Abstract: A swellable material seal includes a quantity of swellable material disposed in a geometric configuration; and a plurality of openings in the material to enhance wettability thereof by a swelling fluid.

Abstract: A down-the-hole drill hammer is provided that includes a housing, a solid core piston mounted within the housing, a seal located between the solid core piston and the housing, and a backhead configured to exhaust working fluid volumes about a proximal end of the DHD hammer. The backhead includes a check valve assembly having a plug seal that can be moved to a closed seal position by gravity. A DHD hammer having a segmented chuck assembly is also provided. The segmented chuck assembly includes a plurality of chuck segments forming a cylindrical chuck assembly.

Abstract: A subsea test tree control system provides operational control and power to subsea test tree equipment located within a subsea riser without an in riser umbilical to supply additional power to the subsea test tree control system. The subsea test tree control system includes a subsea horizontal subsea tree landed on a subsea wellhead, and a subsea control module communicatively coupled to the horizontal subsea tree. A subsea test tree stack is landed through the riser in the horizontal subsea tree. A subsea control module communication line extends through the horizontal subsea tree to terminate at a bore of the horizontal subsea tree proximate to the tubing hanger, and a riser string communication line communicatively couples to the subsea control module communication line to provide operational power and control the subsea test tree stack. Intervention workover control system umbilicals may bypass the subsea control module and directly connect to the subsea control module communication line.

Abstract: A structural health monitoring system for a marine composite riser string is provided. Each riser pipe section includes a cylindrical form having an axis and also a carbon epoxy matrix. A sensor is associated with (e.g., embedded in) and substantially circumscribes the riser pipe section. The sensor includes a PolyVinyliDene Fluoride laminate and electrodes (e.g., conductive silver ink coating) so that the sensor generates electricity at the electrodes responsive to mechanical stresses and strains of the riser section, including vibrations. The system can also include a data acquisition system and digital signal analyzer to analyze signals responsive to the generated electricity at the electrodes of sensors and to provide health monitoring and damage detection for the marine riser pipe string, including impact damage and fatigue crack initiation.

Abstract: A buoyancy module assembly reduces the effective weight of a sub-sea conduit used in a deep-water wellbore drilling installation. The assembly includes a buoyant sleeve positioned around the conduit between upper and lower stop collar assemblies. The sleeve contains buoyant material forming most of its cross-section, with cross sectional segments thereof each encapsulated in a non-porous resinous material that forms an outer jacket around each segment. In one embodiment, a non-rotating generally circular inside diameter of the sleeve is formed by the thin layer of jacket material bonded directly to an interior reinforcing cage. A narrow gap is formed between the ID of the non-rotating sleeve and the OD of the conduit. The collar assemblies comprise an inner collar rigidly affixed to the conduit and contained within a larger diameter outer shell adapted for rotation relative to the fixed inner collar.

Abstract: A system for controlling functions of a subsea structure, such as a blowout preventer, has a plurality of actuators respectively affixed to a plurality of controls of the subsea structure, and an acoustic signal generator positioned remotely from the plurality of actuators. Each of the plurality of actuators has a transponder connected thereto. The acoustic signal generator produces an acoustic signal so as to actuate at least one of the plurality of actuators. Each of the actuators is an electrically-powered torque wrench having a battery affixed there to so as to supply power thereto. An induction generator can transmit an electromagnetic wave along the tubing associated with the blowout preventer so as to recharge the batteries of the torque wrenches.

Abstract: A subsea assembly for producing fluids from a well having a casing string in the well supported with a hanger on an upper end. Cement is in a portion of an annulus between the casing string and walls of the well, thereby leaving segment of the casing string unsupported in the well. A motion compensating element is coaxially provided in the unsupported segment of the casing string to absorb axial expansion and/or contraction that may occur in the unsupported segment of the casing string.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method is disclosed for processing geological solids or wellbore cuttings generated by excavation or drilling under a body of water. An apparatus for processing solids in association with a riser may employ a solids processing apparatus having a central cavity that is substantially free of mechanical obstructions. The central cavity may be positioned in-line with the riser. The apparatus may be adapted for receiving solids within the central cavity and reducing the particle size of the solids by action of a cutter assembly which is positioned outside of the central cavity. The cut and processed solids may be pumped to the surface of the water.

Abstract: A wellbore sealing assembly can include a sealing ring, an energizing ring, and a multifunctional key for engaging the sealing ring and the energizing ring. The multifunctional key can have a key body, a guide member, and a retainer stud. The key body can be located in an aperture in a sidewall of the sealing ring and the guide member and retainer stud can protrude through the sidewall into a guide slot and recess of the energizing ring. Downward force on the energizing ring can cause the retainer stud to shear away while the guide member travels in the guide slot to prevent rotation of the energizing ring relative to the sealing ring. The guide member can also aid in complete seal retrieval by locking against the bottom of the key-way slot in the energizing ring.

Abstract: An adjustable casing sub having an outer housing, an inner housing insertable into the outer housing, and a ratcheting system for coupling the inner housing within the outer housing. An annulus is between a portion of the inner and outer housing, the annulus including an inwardly tapered section. A metal faced seal is disposed in the annulus, wherein the metal faced seal includes a sliding surface and a compressive sealing surface. The sliding surface may include a malleable inlay and the compressive sealing surface may include a spring like element. Moreover, the metal faced seal radial thickness is greater than the inwardly tapered section radial thickness.

