of the conductor guide and the 19 conductor tube.

21 In use, the at least one resilient body may be operable 22 to keep the conductor tube spaced apart from the 23 conductor guide. Also, the at least one resilient body 24 may be operable to damp movement of the conductor tube in relation to the conductor guide. Attachment of the at 26 least one resilient body keeps the resilient body in a 27 predetermined posit ion.

29 More specifically, the at least one resilient body may be configured to be attached to the conductor tube.

31 Attachment of the at least one resilient body to the 32 conductor tube can provide for movement of the resilient 33 body with the conductor tube to provide damping and 1 protection of the conductor tube from impact against the 2 conductor guide.

4 Alternatively or in addition, the at least one resilient body may be of elongate form and configured such that, in 6 use, the at least one resilient body extends along the 7 conductor tube.

9 More specifically, the at least one resilient body may have a length of between about 0.1 and 5 metres. 1].

12 Alternatively or in addition, the damping apparatus may 13 comprise a plurality of resilient bodies, the resilient 14 bodies being configured to be spaced apart when in use around the conductor tube.

17 Alternatively or in addition, the damping apparatus may 18 comprise an attachment apparatus operable to attach the 19 at least one resilient body to at least one of the conductor tube and conductor guide. : .. 21.

22 More specifically, the attachment apparatus may comprise 23 an elongate pliable member, e.g. a strap, configured to 24 engage with the at least one resilient body. In another embodiment, the elongate pliable member comprises a metal 26 band.

28 More specifically, elongate pliable member may be further 29 configured to engage with at least one of the conductor tube and conductor guide.

32 More specifically, elongate pliable member may be further 33 configured to engage with the conductor tube.

1 More specifically, elongate pliable member may be 2 configured to extend around the conductor tube.

4 Use of an elongate pliable member, such as a strap or a metal band, can allow the damping apparatus to be quickly 6 and conveniently installed on the conductor tube.

8 The elongate pliable member may comprise a heavy-duty 9 cargo strap, for example, formed from at least one of nylon, polypropelyne, Keviar and any other high-tensile 11 strength material.

13 The elongate pliable member may comprise a metal band 14 comprising a plurality of band sections joined together via a fastening mechanism, the band sections being joined 16 together towards their respective ends. The fastening 17 mechanism may comprise a nut and bolt arrangement. The 18 fastening mechanism may be engaged to tighten the band 19 around the resilient bodies and/or the conductor pipe.

21 The elongate pliable member may comprise a tensioning 22 mechanism for tensioning the elongate pliable member when *::* 23 in use. The tensioning mechanism may comprise a ratchet 24 mechanism, and/or a nut and bolt fastening arrangement.

Thus by tensioning the elongate pliable member, effective 26 attachment of the damping apparatus to the conductor tube 27 can be achieved.

29 Preferably, the resilient bodies are coupled to each other. The resilient bodies may be coupled to each other 31 via at least one elongate pliable member. The at least 32 one resilient body may comprise at least one engaging 33 formation adapted to engage at least one elongate pliable 34 member.

2 More specifically, the at least one engaging formation 3 may form part of the at least one resilient body.

More specifically, the at least one engaging formation 6 may be integrally formed with the at least one resilient 7 body.

9 The engaging formation may take the form of at least one of a slot, an eyelet, a groove, a recess and a clip.

12 The damping apparatus may be configured when in use for 13 movable engagement of the at least one resilient body in 14 relation to the attachment apparatus. More specifically, the attachment apparatus may slidably engage, e.g. be 16 threaded through, the at least one resilient body.

S *5**

18 Where the damping apparatus comprises a plurality of 19 resilient bodies, the damping apparatus may comprise a first elongate pliable member operable to attach the: ..

21 resilient bodies to the conductor tube and a second 22 elongate pliable member operable to couple the resilient *5*S 23 bodies to each other. Alternatively or in addition, the 24 second elongate pliable member may be operable to attach the resilient bodies to the conductor tube. In this 26 case, the provision of two elongate pliable members may 27 mean that there is a back up such that the damping 28 apparatus can remain attached to the conductor tube in 29 case of failure of one of the elongate pliable members.

31 Preferably, the at least one resilient body has a shape 32 and/or structure to provide for a pre-specified damping 33 behaviour required of the damping apparatus.

