Abstract: A Drill-To-The-Limit (DTTL) drilling method variant to Managed Pressured Drilling (MPD) applies constant surface backpressure, whether the mud is circulating (choke valve open) or not (choke valve closed). Because of the constant application of surface backpressure, the DTTL method can use lighter mud weight that still has the cutting carrying ability to keep the borehole clean. The DTTL method identifies the weakest component of the pressure containment system, such as the fracture pressure of the formation or the casing shoe leak off test (LOT). With a higher pressure rated RCD, such as 5,000 psi (34,474 kPa) dynamic or working pressure and 10,000 psi (68,948 kPa) static pressure, the limitation will generally be the facture pressure of the formation or the LOT. In the DTTL method, since surface backpressure is constantly applied, the pore pressure limitation of the conventional drilling window can be disregarded in developing the fluid and drilling programs.

Abstract: A system compensates for heave induced pressure fluctuations on a floating rig when a drill string or tubular is lifted off bottom and suspended on the rig, such as when tubular connections are made during MPD, tripping, or when a kick is circulated out during conventional drilling. In one embodiment, a liquid and a gas interface moves along a flow line between a riser and a gas accumulator as the tubular moves up and down. In another embodiment, a pressure relief valve or adjustable choke allows the movement of fluid from the riser when the tubular moves down, and a pump with a pressure regulator moves fluid to the riser when the tubular moves up. In other embodiments, a piston connected with the rig or the riser telescoping joint moves in a fluid container thereby communicating fluid either into or out of the riser annulus.

Abstract: Sulfur (or sulphur) spray nozzles disposed with a cooling tank spray liquid molten sulfur into the cooling liquid in the tank. Solid sulfur seeds are formed in the cooling liquid and settle in the tank. The cooling tank may be a spiral dewaterer tank that has a screw conveyor at the bottom of the tank that moves the seeds to a granulating drum for enlargement into sulfur granules. The cooling tank may also be used to capture and remove sulfur dust from a slurry of sulfur dust and water recycled from the granulating drum. The sulfur dust in the cooling tank may be captured by contact with molten sulfur droplets streaming down the cooling liquid column such that the dust particles become incorporated into the droplet, thereby being converted to seed. The granulating drum may be equipped with two or more sets of segmented lifting flights. The sets of flights may not be in alignment. The flights may be spaced apart from the inside surface of the drum with segmented rib members.

Abstract: An RCD is used to provide a system and method for sealing a marine riser having a rotatable tubular. A bypass internal channel or external line may be used to allow fluid to bypass the RCD seal. An RCD seal assembly seal could be a mechanically extrudable seal or a hydraulically expanded seal to seal the RCD with the riser.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a low profile rotating control device (LP-RCD) and its housing mounted on or integral with an annular blowout preventer seal, casing, or other housing. The outer diameter of the lateral outlet flange may be substantially the same as the height of the LP-RCD housing and bearing assembly after the bearing assembly is positioned with the LP-RCD housing. The sealing element may be aligned with the lateral outlet, and may be replaced from above. Different embodiments of attachment members for attaching the LP-RCD housing with a lower housing allow the LP-RCD housing to be rotated to align the lateral outlet with the drilling rig's existing line to mud pits or other locations. In one embodiment, the LP-RCD bearings are positioned radially inside the LP-RCD housing. In another embodiment, the LP-RCD bearings are positioned radially outside the LP-RCD housing. One embodiment allows rotation of the inserted tubular about multiple planes.

Abstract: A cartridge of tubulars may be removably positioned with a carriage, and the carriage may move the cartridge transversely, vertically, and/or rotationally to roll tubulars on an adjacent tubular receiving member using only gravity from a selected tier of tubulars without human contact. A single trolley disposed with the tubular receiving member both pushes and pulls tubulars toward or away from the drilling deck.

Abstract: A single or multi-bowl wellhead may be positioned in a diverter housing over the wellbore. Protrusions on the wellhead may be installed after the diverter housing is removed. The wellhead accommodates the direct connection of hydraulic lines to a hanger seated therein. An overshot running tool protects the wellhead during placement and certain operations.

Abstract: A system and method for building and handling oilfield tubular stands while drilling operations are simultaneously and independently occurring with one drilling deck, one derrick, and one rotary system. An offline guided path horizontal to vertical arm lifts and moves in the same plane tubulars stored horizontally on the catwalk and positions the tubulars vertically directly into a preparation hole for assembling and disassembling tubular stands while online drilling operations are simultaneously being conducted. A stand arm lifts and lowers the tubulars into and out of the adjustable preparation hole, and transports the tubulars for storage to an auxiliary tubular racking station in the upper part of the derrick. A bridge racker crane moves tubular stands from the auxiliary tubular racking station to the top drive or another tubular racking station.

Abstract: A system and method for the use of super critical CO2 as a carrying or suspension agent for transport of extracted or processed hydrocarbons. The super critical state CO2 is then co-mingled with the extracted or processed hydrocarbons and transported in the co-mingled state to a delivery point. At the delivery point, the super critical state CO2 is allowed to return to its gaseous state allowing the separation of the hydrocarbons therefrom. The hydrocarbons may be processed and the gaseous CO2 returned to its super critical state for future transport, use in EOR, or geologically sequestered.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for constant loading in AC power applications where at least one turn-on point of at least one half cycle of a modulating sine wave is randomly selected; at least one turn-off point is determined; and at least one slice located between the at least one turn-on point and turn-off point is removed. The slices may be removed by utilizing insulated gate bipolar transistors or field effect transistors.

