Abstract: The invention relates to a subsea wellhead support system (1) comprising: —a foundation assembly (2); —a conductor housing (31) for supporting a wellhead (4); —a connection arrangement (5) between the foundation assembly (2) and the conductor housing (3?); wherein the connection arrangement (5) is configured to releasably connect the conductor housing (3?) to the foundation assembly (2), such that: —during installation of the subsea wellhead support system (1), the conductor housing (1) can be fixed relative the foundation assembly (2), and—after installation of the subsea wellhead support system (1), the connection arrangement (5) can be released from the foundation assembly (2) allowing the conductor housing (3?) to move parallel along a longitudinal direction of a throughgoing opening of the conductor housing (31).

Abstract: A well completion system includes a wellhead, a control line assembly for use in completions that is mounted to the wellhead, and a tubing hanger. The control line assembly includes a cylinder, a main housing assembly, a passage and a metal-to-metal seal. A split lockout ring provides a positive lock to the passage. Control lines enter the tubing hanger and exit via the wellhead. This arrangement on the wellhead provides sufficient height and clearance to allow for the installation of a plurality of control lines.

Abstract: Various embodiments of underwater wellhead closure systems are described that include a template having first and second anchoring ports and that is configured to be secured to a floor of a body of water. A suction pile having a cylindrical body with a head portion and an open bottom can be coupled to the first anchoring port, such that the suction pile can provide additional hold down force to the template. The system can also include a suction cap coupled to the second anchoring port, and having a cylindrical body with an open bottom and a head portion having at least one suction pump.

Abstract: A tool is provided for installing a mandrel in a wellhead assembly. The tool includes an assembly having multiple independently translatable and rotatable members. The tool includes an inner member disposed in an inner sleeve. The inner member may be disposed in a first position and second position, such that in the first position the inner sleeve freely rotates and in the second position rotation of the inner sleeve causes rotation of the inner member. An outer sleeve is disposed over the inner sleeve and may be coupled to a hold down ring. The inner member may be coupled to mandrel. The tool may be inserted into a wellhead assembly and the outer rotated to engage the hold down ring, the inner and outer sleeve may be translated axially to allow rotation of the inner member to disengage the tool from the mandrel.

Abstract: A method of forming a wellbore includes providing a drilling assembly comprising one or more lengths of casing and an axially retracting assembly having a first tubular; a second tubular at least partially disposed in the first tubular and axially fixed thereto; and a support member disposed in the second tubular and movable from a first axial position to a second axial position relative to the second tubular, wherein, in the first axial position, the support member maintains the second tubular axially fixed to the first tubular, and in the second axial position, allows the second tubular to move relative to the first tubular; and an earth removal member disposed below the axially retracting assembly. The method also includes rotating the earth removal member to form the wellbore; moving the support member to the second axial position; and reducing a length of the axially retracting assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for lining a wellbore, and a method for using said system. The system comprises: a drill string (20) for drilling the wellbore; an expandable tubular element (4) enclosing the drill string, wherein a lower end portion of a wall of the expandable tubular element is bent (14) radially outward and in axially reverse direction to define an expanded tubular section (10) extending around an unexpanded tubular section (8); a pushing device (50) for pushing the unexpanded section into the expanded tubular section; a blow-out preventer (302) for closing off the wellbore in case of an emergency. Herein the blow-out preventer encloses the unexpanded tubular section and comprises a cutter (320) for cutting the unexpanded tubular section and at least one closure device (324) for closing the wellbore.

Abstract: Apparatus for running a casing string into a wellbore features a housing arranged for coupling to the casing string in fluid communication with an interior thereof, a shoe rotatably supported at a lower end of the housing, and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism features a shaft extending internally along the housing toward the upper end thereof from a connection of the shaft to the shoe, and a ribbon coiling around and along the shaft toward the shoe in a manner radially spaced from the shaft above the connection thereof to the shoe. The ribbon drive rotations of the shaft through action of a fluid on said ribbon under pumping of said fluid through the housing from the casing. The drive mechanism thus employs a simple structure of a rotor assembly spinning within the housing, without requiring an additional stator or housing-carried vanes.

Abstract: A tool is provided for installing a mandrel in a wellhead assembly. The tool includes an assembly having multiple independently translatable and rotatable members. The tool includes an inner member disposed in an inner sleeve. The inner member may be disposed in a first position and second position, such that in the first position the inner sleeve freely rotates and in the second position rotation of the inner sleeve causes rotation of the inner member. An outer sleeve is disposed over the inner sleeve and may be coupled to a hold down ring. The inner member may be coupled to mandrel. The tool may be inserted into a wellhead assembly and the outer rotated to engage the hold down ring, the inner and outer sleeve may be translated axially to allow rotation of the inner member to disengage the tool from the mandrel.

