Abstract: A subsea wireline lubricator comprises in sequence (a) a stuffing box, (b) at least one blow-out preventer, (c) a riser, (d) a foot valve and (e) a connector for connection to a subsea well head assembly.The lubricator permits wireline access to subsea oil wells without the need for a conventional tensioned riser.

Abstract: A subsea drilling drive pipe apparatus for drilling offshore wells from a floating vessel into the ocean floor. An elongated drilling drive pipe including a plurality of locking pads which are circumferentially positioned about the drive pipe periphery. A foundation structure is removably engageable with the elongated drive pipe by one or more locking pins which detachably engage the drive pipe thereby permitting the assembled members to be lowered as a unit to the ocean floor in contemplation of a subsea well drilling operation.

Abstract: Control apparatus for a sub-sea wellhead installation, for example of a satellite well, is disclosed which includes a plurality of control devices 80 each for providing a control function for the installation 10 and a connector 40, 45, 50 for connecting the devices 80 to the installation 10, each control device being independently engageable and disengageable with the connector 40, 45, 50. The connector includes a manifold 40 to which are connected a plurality of receptacles 50, each control device 80 being engageable with the the receptacle 50. The receptacles and control devices are preferably provided with complementary engageable portions 52, 54, 56; 82, 84, 86, which include hydraulic and electrical connectors 58, 60, 62, 70, 72; 88, 90, 92, 98, 100, so that control signals may be passed via the connectors 40, 45, 50 to the control devices 80 from a command installation and actuation signals may be passed from the control devices 80 through the connector 40, 45, 50 to devices on the installation 10.

Abstract: An insert choke for a sub-sea oil production module has a body and releasable latch for locking it into a housing of the production module, and a variable choke constriction within the body which can be adjusted by a screw-threaded stem co-operating with a screw threaded member which can be rotated manually, by an ROV, or by an associated choke control module.The associated module, if used, fits over the insert choke and has releasable latches for locking it to the choke, and gearing and motor(s) for rotating the screw threaded member and adjusting the choke. Hydraulic cylinders and pistons actuate both the releasable latches of the choke within the choke housing and the latches for locking and unlocking the choke to and from the control module.

Abstract: The field of crude oil exploitation on a sub-marine site. The station comprises a platform 1 of octagonal shape carried by a central column 2 anchored in the ground on which is fixed an effluent collecting module 5. Stacked on the said module is a central control module 60. Fixed in overhanging fashion on six sides of the octagon are frames 10 to 15 adapted to overhang drilling wells and each carrying a production head 30, 40. On the other two sides of the octagon, fixed by means of frames, there are an umblical head 80 and a connecting module 70 for the discharge of effluent.This arrangement makes it possible to bring a certain number of wells close to the platform and so shorten the distances between the modular units.

Abstract: A sea bed oil producing and processing complex has a template with three bays housing pairs of modules, viz, well, gas and oil production modules. The complex includes a separator for separating oil and gas and a pump for the produced oil, and bars having pipework to carry fluids between the pairs of modules and to despatch separated gas and oil. Saddles may carry fluids across between individual modules of a pair and the complex may have facilities for artificial lift, water injection, chemical fluid injection and for test fluids. Multiples of the three bays and pairs of modules may be within a single template and a number of modules may surround a central piping template. The complex can be services and maintained in a diverless mode using a monohull vessel and an ROV.

Abstract: Where a subsea well is completed for production or water injection service, a subsea christmas tree must sealably connect with both the wellhead and the pipeline(s) or subsea manifold template pipework in order that fluids may flow out of (or into) the well. An intermediate series of pipework loops mounted within a space frame, herein referred to as a Flowline Connection Module (FCM) is removably interposed between the subsea wellhead and the subsea christmas tree to facilitate the piping connections. Each of the modules is further provided with removable U-looped pipework spools at its extremities and said spools may contain adjustable chokes to control the flow of fluids into or out of the wells. The replacement of one choke spool with another may adapt the service function of the well from, for example, production to water injection.

