Abstract: A subsea connection system has a subsea structure with a flow channel therein and a port at one end of the flow channel, a stab having a flowline connected thereto, and a frame affixed to the stab. The stab is adapted to engage the port of the subsea structure so as to allow a fluid to flow from the flowline into the flow channel. The frame has a hook portion that is engageable with a tool hanger of the subsea structure so as to support the stab in alignment with the port. The frame is pivotable about the tool hanger so as to move the stab toward the port. An actuator is cooperative with the stab so as to move the stab between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: A process for killing a well includes drilling a first relief well and a second relief well toward the well, affixing a first relief well injection spool to the first relief well and affixing a second relief well injection spool to the second relief well, connecting a flowline to a flow channel of the first and second relief well injection spools, connecting a pipe to the first relief well injection spool so as to extend to a surface location, connecting a second pipe to the second relief well injection spool so as to extend to another surface location, and flowing a kill fluid through the second pipe such that the kill fluid flows through the flowline and into the flow channel of the first relief well injection spool so as to pass into the first relief well and into the well.

Abstract: A subsea connection system has a subsea structure with a flow channel therein and a port at one end of the flow channel, a stab having a flowline connected thereto, and a frame affixed to the stab. The stab is adapted to engage the port of the subsea structure so as to allow a fluid to flow from the flowline into the flow channel. The frame has a hook portion that is engageable with a tool hanger of the subsea structure so as to support the stab in alignment with the port. The frame is pivotable about the tool hanger so as to move the stab toward the port. An actuator is cooperative with the stab so as to move the stab between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: A relief well injection spool for use in killing a well has a body with a pair of inlets opening to a bore on an interior of the body, a ram body cooperative with the bore of the body so as to selectively open and close the bore, an upper connector affixed to the body and adapted to connect the body to a lower end of a blowout preventer, and a wellhead connector affixed to a lower end of the body. Each of the pair of inlets has a valve cooperative therewith. The upper connector opens to the bore of the body. The wellhead connector is adapted to connect to a relief well wellhead. The wellhead connector also opens to the bore of the body. A floating vessel can be provided so as to deliver a kill fluid into at least one of the pair of inlets.

Abstract: A process for killing a well includes drilling a first relief well and a second relief well toward the well, affixing a first relief well injection spool to the first relief well and affixing a second relief well injection spool to the second relief well, connecting a flowline to a flow channel of the first and second relief well injection spools, connecting a pipe to the first relief well injection spool so as to extend to a surface location, connecting a second pipe to the second relief well injection spool so as to extend to another surface location, and flowing a kill fluid through the second pipe such that the kill fluid flows through the flowline and into the flow channel of the first relief well injection spool so as to pass into the first relief well and into the well.

Abstract: A relief well injection spool for use in killing a well has a body with a pair of inlets opening to a bore on an interior of the body, a ram body cooperative with the bore of the body so as to selectively open and close the bore, an upper connector affixed to the body and adapted to connect the body to a lower end of a blowout preventer, and a wellhead connector affixed to a lower end of the body. Each of the pair of inlets has a valve cooperative therewith. The upper connector opens to the bore of the body. The wellhead connector is adapted to connect to a relief well wellhead. The wellhead connector also opens to the bore of the body. A floating vessel can be provided so as to deliver a kill fluid into at least one of the pair of inlets.

Abstract: A system for pumping a fluids from a subsea formation has a pipe extending into the formation, a first blowout preventer affixed to the pipe so as to be in fluid communication with the pipe, a flow diverter affixed to the first blowout preventer so as to have a diverter line in fluid communication with the flow passageway of the first blowout preventer, a pump module having a flow line affixed to the diverter line of the flow diverter so as to create a positive pressure to the fluid in the flow line, and an outline interconnected to the flow line of the pump module. The pump module is suitable for passing fluid from the flow line of the pump module through the outlet line. The pump produces a pressure to the fluid greater than the pressure of the formation. A second blowout preventer is affixed to the flow diverter.

Abstract: There is provided a device and method for high speed hydraulic actuation. The method includes adjusting a position of an actuator using a hydraulic pressure regulator. Adjusting the position of the actuator includes increasing pressure on the hydraulic pressure regulator to open the actuator using a first solenoid, or decreasing pressure on the hydraulic pressure regulator to close the actuator using a second solenoid.

Abstract: An apparatus for the shearing of pipe in a subsea environment has a housing with an interior passageway suitable for allowing a pipe to extend therethrough, a shell positioned in the interior passageway of the housing, and a shape charge positioned in the shell so as to be directed toward an outer diameter of the pipe. The shaped charge includes a plurality of shape charges positioned in the shell so as to be directed to the outer diameter of the pipe. The plurality of shape charges extend radially within the shell. The plurality of shape charges are positioned in a common horizontal plane. The shell can be movable between a first position in which the shape charge is spaced from the pipe and a second position in which the shape charge bears against an outer diameter of the pipe.

Abstract: A sensing system for use with a subsea actuator has an actuator with a cylinder having a piston therein, and a piston rod extending outwardly of the cylinder, a magnetic member connected to or cooperative with an end of the piston rod, and a magnetic field sensor positioned over the magnetic member so as to sense magnetic field changes in relation to a movement of the magnetic member relative to the magnetic field sensor. A data acquisition system is cooperative with the magnetic field sensor for receiving a signal from the magnetic field sensor. A housing is positioned over the magnetic field sensor and over the magnetic member. The magnetic member moves through the housing in relation to a movement of the piston rod.

