(19)

(11)

EP 2 619 407 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 31.07.2013 Bulletin 2013/31 (21) Application number: 11827125.3 (22) Date of filing: 28.06.2011

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  E21B 43/01(2006.01) B63B 35/44(2006.01) E02B 15/04(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2011/042183 (87) International publication number: WO 2012/039809 (29.03.2012 Gazette 2012/13)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR (30) Priority: 24.06.2011 US 201113168283 23.11.2010 US 416520 P 22.09.2010 US 385223 P (71) Applicant: Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. Houston, TX 77060 (US)	(72) Inventor: AL-SHARIF, Majid Houston, Texas 77060 (US) (74) Representative: Lewis, Darren John  D Young & Co LLP 120 Holborn London EC1N 2DY London EC1N 2DY (GB)