Abstract: A subsea guidepost latch mechanism which latches a guidepost to a guidepost-receptacle by means of an external snap ring on the guidepost and an internal groove in the guidepost-receptacle. The snap ring is held in the groove by a collet inside the snap ring which is forced outward by an inner mandrel in the guidepost when upward tension is placed on the mandrel by a guideline. The guidepost is released from the guidepost-receptacle by releasing tension on the guideline which allows the mandrel to drop, releasing outward force on the collet and the snap ring. This allows the snap ring to be pulled out of the guidepost-receptacle groove.

Abstract: A casing guide apparatus includes a subsea well template having a well opening defined therein, and a cylindrical well casing received through the well opening. A casing guide bushing is operably asssociated with the template and the casing for permitting relative vertical movement between the template and the casing and for preventing relative lateral movement between the template and the casing at the well opening.

Abstract: A light-weight, modular drilling template. A template is constructed of light-weight tubular steel having ring stiffeners to provide adequate crush resistance to withstand collapse under hydraulic loading provided by water pressure at 1800 feet water depth. The template is constructed as a pod-receiving frame with separable pods that may be installed after the frame has been set on the seafloor and leveled. The individual pods may be fine tune leveled by means of adjustable jacking mechanisms that form part of the latching devices that secure the pods to the frame. A method for installing a foundation template subsequent to installing the drilling template is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for remotely cutting a broken guideline extending from an underwater guide post comprising a frame, a clamping mechanism for clamping the frame to the guide post in a predetermined location, a pair of opposed cutting jaws pivotally coupled to the frame, and a remotely actuated power device for pivoting the jaws across the longitudinal axis of the broken guideline to sever the guideline from the guide post. The cutting jaws are pivoted about the same axis and are actuated by a U-shaped driver slidably movable along the frame. The clamping mechanism comprises a pair of opposed jaws receivable in an annular groove in the guide post. Above the cutting jaws are a pair of pivotal loom jaws which guide the assembly on the post and also deflect any interfering portion of the broken guideline extending along the side of the post.

Abstract: A subsea connection assembly including a connection box having an open top and provided with a plurality of pipe segments coupled thereto, each pipe segment having an outlet end near the open top of the connection box. The pipe segments have their inlet ends coupled to a manifold assembly having connections to subsea wells. Guide wires are attached to the connection box for guiding a frame downwardly from a floating vessel or platform on the surface of the sea, the frame being operable to carry the lower ends of a plurality of fluid conductors downwardly to the connection box so that such lower ends can become connected to the outlet ends of the pipe segments.

Abstract: There is described a coupling for in use lifting and supporting oil drilling strings while allowing rotation of the drill strike and calculation of mud through the drill. The coupling comprises an upper body and a lower body. The lower body is rotatably mounted on the upper body and has support means for lifting drill pipes. The coupling is provided with a through passage for supply of mud to the drill pipes and a valve member is provided to control mud supply.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus comprising a lockdown connector 20 which connects a subsea wellhead 74 to an outer conductor pipe 10 of the mudline suspension system 12 to convert a mudline suspension system to a subsea well system while providing adjustability in both the longitudinal and radial directions and providing a means by which loads imposed on the wellhead are transferred to the outermost conductor pipe.

Abstract: A subsea drilling and production system where the production unit is removably connected onto a drilling template and operatively connected to one or more Christmas trees so that the production unit may be disconnected from the trees and removed from the template without first removing any of the trees and so that any of the trees may be disconnected from the production unit and removed from the underwater site without removing the production unit.

Abstract: A remotely releasable pipe connector is described and comprises a first tubular connector or "pin connector" having at least one laterally extending locking member, and a slotted second tubular connector or "box connector" cooperatively disposable over the first tubular connector with the slots thereof removably engaging the first tubulars connector's locking members. One or more shear plates are attachable to the second tubular connector and are positioned to prevent the release of the locking members from the slots in the second tubular connector until the shear plates are subjected to a force greater than or equal to a predetermined force.

Abstract: A system for connecting an exploratory well into a producing well by retrieving a permanent guide base (P) and replacing the same with a completion guide base (C) containing the necessary equipment for producing from the well. To do this, the permanent guide base comprises two parts; a gimbal part (32) and a platform part (34)--the platform part (34) can be detached from the low pressure wellhead housing (W) and retrieved leaving the wellhead housing (W) and the permanent guide base gimbal part (32) subsea. The wellhead housing (W), provided with a latching profile (154), though not used during exploratory drilling, is now used to latch the completion guide base (C) thereto for production from the well. The two parts of the retrievable permanent guide base are latched together by a latching mechanism (74) which is easily releasable to unlatch one part from the other, and both guide bases (P & C) are provided with wire line guide posts (82) which are easily detachable for replacement if necessary.