1 More specifically, the at least one resilient body may be 2 formed from a deformable material. Thus, upon movement 3 of the conductor tube with respect to the conductor 4 guide, the resilient body may deform to accommodate the movement and protect the conductor tube. Being resilient, 6 the material may urge the conductor tube back into its 7 original position and damp the motion. The resilient 8 bodies may be formed from at least one of: a rubber 9 material; a plastics material; and neoprene.

11 Advantageously1 the cross-sectional shape of the 12 resilient bodies may be formed according to a damping 13 characteristic required of the damping apparatus. More 14 specifically, the at least one resilient body may have at least one of a circular, a square and a triangular cross- 16 section. * * *.*

18 The at least one resilient body may define a bore. When *..

19 the damping apparatus is in use, the bore may extend along the conductor tube. In use, the provision of a: *".

21 bore may facilitate deformation of the resilient body 22 when damping movement of the conductor tube with respect 23 to the conductor guide.

A resilient body may comprise a base member and an 26 extending member. The extending member may, in use, 27 extend radially of the conductor tube between an outer 28 surface of the conductor tube and an inner surface of the 29 conductor guide in the space between the conductor tube and the conductor guide. The base member may, in use, 31 lie proximal the conductor tube. The base member and the 32 extending member may be integrally formed with each 33 other. The base member may extend substantially less 34 from the conductor tube than the extending member, when 1 in use. More specifically, engaging formations may be 2 comprised in the base member.

4 The damping apparatus may be configured such that in use the at least one resilient member is a snug fit in a 6 space between the conductor tube and conductor guide.

7 Thus, the at least one resilient member may present 8 resistance to movement of the conductor tube through the 9 conductor guide and thereby damp such movement.

11 According to a second aspect of the present invention, 12 there is provided oil or gas recovery or exploration 13 apparatus comprising a damping apparatus according to the 14 first aspect of the present invention.

16 More specifically, the oil or gas recovery or exploration 17 apparatus comprises a conductor guide defining a guide:" 18 space; a conductor tube received within the guide space 19 and spaced apart from the conductor guide; and the damping apparatus disposed in a space between the 21 conductor guide and the conductor tube.

I

S S S *S

23 Embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention 24 may comprise at least one feature of the first aspect of the invention.

27 According to a third aspect of the present invention 28 there is provided a seabed installation comprising oil or 29 gas recovery or exploration apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention.

32 Embodiments of the third aspect of the present invention 33 may comprise at least one feature of the first aspect of 34 the invention.

2 According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, 3 there is provided an offshore platform comprising oil or 4 gas recovery or exploration apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention.

7 According to a further aspect of the present invention, 8 there is provided damping apparatus configured for use 9 with oil or gas recovery or exploration apparatus, the damping apparatus comprising: 11 at least one resilient body configured to be 12 received in a space between a conductor guide and a 13 conductor tube received in the conductor guide.

More specifically, the at least one resilient body may be 16 further configured to be attached to at least one of the:..:.

17 conductor guide and the conductor tube. S...

19 There will now be described, by way of example only, * ..

embodiments of the invention with reference to the 21 following drawings, of which: * S...

22 *SSS 23 Figure 1 is a perspective representation of a 24 conductor pipe damping arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention; 27 Figure 2 is a cross-sectional representation of 28 theconductor pipe damping arrangement of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a resilient body 31 for the conductor pipe damping arrangement of 32 Figures 1 and 2; and 1 Figure 4 is a cross-sectional representation of a 2 conductor pipe damping arrangement according to a 3 further embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional representation of a 6 conductor pipe damping arrangement according to a 7 further embodiment of the invention.

9 With reference firstly to Figure 1, there is depicted oil and gas recovery or exploration apparatus 10. The 11 apparatus 10 includes a conductor guide 12, which is 12 attached to a cross beam 14 forming part of the 13 infrastructure of an offshore platform. The conductor 14 guide 12 is tubular in nature and defines a guide space 16 through which a conductor pipe 18 is received. The * 16 apparatus 10 has a number of resilient bodies 20 located 17 around the outside of the conductor pipe 18 in the space 18 between the conductor pipe 18 and the conductor guide 12.

