Abstract: A bend stiffener for resisting excessive-bending of an elongate underwater member in a region where it meets a rigid structure, comprises: a sleeve (1) for receiving said elongate underwater member, said sleeve being capable of some degree of flexure; and a rigid interface mount (3) secured to said sleeve, said rigid interface mount being suitable for attachment to said rigid structure; wherein said rigid interface mount comprises one or more slots (4) or holes which are alignable with corresponding slots, holes or recesses on said rigid structure such that the rigid interface mount may be locked to the rigid structure by locking means (2), said locking means comprising projection(s) through the slots or holes of the rigid interface mount into the slots, holes or recesses of the rigid structure. The bend stiffener is particular suited to mid-line applications, amongst other applications.

Abstract: A system for use in treating a wellbore may include a tubular string deployed in the wellbore; and at least one valve assembly connected to the tubular string, each valve assembly for establishing communication between the tubular string and a formation zone, the at least one valve assembly comprises a sleeve having at least one fluid port therein that expands in an axial direction when the valve assembly opens to form a flowpath between an interior of the tubular string and the formation zone.

Abstract: A subsea powered override tool is described, for effective and permanent reinstatement of subsea tree valve actuation functionality. The override tool is powered from the Subsea Control Module on the subsea Christmas Tree. The override tool assembly comprise cylinder body (11), piston (8) and cylinder cap (2). A locking collar (1) that is part of the override tool is used to attach the tool to the actuator body on the subsea Tree. The override tool is designed for permanent installation and can lie dormant for extensive periods of time before use.

Abstract: A method of installing a subsea pipeline having a direct tie-in to a subsea structure includes, during introduction of the pipeline into the sea from a pipe laying vessel, applying a plastic deformation to a region of the pipeline at or close to an end of the pipeline to be tied-in and, either during or following tie-in, elastically deforming the region to increase its radius of curvature.

Abstract: A load transfer profile for connection of two bodies without preloading uses a horizontal force couple instead of a vertical force couple for maximum efficiency. The load transfer profile includes a series of tapers and/or diameters that create a radial force couple separated by an axial distance. In particular, the load transfer profile includes at least a first horizontal contact and a second horizontal contact, where each contact is a landing shoulder followed by a stop shoulder or a radial protrusion. The first and second horizontal contacts are offset by the axial distance to accommodate a force-determined bending moment such that system structural fatigue capacity is optimized. A lock mechanism assists with resisting axial loads without creating preload stresses and with locking the bodies together.

Abstract: In accordance to an aspect a connection to attach a first downhole tool to a second downhole tool includes an externally threaded member positioned about the first downhole tool and an internally threaded member disposed with the second downhole tool to threadedly mate with the externally threaded member, wherein threadedly connecting the externally threaded member with the internally threaded member interconnects the first downhole tool and the second downhole tool with a defined tensile force and a compressive force at an interface between a hard shoulder of the first downhole tool and a hard shoulder of the second downhole tool.

Abstract: A dual tower rig includes a hull supported by one or more legs and includes a cantilever assembly coupled to the hull. Dual towers are supported by a skidding system that is coupled to the cantilever assembly. The towers are configured to conduct independent operations and are movable relative to each other and to the hull by the skidding system and the cantilever assembly.

Abstract: An offshore well system for a subsea well includes an internal riser tension device configured to apply tension to an internal riser and an external riser tension device configured to apply tension to an external riser such that the external riser is supported at least partially independent of the internal riser tension device.

Abstract: A technique facilitates failsafe closure of a valve used in, for example, a subsea test tree. The technique utilizes a valve combined with a cutter oriented to sever well equipment passing through an interior passage of the valve. The valve is operatively coupled with an actuation system having an actuator piston which controls cutting and valve closure. The failsafe valve and the cutter are shifted to an open position by applying pressure in a control fluid chamber to shift the actuator piston. However, the actuator piston, and thus the valve and cutter, are biased toward a closed position via pressure applied in a pressure chamber and a gas precharge chamber. The combined pressure ensures adequate force for shearing of the well equipment and closure of the valve when hydraulic control pressure is lost. In some applications, additional closing force may be selectively provided to the actuator piston.

Abstract: An offshore drilling vessel includes a floating hull having a moonpool, a drilling tower positioned on the hull at or near the moonpool, a tubular string main hoisting device including a main hoisting winch and main cable connected to the main hoisting winch, a crown block mounted on the drilling tower, a travelling block suspended from the crown block in a multiple fall arrangement of the main cable, a mobile working deck and an integrated heave compensation system including a main cable heave compensation sheave in a path of the main cable between the main hoisting winch and the travelling block, a hydraulic sheave compensator connected to the main cable heave compensation sheave to provide a heave compensated motion of the travelling block, and a hydraulic deck compensator connected to the hull and to the mobile working deck to provide a heave compensated motion of the working deck relative to the hull within the heave compensation motion range.

