Abstract: A flexible joint is provided. The flexible joint is for use in a steel catenary riser that includes a compression bearing (106) having a transition shim (120) and a plurality of alternating flexible elements (116) and shims (118) collectively stacked and bonded to a lower portion of the transition shim (120). The flexible joint also includes an inner bonding material (126) having a profile that is complementary to a profile of an extension tube (104), the inner bonding material (126) being disposed between the extension tube (104) and compression bearing (106) and configured to serve as a bonding mechanism between extension tube and compression bearing.

Abstract: A flexible pipe joint (200) includes a body (210) having a pin-end member (230) telescopically fitted within a box-end member (220), the pin-end member (230) including an outer connection profile (235) and the box-end member (220) including a complementary inner connection profile (225), a bearing (240) including an outer bearing surface (244), wherein the bearing (240) is fitted within the body (210) such that at least a portion of an inner body surface (212) interfaces with at least a portion the outer bearing surface (244), and wherein the bearing (240) includes an inner bearing surface (243), and an extension pipe (270) including an outer extension pipe surface (289), wherein the extension pipe (270) is fitted within the bearing (240) such that at least a portion of the inner bearing surface (243) interfaces with at least a portion of the outer extension pipe surface (289).

Abstract: In a pipe joint where two pipe sections (14, 16) have threadably engaged end portions (17, 18), joint ends (32, 34) are substantially sealed to each other by a sealing surface (40, 50) on one pipe section that substantially abuts a sealing surface (42, 52) on the other pipe section. In one joint, a ring-shaped cutout (121, FIG. 7) is formed in a first pipe section and a ring-shaped spacer (120) is located in the cutout. The spacer is chosen from several that have slightly different lengths so the spacer end contacts the corresponding sealing surface (130). In a pipe string used to carry corrosive fluid, the inner surface (44) of adjacent pipe sections is covered with a corrosion resistant coating (70, 72). Where the sealing surface is connected to a rounded corner (82, 84), the coating extends to and along the sealing surfaces (40, 42). Where there are sharp corners (80) at the intersection of the inside surface (40) with the sealing surface (40B, 42B), the coating does not extend along the sealing surfaces.

Abstract: High-strength, fatigue-resistant pipe connectors suitable for use in offshore risers, tendons and pipelines, such as may be connected to floating production systems (FPSs) principally used in the production of oil and gas. The present connectors include tubular pin and box components with mating frusto-conical, concentrically-grooved mating surfaces which threadingly interlock, and non-threaded (e.g., flat) mating surfaces that seal and preload (e.g., preload at least a portion of each component in compression), via axial advancement of the pin component into the box component. In such connectors, axial movement of the pin into the mating box results the in radial expansion of the box and radial contraction of the pin until the concentric thread patterns match and interlockingly snap into the connected position.

Abstract: A flexible pipe joint (200) includes a body (210) having a pin-end member (230) telescopically fitted within a box-end member (220), the pin-end member (230) including an outer connection profile (235) and the box-end member (220) including a complementary inner connection profile (225), a bearing (240) including an outer bearing surface (244), wherein the bearing (240) is fitted within the body (210) such that at least a portion of an inner body surface (212) interfaces with at least a portion the outer bearing surface (244), and wherein the bearing (240) includes an inner bearing surface (243), and an extension pipe (270) including an outer extension pipe surface (289), wherein the extension pipe (270) is fitted within the bearing (240) such that at least a portion of the inner bearing surface (243) interfaces with at least a portion of the outer extension pipe surface (289).

Abstract: In a pipe joint where two pipe sections (14, 16) have threadably engaged end portions (17, 18), joint ends (32, 34) are substantially sealed to each other by a sealing surface (40, 50) on one pipe section that substantially abuts a sealing surface (42, 52) on the other pipe section. In one joint, a ring-shaped cutout (121, FIG. 7) is formed in a first pipe section and a ring-shaped spacer (120) is located in the cutout. The spacer is chosen from several that have slightly different lengths so the spacer end contacts the corresponding sealing surface (130). In a pipe string used to carry corrosive fluid, the inner surface (44) of adjacent pipe sections is covered with a corrosion resistant coating (70, 72). Where the sealing surface is connected to a rounded corner (82, 84), the coating extends to and along the sealing surfaces (40, 42). Where there are sharp corners (80) at the intersection of the inside surface (40) with the sealing surface (40B, 42B), the coating does not extend along the sealing surfaces.

