The present invention relates to an improved cable and flow line protection system, which is particularly suitable for use in a harsh submarine environment.

It is known to provide apipe or cable ducting formed from aplurality of identical sections. Each section is semi-tubular and the ends of adj acent sections fit together by means of a spigot and socket. Proj ections and corresponding recesses on the diametrically opposed exposed flat edges of each section enable identical sections to be connected over the open section, thereby forming the tubular ducting for protecting a pipe or cable.

It is a disadvantage of the known ducting that it is necessary to engage projections and corresponding recesses of opposed sections in order to form the tubular ducting. TMs means that the opposed sections have to be precisely aligned in order to ensure engagement of the proj ections and recesses since incomplete engagement would result in discontinuities in the assembled ducting. The assembly of the ducting is frequently carried out in situ under less than ideal conditions where the necessity for precise alignment may cause significant problems.

It is a further disadvantage of the known ducting that the provision of accurately located proj ections and corresponding recesses increases the cost and complexity of manufacture of the ducting.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pipe or cable ducting in which the above disadvantages are reduced or substantially obviated.

The present invention provides an elongated ducting component for receiving aportion of apipe, cable or other elongate member, which ducting component comprises at least one longitudinal split line the opposed faces defined by which are substantially planar.

The ducting component according to the invention preferably comprises two half shells, the

opposed longitudinal faces of which are substantially planar.

The ducting component according to the invention preferably further comprises a circumferential external recess adapted to receive an applied securing member.

It has surprisingly been found that a ducting component according to the invention provides a sufficiently robust and protective ducting with a simple face to face contact along the one or more longitudinal split lines.

The ducting component according to the invention thus has the advantage that it is easy to assemble without the need to engage cooperating proj ections and recesses in precise alignment. It has the further advantage that it is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

The ducting component is preferably formed from a synthetic plastics material, for example a polyurethane elastomer. Where the component according to the invention comprises a single longitudinal split line, the component is preferably made from a flexible material.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in. which

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a ducting component; Figure 2 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a ducting component and Figure 3 is a section on the line II-II of Figure 2.

As can be seen from Figure 1 , a ducting component shown generally at 10 comprises two identical half shells 2,4. Each of the half shells 2,4 is an elongate semi-tubular member and terminates at a first end 6 in a spigot 8 and at a second end 12 in a socket 14. Each of the half shells 2,4 has two planar longitudinal side walls 16.

The inner semi-cylindrical surfaces of the half shells 2,4 are substantially smooth and, one half shell,

in combination with an opposed identical half shell, together define a substantially cylindrical internal bore.

The outer surfaces of the half shells 2,4 are provided with a plurality of circumferential grooves 18 longitudinally spaced along the length of the semi-tubular half shell.

Each of the grooves 18 includes a section 20 of relatively increased width which forms a recess or pocket within the groove.

hi the installation procedure, the two half shells 2,4 are located around a pipe or cable which is to be protected, as a sleeve as the pipe or cable is being laid or during the load - out operation.

The two half shells are quickly and easily installed as pairs by means of a corrosion resisting banding system.

The circumferential grooves 18 locate the binding and provide axial restraint during bending, thus reducing relative slippage of the mouldings during installation.

In the embodiment of the ducting component shown in Figures 2 and 3 , the component is a single tubular piece 30 which terminates at a first end 32 in a spigot 34 and at a second end 36 in a socket 38. The single tubular piece 30 has two planar longitudinal side walls 40.

The inner cylindrical surface of the tubular piece 30 is substantially smooth and defines a substantially cylindrical internal bore.

The outer surface of the tubular piece 30 is provided with a plurality of circumferential grooves 42 longitudinally spaced along the length of the tubular piece 30.

Each of the grooves 42 includes a section 44 of relatively increased width which forms a recess or

pocket within the groove.

The ducting component shown in Figures 2 and 3 , is installed in a similar manner to the two half shell component of Figure 1.

Where the two half shell component of Figure 1 is used, it is preferred to install the protective ducting in a staggered arrangement in which the sections are staggered by for example half a section length, so that joints between adjacent sections are spaced along the length of the installed system, thus increasing its strength.