Abstract: A section of riser casing urges drilling mud upward from the sea floor to reduce head pressure associated with pumping drilling mud through riser casing in dual-gradient drilling operations. The section of riser casing may use an electromagnet, two or more electrodes, or a combination of electromagnets and electrodes to urge drilling mud having electrohydrodynamic properties through the riser casing.

Abstract: A section of riser casing urges drilling mud through the riser, either upward from the sea floor to reduce head pressure or downward toward the wellbore. The section of riser casing may use an electromagnet, two or more electrodes, or a combination of electromagnets and electrodes to urge drilling mud having electrohydrodynamic properties through the riser casing.

Abstract: A tubular hanger and tubular hanger seal are installed in a wellhead with a setting tool. The tubular hanger has a locking ring that is driven outward into engagement with a profile in the wellhead. The setting tool rotates a moveable member of the tubular hanger relative to the tubular hanger body so as to drive the moveable member to expand the locking ring outward to engage the profile in the wellhead. The moveable member may be wedged between the locking ring and the tubular hanger body. The setting tool enables the moveable member and the tubular hanger body to be rotated independently. The annulus between the tubular hanger and the wellhead may be sealed by a seal that has a plurality of sealing elements that are coupled together by a series of catches.

Abstract: A casing annulus is remediated by inserting a hose into a casing annulus, the hose having a nozzle on its lower end. An acoustic signal is directed into the annulus. A sensor in the hose receives the acoustic signal and transmits data from the sensor to the surface. The data represents the acoustic signal arrival time to the sensor, and an analyzer estimates the sensor depth based on the data. The hose is inserted from a reel into a wellhead above the annulus. An electrical transducer mechanically coupled to the hose creates the acoustic signal. The signal is propagated along the hose and transferred to the fluid in the annulus, where it then propagates further into the annulus. The transducer can be installed on a hose roller along which the hose is fed into the wellhead.

Abstract: A casing hanger nesting indicator generates a signal to notify personnel on the surface that a wellhead member has properly landed on a predetermined surface within the wellbore. The casing hanger nesting indicator comprises a signaling device such as an explosive charge or a frequency shift key wherein the noise or vibration of the signaling device travels through the wellbore, via the drilling conduit in some embodiments, up to the surface platform.

Abstract: A surface assembly that communicates with subsea structures and includes a working deck on a floating structure. The working deck has an aperture extending axially therethrough. A riser extends from a subsea location to the working deck and through the aperture. The surface assembly includes a frame extending circumferentially around the riser so that the frame moves axially with the riser. The assembly also includes a tensioner assembly connected between the working deck and the frame. The tensioner assembly includes a piston slidably carried in a piston chamber, a piston rod extending from the piston and away from the piston chamber, and a shroud enclosing the piston rod. The shroud has a plurality of segments with at least one of the shroud segments being movable in unison with the piston rod.

Abstract: A wellhead assembly includes a valve with a valve actuator. The valve actuator linearly moves a valve stem and valve member assembly to selectively open and close the valve. The valve actuator moves the valve stem by reciprocatingly moving a piston that is attached to the valve stem. The piston is moved by applying pressurized hydraulic fluid to a piston surface. Piston direction is controlled by a selector valve that selectively diverts a hydraulic flow to either side of the piston. The actuator further includes a piston assembly for pressurizing a hydraulic flow, where the piston assembly reciprocates in response to engagement by a profiled rotating cam member.

Abstract: A technique is provided for installing a tubular hanger and tubular hanger seal in a wellhead. The technique comprises installing the tubular hanger with a setting tool. The tubular hanger may comprise a locking ring that is driven outward into engagement with a profile in the wellhead. The setting tool is adapted to rotate a moveable member of the tubular hanger relative to the tubular hanger body so as to drive the moveable member to expand the locking ring outward to engage a profile in the wellhead. The moveable member may be wedged between the locking ring and the tubular hanger body. The setting tool may be adapted to enable the moveable member and the tubular hanger body to be rotated independently. The annulus between the tubular hanger and the wellhead may be sealed by a seal that has a plurality of sealing elements that are coupled together by a series of catches.

Abstract: An isolation sleeve and plug assembly that may be used to protect a wellhead assembly from being damaged by high-pressure wellbore fracturing operations. Both the isolation sleeve and plug may be installed by the same running tool, and may be installed by lowering the running tool through an isolation valve on the wellbore.

Abstract: A system electroplates the interior or exterior cylindrical surfaces of an elongated workpiece, such as a pipe or shaft. The workpiece is continuously electroplated with metallic solutions via a traveling anode that gradually plates along the axial length of the workpiece instead of plating the entire part or large portions of the part at one time.

