Abstract: A method for making a threaded joint between first and second tubulars, each tubular including a central axis, a first end, a second end, a throughbore extending between the first second ends, an internally threaded box-end connector at the first end, and an externally threaded pin-end connector at the second end, the method including: (a) moving the first tubular axially relative to the second tubular to position the pin-end connector of the first tubular at least partially within the box-end connector of the second tubular. In addition, the method includes (b) orbiting the pin-end connector of the first tubular about the central axis of the second tubular; and (c) rotating the first tubular about the central axis of the first tubular during (b). Further, the method includes (d) threading the pin-end connector of the first tubular into the box-end connector of the second tubular dining (b) and (c).

Abstract: An offshore structure for placement on a sea floor in a body of water containing moving ice masses, which impart Environmental Loads to the structure; the offshore structure includes a base which contacts the sea floor, the base having sufficient horizontal cross-sectional area such that a bearing pressure and a horizontal shear force, which result from Environmental Loads and which are transferred to the sea floor foundation by the foundation base, are less than at least one of a predetermined shear capacity and a predetermined bearing capacity for the sea floor foundation; and a hollow, watertight topside structure located at or above the waterline of the body which is supported by a support shaft extending vertically from the base through the topside structure.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus, method and system for supporting risers in a floating platform. The apparatus comprises a table disposed above a hull-top surface, a first riser opening in the table, and a first dedicated riser tensioner attached to the table and disposed about the first riser opening. The apparatus further comprises a second riser opening, and a second dedicated riser tensioner attached to the table and disposed about the second riser opening. The method comprises tensioning a first riser with a first dedicated riser tensioner, and tensioning a second riser with a second dedicated riser tensioner, wherein the first dedicated riser tensioner is responsive to the second dedicated riser tensioner. The system comprises a mechanism for tensioning a first and a second riser, wherein the mechanism for tensioning the first riser is responsive to the second riser.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus, method and system for supporting risers in a floating platform. The apparatus comprises a table disposed above a hull-top surface, a first riser opening in the table, and a first dedicated riser tensioner attached to the table and disposed about the first riser opening. The apparatus further comprises a second riser opening, and a second dedicated riser tensioner attached to the table and disposed about the second riser opening. The method comprises tensioning a first riser with a first dedicated riser tensioner, and tensioning a second riser with a second dedicated riser tensioner, wherein the first dedicated riser tensioner is responsive to the second dedicated riser tensioner. The system comprises means for tensioning a first and a second riser, wherein the means for tensioning the first riser is responsive to the second riser.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for disconnecting a marine riser assembly from a subsea wellhead when the marine riser assembly contains substantially gas, the marine riser assembly comprising a riser and a wellhead connector having an internal shoulder for abutting against the top of the subsea wellhead. The method comprises equalizing the pressure acting on the internal shoulder of the wellhead connector and the seawater pressure acting external to the wellhead connector.

Abstract: A vibration dampening assembly, such as a dynamic balancing apparatus, is connected to a drill bit, a downhole motor or drillstring to exert a variable force to counteract vibration inducing forces. The dynamic balancing apparatus includes a support body which supports a plurality of freely movable masses so that the masses move to a position for opposing an imbalance force which rotates with, and at the same speed as, the drill bit, downhole motor or drillstring.

Abstract: This invention is an improvement over the simple riser pipe terminator, which has been applied at the mudline and at the platform level, to resist very large stresses in the riser pipes when a vertically moored platform (VMP) or other similarly tethered structure is subjected to wind, tide and current. A second or short terminator is used with the terminator to form a multiterminator which results in the length and weight of the terminator assembly for a given site being greatly reduced from that of the prior art terminator. Thus, the cost of construction of the terminator assembly is drastically reduced with the use of our invention. Also disclosed is a novel bearing arrangement between the structure VMP and the terminator assembly.

Abstract: This invention is an improvement over the simple terminator, which has been applied at the mudline, and at the platform level, to resist very large stresses in the riser pipes when the vertically moored platform (VMP) is subjected to wind, tide and current. A second or short terminator is used with the terminator to form a multiterminator which results in the length and weight of the terminator assembly for a given site being greatly reduced from that of the prior art terminator. Thus, the cost of construction of the terminator assembly is drastically reduced with the use of our invention. Also disclosed is a novel bearing arrangement between the VMP and the terminator assembly.

