Abstract: A rigless abandonment system including a surface vessel having an attached lifting device and a moonpool. The system further includes a cutting module configured to connect to a subsea wellhead, the cutting module having a wellhead connector having an actuatable lock and release mechanism, a motor assembly, and a cutter. An umbilical line connects the cutting module to the surface vessel, wherein the lifting device is used to raise and lower the cutting module connected to the surface vessel through the moonpool. A method for performing rigless casing cutting and wellhead removal operations, the method includes positioning a surface vessel above a subsea wellhead, where the surface vessel has a moonpool and a lifting device. The method further includes providing a cutting module, and deploying the cutting module through the moonpool, wherein the cutting module is connected to the surface vessel by an umbilical line.

Abstract: A split gate is movably mounted within a valve body along a valve axis between valve seats. The split gate has gates, each extending between one of the valve seats and the other gate. In an open position, gate holes register with a fluid aperture and the valve seats to permit fluid flow. In the closed position, the holes do not register with the fluid aperture to prevent fluid flow. The split gate valve also has a gate guide located in the body for moving the gates with respect to the valve seats along the fluid axis. The gate guide forces the pair of gates apart along the fluid axis and into contact with the valve seats in both the open and closed positions. The gates have axial play along the fluid axis when the split gate is between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: An assembly for connecting a drilling adapter to a wellhead comprising external threads on an end portion thereof.

Abstract: A rigless abandonment system including a surface vessel having an attached lifting device and a moonpool. The system further includes a cutting module configured to connect to a subsea wellhead, the cutting module having a wellhead connector having an actuatable lock and release mechanism, a motor assembly, and a cutter. An umbilical line connects the cutting module to the surface vessel, wherein the lifting device is used to raise and lower the cutting module connected to the surface vessel through the moonpool. A method for performing rigless casing cutting and wellhead removal operations, the method includes positioning a surface vessel above a subsea wellhead, where the surface vessel has a moonpool and a lifting device. The method further includes providing a cutting module, and deploying the cutting module through the moonpool, wherein the cutting module is connected to the surface vessel by an umbilical line.

Abstract: A split gate is movably mounted within a valve body along a valve axis between valve seats. The split gate has gates, each extending between one of the valve seats and the other gate. In an open position, gate holes register with a fluid aperture and the valve seats to permit fluid flow. In the closed position, the holes do not register with the fluid aperture to prevent fluid flow. The split gate valve also has a gate guide located in the body for moving the gates with respect to the valve seats along the fluid axis. The gate guide forces the pair of gates apart along the fluid axis and into contact with the valve seats in both the open and closed positions. The gates have axial play along the fluid axis when the split gate is between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A wellhead seal assembly forms a metal-to-metal seal between the inner and outer wellhead members. A metal seal ring has inner and outer conical walls separated by a tapered slot. An energizing ring has inner and outer annular members that are separated by an annular cavity. When the energizing ring is moved further into the slot, the cavity width decreases but remains to provide a preloaded radial force to the seal ring.

Abstract: An assembly for connecting a drilling adapter to a wellhead comprising external threads on an end portion thereof.

Abstract: A wellhead seal assembly forms a metal-to-metal seal between the inner and outer wellhead members. A metal seal ring has inner and outer conical walls separated by a tapered slot. An energizing ring has inner and outer annular members that are separated by an annular cavity. When the energizing ring is moved further into the slot, the cavity width decreases but remains to provide a preloaded radial force to the seal ring.

Abstract: A gate valve has seat rings pressed into counterbores to form seals. Each counterbore is located at an intersection of a flow passage with a central cavity of a body of the gate valve. The counterbore has a cylindrical constant diameter sidewall. The seat ring has an outer end that forms a pilot section and is of smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of the counterbore. The seat ring also has an outer portion that is of equal or larger diameter than the inner portion, defining an interference section. The interference section creates an interference fit with the counterbore, forming a seal.

Abstract: An improved gate for a gate valve will allow shearing of a wireline extending through the gate valve while preserving post-shear seal integrity. The improved gate comprises an inlay of a hard ductile material such as Stellite along the shearing edge of the gate. The gate also comprises a coating of an extremely hard material such as tungsten carbide on the sealing surface of the gate. The invention also covers an improved gate seat. The improved seat also comprises an inlay of a hard ductile material such as Stellite along its shearing edge. The improved seat can also have a coating of an extremely hard material such as tungsten carbide on part of its sealing surface.

Abstract: A well has an improved means for sealing an annular space within the bore of the wellhead housing surrounding the casing. An annular shoulder is stationarily located in the bore of the wellhead housing. A seal locates on top of the annular shoulder, the seal having a graphite material central section sandwiched between upper and lower metal rings. A cylindrical torque nut, having external threads which engage threads located in the bore of the wellhead housing, has a lower rim which engages the upper metal ring of the seal. The torque nut has a bore therethrough with at least one vertical groove formed therein for receiving a torque tool to rotate the torque nut for expanding the central section of the seal against the casing and wellhead housing to a selected amount.

Abstract: A metal seal for sealing against casing in a well has a plurality of circumferentially axially spaced metal bands. An inlay material partially fills the cavities located between the metal bands. The metal bands are soft enough to deform when the seal is pressed into contact with the casing. The bands deform to a point flush with the inlay material. If the casing later moves axially relative to the seal because of temperature change or tension loading, then the inlay material will wipe across the band faces to maintain the seal.