Abstract: An offshore universal riser system may include a valve module which selectively permits and prevents fluid flow through a flow passage extending longitudinally through a riser string. An anchoring device may releasably secure the valve module in the passage. A method of constructing a riser system may include the steps of installing the valve module in the passage, and installing at least one annular seal module in the passage. The annular seal module may prevent fluid flow through an annular space between the riser string and a tubular string positioned in the passage. Drilling methods may include injecting relatively low density fluid compositions into the annular space, and selectively varying a restriction to flow through a subsea choke in a drilling fluid return line. The riser string, including housings for the various modules and external control systems, may be dimensioned for installation through a rotary table.

Abstract: Blowout preventer (BOP) stack and lower marine riser package for sealing an undersea well. The blowout preventer stack includes a frame extending along an axis and configured to be attached to a head of the well; an accumulator attached to the frame and configured to provide high pressure; two or more BOPs attached to the frame, the two or more BOPs being disposed within the frame and attached one on top of the other along the axis; each BOP having a body and a pair of bonnets attached to the body, where the bonnets are configured to be detachably attached to the body; each BOP having a corresponding cavity extending along the axis through which a fluid from the well is circulating; each BOP being configured to seal the well when the high pressure from the accumulator is released to the BOPs; plural brackets attached to the body of at least one BOP; and a safety bar attached to the plural brackets and configured to partially encircle the body of the at least one BOP.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide compositions and methods for lining a wellbore. In certain aspects, the compositions and methods comprise providing a fluid composition that is solidifiable or gellable on exposure to actinic radiation of a predetermined wavelength at the wall of open-hole wellbore and providing actinic radiation at the predetermined wavelength to solidify or gel the composition. The predetermined wavelength lies in a range from 100 nm to 1500 nm.

Abstract: Partially formed earth-boring rotary drill bits comprise a first less than fully sintered particle-matrix component having at least one recess, and at least a second less than fully sintered particle-matrix component disposed at least partially within the at least one recess. Each less than fully sintered particle-matrix component comprises a green or brown structure including compacted hard particles, particles comprising a metal alloy matrix material, and an organic binder material. The at least a second less than fully sintered particle-matrix component is configured to shrink at a slower rate than the first less than fully sintered particle-matrix component due to removal of organic binder material from the less than fully sintered particle-matrix components in a sintering process to be used to sinterbond the first less than fully sintered particle-matrix component to the first less than fully sintered particle-matrix component.

Abstract: The present specification describes a drill bit for drilling a cavity. The drill bit may include a chassis, a plurality of gauge pad sets, and at least one gauge pad structure. The chassis may be configured to rotate about an axis. The plurality of gauge pad sets may each include at least one gauge pad. The at least one gauge pad structure may moveably couple at least one of the gauge pads of at least one of the plurality of gauge pad sets with the chassis.

Abstract: Methods and compositions that include a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising the steps of providing a carrier fluid comprising degradable balls that comprise a carboxylic acid, a fatty alcohol, a fatty acid salt, a fatty ester, a fatty acid salt, or a combination thereof, and introducing the carrier fluid to the subterranean formation during a treatment.

Abstract: This disclosure relates in general to a method and system for controlling a drilling system for drilling a borehole in an earth formation. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for controlling dynamic interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole being drilled to steer the drilling system to directionally drill the borehole. In another embodiment of the present invention, data regarding the functioning of the drilling system as it drills the borehole may be sensed and interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole may be controlled in response to the sensed data to control the drilling system as the borehole is being drilled.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stabilizing a riser or similar object against motion can include engaging two or more cylinder apparatus to the object. Communication of fluid between cylinder apparatus, responsive to a force on the object, can limit movement of the object, such as through extension or retraction of pistons within the cylinders. The cylinder apparatus can include internal channels that can accommodate coiled tubing, slickline, wireline, and similar conduits or devices, enabling operations to be performed through the cylinders, independent of their position.

Abstract: A drilling riser adapter variably connects and releases a riser from a subsea wellhead assembly. The drilling riser adapter has a hydraulically actuated engagement assembly for selectively engaging and disengaging a lower end of the marine riser. The drilling riser adapter also includes a control panel communicatively coupled to the engagement assembly for actuating the engagement assembly to engage and disengage the lower end of the marine riser. The drilling riser adapter also includes a hydraulic fluid pressure receptacle on the control panel for engagement by a remotely operated vehicle to supply hydraulic fluid pressure to the engagement assembly. The drilling riser adapter may be actuated subsea to release a first riser from the wellhead assembly, and connect to a second riser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a riser pipe installation that comprises a flexible duct of the non-bound type, the duct being vertically arranged between a mechanical connection with a submerged buoy at the stub on the one hand, and a mechanical connection with the seabed at the bottom on the other hand, wherein fluid connections are provided at the stub and at the bottom for connecting the riser pipe with surface equipment on the one hand and bottom equipment on the other hand; the bottom of the pipe is located at a depth of at least 1000 m where it is submitted to a computable maximum reverse bottom effect F, while the buoy is oversized in order to generate at the bottom of the riser pipe a reaction tension T higher than at least 50% or even 100% of the computable maximum reverse bottom effect F applied at the bottom of the pipe.