Abstract: A system and method for rapidly responding to and regaining control of uncontrolled flow from offshore hydrocarbon wells, that includes a subsea containment assembly, optionally including a capture caisson assembly installed around the assembly, riser systems for production of hydrocarbons to capture vessels on the surface of the sea, and modularized subsystems facilitating communication between and fluid flow from the subsea containment assembly through the riser to the capture vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for diverting a fluid from a subsea well has a blowout preventer with an upper portion and a lower portion, and a diverter affixed between the upper and lower portions of the blowout preventer. Each of the upper portion and lower portion of the blowout preventer has a flow passageway extending vertically therethrough. The diverter has an interior passageway extending vertically therethrough in alignment with the flow passageway of the upper and lower portions of the blowout preventer. The diverter has a flowline communicating with the interior passageway and extends outwardly therefrom. The flowline has a valve thereon which is movable between an open position and a closed position. The open position is suitable for allowing at least a portion of the fluid from the flow passageway to pass outwardly of the flowline to a location remote from the blowout preventer.

Abstract: A production apparatus for use with a subsea wellhead has a tubing head spool and a vertical tree. The tubing head spool has an end suitable for connection to the wellhead. The tubing head spool has a production bore extending therethrough and a tubing hanger arranged therein. The vertical tree has a tree connector at a lower end thereof. The vertical tree has flowline extending therethrough. The tree connector is affixed to a tubing head mandrel of the tubing head spool. The flowline is in valved communication with the production bore of the tubing head spool. The flowline extends outwardly of a vertical tree so as to allow a flow of production fluids outwardly of the vertical tree. The tubing head spool is a horizontal Christmas tree with master flow line and the annulus line sealed closed.

Abstract: A fluid diverting apparatus for use with a blowout preventer or a wellhead has a lower marine riser package having an interior passageway through which fluids can pass, an elongate member affixed to the lower marine riser package at an end opposite the blowout preventer stack or the wellhead, and a tubular member extending through a portion of the interior of the elongate member. The tubular member extends through a portion of the interior passageway of the lower marine riser passage. A seal is formed in one of the lower marine riser package of the elongate member so as to extend around an exterior of the tubular member so as to allow fluids to flow through a passage in the tubular member.

Abstract: A system for diverting fluids from a wellhead in a subsea environment has a capping stack with a connector suitable for connection or interconnection to the wellhead, a flow base fixedly positioned in the subsea environment, and a conduit connected to the outlet of a diverter line of the capping stack and connected to the inlet of an interior passageway of the flow base. The conduit is suitable for passing fluids from the capping stack toward the flow base. The flow base is a modified horizontal Christmas tree. The interior passageway within the horizontal Christmas tree has a plug therein located a level below the level of the inlet to the flow base. The flow base can be attached to a wellhead or to an anchor pile in the subsea environment.

Abstract: A system for the diversion of flow from a wellhead has a mudline closure mechanism suitable for attachment to the wellhead, a blowout preventer connected or interconnected to the mudline control mechanism, and a flow control line having one end connected to a diversion passageway of the mudline control mechanism and extending therefrom such that an opposite end of the flow control line is disposed away from the mudline closure mechanism. The mudline closure mechanism has a main passageway communicating with the flow passageway of the blowout preventer. The mudline closure mechanism has a valve suitable for switching fluid flow from the main passageway to the diversion passageway. The blowout preventer is positioned above the mudline closure mechanism. The flow control line is supported by a base anchored into the subsea floor away from the mudline closure mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method for rapidly responding to and regaining control of uncontrolled flow from offshore hydrocarbon wells, comprising a subsea containment assembly, optionally including a capture caisson assembly installed around the assembly, riser systems for production of hydrocarbons to capture vessels on the surface of the sea, and modularized subsystems facilitating communication between and fluid flow from the subsea containment assembly through the riser to the capture vessel.

Abstract: A cap assembly for use with a tubing spool of a wellhead has a body with an interior passageway body and a mandrel extending upwardly therefrom. The body has a connector extending from an opposite end thereof. The interior passageway extends though the mandrel and the connector. A valve is affixed to the body and extends into the interior passageway. The valve is movable between a first position closing the interior passageway and a second position opening the interior passageway. An actuator is connected to the valve so as to move the valve between the first and second positions. A tubing hanger stab is affixed to the body and extends through the connector so as to join with a tubing hanger in the tubing spool.

Abstract: A subsea pipe connection assembly has a first flange, a nut magazine positioned against a side of the first flange and having a plurality of nuts therein corresponding to the plurality of holes of the first flange, a second flange having a plurality of holes in alignment with the holes of the first flange, and a plurality of studs extending through holes of the first and second flanges such that the nuts in the nut magazine are affixed to the ends of the studs. A sleeve is affixed to and extending from the second flange. An ROV-delivered frame can be supported on the sleeve of the pipe such that a torquing tool connected to the frame can apply torque to a nut on the stud. The sleeve has a guide surface thereon so as to direct the torquing tool to nuts on the plurality of studs.

Abstract: A subsea relief valve system for use in a subsea environment has subsea piping having a first portion and a second portion, a choke cooperative with the subsea piping and movable between an open position and a closed position, a hydraulic actuator connected to the choke so as to move the choke between the open and closed positions, and a signal source cooperative with the hydraulic actuator so as to actuate the choke to the open position when an overpressure condition is detected. The open position of the choke is suitable for venting a fluid to the subsea environment. The closed position of the choke is suitable for retaining the fluid within the subsea piping.