Abstract: A wellhead seal unit for sealing a subsea oil and/or gas well at the wellhead. The unit comprises a sleeve, sealingly engaged to the workstring and to which, blow out preventer rams can engage. The unit allows the workstring to be rotated and reciprocated within the wellbore without releasing the seal. Methods of cleaning the sealed well and performing an inflow test are described.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing well intervention work on a rig. The apparatus comprises a first spreader that is operatively connected to a derrick, a pair of I-beams that have a distal end and a proximal end, and wherein the distal end of the pair of I-beams are connected to the first spreader. The apparatus further comprises a second spreader, and wherein the proximal end of the I-beams is connected to the second spreader. The apparatus further comprises a first pivot point on the first spreader and a second pivot point on the second spreader. In the most preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a door, operatively attached to the second spreader, for allowing entry of the tubular. Also, the second spreader may include a shoulder for engagement with a tubular so that the tubular is supported by the second spreader so that the weight of the tubular can be transferred to the second spreader. A method of lifting a tubular used in well intervention work on a rig is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for retrieving metal objects. The apparatus includes a housing with an inner part, with the housing having a first wall. The apparatus further includes a sleeve disposed within the housing, with the sleeve being constructed of a non-magnetic conduction material. A magnet is disposed within the sleeve, with the magnet having a north pole and a south pole. The apparatus further includes a container disposed within the sleeve, the container having a second wall. In the most preferred embodiment, the first wall defines a first pathway for magnetic lines of flux for the north pole of the magnet and wherein the second wall defines a second pathway for magnetic lines of flux for the south pole of the magnet so that a toroidal magnetic field is formed about the distal end of the sleeve.

Abstract: A control sub for use with a hydraulically operated downhole tool. In an embodiment, the sub comprises an outer sleeve connected to a work string and an inner sleeve slidably engaged to the outer sleeve by matching hex profiles, connected to the downhole tool. Radial ports in the outer sleeve provide selective circulation of fluid from the tool and by closing these ports with the sleeve fluid pressure in to the downhole tool can be controlled. Closure is effected by setting down weight on the sub against the tool. An indexing mechanism is also described to keep the tool in a configuration, which maintains pressure on the tool. The sub is suitable for use with an expander tool.

Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a cased or lined well bore (40), the tool including a barrier (36) arranged on an outer surface of the tool. The barrier may be of a resilient material so that it can be deformed on actuation to control the passage of fluid between the tool and the casing or liner. Fluid flow is thus selectively diverted through flow paths (22) in the tool. Embodiments are described for actuating the barrier by hydraulic means and for filtering the fluid within the flow paths.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring torque on a rig. The apparatus comprises a central body having a central passage, and a first plurality of splines formed within the central passage and a second plurality of splines formed on a bottom sub, and wherein the first plurality of splines and the second plurality of splines cooperate to engage and transfer the torque applied to the central body. A third plurality of splines may be formed within the central passage, and a fourth plurality of splines formed on a top sub may be included that cooperates to engage and transfer the torque applied to the cental body with the third plurality of splines. In one of the preferred embodiments, the top sub is connected to a top drive of a rig. The apparatus may further comprise a first threaded cap engaging that contains an opening in communication with the central passage. A wireline is disposed within the opening.

Abstract: A packer tool for mounting on a work string in an oil and/or gas well is described. The packer is of the compression set type but includes a mechanism to prevent premature setting in the well. A method of running the tool with the completion is provided in order to advantageously allow an integrity test to be performed on the same run.

Abstract: A device for putting a golf ball. In one embodiment, the device comprises a base having an elongated side defining a base line, a first and second shoulder attached to the base, and a guide member pivotly attached to the first and second shoulders. The guide member has a top surface, and the guide member contains an elongated side defining a shaft line that is parallel with the base line of the base. The top surface also has a slotted opening that defines a practice line that is parallel with the base line of the base and the shaft line of the guide member. In one embodiment, the slotted opening has a variable top. Also, the device may include a laser and a target reflector, and wherein the laser beam is parallel with the base line, shaft line, and practice line.

Abstract: A disengageable downhole tool (10) for use in the oil and gas industry. The tool can be decoupled from a work string to allow further tools to be operated from the work string on being run deeper into a well. The tool is then picked-up by the work string on retrieval from the well. In one embodiment a milling tool (28, 32) is described having a hex-drive system for operation of the tool from the work string with coupling and decoupling being achieved via shear pins (40) and a mating ledge and shoulder.

