Stabilisation of submarine elongate structures

A stabilization system for a section of a submarine elongate structure comprising an end restraint at each end of the section of the elongate structure and at least one intermediate restraint between the two end restraints, each end restraint being adapted to be secured to the elongate structure to transfer axial tension generated by lateral movement of the elongate structure to the seabed or ground on which the end restraint is installed, each restraint comprising a pair of restraint faces spaced apart to receive a length of the elongate structure, each face being configured to operate along and control curvature of the length of the elongate structure during lateral movement thereof, each face providing for lateral movement of the length of the elongate structure within the restraint.

A restraint device comprising a pair of restraint faces laterally spaced apart to receive a length of a submarine elongate structure therebetween, each restraint face being configured to operate along and control curvature of the length of the elongate structure during lateral deflection thereof, each restraint face providing for lateral movement of the length of the elongate structure within the restraint device, each restraint face comprising a discontinuous face defined by a plurality of restraint zones.

A method of stabilizing a submarine elongate structure comprising the steps of:

• anchoring two axially spaced apart sections of the elongate structure to the seabed or ground using end restraints, and installing one or more intermediate restraints between the two end restraints;
• each restraint presenting two restraint faces on opposed sides of the elongate structure, each restraint face being of a configuration for receiving a length of the elongate structure and limiting curvature of the elongate structure by operating along the length of the elongate structure, each restraint face providing for lateral movement of the elongate structure within the restraint.