Abstract: Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead and then orienting a tree (or spool, or flowline connection body) relative to the tubing hanger while landing the tree on the wellhead are provided. This alignment is accomplished without the use of either a tubing spool or a BOP stack with an orientation pin. The tubing hanger alignment devices may be used to orientate the tree as the tree is landed so that the couplings and stabs between the tree and the tubing hanger line up with each other just at the moment of landing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead and then orienting a tree (or spool, or flowline connection body) relative to the tubing hanger while landing the tree on the wellhead are provided. This alignment is accomplished without the use of either a tubing spool or a BOP stack with an orientation pin. The tubing hanger alignment devices may be used to orientate the tree as the tree is landed so that the couplings and stabs between the tree and the tubing hanger line up with each other just at the moment of landing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for control/monitoring of internal equipment in a riser assembly are disclosed. The method includes running a tool through at least a portion of an internal bore of a riser assembly associated with a well, and outputting a control signal from a first wireless communication interface disposed along the internal bore of the riser assembly. The first wireless communication interface is coupled to a communication system on the riser assembly. The method also includes receiving the control signal at a second wireless communication interface disposed on the tool, and actuating at least one equipment component of the tool in response to the second wireless communication interface receiving the control signal.

Abstract: A ball valve assembly including a fluid storage mechanism (e.g., accumulator) that absorbs excess fluid pressure vented through a communication port is provided. The ball valve assembly includes a housing with a fluid passage formed therethrough, a seat located in the fluid passage, and an inlet of the fluid passage on a first side of the seat for coupling the ball valve assembly to the communication port. The ball valve assembly includes a ball with a bore formed therethrough. The ball is positioned in the seat and rotatably movable between an open position allowing flow through the fluid passage and a closed position preventing flow through the fluid passage. The ball valve assembly also includes an accumulator disposed in the housing and fluidly coupled to the first fluid passage on a second side of the seat opposite the first side.

Abstract: A high capacity universal connector for use in connecting tubular members and a method for sealing the tubular members is provided. First and second tubular members are provided which each have ends that are brought into face-to-face engagement by a connector. A metal sealing element seals against conical surfaces at the ends of the first and second tubular members and enables the entire surface of the end of one tubular member to be bought into engagement with the surface of the end of the other tubular member so as to improve the bending and compression capacity of the assembly comprising the tubular members and the metal sealing element. A metal sealing ring for use in this assembly is also provided, along with a gasket retention assembly.

Abstract: A high capacity universal connector for use in connecting tubular members and a method for sealing the tubular members is provided. First and second tubular members are provided which each have ends that are brought into face-to-face engagement by a connector. A metal sealing element seals against conical surfaces at the ends of the first and second tubular members and enables the entire surface of the end of one tubular member to be bought into engagement with the surface of the end of the other tubular member so as to improve the bending and compression capacity of the assembly comprising the tubular members and the metal sealing element. A metal sealing ring for use in this assembly is also provided, along with a gasket retention assembly.

Abstract: A high capacity universal connector for use in connecting tubular members and a method for sealing the tubular members is provided. First and second tubular members are provided which each have ends that are brought into face-to-face engagement by a connector. A metal sealing element seals against conical surfaces at the ends of the first and second tubular members and enables the entire surface of the end of one tubular member to be bought into engagement with the surface of the end of the other tubular member so as to improve the bending and compression capacity of the assembly comprising the tubular members and the metal sealing element. A metal sealing ring for use in this assembly is also provided, along with a gasket retention assembly.

Abstract: An improved anti-rotation device designed to prevent rotation of a first threaded portion of a connector assembly with respect to a second threaded portion of the connector assembly is provided. The anti-rotation device may be an integral part of one end of the connector assembly, so that the anti-rotation device cannot become lost before the first and second threaded sections are coupled together. The anti-rotation key may be rotatably coupled to the first threaded portion and may be easily transitioned from an unlocked position within the connector assembly to a locked position that prevents rotation of the threaded portions relative to each other.

Abstract: Systems and methods for riser monitoring and lifecycle management are disclosed. The riser monitoring and lifecycle management method includes receiving a signal indicative of an identification of a riser component at a monitoring and lifecycle management system (MLMS), wherein the riser component forms part of a riser assembly. The method also includes detecting one or more properties via at least one sensor disposed on the riser component during operation of the riser assembly, and communicating data indicative of the detected properties to the MLMS. The MLMS stores the data indicative of the detected properties with the identification of the riser component in a database.

Abstract: Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead and then orienting a tree (or spool, or flowline connection body) relative to the tubing hanger while landing the tree on the wellhead are provided. This alignment is accomplished without the use of either a tubing spool or a BOP stack with an orientation pin. The tubing hanger alignment devices may be used to orientate the tree as the tree is landed so that the couplings and stabs between the tree and the tubing hanger line up with each other just at the moment of landing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for riser monitoring and lifecycle management are disclosed. The riser monitoring and lifecycle management method includes receiving a signal indicative of an identification of a riser component at a monitoring and lifecycle management system (MLMS), wherein the riser component forms part of a riser assembly. The method also includes detecting one or more properties via at least one sensor disposed on the riser component during operation of the riser assembly, and communicating data indicative of the detected properties to the MLMS. The MLMS stores the data indicative of the detected properties with the identification of the riser component in a database.