Abstract: Apparatus for enabling a self-contained submersible module including a length of conduit for connection to a collector to be repetitively put into place and removed. The collector (3) is located on the sea bed, and said length of conduit (14) and said collector (3) have mating ends fitted with a releasable connector suitable for establishing said connection when the ends to be connected come into end-to-end engagement. The length of conduit (14) is mounted in the module (2) on a carriage (7) to enable said length of conduit to be moved out from said module to bring one of its ends (13) into contact with the end (5) of the collector. Once the length of conduit has made connection with the end of the collector, the carriage also enables said length of conduit to be moved in the opposite direction pulling said collector with it in order to connect the other end of the conduit to a well head (1).

Abstract: A device for connecting and disconnecting a first tubular conduit mobile in longitudinal translation inside a second fixed tubular conduit of the type comprising a longitudinally sliding mobile piece and which, for locking, bearing by an inclined bearing surface on a bearing surface of a mobile detent, causes said detent to swing through an opening formed in the wall of the fixed conduit into a groove formed in said mobile conduit. The means for driving the sleeve comprise a finger projecting through an aperture formed in the wall of said fixed conduit and sliding in a housing formed in the thickness of this conduit, for locking, under the effect of the thrust exerted by the downward movement of said mobile conduit onto said finger by means of a shoulder with which said mobile conduit is provided and, for unlocking, by sliding in the reverse direction under the effect of hydraulic or mechanical means such as a rod.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein includes a method and apparatus for latching a temporary guide base to a permanent guide base as the permanent guide base is raised, whereby the two guide bases may be retrieved simultaneously. The apparatus includes a socket means in each guideline of the temporary guide base and a latch means in the base of each guidepost of the temporary guide base. When the permanent guide base is lowered, the latch means passes over the socket means. When the permanent guide base is raised, however, the latch means engages the socket means and the temporary guide base is raised.

Abstract: A safety installation for a well-head located on the sea bottom comprises an emergency unit mounted on the well-head below the well shut-off units and including a complete-closure shut-off device controlled by sound transmission and by an intervention liquid supplied to a lateral inflow, a re-entry structure provided with an inflow funnel and placed on the sea bottom in the region of the well-head but spaced therefrom, and a flexible pipe connecting the lateral inflow of the emergency unit to the re-entry structure for intervention liquid and being wound on a drum on the re-entry structure.

Abstract: A method of replacing a corroded well conductor positioned in an oil production platform at an offshore location. After shutting in or killing the well, the wellhead is removed and the sections of the casing and tubing strings within the well conductor above the mud line are backed off and removed. The damaged well conductor is cut off above the mud line leaving a stub to which the lower end of a new section of well conductor is connected and bonded by means of a novel connector. Communication between the old and new sections of well conductor is established and the casing and tubing sections are re-installed in the new well conductor and the wellhead is closed.

Abstract: In the mining of various minerals from the earth, large mining shafts extending from the surface down to the deposited mineral layers or seams in the earth can be provided through the use of large diameter bore hole drilling equipment. With the drilling equipment stationed on the surface of the earth, a drilling member is drilled down into the earth for forming a shaft in excess of 10 feet to a depth of at least 2000 feet. As the earth is broken up during the drilling operation, the broken fragments are removed from the drilled hole by a reverse circulation drilling operation. During the drilling operation, the drilling bit is maintained in proper alignment with the shaft being drilled by the use of non-rotating stabilizers having an outer diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the hole being drilled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for eliminating vertical motion of a downhole tool in a subsea borehole as the tool is being operated by a drill string from a floating vessel. A vertical motion elimination means is incorporated into the drill string at a point which will be adjacent a blowout preventer stack on the marine bottom when the downhole tool is positioned at a desired point in the borehole. The vertical motion elimination means is comprised of a sleeve which is rotatably mounted on the drill string at a fixed vertical position. The sleeve is adapted to be engaged by the blowout preventer stack to fix the sleeve against vertical movement with respect to the preventer. Since the sleeve, itself, is fixed against vertical movement on the drill string, that portion of the drill string which lies below the preventer (hence, the downhole tool) will also be fixed against vertical motion within the borehole.

