Abstract: A subsea steep wave lock and guide mechanism (1) for elongated articles (2) such as cables, pipes and umbilicals provides a substantially horizontal inlet (6) for the article at seabed level and a substantially vertical flexible article outlet (4) leading to the steep wave. The lock and guide mechanism (1) includes a number of lockable/releasable gates (20-24) for restricting and defining allowable movements of the article in the horizontal as well as in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A subsea gas separation system use in drilling an offshore well includes a subsea blowout preventor connected to the well and a gas separator connected to the blowout preventor near the seafloor. Gas released into the well bore during a well control event is removed at the separator and not returned with the drilling mud recirculated to the surface. A method offshore drilling includes a mud circulation circuit established leading down the drill string, through the drill bit, up the borehole, through a subsea pump, and to the surface through a return riser. The subsea pump is protected during critical well control events by removing gas released into the mud at a gas separator located upstream of the subsea pump and in communication with the blowout preventor.

Abstract: A riser system connecting a oil or gas well head and a surface vessel comprises a first riser section maintained substantially vertically under tension, attached for example by a tension cable to a constant load tensioner means mounted on the vessel, and a flexible second riser section arranged above the first riser, the second riser being able to flex to accommodate movements in the surface vessel. The second riser section includes a curvature limiter, achieved for example by making the riser from a material of variable stiffness along the riser's length. An emergency disconnect valve is provided between the lower riser section and the upper flexible section. An alternative curvature limiter comprises a plurality of discrete collars which are connected together and surround the outer diameter of the second riser.

Abstract: A transporter for use in a method for removing a jacket for an offshore platform includes an oblong structure rotatable by ballasting, with a sliding saddle which is movable in the longitudinal direction of the oblong structure and adapted for securing the jacket, thus enabling the jacket to be moved in relation to the transporter by the sliding saddle after being attached to the sliding saddle and released from the seabed.

Abstract: An air handling system includes an air handling device connectable to a duct network that is underneath a field having grass growing in it, at least one sensor disposed to measure a variable associated with the field, and a control unit connected to the air handling device to control operating parameters of the air handling device responsive to an output from the sensor. A heat exchanger is optionally part of the system. The variables associated with the field include temperature and moisture. The operating parameters of the air handling device include direction of the air flow, temperature of the air directed into the duct network, and the time of operation of the unit. The system optionally includes programmable control logic so that the sensor output automatically controls the operating parameters of the system. A computer with display is used to program the control logic, which can be done remotely over a modem or the internet.

Abstract: An apparatus for deploying an underwater pipe string includes a mast, an articulated table, a stinger, and a pipe erector. The mast is affixed to the articulated table and extends above the articulated table. The stinger is affixed to the articulated table and depends below the articulated table. The pipe erector is connected to the mast for loading pipe joints up to the mast. A pipe joint loaded in the mast is welded to the pipe string, which depends from the articulated table and through the stinger toward a seabed. The stationary table is articulated for tilting of the table, the mast, and the stinger azimuthally and angularly for a preferred direction and lay angle of the pipe string being deployed.

Abstract: A double-head drilling machine is disclosed, which by changing over or converting small component units can cooperate with drill or drill pipes of different diameters. To this end, drive carriages (16) operating on drills or drill pipes, for example, comprise a carriage base element (32), to which a drive unit (42) is releasably fitted. The drive unit (42) can thus be replaced by a different drive unit having essentially the same geometry, which is designed for operating with a drill or drill pipe having a different diameter.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling the mud circulation system for deepwater marine drilling operations in which a drill string is run from surface facilities, through a blowout preventor and into a borehole. Mud is injected into the drill string, up a borehole and through the blowout preventor adjacent the sea floor. There the mud is withdrawn from a mud exit return line near the blowout preventor and the hydrostatic head from the mud in the drill string is isolated from the relatively lesser ambient pressure at the sea floor seen at the mud exit return line with a pressure activated drill string shut-off valve when mud circulation is interrupted. A drill string shut-off valve system for controlling the mud circulation system for deepwater marine drilling operations is also disclosed. Further, a method of well control to overcome formation pressure in a well control event is disclosed.

Abstract: A tool and method are disclosed for injecting various treatment fluids into a formation surrounding an underground borehole. The tool comprises at least three axially spaced swab assemblies which define at least two annular spaces between the tool body and the wellbore. In use the tool is moved through the wellbore whilst a first treatment fluid such as a sand consolidation agent or production stimulation chemical, is pumped via a first annular space into the formation and a second treatment fluid, such as an overflush fluid, is pumped via a second annular space into the formation. The tool allows accurate and continuous injection of various treatment fluids over long intervals into the formation without requiring cycling to new fluids.

Abstract: A drilling unit comprises a floating drilling rig, a subsea wellhead, and a riser connecting the subsea drilling rig with the subsea wellhead. A floatation collar encircles the riser so as to reduce deck load on the floating drilling rig. The floatation collar comprises a hollow fabric body filled with gas. The floatation collar has a longitudinal axis and is formed from a sidewall body having a longitudinally extending slit extending through the sidewall body. The slit enables the floatation collar to be transversely mounted onto the marine riser.

