Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for controlled deployment of ballast material onto a subsea location, preferably a subsea structure, comprising at least one chute for conveying said ballast material, said chute having a first end and a second end; at least one buoyancy element associated with the chute such that the chute may assume a generally vertical orientation in the water, supported by said buoyancy element; a support element associated with said chute and adapted for cooperation with an installation weight, said chute second end being adapted for connection to an element associated with the seabed. A method for installation of said apparatus comprising bringing the chute into a generally vertical orientation in the water above said subsea location, lowering portions of said installation weight onto said support element, causing said ballast deployment apparatus to move towards the seabed, until said apparatus has reached a desired depth in the water; connecting said chute second end to said element associated with the seabed; and withdrawing said installation weight from said support element, whereupon deployment of ballast material through said chute may commence.

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First Claim