Abstract: A reinforced pipe section comprises a metal pipe, a layer of dry fibers disposed around the metal pipe, and an external liner covering the layer of dry fibers. A method of manufacturing a reinforced pipe section comprises wrapping a layer of dry fibers over a metal pipe, and covering the layer of dry fibers with an external liner, thereby forming a first dry fiber wrapped metal pipe. A method of reinforcing a degraded metal pipe comprises wrapping the degraded metal pipe with a layer of dry fibers to increase the hoop strength of the degraded metal pipe, and covering the layer of dry fibers with an external liner.

Abstract: The invention provides a pipe assembly for containing and transporting cryogenic temperature fluids.

Abstract: The present invention includes a nontwisted composite tether comprising one or more composite rods encased in a jacket and a method for manufacturing same. A portion of the rods may be bundled into one or more strands, provided however that the rods comprising the strands are not twisted into twisted strands in the assembled nontwisted tether. Such untwisted strands, if any, additionally are not twisted relative to each other. Temporary and/or permanent buoyancy may be to the tether. The present invention includes methods for preparing, transporting, and installing a composite tether on a floating platform. The tether, preferably assembled at a waterfront, is launched into the water and towed to an offshore installation site, where the tether is upended and connected via a bottom end connector on the tether to an anchor foundation in the seabed and connected a top end connector on the tether to the floating platform.

Abstract: The invention provides a pipe assembly for containing and transporting cryogenic temperature fluids.

Abstract: An integrity monitoring system for monitoring degradation in a composite riser string. The system includes composite riser structures incorporating strain and vibration sensors to measure changes in the stiffness strain on a first orientation and on a second orientation. The system can also include monitoring modules attached to each individual riser and devices to transfer the data from the monitoring module to the surface controller. Additionally, the monitor system can provide for an alarm when predetermined warning limits are exceeded.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite riser section with a liner assembly comprises holding the liner assembly in a horizontal position, bowing the liner assembly upward, and winding resin impregnated fibers about the liner assembly to form a structural composite overwrap. Another method of manufacturing a composite riser with a liner assembly comprises holding the liner assembly in a horizontal position between two supports, and winding resin impregnated fibers about the liner assembly to form a structural composite overwrap. A system for manufacturing a composite riser section with a liner assembly having a longitudinal axis comprises a first support and a second support that hold the liner assembly in a horizontal position therebetween, and a plurality of rollers that rotate the liner assembly about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An integrity monitoring system for monitoring degradation in a composite riser string. The system includes composite riser structures incorporating strain and vibration sensors to measure changes in the stiffness strain on a first orientation and on a second orientation. The system can also include monitoring modules attached to each individual riser and devices to transfer the data from the monitoring module to the surface controller. Additionally, the monitor system can provide for an alarm when predetermined warning limits are exceeded.

Abstract: A reinforced pipe section comprises a metal pipe, a layer of dry fibers disposed around the metal pipe, and an external liner covering the layer of dry fibers. A method of manufacturing a reinforced pipe section comprises wrapping a layer of dry fibers over a metal pipe, and covering the layer of dry fibers with an external liner, thereby forming a first dry fiber wrapped metal pipe. A method of reinforcing a degraded metal pipe comprises wrapping the degraded metal pipe with a layer of dry fibers to increase the hoop strength of the degraded metal pipe, and covering the layer of dry fibers with an external liner.

Abstract: A dynamic range relaxation algorithm is applied to simulate borehole failure under a variety of stress conditions. The borehole and its neighborhood are modeled by a number of regions by a plurality of interconnected nodes. The bonds between the nodes may be modeled as springs, rods, or beams. The strength of the bonds has a statistical variation to accurately simulate real world situations. The model may include, in addition to the borehole and the far earth formations, a liner, a casing, and/or a gravel pack. Simulation is carried out for different strength of the bonds.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for installing a floating platform to the ocean floor using a spoolable (preferably composite) tether, comprising installing the spooled tether onto the floating platform; towing the floating platform to a site for installation; unspooling the tether; connecting a bottom end connector of the tether to a foundation on the ocean floor; and connecting a top end connector of the tether to the floating platform. A preferred floating platform is a tension leg platform, and the invention includes a novel tension leg platform (TLP) comprising a spooled tether installed thereon. In a preferred embodiment the foundation is a suction anchor, and the suction anchor is connected to the bottom end connector prior to unspooling the tether and attached to the ocean floor after unspooling the tether. The floating platform may be uninstalled, moved and re-installed according to the invention.

Abstract: A method of re-manufacturing a composite riser section having a damaged original metal liner comprises inserting an expandable replacement liner into the bore of the composite riser section and positioning the replacement liner to cover the metal liner. An annular recess may be formed circumferentially into the damaged portion of the metal liner to accommodate the replacement liner. The replacement liner is radially expanded within the composite riser section and a seal is created to prevent fluid inside the composite riser from flowing around the replacement liner, through the damaged liner, and to the outside of the composite riser.

