Abstract: An annular blowout preventer includes a body, a piston disposed within the body, and a packing unit disposed adjacent the piston. The packing unit includes an packer body surrounding an opening. The packer body is fabricated from a first material. The packing unit further includes a second material disposed between the packer body and the opening, the second material being less rigid than the first material. The packer body and the second material constrict the opening when the annular blowout preventer is actuated. The second material creates a seal around a tool disposed within the opening. The second material fills in one or more crevices or recesses on an outer perimeter of the tool.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for removing components of a subsea well having a wellhead located on a seabed and multiple well casings connected to the wellhead and penetrating the seabed. A cutting tool is lowered from a floating vessel to a predetermined cut location in the subsea well. The cutting tool is at the end of a utility line connected to an actuator located on the floating vessel. The cutting tool is used to sever the multiple well casings at the predetermined cut location such that the multiple well casings are completely severed concurrently. The wellhead and the severed multiple well casings are raised together from the seabed to the floating vessel as a single assembly. Various forms of the cutting tool are disclosed. The methods disclosed can include an integrated procedure for dispensing cement to plug the well at the seabed as the well components are being removed.

Abstract: An annular blowout preventer includes a body, a piston disposed within the body, and a packing unit disposed adjacent the piston. The packing unit includes an packer body surrounding an opening. The packer body is fabricated from a first material. The packing unit further includes a second material disposed between the packer body and the opening, the second material being less rigid than the first material. The packer body and the second material constrict the opening when the annular blowout preventer is actuated. The second material creates a seal around a tool disposed within the opening. The second material fills in one or more crevices or recesses on an outer perimeter of the tool.

Abstract: Fluid flow reduction or cessation in a wellbore or pipe may be provided. A body member may be longitudinally translated through a wellbore or pipe. The body member may have an external wall facing an internal wall of the wellbore or pipe. The body member may have an internal flow path configured to facilitate communication of fluid within the wellbore or pipe through the body member. A braking force may be applied to the body member to slow and stop translation of the body member through the wellbore or pipe. A first fluidic seal may be provided between the external wall of the body member and the internal wall of the wellbore or pipe. The first fluidic seal may restrict fluid within the wellbore from being communicated between the external wall of the body member and the internal wall of the wellbore or pipe. A second fluidic seal may be provided restricting fluid within the wellbore or pipe from being communicated through the internal flow path of the body member.

Abstract: A method for optimizing track performance is provided. The method involves measuring one or more track status data at one or more measurement sites of the track during a train pass through the one or more measurement sites. Followed by analyzing the one or more track status data against one or more baseline reference values to obtain a track status profile, and adjusting an operating parameter, a track parameter, or both the operating and track parameters, based on the track status profile, to optimize the track's performance.

Abstract: A method for optimizing track performance comprising: is provided. The method involves measuring one or more track status data at one or more measurement sites of the track during a train pass though the one or more measurement sites. Followed by analyzing the one or more track status data against one or more baseline reference values to obtain a track status profile, and adjusting an operating parameter, a track parameter, or both the operating and track parameters, based on the track status profile, to optimize the track's performance.

Abstract: A method and system for performing intervention and workover operations on a subsea well are provided, as well as an adapter for connecting a lower end portion of a conduit extending from a vessel with an upper portion of a lower marine riser package associated with a subsea tree. The method includes providing a lower marine riser package connected to an upper portion of a subsea tree associated with a subsea well, and a conduit extending from a vessel toward the lower marine riser package. The conduit is connected to the lower marine riser package with an adapter. A portion of a conduit bore of the conduit above the adapter is sealed from a chamber in the adapter, and a portion of a bore extending through the lower marine riser package is sealed from the chamber. The adapter is opened for access to the chamber from the sea.

Abstract: A method and system for performing intervention and workover operations on a subsea well are provided, as well as an adapter for connecting a lower end portion of a conduit extending from a vessel with an upper portion of a lower marine riser package associated with a subsea tree. The method includes providing a lower marine riser package connected to an upper portion of a subsea tree associated with a subsea well, and a conduit extending from a vessel toward the lower marine riser package. The conduit is connected to the lower marine riser package with an adapter. A portion of a conduit bore of the conduit above the adapter is sealed from a chamber in the adapter, and a portion of a bore extending through the lower marine riser package is sealed from the chamber. The adapter is opened for access to the chamber from the sea.

Abstract: A method for optimizing track performance is provided. The method involves measuring one or more track status data at one or more measurement sites of the track during a train pass through the one or more measurement sites. Followed by analyzing the one or more track status data against one or more baseline reference values to obtain a track status profile, and adjusting an operating parameter, a track parameter, or both the operating and track parameters, based on the track status profile, to optimize the track's performance.