Abstract: A modular undersea oil production plant having at least one satellite unit whose product is conveyed by a collector pipe (10) towards a central structure (4) in which operating modules (5,6) are grouped together, said product being removed from said operating modules, wherein said satellite unit has a wellhead (1) linked by a connector (13) to the upper portion of a pipe (44) in a drill hole, an individual auxiliary module (3) which can be raised being associated with said wellhead, said module containing the control and operation components and being connected firstly to said wellhead by a first connector (23) and secondly to one end of said collector pipe (10) by a second connector (24), said wellhead (1) and said auxiliary module (3) being installed on a template (2) in two distinct cavities whose shape is complementary to that of said wellhead and of said auxiliary module which has means for disconnecting it from the collector pipe and from the wellhead and for removing it from the template (2), said disc

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: A telescopic joint inner tube retainer is provided for holding the joint upper tube to a cross over support conduit suspended by a ball and socket conduit connection to a diverter type coupling to a floating vessel or overhead platform wherein retainer has a split internally threaded locking ring engaged about a mating thread on an upper exterior portion of the telescopic joint upper tube, a solid support ring landed upwardly about the split locking ring and means for drawing the solid ring tightly upwardly toward the support conduit with the split locking ring therebetween to suspend the joint upper tube from the support conduit in a manner which can be easily disengaged even if the threaded engagement between the locking ring ad joint upper tube would not otherwise be releasable through relative turning movement of the locking ring and joint upper tube.

Abstract: A marine riser having a pair of hydraulic lines, such as choke and kill lines, secured thereto and substantially parallel to one another providing track means extending along substantially the full length of a multiple joint riser string for transporting a carriage along the riser from near the top to the bottom. The invention also includes a carriage adapted to travel along such track and also includes television camera and lights as well as manipulator means for performing various functions on a blow-out preventer stack and wellhead connector as well as associated equipment positioned at the lower end of the marine riser.

Abstract: An oil production system for producing oil at an offshore location comprises a floating storage vessel to receive the produced oil, the vessel having means for dynamic positioning and being connectable to a subsea well head by a riser and having means for separating the associated gas from the produced oil and employing the separated gas as fuel for the dynamic positioning.Re-entry of the subsea well is effected by providing the riser with means for effecting a simultaneous stab connection with the production bore and hydraulic control system lines without orientation.

Abstract: A remote connection apparatus having a base plate with a test sealing ring attached thereto, a plurality of segments movably supported for both radial movement and vertical movement and cam means for moving the segments radially into sealing engagement with the test sealing ring or with a receptacle ring, the segments including passages to which flexible lines are connected and radial passages extending from the sealing surface of the segments whereby when the segments seal against the receptacle ring the passages in the segments are in communication with the passages in the receptacle ring.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for transporting submergible pumping equipment between an underwater well and the water surface and for installing the equipment in and withdrawing the equipment from the well. The apparatus includes a container in the form of an elongate casing in which the equipment is suspended and which is raised and lowered between the wellhead and the surface to transport the equipment therebetween, the casing being connected to wellhead apparatus for installation and withdrawal of the equipment in the well. The casing is divided by a series of blowout preventers into an upper and a lower chamber. In use, the equipment is transported in the lower chamber and a diffractant solution is circulated through the lower chamber while the upper chamber is maintained at a high liquid pressure to provide a barrier inhibiting leakage of contaminants from within the lower chamber to the outer environment.

Abstract: Latching means are provided for use in a test valve assembly and preferably comprise a first rocker section carryable with an upper conduit portion. A second rocker section is carryable with a second conduit portion. Lock means have a recess contoured for securement over the rocker sections and are manipulatable over the first and second rocker sections to locked and unlocked positions. Shiftable means are carried across the locked means to a first position whereby the lock means are engaged over the rocker sections and the conduit portions are secured together. The shiftable means are moved to a second position whereby the lock means are disengaged from the second rocker section and the conduit portions are in disengaged position. Second lock means also are provided for additional securement.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for offshore well operations in which a tension leg platform, a multiwell template means, and a riser system are arranged to provide: effective use of the advantages of a tension leg platform, a simplified riser design, and a novel template design which minimizes orientation problems of well equipment at the sea floor. A multiwell template means in which the template frame includes a latch ring member for each well to cooperate with a retrievable guide line base frame having releasable latch members whereby angular or radial orientation of the guide line base frame is not required with respect to the template frame. A retrievable guide line base frame having alignment means thereon and guide posts with guide lines attached thereto.