Abstract: In a pipe joint where two pipe sections (14, 16) have threadably engaged end potions (17, 18), joint ends (32, 34) are substantially sealed to each other by a sealing surface (40, 50) on one pipe section that substantially abuts a sealing surface (42, 52) on the other pipe section. In one joint, a ring-shaped cutout(121, FIG. 7) is formed in a first pipe section and a ring-shaped spacer (120) is located in the cutout. The spacer is chosen from several that have slightly different lengths so the spacer ends contacts the corresponding sealing surface(130).

Abstract: High-strength, fatigue-resistant pipe connectors suitable for use in offshore risers, tendons and pipelines, such as may be connected to floating production systems (FPSs) principally used in the production of oil and gas. The present connectors include tubular pin and box components with mating frusto-conical, concentrically-grooved mating surfaces which threadingly interlock, and non-threaded (e.g., flat) mating surfaces that seal and preload (e.g., preload at least a portion of each component in compression), via axial advancement of the pin component into the box component. In such connectors, axial movement of the pin into the mating box results the in radial expansion of the box and radial contraction of the pin until the concentric thread patterns match and interlockingly snap into the connected position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that include providing a flexible joint for use in a steel catenary riser that includes a compression bearing (106) having a transition shim (120) and a plurality of alternating flexible elements (116) and shims (118) collectively stacked and bonded to a lower portion of the transition shim (120). The flexible joint also includes an inner bonding material (126) having a profile that is complementary to a profile of an extension tube (104), the inner bonding material (126) being disposed between the extension tube (104) and compression bearing (106) and configured to serve as a bonding mechanism between extension tube and compression bearing.

Abstract: A gimbal that provides for passive vertical latching and unlatching of a Cold Water Pipe (CWP) in a floating vessel such as an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) facility is sealingly connected to a cold water sump on the floating vessel. The CWP gimbal is capable of reacting all static and dynamic forces of the suspended CWP at angles on the order of +/?20 degrees while remaining sealed at high differential pressures.

Abstract: A flexible joint (200) for use in an offshore hydrocarbon production system (100) having a riser bearing (206) with an elastomeric element (262) within it is provided. The elastomeric element has a high shape factor to combat rapid gas decompression damage to the flexible joint and the elastomeric element.

Abstract: In a pipe joint where two pipe sections (14, 16) have threadably engaged end portions (17, 18), joint ends (32, 34) are substantially sealed to each other by a sealing surface (40, 50) on one pipe section that substantially abuts a sealing surface (42, 52) on the other pipe section. In one joint, a ring-shaped cutout (121, FIG. 7) is formed in a first pipe section and a ring-shaped spacer (120) is located in the cutout. The spacer is chosen from several that have slightly different lengths so the spacer end contacts the corresponding sealing surface (130). In a pipe string used to carry corrosive fluid, the inner surface (44) of adjacent pipe sections is covered with a corrosion resistant coating (70, 72). Where the sealing surface is connected to a rounded corner (82, 84), the coating extends to and along the sealing surfaces (40, 42). Where there are sharp corners (80) at the intersection of the inside surface (40) with the sealing surface (40B, 42B), the coating does not extend along the sealing surfaces.

Abstract: A gimbal that provides for passive vertical latching and unlatching of a Cold Water Pipe (CWP) in a floating vessel such as an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) facility is sealingly connected to a cold water sump on the floating vessel. The CWP gimbal is capable of reacting all static and dynamic forces of the suspended CWP at angles on the order of +/?20 degrees while remaining sealed at high differential pressures.

Abstract: A system usable with a pipe laying vessel, includes a support frame, such as a deck frame of the vessel, and a loader arm which is movable between a loading position and an upright position. The loader arm is provided with a pipe section manipulation system. A first clamping member is provided having a substantially fixed position with respect to the support frame. The first clamping member is operable between a clamped position for supporting the weight of the pipeline, and a released position for allowing the pipeline to be lowered. A second clamping member is movable between an upper position and a lower position. The second clamping member is operable between a clamped position for supporting the weight of the pipeline during movement from the upper position to the lower position, and a released position for moving the second clamping member from the lower position to the upper position.