Abstract: A leak detection method uses a comparator to compare fluid values in and from the latch assembly of the latch system for an oilfield device and/or in and from the bearing assembly of a rotating control head.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for direct connecting downhole control hydraulics through an oil field hanger, where the hanger is coupled to a wellhead, to hydraulic lines extending outside the wellhead. Further, the direct connection allows hydraulic system integrity with reduced contamination and leakage. Hydraulic tool ports, formed on the hanger, are coupled with hydraulic lines extending downward to a hydraulic tool. Side ports, formed in the hanger, are fluidicly coupled to the hydraulic tool ports. Hydraulic lines extending outside the wellhead are directly coupled with the side ports by accessing the side ports through access openings in the wellhead when the ports are aligned with the access openings. The system can still maintain pressure within internal spaces of the wellhead after the connection by sealing the access openings with flanges, where the hydraulic lines extend through openings in the flanges that are also sealed around the lines.

Abstract: An IGBT/FET-based energy savings device, system and method (1) wherein a predetermined amount of voltage below a nominal line voltage and/or below a nominal appliance voltage is saved, thereby conserving energy. Phase input connections (2) are provided for inputting analog signals into the device and system (1). A magnetic flux concentrator (3) senses the incoming analog signal (20) and a volts zero crossing point detector (5) determines the zero volts crossing point (21) of the signal (20). The positive half cycle (22) and negative half cycle (23) of the signal (20) are identified and routed to a digital signal processor (10) for processing the signal (20). The signal (20) is reduced by pulse width modulation and the reduced amount of energy is outputted, thereby yielding an energy savings for an end user.

Abstract: A TRIAC/SCR-based energy savings device, system and method (1) wherein a predetermined amount of voltage below a nominal line voltage and/or below a nominal appliance voltage is saved, thereby conserving energy. Phase input connections (2) are provided for inputting analog signals into the device and system (1). A magnetic flux concentrator (3) senses the incoming analog signal (20) and a volts zero crossing point detector (5) determines the zero volts crossing point (21) of the signal (20). The positive half cycle (22) and negative half cycle (23) of the signal (20) are identified and routed to a digital signal processor (10) for processing the signal (20). The signal (20) is reduced by pulse width modulation and the reduced amount of energy is outputted, thereby yielding an energy savings for an end user.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for easy installation and removal of a screen assembly for vibratory machinery and more particularly to shake table screening. The screen assembly comprises a screen frame, a screen cloth and a screen bed, whereby no clamping components are visible on top of the screen. Each assembly section can be controlled independently and clamping force is controlled by a pneumatic regulator located near an air line connection on the side of a shaker.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for the easy installation or removal of screen elements from a shaker table without the use of tools. Pneumatic cylinders are used to move hold down bars up and down to either allow for screen elements to be installed or removed from the screen bed section assembly, or to clamp them into the screen bed section assembly of a shaker so that the screen elements will not move during shaker operations.

Abstract: A screen retention mechanism for use with vibratory separators is disclosed. The screen retention mechanism includes a structural frame mounted to a vibratory separator into which a plurality of lightweight and flexible screen elements are inserted into multiple tows of perforated screen supports. The perforated screen supports are bonded to the structural frame and are aligned parallel to the direction in which solids are conveyed by a vibratory motion. The invention further features an improved retention mechanism whereby screen elements are conveniently and selectively restrained.

Abstract: Relatively uniform spherical shaped solid pellets (prills) may be created by passing molten sulfur through a nested strainer to remove particles that would otherwise become trapped in the system, a drip tray with a heating channel attached on its underside, an injection conduit for delivery of a cooled zone of water to create solid prills, and thereafter moving the prills through a stationary curved screen to remove most of the excess water and a vibrating screen.

Abstract: An artificial lift system is disclosed for removing reservoir fluids from a wellbore. A downhole pump and a gas lift system are disposed in the wellbore. The gas lift system includes a first tubing string, and the downhole pump may be positioned with a second tubing string. Injected pressured gas from the gas lift system may commingle with and raise reservoir fluids from the wellbore through the first tubing string. The commingled gas and reservoir fluids may be separated in the wellbore, and the reservoir liquids may be brought to the surface through the second tubing string by the pump.

Abstract: A power supply for IGBT/FET drivers (1) that provides separated, isolated power to each IGBT/FET driver in a system wherein the power supply (1) is connected to at least one voltage controller (16) having at least one line in main power connector (14), at least one line out main power connector (15) and at least one drive signal command input (11) for connection to at least one IGBT/FET driver. The power supply (1) includes at least one power supply unit (5) in connection with at least voltage controller (16), at least one diode (2) for routing a predetermined amount of power from the at least one voltage controller (16) to at least one capacitor (3) and at least one capacitor (3) for routing said predetermined amount of power from said at least one diode (2) to said at least one voltage controller (16).