19 The resilient bodies 20 form a damping apparatus, which * *. * * *

functions to damp in lateral and vertical components of *** 21 movement of the conductor pipe 18 with respect to the * .** 22 conductor guide 12 due to forces imparted to the **: 23 conductor pipe by ocean waves and currents. In turn.

24 impact damage to the conductor pipe is prevented.

26 In Figure 1, the resilient bodies 20 are elongated and 27 extend along the conductor pipe 18 and through the guide 28 space 16 from a top end 22 through to the bottom end 24 29 of the apparatus. Further, the resilient bodies 20 are attached to the conductor pipe 18 via a strap 26, which 31 is provided around the resilient bodies tightening them 32 against the conductor pipe 18. Accordingly, the 33 resilient bodies 20 are allowed to move together with the 34 conductor pipe 18.

2 The provision of elongated bodies allows for proper 3 damping performance at different vertical offsets of the 4 conductor pipe with respect to the guide tube. Vertical offsets seen at the conductor tube! conductor guide 6 arrangement may occur for example where ocean currents 7 impart lateral forces causing the conductor pipe to bend.

9 The resilient bodies 20 are formed from a rubber material, which is deformable to enable it to damp 11 movement and absorb vibrations imparted by the conductor 12 tube 18. Upon movement of the conductor pipe 18 conductor 13 pipe exerts forces against the adjacent bodies 20 causing 14 them to deform.

16 As indicated with further reference to Figure 2, there 17 are eight such resilient bodies 2 separated from each: S...

18 other by separate sub-regions 26 of the guide space.

19 Further, each resilient body 20 is provided with a cavity 28 extending longitudinally through the resilient bodies 21 20. Deformation of the resilient bodies is accommodated * S S...

22 by the cavity 28 and the sub regions 26. Upon movement of 23 the conductor pipe 18 according to arrow 30, the bodies 24 compress and are forced to spread and move into these spaces. Due to the resilient nature of the bodies 20, 26 the conductor pipe 18 is urged back toward a central 27 position within the conductor guide 12. The provision of 28 a number of resilient bodies helps to keep the conductor 29 central within the guide 12. In this way, the present apparatus provides efficient damping of movement and 31 vibrations and protects against impacts and damage to the 32 conductor pipe.

1 In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the damping 2 apparatus is provided with two straps, which are used to 3 attach the damping apparatus to the conductor tube 18. A 4 first strap 26 mentioned briefly above fits around an outer surfaces defined by tongue portions 34 of the 6 resilient bodies. A second strap 28 is fitted above the 7 first strap, around the conductor tube and is also 8 tightened around it to secure the damping apparatus to 9 the conductor pipe 18. Thus, having two straps provides a back up if one of the straps should fail.

12 In this case, the second strap 28 is also provided to 13 couple the resilient bodies 20 to each other. The strap 14 28 is threaded through the individual bodies to connect them to each other. As can be seen in more detail in 16 Figure 3, the resilient bodies 20 are provided with slots 17 32, which are designed to receive the strap 28 for:

S

18 threading and coupling the resilient bodies 20 together.

19 By threading the strap 28 through the bodies, joining * ** * * * portions 29 of the strap 28 are exposed at the surface **** 21 which prevents the first strap 26 from sliding off and **.** * *** 22 past the second strap 28.

24 The use of straps 26 and 28 provides for easy installation of the damping apparatus on the conductor 26 pipe. The coupling straps are heavy-duty cargo straps 27 formed from a high strength Keviar material, which is 28 resistant to wear and allows the straps to be tensioned 29 to the degree required for attachment. The straps are also provided with a ratchet mechanism used to tension 31 the strap around the resilient bodies 20 and the 32 conductor pipe. The ratchet mechanism is operated 33 manually to tighten the straps allowing personnel to 34 readily attach and install the damping apparatus.

2 The tongue portions 34 (constituting a base member) have 3 a lesser diameter compared with a diameter defined by 4 damping element portions 36 (constituting an extending member). The tongues 34 are comparatively thin and 6 flexible such that the straps can be tightened against 7 the strap surfaces 38 such that they define a tight 8 circumference and such that the tongues are effectively 9 pressed against the conductor pipe. This facilitates securing the resilient bodies to the conductor pipe 18. 1].