Abstract: A safety trip button (12) is described for a weight-set downhole tool. The button operates between the tool body (36) and a sleeve (34) of the tool, locking them initially together. When the tool reaches a selected formation (44) in a well bore, the button engages the formation (44) which unlocks the body and sleeve. The button is kept in the unlocked position by virtue of the formation while the tool is set. The button prevents premature setting of the tool and finds application on weight set tools such as packers and circulation tools.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drawing down a fluid level in a wellbore which has a first tubular disposed within the wellbore so that a wellbore annulus is formed. The apparatus further includes an annular nozzle operatively attached to the first tubular, and wherein the annular nozzle comprises: an annular adapter; and, a suction tube that extends from the annular member into an inner portion of the first tubular. The apparatus further comprises a second tubular concentrically disposed within the first tubular so that a micro annulus is formed therein. The apparatus may further contain a jetting device for delivering an injected medium injected from the micro annulus into the wellbore annulus, and a stabilizer that stabilizes the second tubular within the first tubular.

Abstract: A downhole tool for use in the removal of burrs or other unwanted material from an inner surface of a pipeline, well casing or other tubular. The tool has a plurality of milling elements, which may be biased against the surface or retracted from the surface to disengage the tool from the tubular. A drop ball mechanism with a fluid by-pass is described for disengaging the milling elements.

Abstract: A valve apparatus. The valve apparatus is disposed within a well so that an annulus is formed between an outer portion of the valve and an inner portion of the well. In one preferred embodiment, the valve apparatus comprises an outer mandrel containing an annulus port; an inner mandrel slidably disposed within the outer mandrel, and wherein the inner mandrel contains a production and equalizing port. The valve contains a seal assembly so that pressure from the annulus is isolated from the inner portion of the inner mandrel. In one preferred embodiment, the seal assembly comprises: a first header seal; a first seal ring, abutting the header seal, for sealing with the outer portion of the inner mandrel; a follower seal abutting the seal ring; a second seal ring, abutting the follower seal, for sealing with the outer portion of the inner mandrel; a second header seal; and an equalizing seal abutting the second seal ring.

Abstract: A device and method for obtaining an electromagnetic propagation measurement of a subterranean geologic formation, with the formation being intersected by a borehole. The device comprises a transmitter for transmitting an electromagnetic signal, and a first and second receiver for receiving the transmitted signal. The device further comprises a circuit for injecting a calibration signal into the first receiver and the second receiver, and a processor for processing the uncalibrated receiver signal and the calibration signal to obtain electromagnetic propagation measurement that is free from errors introduced by the receiving elements of the system. The processor may include a receiver data acquisition circuit for correcting data acquisition errors related to the first receiver and the second receiver.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus and method for filtering a stream. The apparatus comprises a rotor that contains an inlet for the stream and an array of cavities operatively arranged to receive the stream from the impeller. The rotor member further includes membranes, operatively positioned within the array of cavities, for separating the impurities from the stream, and a permeate outlet for delivering a permeate from the rotor. A drive member is included for rotating the rotor so that the stream is exposed to a centrifugal force. In one preferred embodiment, the rotor contains a baffle plate to distribute the stream about the inner portion and an impeller vane adapted to receive the stream.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing onto vials. The vials may be connected in a series, the vials having an open end and a closed end. The apparatus comprises a conveyor for moving the vials, the conveyor having a mandrel for receiving the open end of the vials. The mandrel may contain a plurality of receiving post, for capturing the vials. The apparatus may further include a vial depressor for depressing the vials onto the receiving post of the mandrel, a first offset inking transfer device for printing a first ink pattern onto the vials, and a first ultra violet dryer positioned to receive the vials from the first offset inking transfer device and provide for curing of the ink pattern from the first offset inking transfer device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring torque on a rig. The apparatus comprises a central body having a central passage, and a first plurality of splines formed within the central passage and a second plurality of splines formed on a bottom sub, and wherein the first plurality of splines and the second plurality of splines cooperate to engage and transfer the torque applied to the central body. A third plurality of splines may be formed within the central passage, and a fourth plurality of splines formed on a top sub may be included that cooperates to engage and transfer the torque applied to the cental body with the third plurality of splines. In one of the preferred embodiments, the top sub is connected to a top drive of a rig. The apparatus may further comprise a first threaded cap engaging that contains an opening in communication with the central passage. A wireline is disposed within the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a structure on a platform. The platform may be a floating platform. The apparatus comprises a base frame, wherein the base frame has a first bracket and a second bracket attached thereto. The apparatus further includes a x-axis frame having a first pivot point and a second pivot point. The apparatus further comprises a z-axis frame having a third pivot point and a fourth pivot point. A sliding frame assembly is operatively positioned within the z-axis frame, and wherein the sliding frame assembly has a plurality of rods for connecting with an injector head. The apparatus may further include a motion restriction system that restricts movement of the x-axis frame and the z-axis frame. The sliding frame assembly comprises a sliding pad for lateral movement. A method for compensating for the movement of a floating platform having a riser extending therefrom is also disclosed.