Abstract: An artificial ice structure for use as, for example, a base for oilfield operations or a road, is constructed in an offshore frigid environment where the water is covered by a sheet of floating ice. A berm or dike enclosing a predetermined area is built on the ice sheet to contain flood water and a trench is cut through the ice sheet around the perimeter of the dike to separate the predetermined area from the parent ice sheet and thereby form an island. The island of predetermined area is flooded with water and the water is allowed to freeze and weight the island down until essentially the entire ice mass of the island is resting on the ground underlying the body of water. After the structure is grounded, flooding with water is continued until the island has sufficient mass, in combination with other defensive measures, to resist the forces imposed by movement of the surrounding fast ice.

Abstract: A method for displacing drilling mud from the annular space surrounding well pipe or pipes arranged in a well bore more efficiently when cementing those pipes in the well bore. The method employs a cement slurry containing large particles in the amount of at least about 20 and preferably about 30 pounds per sack of cement.

Abstract: An automatic pump-out for an underground vapor line drop-out tank used at gasoline service stations and related locations. Condensed gasoline vapors and gasoline (liquid) which collect in gasoline service station vapor recovery systems flow by gravity through a vapor line to an underground drop-out tank. An underground storage is located adjacent the drop-out tank. A fill pipe extends from the surface into the storage tank and a discharge pipe connects the storage tank to the surface gasoline pumps. The drop-out tank and storage tank are provided with vent lines. The storage tank contains a vertically positioned pipe, having an open lower end and a closed upper end, extending from the top to adjacent the bottom thereof. A tube connects the bottom of the drop-out tank to the top of the vertically positioned pipe.

Abstract: An artificial ice structure for use as a base for oilfield operations is constructed on land in a frigid environment. A containment wall encloses a predetermined area on the land to contain flood water which is allowed to freeze. The area is flooded with water until the ice structure is a desired size. A silo arrangement, which extends through the ice structure and into the underlying ground, is utilized to house well control equipment, the below ground part thereof being separable from the above ground part thereof. A core may be formed about the silo and other cores may be formed in other parts of the ice structure to provide foundations or supports for equipment installed on the ice structure.

Abstract: A method for producing geothermal energy and minerals from subterranean high temperature and high salinity water reservoirs by injecting low salinity water at ambient surface temperature into the reservoir through a well bore, allowing the injected water to become heated in the reservoir and then producing water through the well bore to the surface for use as a source of energy and, optionally, minerals. Simultaneously with the employment of certain wells for injection-production cycles, other wells may be employed predominantly for injection of water to displace heat and in-situ well brines to well bores which produce such water and brines to the surface for utilization of their heat energy and dissolved minerals.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for tieing at least one tubing string suspended in a well pipe from a subsea non-rotatable christmas tree located on the sea floor to a downhole hanger affixed to the well pipe. The tubing string has a tie-back tool arranged on its lower end which contains first orienting means. The hanger contains second orienting means which is engageable with the first orienting means to position the tie-back tool in a desired angular position. Means arranged on the tubing string permit the tie-back tool to rotate to such angular position without placing torsional load on the tubing string. The method in which the tubing string is tied to the hanger is also disclosed.

Abstract: A transporter system for handling heavy equipment, such as subsea blowout preventer stacks, on floating type drilling vessels. The transporter system includes rack and pinion mechanisms to move the transporter apparatus up and down and fore and aft on the drilling vessel.

Abstract: In the delivery of bulk gasoline to an underground storage tank assurance that the vapor recovery hose is properly connected is provided by sensing of an excess vacuum in the delivery truck tank. Such vacuum occurs when air and/or gasoline vapor is not permitted to replace the gasoline drained from the truck tank. To prevent air from entering the truck tank when the vapor hose is not properly connected to both the truck tank and the storage tank (1) a complete dry break coupling is employed at the vapor hose connection to the underground tank so that vapor cannot be displaced from the storage tank nor can air enter the vapor hose if that connection is not made and (2) a dry break coupling is used only on the truck side of the vapor hose connection to the truck so that air cannot enter the truck tank unless that connection is made.