Abstract: This describes a method of performing operations in a well selected from a group or cluster of subsea wells which are produced through a production riser means to production facilities on a floating platform. There is provided a flexible workover riser on the platform which extends through a passage on the platform at a location remote from the moon pool for the production riser means. The flexible workover riser is run through said passage and guided into connection with the production tubing in the subsea well. Wireline or other well operations are then conducted through the connected flexible workover riser from the floating platform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for lifting an immersed device and returning it into position, and to a device for carrying out the method, wherein the device to be lifted up is provided with a locating buoy and a wound up guide line whose ends are connected to the buoy and to a locking member connected to the base on which the immersed device is mounted; the buoy is released, taking with it the guide line, along which the device is raised. The device to be replaced in position is provided with a new buoy, guide line and locking member and is lowered along the first mentioned guide line, which is severed after the device to be replaced in position has returned to the base. The method is applicable for example to lifting and replacing a remote-control pod for an underwater well head.

Abstract: A through the flowline or "TFL" tool selector has a base provided with a number of spaced flowline ports and a diverter tube shiftably mounted in a housing for selective communication with the flowline ports. The base is mounted on a remotely operable connector, and the assembly is lowered onto a template beneath the sea having conduits aligned with the selector ports when the assembly is connected to the template. The inlet conduit loop of the selector assembly is also connected to an inlet conduit on the template. The connector is remotely operated to mechanically lock the selector apparatus in place.

Abstract: A subsea station or installation in which one or more rigid elongated base template frames are adapted to be permanently positioned on a sea floor. Each base template frame includes a plurality of framed receptor openings, each adapted to receive a module guide base for aligning and releasably connecting thereto module unitary assemblies, each of which carries selected equipment in a protected manner. Extending along each side of the base frame are elongated side structures releasably connected to the base frame and recoverable for maintenance and service, each side structure extending outboardly of the sides of the base frame and being adapted to carry fluid conducting lines, power lines, and a rail means for guidance of a submarine capsule along the length of the base frame.

Abstract: A marine riser system for use in deep water drilling operations from a floating vessel is disclosed. The riser system permits detachment of the lower end of the riser from the wellhead enabling the riser to be set aside to a position which is clear of the wellhead. Support means adjacent the wellhead can be used to support and position the riser when it is set aside. Tensioners, support mechanisms and guidance means are provided to move the riser back and forth between the wellhead and support means. In this manner, casing and tools having diameters larger than that of the riser can be inserted into the wellhead without returning the riser to the surface. Drilling operations with large diameter drill bits can also be conducted with the riser in the set aside position.

Abstract: A subsea station or installation in which one or more rigid elongated base template frames are adapted to be permanently positioned on a sea floor. Each base template frame includes a plurality of framed receptor openings, each adapted to receive a module guide base for aligning and releasably connecting thereto module unitary assemblies, each of which carries selected equipment in a protected manner. Extending along each side of the base frame are elongated side structures releasably connected to the base frame and recoverable for maintenance and service, each side structure extending outboardly of the sides of the base frame and being adapted to carry fluid conducting lines, power lines, and a rail means for guidance of a submarine capsule along the length of the base frame.

Abstract: The invention concerns the handling of appliances on the seabed, particularly for handling and maintaining well-heads and corresponding installations. For handling the well-heads, trolleys are mounted for travel along a column which is articulated to a base constructed on the seabed over a number of drilling wells. The trolleys are movable between the upper structure of the columns and the lower body part of the column coupled to the base, and carry well-heads or other devices between the upper structure and the base and release the same upon reaching the lower part of the column at a position above corresponding well orifices. Elongate vertical members or posts of the column have lateral walls constituting guide rails for the trolleys.