Abstract: An offshore riser system has riser joints, each having a pin and a box. The pin has an external grooved profile that is engaged by a locking element carried by the box of another riser joint. An actuating ring engages with the locking element to move it into the locked position. A retractable spider supports the string of riser while the new joint is being made up. A makeup tool on the riser deploying floor moves the ring relative to the locking element, causing the locking element to move to the locked position.

Abstract: A section of riser casing urges drilling mud through the riser, either upward from the sea floor to reduce head pressure or downward toward the wellbore. The section of riser casing may use an electromagnet, two or more electrodes, or a combination of electromagnets and electrodes to urge drilling mud having electrohydrodynamic properties through the riser casing.

Abstract: A section of riser casing urges drilling mud upward from the sea floor to reduce head pressure associated with pumping drilling mud through riser casing in dual-gradient drilling operations. The section of riser casing may use an electromagnet, two or more electrodes, or a combination of electromagnets and electrodes to urge drilling mud having electrohydrodynamic properties through the riser casing.

Abstract: A casing hanger nesting indicator generates a signal to notify personnel on the surface that a wellhead member has properly landed on a predetermined surface within the wellbore. The casing hanger nesting indicator comprises a signaling device such as an explosive charge or a frequency shift key wherein the noise or vibration of the signaling device travels through the wellbore, via the drilling conduit in some embodiments, up to the surface platform.

Abstract: A casing annulus is remediated by inserting a hose into a casing annulus, the hose having a nozzle on its lower end. An acoustic signal is directed into the annulus. A sensor in the hose receives the acoustic signal and transmits data from the sensor to the surface. The data represents the acoustic signal arrival time to the sensor, and an analyzer estimates the sensor depth based on the data. The hose is inserted from a reel into a wellhead above the annulus. An electrical transducer mechanically coupled to the hose creates the acoustic signal. The signal is propagated along the hose and transferred to the fluid in the annulus, where it then propagates further into the annulus. The transducer can be installed on a hose roller along which the hose is fed into the wellhead.

Abstract: A technique is provided for installing a tubular hanger and tubular hanger seal in a wellhead. The technique comprises installing the tubular hanger with a setting tool. The tubular hanger may comprise a locking ring that is driven outward into engagement with a profile in the wellhead. The setting tool is adapted to rotate a moveable member of the tubular hanger relative to the tubular hanger body so as to drive the moveable member to expand the locking ring outward to engage a profile in the wellhead. The moveable member may be wedged between the locking ring and the tubular hanger body. The setting tool may be adapted to enable the moveable member and the tubular hanger body to be rotated independently. The annulus between the tubular hanger and the wellhead may be sealed by a seal that has a plurality of sealing elements that are coupled together by a series of catches.

Abstract: A gate valve has a gate that moves in a gate cavity between a lower closed position and an upper open position. A seal member in the gate seals against a downstream seat ring when the gate is in the closed position. The seal member is moveable in upward and downward directions as well as upstream and downstream directions relative to the gate. The seal member is in an upper and downstream position relative to the gate while the gate is in the closed position. A cam member is carried by the gate for movement in unison and is in engagement with the seal member. The cam member moves the seal member to an upstream and downward position in response to initial movement of the gate from the closed position toward the open position.

Abstract: An isolation sleeve and plug assembly that may be used to protect a wellhead assembly from being damaged by high-pressure wellbore fracturing operations. Both the isolation sleeve and plug may be installed by the same running tool, and may be installed by lowering the running tool through an isolation valve on the wellbore.

Abstract: A casing annulus is remediated by inserting a hose into a casing annulus, the hose having a nozzle on its lower end. An acoustic signal is directed into the annulus. A sensor in the hose receives the acoustic signal and transmits data from the sensor to the surface. The data represents the acoustic signal arrival time to the sensor, and an analyzer estimates the sensor depth based on the data. The hose is inserted from a reel into a wellhead above the annulus. An electrical transducer mechanically coupled to the hose creates the acoustic signal. The signal is propagated along the hose and transferred to the fluid in the annulus, where it then propagates further into the annulus. The transducer can be installed on a hose roller along which the hose is fed into the wellhead.

Abstract: A wellhead assembly includes a valve with a valve actuator. The valve actuator linearly moves a valve stem and valve member assembly to selectively open and close the valve. The valve actuator moves the valve stem by reciprocatingly moving a piston that is attached to the valve stem. The piston is moved by applying pressurized hydraulic fluid to a piston surface. Piston direction is controlled by a selector valve that selectively diverts a hydraulic flow to either side of the piston. The actuator further includes a piston assembly for pressurizing a hydraulic flow, where the piston assembly reciprocates in response to engagement by a profiled rotating cam member.