12 Turning now to Figure 4, there is shown generally at 110 13 another subsurface recovery or exploration apparatus 14 comprising a damping apparatus 111. The apparatus 110 has a number of similar features to that of the apparatus 10 16 of the above described embodiment, and like features are 17 denoted with the same number incremented by 100.

19 In the Figure 4 embodiment, the resilient bodies 120 of * S. * . * the damping apparatus are attached to the conductor pipe 21 118 via straps applied at upper and lower ends 140, 142 *.*** S **S 22 of the apparatus. The resilient bodies 120 are provided 23 with upper and lower tongue portions 134, 135 a,b around 24 which there the straps 150,152 are fitted to attach the damping apparatus to the conductor pipe. In this case, 26 all of the straps are fitted around the outer surface of 27 the tongue portions 134,135, in a similar manner to the 28 strap 26 of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3.

In another embodiment, Figure 5 shows generally oil and 3]. gas or exploration apparatus 210, which is provided with 32 damping apparatus 211. The apparatus 210 has a number of 33 similar features to that of the apparatus 10 described 1 above, and like features are denoted with the same number 2 incremented by two hundred.

4 In this embodiment however, the resilient bodies 220 are attached to the conductor pipe 218 by way of upper and 6 lower metal bands 290, which are tightened around the 7 resilient bodies to fasten them to the conductor pipe 8 218. The metal bands 290 are received in circumferential 9 recesses 292 formed in the resilient body.

11 The resilient members 220 extend through the guide space 12 and through the main body (tharrel") 295 and mouth 13 ("tundish") 297 portions of the conductor guide 212. The 14 resilient bodies 220 are fitted such that they abut an inner surface of the barrel and an outer surface of the 16 conductor pipe 218. :...:. **SS 1.1 S *5*5

18 In this example, each metal band is formed from four 19 sections that are joined together across opposing mating faces 294,296 of adjacent sections and fastened with nut 21 and bolt fastenings 298. The band is flexible such that S **.

22 it can be tightened effectively to force and compress the 23 deforrnable resilient members in the recess and against 24 the conductor pipe.

26 Progressive tightening of the nut and bolt fastenings 298 27 reduces the diameter of the band and allows it to be 28 tensioned and clamped around the resilient bodies and 29 conductor pipe.

31 The nut and bolt fastenings can be engaged or released 32 manually by personnel, using hand tools if necessary, and 33 can be installed quickly. Sections of the metal band can 1 be interchanged as required, for example to form a band 2 of a different length or circumference.

4 The metal is 5 mm thick and is selected to have a specification that meets industrial standards and/or 6 tolerances as required.

8 There are a number of advantages associated with the 9 presently described oil and gas recovery or exploration apparatus. In particular, the use of straps or flexible 11 bands to attach the damping apparatus to the conductor 12 pipe enables the damping apparatus to be installed 13 readily by rig personnel. This reduces the time spent to 14 install such apparatus, and can reduce costs.

16 Further, lateral and vertical components of movement of 17 the conductor pipe within the conductor guide is 18 accommodated and damped out reducing risk of damage to 19 the conductor pipe and the conductor guide. * ** * U *

21 Furthermore, by using a strap to threadably couple * *** 22 individual resilient bodies together, or using a band,**

S U

23 formed from a number of sections, individual components 24 can be changed out, replaced and added if required, for example, for maintenance purposes or to construct a 26 suitable device for installation on conductor pipes of 27 different diameter. This can also produce costs 28 benefits.

Various modifications and changes may be made within the 31 scope of the invention herein described. In particular, 32 it will be appreciated that in certain embodiments, the 33 damping apparatus may be attached to the conductor guide.

In other embodiments, a butterfly clip may be used for 2 attachment of the resilient bodies. * *

*.a*** **S.

S **SS * ** * * S *5*' S... * S * ..*

SS S * S S.

Claims

1 Claims 3 1. Damping apparatus configured for use with oil or gas 4

recovery or exploration apparatus, the damping apparatus comprising: 6 at least one resilient body configured to be 7 received in a space between a conductor guide and a 8 conductor tube received in the conductor guide, the 9 at least one resilient body being further configured to be attached to at least one of the conductor ii. guide and the conductor tube.