Abstract: Apparatus and corresponding methods are disclosed for controlling fluid flow within a subterranean well. In a described embodiment, a longitudinally spaced apart series of selectively set and unset inflatable packers is utilized to substantially isolate desired portions of a formation intersected by a well. Setting and unsetting of the packers may be accomplished by a variety of devices, some of which may be remotely controllable. Additionally, a series of fluid control devices may be alternated with the packers as part of a tubular string positioned within the well.

Abstract: A set of caissons for use with wave generators for swimming pools has its vertical walls prefabricated out of stainless steel prior to installation. These vertical walls include a stainless steel end wall at each end of the caissons and a stainless steel back wall extending transverse to the back of the caissons. Partition walls extend to the floor between adjacent caissons and to the ceiling of these caissons as required by the wave generator with which they are used. Stainless steel baffle dividers can also be installed within selected caissons to inhibit the production of waves within individual caissons. Additionally, a stainless steel front wall traverses the front of the set of caissons and extends from the ceiling of the caissons to a selected distance above the floor of the caissons.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes first and second connector parts. The first connector part has a bearing portion and the second connector part is connectable with the first connector part. A carriage comprises an abutment which is disposed against the first connector part and the carriage is reciprocatable between a forward position for connecting the connector parts and a retracted position for disconnecting the connector parts. A bias is provided for biasing the bearing against the abutment. The bearing portion and the abutment cooperate to permit pivoting of the first connector part in response to a force in any lateral direction on the first connector part. The first connector part may include a weakened portion providing a reduced resistance to shear. The connector assembly may also form part of a wellhead assembly.

Abstract: Secured to an exterior surface of a well casing having an aperture formed therein is a first unit including a horizontal fluid passage receiving a horizontal pipe and extending through a generally annular seat in registration with the aperture. A second unit is disposed within an interior surface of the wall casing for supporting a vertical pipe and pump assembly and includes a generally planar flange adapted to be slidably received in a blind channel of the first unit at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the well casing so as to provide a continuous fluid passage between the vertical pipe and the horizontal pipe. The annular seat of the first unit is completely recessed from the inner surface of the well casing such that upon release of the second unit from the first unit, the second unit and its pump assembly are movable in a totally obstruction-free path through the interior surface of the well casing.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling boreholes into the earth includes a mobile carrier with a frame that supports an elongated housing. The housing has upper and lower end portions. An drill pipe section holder is positioned at the lower end of a tubular member rotatably mounted in the housing for holding a drill pipe section and rotating it during placement. A plurality of drive wheels carried by the frame transport the housing between upper and lower positions. The wheels are loaded with adjustable compression springs so that extensive pressure can be applied from the drive wheels to the housing for gripping and driving the housing during insertion. A gear train interconnects the driving wheels so that all of the driving wheels rotate at the same rotational speed. Water is supplied to the housing via a bore that communicates with openings and a bore of the tubular member. The tubular member bore conveys the water to multiple sections of drill pipe (i.e.

Abstract: A method in or relating to piling of e.g. tubular bases which are placed and, possibly, casted within a hole drilled out in earth mass in ground or the like is described. One uses a generally known drilling rig, in which a bit is assigned a drilling hammer, and drills a hold having a depth approximately corresponding to the base pipe. If there exists a need for piling, the drill string is swung aside, away from the hole, after having been pulled up, and one or, possibly, a plurality of piles is/are rammed down with a starting point at the bottom level of the bore hole. In order to drive the pile(s) down, the drilling hammer of the drilling rig is used.

Abstract: A connector for tying back a riser from a subsea wellhead to a platform, wherein the wellhead has an internal wellhead housing with external grooves thereon. The connector having a plurality of dog members carried within a cavity which engage the external grooves. The dog members are actuated by axial movement of a piston linked to a cam ring. The connector has a plurality of transfer members located within the cavity to support the dog members and transfer upward loading to the wellhead housing during tension on one side due to bending. Further, the connector has a release ring which forces the dog members out of engagement with the external grooves when the connector is released.

Abstract: A pressure and temperature core sampler comprises a tool for recovering cores specifically enabling the evaluation of methane hydrate resources. Because methane hydrate tends to decompose under conditions of pressure decrease and/or temperature increase as the samples are retrieved to the surface, a coring tool in accordance with the present invention provides a self-contained system for retrieving core samples at or near in situ pressure while cooling the core sample. The coring tool is preferably a wire line retrievable device that provides for nearly continuous coring during the drilling operation.

Abstract: A cutting bed impeller comprises a body portion and a plurality of paddles projecting outwardly from the body portion, at least one of the paddles comprising a radially outer face extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge in a normal direction of rotation of the impeller about an axis of rotation of the cutting bed impeller, a leading face, and a trailing face. The radially outer face extends between the leading face and the trailing face. The leading face is inclined at a first angle &agr; to a first tangent T1 to the radially outer face at the leading edge. The trailing face is inclined at a second angle &bgr; to a second tangent T2 to the radially outer face at the trailing edge, the second angle &bgr; being less than the first angle. The radially outer face of one or more of the paddles may be provided with one or more replaceable wear elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a trench which is adapted to receive at least one grate that will cover the trench. The apparatus comprises first and second frame rails that are connected by at least one removable spacer. The spacer is sized and configured to maintain proper alignment and spacing between the first and second frame rails during the formation of the trench. The removable spacer is connected to the first and second frame rails with spacer securing means. In addition to securing the at least one spacer to the first and second frame rails, the securing means also can be used to fixedly secure the at least one grate in place on the first and second frame rails.