Abstract: A system for aligning a drilling module on a jack-up rig with a drilling module support surface on a fixed rig wherein the angular disposition of the drilling module is varied by moving a portion of the jack-up rig on at least one of the legs of the jack-up rig to bring the angular disposition of the drilling module into alignment with the angular disposition of the drilling module support surface on the fixed rig prior to transferring the drilling module from the jack-up rig to the fixed rig. The system also includes a position assembly for positioning the drilling module on the drilling module support surface in a predetermined aligned position.

Abstract: A jack-up rig includes a cantilever beam assembly and a drilling module is mounted on the cantilever beam assembly. The jack-up rig also includes means for moving the cantilever beam assembly from the storage position to extended positions wherein a rearward end of the cantilever beam assembly is extended from the jack-up rig. The fixed platform comprises a fixed platform support structure having a drilling module support surface and a beam opening. The jack-up rig is positioned near the fixed platform with the cantilever beam assembly generally aligned with the beam opening in the fixed platform support structure. The cantilever beam assembly then is extended through a portion of the beam opening to an extended position wherein the drilling module is supported on the cantilever beam assembly a distance generally above the drilling module support surface. The jack-up rig then is lowered to a position wherein the drilling module is supported on the fixed platform support structure.

Abstract: A jack-up rig includes a cantilever beam assembly and a drilling module is mounted on the cantilever beam assembly. The jack-up rig also includes means for moving the cantilever beam assembly from the storage position to extended positions wherein a rearward end of the cantilever beam assembly is extended from the jack-up rig. The fixed platform comprises a fixed platform support structure having a drilling module support surface and a beam opening. The jack-up rig is positioned near the fixed platform with the cantilever beam assembly generally aligned with the beam opening in the fixed platform support structure. The cantilever beam assembly then is extended through a portion of the beam opening to an extended position wherein the drilling module is supported on the cantilever beam assembly a distance generally above the drilling module support surface. The jack-up rig then is lowered to a position wherein the drilling module is supported on the fixed platform support structure.

Abstract: An improved reel having a hub and a removable hub. The hub has a diameter and the removable hub is adapted to be removably connected to the reel and about the hub. The removable hub has a diameter which is larger than the diameter of the hub. The removable hub provides a convenient means for effectively changing the diameter of the portion of the reel about which a cable is wound.

Abstract: An improved system for monitoring cathodic protection systems for marine installations wherein a reference electrode is utilized to measure and periodically monitor the cathodic reference potentials. The reference electrode is connected to one end of a cable and the opposite end portion of the cable is operatively connected to a reel. The reel is connected electrically to the marine installation through a voltmeter and the voltmeter provides readouts of the measured cathodic reference potentials. The present invention includes an improved reel which includes a contactor assembly adapted to maintain electrical continuity between the reel and the voltmeter as the cable is being wound onto and unwound from portions of the reel.

Abstract: A method for ballasting a vessel in which a sequence of subsets of ballast tanks, each subset comprising three tanks of the totality of ballast tanks of the vessel, is used to arrive at a final ballast configuration. For each subset in the sequence excepting the last subset, ballast adjustments are repetitively selected and assigned to members of the subset until a selected ballast adjustment will completely fill or completely empty the ballast tank to which the adjustment is assigned. Thereafter, a new subset is selected. In the final subset of the sequence ballast adjustments are repetitively selected and assigned to members of the subset until the total weight of the vessel and ballast, including the ballast assignments, is within a preselected tolerance of a preselected, desired total weight for the vessel and ballast.

Abstract: In general, the present invention provides processes and apparatus for bending and straightening or otherwise installing marine pipelines at underwater installations, and includes systems in which marine pipelines are installed at water depths to 250 feet or more, utilizing an underwater chamber which may be operated with its interior wet, dry or combinations thereof. In one form, the system provides for interconnecting wellheads or other stations with manifolds or other stations and comprises running marine pipeline generally vertically downwardly from the water surface into the work chamber, mounted in operative association with an underwater wellhead or station, wherein the pipe is bent in the desired radius and through the desired angle and then straightened to exit from the chamber and wellhead in a substantially horizontal attitude such that it may then be pulled to a manifold or other underwater station with, for example, a wire line.

Abstract: An apparatus and procedure for measuring internal metal stress and determining the effectiveness of metal stress-relief treatments. More specifically, an apparatus and procedure for determining the effectiveness of metal stress-relief by heat treatment in the heat-affected zone surrounding a metal weld. The apparatus comprises an electrical half-cell and a unique bridge system designed to provide intimate physical contact between the electrical half-cell and a metal surface. The apparatus permits a metal to half-cell electrical potential measurement to be made at various locations upon the metal surface. The electrical potential measurements provide a means of evaluating the efficiency of a stress-relief treatment in reducing internal stress within a metal.

Abstract: In general, the present invention provides processes and apparatus for bending and straightening, or otherwise installing marine pipelines at underwater installations, and includes systems in which marine pipelines are installed at water depths to 250 feet or more, utilizing an underwater chamber which may be operated with its interior wet, dry or combinations thereof. In one form, the system provides for interconnecting wellheads or other stations with manifolds or other stations and comprises running marine pipeline generally vertically downwardly from the water surface into the work chamber, mounted in operative association with an underwater wellhead or station, wherein the pipe is bent in the desired radius and through the desired angle and then straightened to exit from the chamber and wellhead in a substantially horizontal attitude such that it may then be pulled to a manifold or other underwater station with, for example, a wire line.

Abstract: An apparatus and procedure for measuring internal metal stress and determining the effectiveness of metal stress-relief treatments. More specifically, an apparatus and procedure for determining the effectiveness of metal stress-relief by heat treatment in the heat-affected zone surrounding a metal weld. The apparatus comprises an electrical half-cell and a unique bridge system designed to provide intimate physical contact between the electrical half-cell and a metal surface. The apparatus permits a metal to half-cell electrical potential measurement to be made at various locations upon the metal surface. The electrical potential measurements provide a means of evaluating the efficiency of a stress-relief treatment in reducing internal stress within a metal.

Abstract: In general, the present invention provides processes and apparatus for bending and straightening or otherwise installing marine pipelines at underwater installations, and includes systems in which marine pipelines are installed at water depths to 250 feet or more, utilizing an underwater chamber which may be operated with its interior wet, dry or combinations thereof. In one form, the system provides for interconnecting wellheads or other stations with manifolds or other stations and comprises running marine pipeline generally vertically downwardly from the water surface into the work chamber, mounted in operative association with an underwater wellhead or station, wherein the pipe is bent in the desired radius and through the desired angle and then straightened to exit from the chamber and wellhead in a substantially horizontal attitude such that it may then be pulled to a manifold or other underwater station with, for example, a wire line.