Abstract: A structure or template forms a tubular support structure for subsea equipment used in drilling and producing offshore oil and/or gas wells. The template contains production manifolding, remote and safety shut-in control, pump-separator, and pipeline connector subsystems. Certain of the structural tubes are segregated to form compartmented ballast chambers capable of being selectively flooded and dewatered. Certain other structural tubes form piling sleeves. The truss or framework of structural tubes include vertical and horizontal tubes, the latter forming circumferential members as well as interstitial supports. The uppermost of the circumferential members or "ring" also functions as a fender to protect the equipment within the template. The template is made negatively buoyant upon launch by flooding the compartmented ballast chambers, keelhauled (swung to a position underneath the keel of the drilling vessel), and then lowered to the subsea floor.

Abstract: A shut-down system for an internal combustion engine having a magneto circuit which when grounded causes the engine to shut down. A normally open sensor switch responsive to some malfunction of the engine grounds the magneto circuit through an "indicator" circuit when the sensor switch closes. To avoid arcing with sufficient energy release to ignite flammable mixtures of gases or dust which might occur when ordinary switch contacts are operated, non-arcing solid state switches are used in those parts of the system which handle ignition levels of electrical energy and means are provided for reducing to non-ignition levels the electrical energy that is handled by ordinary switch contacts in the system. In addition, means may be provided to remove magneto primary voltage from the system for a short period of time while the engine is being started up so that the magneto circuit is not grounded by operation of the sensor switch before the engine reaches running conditions.

Abstract: A liner hanger assembly and method of installation for use in oil and gas well operations having multiple individual hanger units arranged in series for even load distribution. Each individual hanger unit carries a proportional amount of the weight load of a suspended well pipe (casing liner) and has a balanced pressure, sealed bearing which facilitates rotation of the casing liner in the well bore during cementing operations.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for joining two or more substructure components of an offshore platform in the water to form a unitary substructure component or jacket. An offshore platform to be located in deep water includes a jacket having at least two sections each composed of at least three legs. The legs are hollow and compartmented and provided with means to adjust the buoyancy of each leg. Each section is launched separately and floated in the at least one leg at or above the water's surface. One of the sections is floated toward a selected shore site until its submerged leg or legs are grounded and the jacket section made negatively buoyant. Another jacket section is floated to the shore site and its legs are aligned with the legs of the already grounded section. The companion legs of each section are then joined to form a unitized jacket. The other jacket section may also be grounded and made negatively buoyant prior to joining the two sections.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for externally testing flanged or hubbed connections used on fluid conducting conduits. A ring gasket fits between the faces of the connecting flanges or hubs to effect a fluid tight seal. A test ring also fits between the faces of the hub or flange connection in a manner so as to form a space between the test ring and the ring gasket. Seal means closes the space between the test ring and the faces of the flanges or hubs. The outside diameter of the test ring is confined within fastening means which secures the hubs or flanges together. Fluid under pressure, used to test the effectiveness of the ring gasket seal, is applied to the space between the ring gasket and the test ring seal means. The pressure in that space falls when the ring gasket is defective but remains constant if the ring gasket is sound. Following the test, fluid pressure is bled off the space between the ring gasket and the test ring seal means.

Abstract: A subsea pipeline hub is connected to the hub of an adjacent spool piece connected to an in-place manifold of a subsea structure used in the production of oil and/or gas. The pipeline hub is positioned relative to the opposing spool hub and a remotely operated pipeline connecting tool is lowered from the water's surface to the subsea structure using guidelines and structural guidance for alignment of the pipeline hub with the spool piece hub. The spool piece hub is then drawn to the pipeline hub and the hubs are clamped together by operation of the connecting tool. The seal in the connection can be tested by means of the connecting tool. The spool piece may be retrieved and replaced by the connecting tool if maintenance is needed. Connecting tool operations are powered by hydraulic fluid and controlled from the surface. The pipeline hub may be lowered vertically and pivoted into its position adjacent the spool piece or may be pulled into that position.