Abstract: The present invention discloses redundant sealing systems for composite risers having metal liner assemblies and methods of preventing interior fluid leakage to the outside of composite risers. An elastomeric seal is formed between an elastomeric tip provided on the end of a metal to composite interface (MCI) of the liner assembly and an elastomeric shear ply provided over the liner assembly. The elastomeric seal and a mechanical seal between the MCI and a transition ring which secures the liner to the MCI, provides a dual sealing system for the composite riser to prevent leakage of interior fluids. In the event that the integrity of the mechanical seal or the integrity of the liner is compromised, the elastomeric seal would prevent leakage of the fluid to the outside of the composite riser.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of re-manufacturing a composite riser section having a damaged original metal liner. An expandable replacement liner is inserted into the bore of the composite riser section and is positioned to cover the liner. An annular recess may be formed circumferentially into the damaged portion of the metal liner to accommodate the replacement liner. The replacement liner is radially expanded within the composite riser section and a seal is created to prevent fluid inside the composite riser from flowing around the replacement liner, through the damaged liner and to the outside of the composite riser.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metal lined composite riser section for use in offshore applications featuring a traplock metal-to-composite interface to secure a plurality of structural composite overwrap layers about a metal liner assembly. Each traplock is formed with at least one annular groove or channel which has been made in the exterior surface of the metal liner assembly. The annular trap grooves may be of various geometries and may be arranged adjacent to each other to form a traplock having 2 to 8 or any number of grooves required to ensure proper adhesion between the composite overwrap layers and the metal liner assembly. A number of structural composite overwrap layers are secured about the assembly by building up alternating combinations of helical and hoop fiber windings to form a composite material. The present invention also provides a method of making composite riser sections using either a mandrel or counterweights to facilitate the composite fiber winding process.

Abstract: The present invention discloses multiple sealing systems for composite risers and methods of preventing interior fluid leakage to the outside of composite risers. Single or multiple elastomeric seals are formed between an elastomer applied in single or multiple grooves provided circumferentially along the outer surface of a metal to composite interface (MCI) of a liner assembly of the composite riser and an elastomeric shear ply provided on the outside of the liner assembly. The elastomeric seals and a seal between the MCI and the liner of the liner assembly provide a multiple sealing system for the composite riser to prevent leakage of interior fluids. In the event that the integrity of the seal between the MCI and liner fails or the integrity of the liner is compromised, the elastomeric seals would prevent leakage of the fluid to the outside of the composite riser.

Abstract: The present invention includes a nontwisted composite tether comprising one or more composite rods encased in a jacket and a method for manufacturing same. A portion of the rods may be bundled into one or more strands, provided however that the rods comprising the strands are not twisted into twisted strands in the assembled nontwisted tether. Such untwisted strands, if any, additionally are not twisted relative to each other. Temporary and/or permanent buoyancy may be to the tether. The present invention includes methods for preparing, transporting, and installing a composite tether on a floating platform. The tether, preferably assembled at a waterfront, is launched into the water and towed to an offshore installation site, where the tether is upended and connected via a bottom end connector on the tether to an anchor foundation in the seabed and connected a top end connector on the tether to the floating platform.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for installing a floating platform to the ocean floor using a spoolable (preferably composite) tether, comprising installing the spooled tether onto the floating platform; towing the floating platform to a site for installation; unspooling the tether; connecting a bottom end connector of the tether to a foundation on the ocean floor; and connecting a top end connector of the tether to the floating platform. A preferred floating platform is a tension leg platform, and the invention includes a novel tension leg platform (TLP) comprising a spooled tether installed thereon. In a preferred embodiment the foundation is a suction anchor, and the suction anchor is connected to the bottom end connector prior to unspooling the tether and attached to the ocean floor after unspooling the tether. The floating platform may be uninstalled, moved and re-installed according to the invention.

Abstract: A dynamic range relaxation algorithm is applied to simulate borehole failure under a variety of stress conditions. The borehole and its neighborhood are modeled by a number of regions by a plurality of interconnected nodes. The bonds between the nodes may be modeled as springs, rods, or beams. The strength of the bonds has a statistical variation to accurately simulate real world situations. The model may include, in addition to the borehole and the far earth formations, a liner, a casing, and/or a gravel pack. Simulation is carried out for different strength of the bonds.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composite torque shaft for connecting a downhole fluid motor to the drill bit at the end of a drill string. The composite torque shaft comprises an elongate matrix body with oriented fibers fixed therein. The fibers are particularly oriented to provide the composite torque shaft with significant torque strength and stiffness while allowing bending flexibility. Accordingly, the composite torque shaft converts the gyrating and rotating motion of the rotor in the fluid motor to the pure rotation of the drill bit.

Abstract: A tubular plastic liner having a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than the coefficient of thermal expansion of a pipeline is cooled to reduce its outside diameter below the inside diameter of the pipeline, which is also cooled, and is then pulled into the pipeline. After the pulling operation is completed the liner and pipeline are allowed to return to normal temperature, whereupon the liner expands to conform to the inside diameter of the pipeline.