Abstract: A well drilling tool has a tubular member connected into a casing string that serves as a drill string. A load shoulder is located within the bore of the tubular member. The load shoulder has a torque transferring portion that extends from a lower terminus to an upper terminus. The load shoulder has an axial force transferring portion that faces upward. A bottom hole assembly is lowered through the casing string and lands on the load shoulder. The bottom hole assembly has a mating profile to the load shoulder so that it will be supported by the load shoulder and will receive torque transferred from the load shoulder.

Abstract: A method of forming a wellbore includes providing a drilling assembly comprising one or more lengths of casing and an axially retracting assembly having a first tubular; a second tubular at least partially disposed in the first tubular and axially fixed thereto; and a support member disposed in the second tubular and movable from a first axial position to a second axial position relative to the second tubular, wherein, in the first axial position, the support member maintains the second tubular axially fixed to the first tubular, and in the second axial position, allows the second tubular to move relative to the first tubular; and an earth removal member disposed below the axially retracting assembly. The method also includes rotating the earth removal member to form the wellbore; moving the support member to the second axial position; and reducing a length of the axially retracting assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for holding and turning a tubular and string of tubulars, such as casing, for make-up and drilling with the tubulars are disclosed. The apparatus generally includes a spear and a clamping head, both of which are mounted to a top drive. The spear and the clamping head can be engaged to transmit torque therebetween from the top drive. In addition, an aspect of the invention provides variable height wickers positioned on slips to enable use of the slips with variable inner diameter (ID) and weight casing without deformation or rupture of the casing. Still further, a casing collar is also provided to provide reinforcement to the casing in the area of slip contact with the casing ID.

Abstract: A unitary pipe loop component for use with a sinker bar and a pair of pipes in a wellbore includes a return bend pipe fitting having a fluid flow passage configured to extend between the pipes in the wellbore, and further includes a sleeve having a passage with open opposite ends to receive the sinker bar through the sleeve. A weight suspension structure is connected to the sleeve and the pipe fitting as another distinct portion of the unitary pipe loop component, and has a knockout portion configured to provide an eyelet for insertion of a hook, tether, or the like for suspension of a weight. The eyelet may alternatively receive an anchor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for installing a tubular member, having an upper end and a closed lower end, axially into and through an over-pressured region of the earth by using a mandrel to drive the tubular member from near the bottom, which results in a significant section of the tubular member being pulled through the over-pressured region. In another embodiment, a filler material is inserted into at least a portion of the tubular member, and the tubular member is driven from the upper end, with the filler material assisting the progression of the tubular member through the over-pressured region.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for measuring downhole flowing and shut-in pressures to determine the condition of the reservoir and the potential of the well as a stimulation candidate. The tool string of the present invention is a novel combination of existing equipment that allows an electronic pressure gauge and shut-in tool to be run into the hole with coiled tubing. The present invention, in most cases, solves the potential problem of having to shut in or kill a flowing well prior to and after performing pressure testing, preventing lost production or potential well damage due to the killing operation. In addition, the present invention provides accuracy over current coiled tubing systems by reducing the effects of wellbore storage on pressure build-up testing.

Abstract: A granular medium such as gravel is emplaced in the bottom of a well. A well liner is attached to the end of a drill pipe and lowered to the bed of gravel. The drill pipe is then driven at a sonic frequency which may be a resonant frequency of vibration of the vibrating system including the pipe and the liner. A packing seal is provided between the outer wall of the drill pipe and the inner wall of the well casing to prevent the gravel from rising up the casing. The liner is sonically driven so that it penetrates into the gravel medium, the gravel being trapped beneath the seal. The gravel is fluidized by the sonic energy and packed uniformly around the liner to provide a filter for the well effluent. Further, the fluidized granular medium may be highly pressurized by the sonic energy plus the system weight so that it operates to fracture the surrounding formation to engender greater flow from the well.

Abstract: The method comprises providing an extremely strong and elastic alloy steel ring having a inner diameter substantially smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe to be joined, and an outer diameter much larger than such outer diameter of the pipe. Great axial forces are then employed to insert the pipe ends into the ring until an internal flange is abutted, thus stretching the ring without causing it to exceed its elastic limit. End seals are provided on the flange faces and are pinched off by the pipe ends, so that metal-to-metal contact results. Prior to forcing the pipe ends into the ring, it is mounted in an internal groove in a hinged clasp which aligns the pipe ends.The apparatus comprises the ring, the clasp and the seals, and further comprises the completed joint wherein the ring is under continuous great hoop stress.

Abstract: A method of conducting foam drilling and workover operations in a bore hole penetrating a subterranean formation, particularly a high-temperature formation such as a geothermal formation, employing an aqueous solution of a foaming agent having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a straight chain alkyl radical having from 10 to 16 carton atoms; and M is an alkali metal or ammoniun cation, with sodium being preferred. A particularly preferred foaming agent is sodium lauryl sulfoacetate.