Abstract: A guidelineless reentry system for a subsea well uses a downward facing funnel. The well has a mandrel surrounded by a guide frame. A guide ring is mounted to the guide frame. A funnel and a mandrel connector are carried by the riser. Rollers mounted to the funnel engage the guide ring to allow the mandrel connector and funnel to be rotated to orient the mandrel connector. Once the orientation is achieved, the mandrel connector is lowered relative to the funnel into engagement with the mandrel. A cam moves dogs outward to engage grooves of the mandrel. The mandrel protrudes upward from the guide ring.

Abstract: Disclosed is a production tree (10) with a top block (mandrel) (12) of the tree provided with a cone-shaped male connector member (14) which also functions as a manifold, and called a cone seal manifold, by having a plurality of shuttle valves (66) which, in the production mode connect umbilical hydraulic control lines (44) to valve actuator control lines (42). In the workover mode, a running tool (132) having a mating bell-shaped female connector member (134) engages the cone seal manifold (14) and moves the shuttle valves (66) to disconnect the umbilical control lines (44) from the valve actuator control lines (42) and to open the valve actuator control lines (42) to rig hydraulic control lines in the running tool (132) through the mating cone seal surfaces (134,56). Normally closed passageways (112) in the cone (56) of the cone seal manifold (14) are opened by fluid pressure from the rig control lines.

Abstract: A bi-directional metal-to-metal seal (10) comprising a ring with a pair of oppositely acting sealing elements (20 or 22) integral with the outer periphery of the ring. In one embodiment, two pairs of such sealing elements (20 and 22) are located on each end of the ring (as viewed in cross section) and are of a thickness to be resilient (springy) and deflectable when inserted in an interference fit relationship into a cylindrical wall or bore to be sealed. The first sealing element (24) has a curved outer surface (26) and with an opening (30) facing the main flow path of pressure fluid. The curved outer surface rolls inward against the cylindrical wall (42) while being inserted into the cylinder, partially closing the opening (30) but still allowing the pressure fluid to enter and urge the curved surface against the cylindrical wall.

Abstract: The collet-type connector (10) comprising an upper body member (20) having a plurality of collet segments (52), a cam ring (64) movable relative to the upper body member (20) to move said collet segments (52) into a detachable connection of the connector to a subsea wellhead (14, 14a). The cam ring (64) and collet segments (52) have sets of camming surfaces whereby a first set (86, 92) cooperate to pivot the collet segments (52) initially toward the wellhead (14, 14a) and whereby a second set (96, 104) serves to urge the collet segments (52) further to clamp the connector (10) to the subsea wellhead (14, 14a). When the second set (96, 104) of camming surfaces function, the first set (86, 92) no longer function to rotate the collet segments, thus reducing the power requirement for urging the collet segments (52) into clamping engagement to only one set at a time, even though both sets together serve to aid in holding the collet segments in clamping engagement with the wellhead after final engagement.

Abstract: A subsea well casing suspension system whereby each of a plurality of concentric casing strings and its hanger is directly and totally supported on the wellhead housing, independently of all the other strings and their hangers, by a plurality of load ring slips that are components of a packoff assembly for an earlier installed casing string. When the packoff assembly is pressure tested following its installation, the load ring slips rise off the assembly and expand into their mating wellhead housing groove wherein they function to transmit the total hang load of the next casing string and hanger directly to that housing.

Abstract: A stem-operated fire-resistant gate valve including an improved metal-to-metal stem backseat fusible ring assemblies for facilitating automatic stem backseating at pre-selected temperatures, spring enhancement of the backseating procedure, and an improved metal-to-metal gate seat.

Abstract: The existance of fire at or near an oil field wellhead is sensed by a eutectic body which holds a valve system in a cocked position. When the eutectic is melted, the valves are positioned to terminate communication of a hydraulic fluid pressure source with a downhole safety valve and open a bleed conduit connected with the conduit to the downhole valve. A second eutectic body will melt at a different temperature than the first, providing a second position for the valve system which closes the conduit to the downhole valve and atmosphere to give positive isolation from the oil well fluid.

Abstract: A stem-operated fire-resistant gate valve including an improved metal-to-metal stem backseat a eutectic ring assembly for facilitating automatic stem backseating at pre-selected temperatures, spring enhancement of the backseating procedure, and a lost motion connection between the valve stem and the valve closure element.

Abstract: A multi-purpose metal-to-metal seal system providing fluid-tight integrity at the area of contact between the seal element and the surface against which it bears, throughout wide variations in pressure and temperature, and especially during and following exposure to a fire atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for removing deposits from material such as drill pipe by subjecting such material to extremely high temperatures in a flame fired furnace. Heated air passing over the material carries with it the volatized deposits and is recirculated within the furnace. As the deposit laden air is recirculated to the burner, the deposits are burned in the flame, thus substantially eliminating the exhaust of contaminants into the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for maintaining the lance portion of a coating device accurately centered within the bore of a tubular conduit to be coated as the lance is moved axially through such bore. The tubular element of such coating lance is supported by a saddle which in turn is supported between two elongated skids which are respectively engageable with opposed top and bottom surfaces of the conduit bore. Radially projecting pins are respectively provided on each side of the saddle. Two pairs of expanding links are respectively pivotally mounted on each end of the saddle pins in an X configuration and one end of each link is pivotally connected to a pivot mounting bracket formed on one of the skids.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing for operation a cell, having an outer shell and an inner lining, which is employed to produce metal by electrolysis of a compound of the metal in a molten production bath. The method includes placing in the cell an initial bath having a solidus temperature higher than the solidus temperature of the production bath, and higher than the temperature maintained on the inside surface of the shell. Because of this higher solidus temperature, a freeze-line barrier for the initial bath is established within the lining of the cell. Subsequently, electrolysis is carried out in the production bath.

Abstract: The invention is for placement in a molten salt electrolysis cell and a jacket means on the cell for providing a chamber for containment of a coolant. The cell and the jacket means have an orifice extending from the exterior of the jacket means into the interior of the cell. The invention, a tapping apparatus, includes a tapping tube in the orifice extending into the interior of the cell, and a packing tube and packing in the orifice and surrounding the tapping tube, with the improvement including the extending of the packing tube and packing past the jacket means.