Abstract: An improved anti-rotation device for preventing rotation of two joined tubular members of a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes a first threaded portion connected to a second threaded portion. The anti-rotation device includes at least one self-tapping screw installed in an associated threaded bore formed in and tangential to a flange of the second threaded portion. When installed, the at least one self-tapping screw engages a shoulder of the first threaded portion. A partial thread is formed in the shoulder of the first threaded portion by the at least one self-tapping screw, which forms a shear-resistive force that prevents rotation of the first threaded portion relative to the second threaded portion, and thus prevents rotation of one tubular member relative to the other.

Abstract: An improved anti-rotation key designed to prevent rotation of a first threaded portion of a connector assembly with respect to a second threaded portion of the connector assembly is provided. The disclosed key includes several features that facilitate easier, faster, and more accurate securing of the key within the connector. For example, the key may include features that guide, pre-load, and smooth the transition of the key from an initial position to a fully engaged and energized position.

Abstract: A high capacity universal connector for use in connecting tubular members and a method for sealing the tubular members is provided. First and second tubular members are provided which each have ends that are brought into face-to-face engagement by a connector. A metal sealing element seals against conical surfaces at the ends of the first and second tubular members and enables the entire surface of the end of one tubular member to be bought into engagement with the surface of the end of the other tubular member so as to improve the bending and compression capacity of the assembly comprising the tubular members and the metal sealing element. A metal sealing ring for use in this assembly is also provided, along with a gasket retention assembly.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an improved anti-rotation device for preventing rotation of two joined tubular members of a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes a first threaded portion connected to a second threaded portion. The anti-rotation device includes at least one self-tapping screw installed in an associated threaded bore formed in and tangential to a flange of the second threaded portion. When installed, the at least one self-tapping screw engages a shoulder of the first threaded portion. A partial thread is formed in the shoulder of the first threaded portion by the at least one self-tapping screw, which forms a shear-resistive force that prevents rotation of the first threaded portion relative to the second threaded portion, and thus prevents rotation of one tubular member relative to the other.

Abstract: Systems and methods for riser monitoring and lifecycle management are disclosed. The riser monitoring and lifecycle management method includes receiving a signal indicative of an identification of a riser component at a monitoring and lifecycle management system (MLMS), wherein the riser component forms part of a riser assembly. The method also includes detecting one or more properties via at least one sensor disposed on the riser component during operation of the riser assembly, and communicating data indicative of the detected properties to the MLMS. The MLMS stores the data indicative of the detected properties with the identification of the riser component in a database.

Abstract: Systems and methods for riser monitoring are disclosed. A riser monitoring system includes a riser assembly having a plurality of riser components, wherein the riser assembly includes an internal bore running through the plurality of riser components. An external sensor is disposed on an outer surface of the riser assembly, an internal sensor is disposed along the internal bore of the riser assembly, or both. A communication system is coupled to the external sensor, internal sensor, or both to communicate signals from the external and/or internal sensors to an operator monitoring system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a smart riser handling tool are disclosed. The riser handling tool may be movable to manipulate an equipment asset, such as a riser component. The riser handling tool may include one or more sensors for measuring one or more properties associated with the equipment asset, and a communication system coupled to the one or more sensors to communicate data indicative of the one or more measured properties to an operator monitoring system. In some embodiments, the riser handling tool may include an electronic identification reader for identifying the equipment asset, and the communication system may be coupled to the electronic identification reader to communicate data indicative of the equipment asset identification to the operator monitoring system.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an improved anti-rotation device designed to prevent rotation of a first threaded portion of a connector assembly with respect to a second threaded portion of the connector assembly is provided. The disclosed anti-rotation device may be an integral part of one end of the connector assembly, so that the anti-rotation device cannot become lost before the first and second threaded sections are coupled together. The anti-rotation key may be rotatably coupled to the first threaded portion and may be easily transitioned from an unlocked position within the connector assembly to a locked position that prevents rotation of the threaded portions relative to each other.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an improved anti-rotation key designed to prevent rotation of a first threaded portion of a connector assembly with respect to a second threaded portion of the connector assembly is provided. The disclosed key includes several features that facilitate easier, faster, and more accurate securing of the key within the connector. For example, the key may include features that guide, pre-load, and smooth the transition of the key from an initial position to a fully engaged and energized position. Specifically, the key may include a tapered first surface for engaging with a tapered surface of the first threaded portion, and a set of short teeth and a set of long teeth on a second surface opposite the tapered first surface for engaging with an engagement surface on the second threaded portion.