Abstract: A liner hanger assembly and method of installation for use in oil and gas well operations having multiple individual hanger units arranged in series for even load distribution. Each individual hanger unit carries a proportional amount of the weight load of a suspended well pipe (casing liner) and has a balanced pressure, sealed bearing which facilitates rotation of the casing liner in the well bore during cementing operations.

Abstract: A pollution containment fence or barrier retains petroleum products, or other floatable material, from a flowing stream of liquid. The barrier includes a series of vertically "stacked" baffles. When in operating position the barrier extends across the breadth of the stream and to any desired distance above and below the surface of the liquid. The baffles are spaced apart with each baffle overlapping a portion of the baffle or baffles adjacent to it to form a passageway between each baffle for flow of the liquid stream through the barrier. In cross section each baffle may comprise two straight members perpendicular to and extending in opposite directions to a third straight member or each baffle may comprise a semicircle in cross section.

Abstract: A method for locating leaks in liquid-transporting submerged pipelines. A sonar device directs acoustic waves along the path of a submerged pipeline and the reflected waves are detected and recorded. The location of escaping liquid is then determined from the recorded reflected acoustic waves, the differences in the reflected acoustic waves resulting from the difference in acoustic impedances between the escaping liquid and seawater. Gas and/or a liquid having a different acoustic impedance from the seawater in or under which the pipeline is located may be introduced into the pipeline to enhance the detection of the liquid being transported through and leaking from the pipeline. Also, sediments stirred up by fluids leaking from a submerged pipeline and, particularly, a buried or partially buried pipeline will cause determinable differences in the recorded reflected acoustic waves. Further, the crater excavated by the escaping fluids will be revealed by the reflected acoustic waves.

Abstract: An hydraulically operated failsafe valve actuator for use on non-rising valve stems, particularly in a subsea environment. A rotatable shaft is connected to the non-rising valve stem. In one embodiment the valve is actuated to open by a fluid pressure operated motor acting against the bias of a spring. Means connects means linearly movable along the shaft and converts the linear movement of the linear movable means to rotary movement of the shaft. Spring means moves the linearly movable means in one direction to cause the shaft to rotate in one direction. Fluid pressure means, including a fluid pressure operated motor, rotates the shaft in an opposite direction to cause the linearly movable means to move in an opposite direction along the shaft. In another embodiment the valve is actuated to open by a fluid pressure operated piston acting against the bias of the spring. The piston is mounted on the rotatable shaft and moves linearly along the shaft to cause the shaft to rotate.

Abstract: A structure or template forms a tubular support structure for subsea equipment used in drilling and producing offshore oil and/or gas wells. The template contains production manifolding, remote and safety shut-in control, pump-separator, and pipeline connector subsystems. Certain of the structural tubes are segregated to form compartmented ballast chambers capable of being selectively flooded and dewatered. Certain other structural tubes form piling sleeves. The truss or framework of structural tubes include vertical and horizontal tubes, the latter forming circumferential members as well as interstitial supports. The uppermost of the circumferential members or "ring" also functions as a fender to protect the equipment within the template. The template is made negatively buoyant upon launch by flooding the compartmented ballast chambers, keelhauled (swung to a position underneath the keel of the drilling vessel), and then lowered to the subsea floor.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in removing paraffin from a well tubing string above a wireline operated subsurface safety valve assembly installed in the tubing string and its method of operation. The safety valve assembly controls the flow of production oil and/or gas fluids through the tubing string. During normal production operations a wireline connects the paraffin cutting apparatus to surface facilities which include apparatus for maintaining sufficient tension on the wireline to hold the safety valve assembly in open position and for releasing tension on the wireline to permit the safety valve assembly to close. The paraffin cutter apparatus contains means for releasably connecting it to the safety valve assembly. Manipulation of the wireline actuates means on the paraffin cutting apparatus to open an equalizer port in the tubing string. Paraffin cut from the tubing string wall is removed by flow of production fluids through the open equalizer port.