13 2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the at 14 least one resilient body is configured to be attached to the conductor tube.

17 3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein 18 the at least one resilient body is of elongate form 19 and configured such that, in use, the at least one resilient body extends along the conductor tube. * 0 0**.

22 4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, *,* 23 wherein the at least one resilient body has a length 24 of between about 0.1 and 5 metres.

26 5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding 27 claims, wherein the damping apparatus comprises a 28 plurality of resilient bodies, the resilient bodies 29 being configured to be spaced apart when in use around the conductor tube.

32 6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding 33 claims, wherein the damping apparatus comprises an 34 attachment apparatus operable to attach the at least 1 one resilient body to at least one of the conductor 2 tube and conductor guide.

4 7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the attachment apparatus comprises an elongate pliable 6 member configured to engage with the at least one 7 resilient body.

9 8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the elongate pliable member is further configured to 11 engage with at least one of the conductor tube and 12 conductor guide.

14 9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 or Claim 8, wherein the elongate pliable member is further configured to 16 engage with the conductor tube. 17: *.su

18 10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 9, 19 wherein the elongate pliable member is configured to * ..

extend around the conductor tube. * S 55.

22 11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 10, *** , 23 wherein the elongate pliable member comprises a 24 heavy-duty cargo strap.

26 12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 11, 27 wherein the elongate pliable member comprises a 28 metal band.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 12, 31 wherein the elongate pliable member comprise a 32 tensioning mechanism for tensioning the elongate 33 pliable member when in use.

1 14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 13, 2 wherein the tensioning mechanism comprises a ratchet 3 mechanism.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims of Claims 6 7 to 14, wherein the tensioning mechanism comprises 7 a fastening mechanism adapted to engage the elongate 8 pliable member.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 15, 11 wherein the resilient bodies are coupled to each 12 other.

14 17. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the resilient bodies are coupled to each other via at: 16 least one elongate pliable member.

18 18. Apparatus as claimed In any one of the preceding 19 claims, wherein the at least one resilient body comprises at least one engaging formation adapted to S...

21 engage at least one elongate pliable member.

23 19. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the at 24 least one engaging formation forms part of the at least one resilient body.

27 20. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 18 or Claim 19, 28 wherein the at least one engaging formation is 29 integrally formed with the at least one resilient body.

32 21. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 18 to 20, wherein the 33 engaging formation takes the form of at least one of 34 a slot, an eyelet, a groove, a recess and a clip.

2 22. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding 3 claims, wherein the damping apparatus is configured 4 when in use for movable engagement of the at least one resilient body in relation to the attachment 6 apparatus.

8 23. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 22, wherein the 9 attachment apparatus slidably engages the at least one resilient body.

12 24. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 23, 13 wherein the damping apparatus comprises a first 14 elongate pliable member operable to attach the resilient bodies to the conductor tube and a second 16 elongate pliable member operable to couple the 17 resilient bodies to each other. *.

19 25. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 24, wherein the second elongate pliable member is operable to attach the 21 resilient bodies to the conductor tube. 0*

23 26. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding 24 claims, wherein the at least one resilient body has at least one of a shape and a structure to provide 26 for a pre-specifjed damping behaviour required of 27 the damping apparatus.

29 27. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one resilient body is 31 formed from a deforjuable material.

33 28. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding 34 claims, wherein the at least one resilient body is 1 formed from at least one of: a rubber material; a 2 plastics material; and neoprene.

4 29. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the 6 resilient bodies is formed according to a damping 7 characteristic required of the damping apparatus.

9 30. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one resilient body has 11 at least one of a circular, a square and a 12 triangular cross-section.

14 31. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding S...,.

claims, wherein the at least one resilient body 16 defines a bore. ..:.

18 32. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding: ..

19 claims, wherein the at least one resilient body comprises a base member and an extending member. .. *. .

22 33. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 32, wherein the 23 extending member, in use, extends radially of the 24 conductor tube between an outer surface of the conductor tube and an inner surface of the conductor 26 guide in the space between the conductor tube and 27 the conductor guide.

29 34. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 32 or Claim 33, wherein the base member, in use, lies proximal the 31 conductor tube.

1 35. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 32 to 34, 2 wherein the base member and the extending member are 3 integrally formed with each other.

36. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding 6 claim, wherein the damping apparatus is configured 7 such that in use the at least one resilient member 8 is a snug fit in a space between the conductor tube 9 and conductor guide.

11 37. Oil or gas recovery or exploration apparatus 12 comprising a damping apparatus according to any one 13 of the preceding claims. * S

*.*..* 38. Oil or gas recovery or exploration apparatus as S...

16 claimed in Claim 37, wherein the apparatus comprises *..

17 a conductor guide defining a guide space; a 18 conductor tube received within the guide space and 19 spaced apart from the conductor guide; and the damping apparatus disposed in a space between the *.

21 conductor guide and the conductor tube.

23 39. A seabed installation comprising oil or gas recovery 24 or exploration apparatus as claimed in Claim 37 or Claim 38.

27 40. An offshore platform comprising oil or gas recovery 28 or exploration apparatus as claimed in Claim 37 or 29 Claim 38. aLF

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1 Claims 3 1. Damping apparatus configured for use with oil or gas 4 recovery or exploration apparatus, the damping apparatus comprising: 6 at least one resilient body configured to be 7 received in a space between a conductor guide and a 8 conductor tube received in the conductor guide, the 9 at least one resilient body being further configured to be attached to at least one of the conductor 11 guide and the conductor tube.

17 3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein:" 18 the at least one resilient body is of elongate form 19 and configured such that, in use, the at least one * I. resilient body extends along the conductor tube. * * * S..

22 4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, 23 wherein the at least one resilient body has a length 24 of between about 0.1 and 5 metres.

32 6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding 33 claims, wherein the damping apparatus comprises an 34 attachment apparatus operable to attach the at least 2S 1 one resilient body to at least one of the conductor 2 tube and conductor guide.

9 8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the elongate pliable member is further configured to 11 engage with one of the conductor tube and the 12 conductor guide. * S.

i4 9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 or Claim 8, wherein * **.

the elongate pliable member is further configured to ****,16 engage with the conductor tube. *5*S

S.....

* *l8 10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 9, wherein the elongate pliable member is configured to extend around the conductor tube.

22 11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 10, 23 wherein the elongate pliable member comprises a 24 heavy-duty cargo strap.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 12, 31 wherein the elongate pliable member comprise a 32 tensioning mechanism for tensioning the elongate 33 pliable member when in use. :2-',

1].4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 13, 2 wherein the tensioning mechanism comprises a ratchet 3 mechanism.

14 17. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the resilient bodies are coupled to each other via at 16 least one elongate pliable member.

18 18. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding 19 claims, wherein the at least one resilient body comprises at least one engaging formation adapted to 21 engage at least one elongate pliable member.

12 24. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 23, 13 wherein the damping apparatus comprises a first 14 elongate pliable member operable to attach the resilient bodies to the conductor tube and a second 16 elongate pliable member operable to couple the 17 resilient bodies to each other.

S SI

19 25. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 24, wherein the second elongate pliable member is operable to attach the S...

21 resilient bodies to the conductor tube. S.

23 26. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding 24 claims, wherein the at least one resilient body has at least one of a shape and a structure to provide 26 for a pre-specjfj.ed damping behaviour required of 27 the damping apparatus.

29 27. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one resilient body is 31 formed from a deformable material.

9 30. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one resilient body has ii at least one of a circular, a square and a 12 triangular cross-section.

14 31. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding * *.*.* claims, wherein the at least one resilient body *.

16 defines a bore. ..:.

18 32. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding: *.

19 claims, wherein the at least one resilient body comprises a base member and an extending member. ** S.. * 22 33. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 32, wherein the 23 extending member, in use, extends radially of the 24 conductor tube between an outer surface of the conductor tube and an inner surface of the conductor 26 guide in the space between the conductor tube and 27 the conductor guide.

11 37. Oil or gas recovery or exploration apparatus 12 comprising a damping apparatus according to any one 13 of the preceding claims. * *

S.....

38. Oil or gas recovery or exploration apparatus as *...

16 claimed in Claim 37, wherein the apparatus comprises...

21 conductor guide and the conductor tube.

27 40. An offshore platform comprising oil or gas recovery 28 or exploration apparatus as claimed in Claim 37 or 29 Claim 38.