Abstract: A method of drilling a subterranean well bore comprising, monitoring the well bore for influx of formation fluid into the well bore, and, on detection of an influx, a) stopping any pump pumping fluid into the well bore, b) operating a first blow out preventer so that it closes within a first period of time, c) operating a second blow out preventer so that it closes within a second period of time, the second blow out preventer being located below the first blow out preventer, the second period of time being longer than the first period of time, d) circulating the influx out of the well bore via a flow line extending from below the second blow out preventer.

Abstract: An apparatus that is usable with a well includes a body, a blocking member, a sensor, a radially expandable element and a controller. The body includes a longitudinal passageway that extends through the body, and the blocking member is disposed in the passageway to check fluid from flowing in a predefined direction through the passageway. The sensor is disposed on the body to sense a property of an environment of the string as the object is being communicated through the passageway; the radially expandable element is disposed on the body; and the controller is disposed on the body to selectively autonomously control the expandable element to land the body in a downhole restriction in response to the sensing.

Abstract: A blowout preventer (BOP) includes a pressure driven operator that is equipped with a balancing circuit to offset pressure inside the BOP. The operator, which is used to drive a ram, includes a piston, coupled to the ram by an operator arm, and a balance arm on a side of the piston opposite the operator arm. Pressure from inside the BOP communicates to an end of the balance arm opposite the piston and exerts a force to drive the ram radially inward.

Abstract: A ball launcher for launching a plurality of balls into a well, including an endless conveyor belt, the conveyor belt forming a plurality of ball retainers, each operable to contain one of the plurality of balls, a drive motor for selectively driving the conveyor belt, and a brake for braking the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A drill head including: an elongate housing, a first end of the housing being coupled to an end of a drill pipe in use; a base at a second end of the housing, one or more drill cutters being attached to the base; a supply passageway at least partially within the housing, the supply passageway being supplied with a flow of gas in use; a return passageway at least partially within the housing, a first end of the return passageway being connected to an end of an inner tube extending inside the drill pipe in use, and a second end of the return passageway forming an opening in the base proximate to the one or more drill cutters; and one or more ports for directing at least some of the flow of gas from the supply passageway into the return passageway in a flow direction extending away from the base and towards the inner tube, to thereby cause loose material to be drawn into the return passageway through the opening and transported away from the drill head via the inner tube in use.

Abstract: A process for killing a well includes drilling a first relief well and a second relief well toward the well, affixing a first relief well injection spool to the first relief well and affixing a second relief well injection spool to the second relief well, connecting a flowline to a flow channel of the first and second relief well injection spools, connecting a pipe to the first relief well injection spool so as to extend to a surface location, connecting a second pipe to the second relief well injection spool so as to extend to another surface location, and flowing a kill fluid through the second pipe such that the kill fluid flows through the flowline and into the flow channel of the first relief well injection spool so as to pass into the first relief well and into the well.

Abstract: Multi-functional fluid-driven power generation units, modular power generation units, and drilling systems with a power generation unit are presented herein. A power generation unit for powering one or more downhole tools in a drill string is disclosed. The power generation unit includes a housing that is configured to couple to a downhole portion of the drill string and receive at least a portion of fluid flowing through the drill string. The power generation unit also includes a fluid-driven motor assembly with a drive shaft configured to output rotational drive forces generated by the motor assembly. An electrical generator is operatively coupled to the drive shaft and configured to convert the rotational drive forces generated by the motor assembly into electrical power. In addition, a hydraulic pump is operatively coupled to the drive shaft and configured to convert the rotational drive forces generated by the motor assembly into hydraulic power.

Abstract: Systems and methods contain fluids discharged from a subsea well or at the surface by capping the well blowout with a pre-positioned capping device. The capping device includes at least one blind shear ram and is separate from a blowout preventer. The blowout preventer may operate to control well events up to a certain pressure, above which the capping device is employed since the capping device has a higher pressure rating than the blowout preventer.

Abstract: A system for providing artificial lift to wellbore fluids having solid buildup removal capabilities includes a pump submerged in wellbore fluids and in fluid communication with a tubular member extending within a wellbore. The pump is oriented to selectively boost a pressure of the wellbore fluids traveling from the wellbore towards an earth's surface. A motor is located within the wellbore providing power to the pump. A seal assembly has a first side connected to the motor and a second side connected to the pump, wherein the pump, the motor and the seal assembly together form a submersible pump string. An ultrasonic device is connected to the submersible pump string and operable to produce pressure waves.

Abstract: In-riser power generation devices and methods are utilized to generate power subsea to operate subsea devices of a subsea well system. A turbine power generator is located in fluid communication with a subsea fluid flow path of a subsea well system and the turbine power generator is operationally connected to a subsea power device.