Sleeve member, end fitting assembly and method of assembly of flexible pipe

1. A flexible pipe for transporting fluids from a subsea location, comprising a flexible pipe body and at least one end fitting assembly, wherein the at least one end fitting assembly comprises a collar member and a sleeve element, wherein the sleeve element comprises:

a body comprising a substantially cylindrical portion having an inner diameter substantially equal to an outside diameter of a first pipe body layer and overlying the first pipe body layer, wherein the body is made of a relatively harder material than the first pipe body layer; and

a flange portion extending radially outwards from the body and located between a further pipe body layer and the collar member, the further pipe body layer being an armour layer, the flange portion having an outer diameter substantially equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the further pipe body layer;

wherein the body is positioned relative to the first pipe body layer to prevent the first pipe body layer from extruding into a gap between the collar member and an adjacent end of the armour layer.

2. A flexible pipe as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body of the sleeve element is suitable for blocking the first pipe body layer from extending radially outwards into a gap between the armour layer and the collar member.

3. A flexible pipe as claimed in claim 1 wherein a cross section of the sleeve element is substantially L shaped.

4. A flexible pipe as claimed in claim 1 wherein the collar member is an inner collar member and the flange portion has an inner diameter corresponding with an inner diameter of the inner collar member of the end fitting, and the outer diameter corresponds with an outer diameter of the inner collar member.

5. A flexible pipe as claimed in claim 1 wherein the collar member is an inner collar member and the flange portion of the sleeve element comprises a ring member extending away from the body in an axial and radial direction, the ring member having an inner diameter and an outer diameter each corresponding with an inner diameter and an outer diameter of the inner collar member.

6. A flexible pipe as claimed in claim 5 wherein the ring member has an inner diameter that gradually increases from an end closest to the body to an opposite end.

7. A flexible pipe as claimed in claim 5 wherein the body, the flange portion and the ring member of the sleeve element are integrally formed.

8. A flexible pipe as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first pipe body layer is a fluid retaining layer.

9. A flexible pipe as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body of the sleeve element has a thickness of between about 0.25 mm and about 2 mm.

10. A flexible pipe as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body of the sleeve element has a thickness of between about 0.5 mm and about 1.5 mm.

11. A method of assembling a flexible pipe for transporting fluids from a subsea location, comprising:

providing a sleeve element comprising a body having a substantially cylindrical portion with an inner diameter substantially equal to an outside diameter of a first pipe body layer and a flange portion extending radially outwards from the body, the flange portion having an outer diameter substantially equal to or greater than an outer diameter of a further pipe body layer, the further pipe body layer being an armour layer;

locating the body over a portion of the first pipe body layer and at least partially under the armour layer;

locating and abutting the flange portion against a collar member of an end fitting; and

connecting the first and further pipe body layers with the end fitting.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the flange portion comprises a ring member extending away from the body in an axial and radial direction, the ring member having an inner diameter and an outer diameter each corresponding with an inner diameter and an outer diameter of the collar member of the end fitting.