Abstract: In a pipe joint where two pipe sections (14, 16) have threadably engaged end portions (17, 18), joint ends (32, 34) are substantially sealed to each other by a sealing surface (40, 50) on one pipe section that substantially abuts a sealing surface (42, 52) on the other pipe section. In one joint, a ring-shaped cutout (121, FIG. 7) is formed in a first pipe section and a ring-shaped spacer (120) is located in the cutout. The spacer is chosen from several that have slightly different lengths so the spacer end contacts the corresponding sealing surface (130). In a pipe string used to carry corrosive fluid, the inner surface (44) of adjacent pipe sections is covered with a corrosion resistant coating (70, 72). Where the sealing surface is connected to a rounded corner (82, 84), the coating extends to and along the sealing surfaces (40, 42). Where there are sharp corners (80) at the intersection of the inside surface (40) with the sealing surface (40B, 42B), the coating does not extend along the sealing surfaces.

Abstract: A pipe string (44) is pulled out by a tug boat (30) from a floating structure (12) such as a production vessel, as pipe sections (54, 56) are connected in series on the vessel, to eventually lay the pipe string in a catenary curve from the vessel to the sea floor and then along the sea floor to a distant subsea well head (86). To save time and cost in coupling the pipe sections, lower fatigue resistant pipe couplings, such as non weld-on couplings (120) that include a threaded sleeve (134), are used to connect pipe sections that will lie in a quiescent zone such as on the sea floor (zone Az), and in a zone (Cz) lying along the middle of the catenary curve. Higher fatigue resistant pipe couplings such as weld-on couplings (150) are used along active zones such as top and bottom zones (Dz, Bz) of the catenary curve.

Abstract: A system usable with a pipe laying vessel, includes a support frame, such as a deck frame of the vessel, and a loader arm which is movable between a loading position and an upright position. The loader arm is provided with a pipe section manipulation system. A first clamping member is provided having a substantially fixed position with respect to the support frame. The first clamping member is operable between a clamped position for supporting the weight of the pipeline, and a released position for allowing the pipeline to be lowered. A second clamping member is movable between an upper position and a lower position. The second clamping member is operable between a clamped position for supporting the weight of the pipeline during movement from the upper position to the lower position, and a released position for moving the second clamping member from the lower position to the upper position.

Abstract: A pipeline (20) that lies primarily in the sea and that is formed of multiple steel pipe sections connected in tandem at pipe joints, includes a protective coating around the pipe sections and around the pipe joints. Each pipe section is first covered, at an onshore facility, by an initial coating (30, 32) that extends along at least 80% of the pipe section length while leaving its ends uncovered, to leave gripping areas (40, 42) where the steel of the pipe is uncovered so the pipe can be clamped by tools such as those with steel jaws to position and slide it axially, or turn it, or prevent it from turning. After a pair of pipe sections are connected, a completion coating (50) is applied around the pipe joint to leave the pipeline with a coating around all of it.

Abstract: A method for servicing a component of a riser system, such as a flexible joint is disclosed. The riser system may be supported in a support apparatus such that the flexible joint and an adjoining section of riser are detached to allow for inspection, servicing, repair, and/or replacement of the flexible joint or various subcomponents thereof. An apparatus is also disclosed for supporting the flexible joint during servicing.

Abstract: A riser connector connects the upper portion of a riser (12) having a latching enlargement (32) to a receptacle (14) on a vessel (16), so the riser upper end (22) can connect to a fluid coupling (42) leading to a conduit (40) on the vessel. A double-click mechanism (88), with parts on the enlargement and on the receptacle, turns a load ring on the enlargement to latch the enlargement in place when it is lifted to an upper position and lowered to a latched position, and releases it by again lifting and lowering. A cable coupling (24) is temporarily mounted on the top of the riser to enable the riser to be lifted by a cable (26), the cable coupling being later removed to connect the riser upper end to the fluid coupling on the vessel.