Importance

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Abstract

A method of installing a pile 10 in a subsea substrate is provided, which method comprises the steps of providing a pile 10 with a drill bit 14 at one end, and rotating both the pile 10 and the drill bit 14 relative to a substrate to form a bore. Also provided is a subsea pile 10 in the form of an elongate member 12 with a drill bit 14 fixed at one end thereof. In certain embodiments, the elongate member 12 may be tubular, allowing fluids to be supplied to the drilling face via the pile. Such fluids may be drilling mud, sea water, or a settable material for fixing the pile in the bore. In preferred embodiments of the invention an upper portion of the pile may be adapted to be laterally flexible.

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First Claim