Abstract: This invention concerns an impact wrench for breaking a threaded connection between a first section of pipe and a second section of pipe. It includes an arcuate gripping member having an exterior gripping means for gripping the inside of the first section of pipe and an impact tool for directing multiple sudden distinct forces of torque through said gripping means to the first section. It also includes a second arcuate gripping member for gripping the interior of the second section of pipe which is connected to the first and means for the second arcuate gripping member to receive the reaction torque from the impact tool.

Abstract: This invention involves a modification of the prior art subsea drilling system in which a carousel is positioned on a central post surrounded by a coaxial circular array of well slots and is adapted to be rotated by drill pipe through conventional means, from the floating platform. The carousel utilizes a fixed support platform spaced from the axis of rotation a distance equal to the radius of the array of well slots. The platform has its own well slot and a bearing concentric with the well slot. A well slot platform, or support post platform, is journaled in this bearing and supports a plurality of guide posts on a circle centered at the axis of the well slot. The support posts support cables hanging from the drilling vessel, which are used to guide the drill bit down from the surface to the carousel well slot. The carousel is adapted to revolve while supported by circular rails concentric with the central guide post.

Abstract: An improved system for anchoring a floating vessel which is anchored only by parallel and essentially vertical conduits. The anchoring load is carried by units of concentric pipes including an outer riser pipe and inner strings of casing. Drilling wells and/or production of oil and gas or like operations are conducted through these casings. The tension of the inner casing string is transmitted to the floating vessel through the upper end of the outer riser pipe. The system prevents excessive buildup of stresses in the upper end of the inner casing due to the bending caused by excursions caused by the waves, the wind and the current.

Abstract: This invention relates to a floating production system for offshore development of oil and gas wells which employs an underwater buoy to decrease tension on flexible riser pipes used to connect a subsea pipeline to the floating vessel. The underwater buoy utilizes a cradle assembly having a drag balancing tail assembly to counteract the twisting moment applied to the cradle by current drag forces.

Abstract: Special J-slot connectors have been devised for connecting concentric riser pipes and casing from a structure at the surface of a body of water to corresponding concentric casings set in the sea floor. This can be called a "tieback tool" for sealingly securing a first tubular member suspended from a vessel floating on a body of water to a casing hung in the wellbore in the bottom of the body of water. Special multiple axially aligned J-slot means are also provided together with means to assure proper "makeup" of the J-slots. Means are also provided for proper alignment of circumferentially spaced J-slot connectors. Special self-emergizing seals are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described to reduce the tension required on a riser pipe used in offshore drilling between a floating vessel and a subsea wellhead. Heavy drilling fluid is circulated down a drill pipe and up the annulus between the drill pipe and the borehole wall to a point just above a subsea wellhead. From this point, a separate drilling fluid return conduit extends to the floating vessel. Means are provided to maintain a constant level of an interface between the heavy returning drilling fluid and the lightweight fluid which can be confined within the riser pipe.

Abstract: An unarticulated riser pipe for connecting a subsea pipeline to facilities on a floating platform. The riser pipe has a vertical section which is rigidly attached to a horizontal section which provides flexibility. Means are provided to maintain the tension on the vertical section. In one embodiment, a subsea frame aids in connecting the horizontal and vertical sections and then to set a limit on permitted motion of the riser pipe.

Abstract: A downhole seismic source for use when drilling a borehole in the earth using a rotating drill string through which a drilling fluid is circulated. In one embodiment, a section of the drill string has a slot in it and a sleeve rotatably surrounding the slot with a plurality of spaced-apart slots arranged to align with the slot in section of drill pipe during rotation of the sleeve with respect to the section. In operation this generates a controlled seismic signal. In another embodiment the bit is modified to have a fluid passage with a valve therein that opens and closes in a selected pattern during rotation of the drill bit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a structure floating on a body of water, and particularly a structure for drilling or producing wells from below the water. Buoyant members support at least a part of the structure above the surface of the water. The structure is connected to anchors in the floor of the body of water by a series of parallel leg members. Each leg member is composed of a plurality of elongated members, such as large diameter pipe usually called risers. These risers are parallel. Vertically spaced spacers are provided along the risers of each leg to (1) maintain the risers a fixed distance apart and (2) change the natural or resonant frequency of the individual riser pipes to be greater than the flutter frequency caused by the motion of the water past the risers.