Abstract: A subsea pig launching apparatus for launching one or more pigs into a flowline which is fluidly connectable to a source of well fluid comprises at least one first hub to which the source of well fluid is connectable and which is in communication with the flowline, a first valve which is positioned between the first hub and the flowline, a second hub which is in communication with the flowline, and a pig launcher which is removably connectable to the second hub and which comprises at least one pig, at least one launch valve which is positioned between a pressure source and the pig, and a launch actuator for selectively opening and closing the launch valve. The launch actuator is controlled by a signal which is communicated through at least one of a number of external control and service lines that are connected to a control and service umbilical for the source of well fluid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wire spool caddy for releasably holding at least one cylindrical spool having an outer diameter while a wire or the like is being unwound from the spool, the caddy comprising an elongated frame which includes first and second spaced apart ends; a plurality of generally parallel fixed rods which each extend between and are connected to the first and second ends; and at least one movable rod which is generally parallel to the fixed rods and which extends between and is pivotably connected to the first and second ends; wherein at least two of the fixed rods are separated by a first distance which is less than the diameter of the spool to thereby form a bottom support for the spool; and wherein the movable rod is pivotable between a first position in which the movable rod is separated from an adjacent fixed rod by a second distance that is less than the diameter of the spool, and a second position in which the movable rod is separated from the adjacent fixed rod by a third d

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a valve for controlling the flow of fluid through a component which includes a flow conduit extending therethrough. The valve comprises a first closure member for controlling the flow of fluid through the conduit, a second closure member for controlling the flow of fluid through the conduit, and a valve stem which is connected to both the first and second closure members. The stem is responsive to an external force to move the first and second closure members from a closed position, in which the fluid is blocked from flowing through the conduit by both the first and second closure members, to an open position, in which the fluid is permitted to flow through the conduit past both the first and second closure members.

Abstract: The invention is an insulation material comprising a novolac cured polysulfide polymer resin. The material is used as a thermal insulator for subsea gas and oil production equipment, such as pipes and wellhead equipment. In order to decrease the maximum exothermic temperature generated by the resin during curing, hollow glass beads are added to the resin. The amine content of the hardener in a standard resin was adjusted to further decrease the maximum exothermic temperature. A fumed silica thixotropic material was also added to increase the viscosity of the mixture. These modifications allow the material to be cast in thick sections without cracking, leaking, or excessive expansion during curing.

Abstract: A completion component such as a tubing hanger includes a lockdown mechanism with an actuating mandrel that includes a positively acting anti-backout mechanism, which can be remotely deployed. The mechanism comprises a tooth on an inwardly biased retention ring carried by the mandrel, and positively engageable with a corresponding profile on the tubing hanger. Detent pins are outwardly biased by a tubing hanger running tool latch piston to hold the tooth and profile out of engagement during installation of the tubing hanger and setting of the actuating mandrel.

Abstract: A electro-desorption compression system according to the present invention comprises an enclosure which includes first and second spaced-apart electrical conductors, a sorbent which is positioned in the enclosure between the first and second conductors, a sorbate which is capable of combining with the sorbent in an adsorption reaction to form a sorbate/sorbent compound, a power supply which is connected to the first and second conductors and which generates an electrical current that is conducted through the sorbate/sorbent compound to desorb the sorbate from the sorbent in a desorption reaction, and a pressure chamber which is connected to the enclosure and which receives the sorbate from the enclosure during the desorption reaction and releases the sorbate into the enclosure during the adsorption reaction.

Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter having a flowtube and excitation circuitry, coupled to the flowtube, that can excite the flowtube at varying frequencies of vibration and a method of operating the same to compensate for effects of fluid compressibility. In one embodiment, the Coriolis mass flowmeter includes: (1) flowrate measurement circuitry, coupled to the flowtube, that measures a first mass flowrate of a fluid flowing through the flowtube at a first vibration frequency and a second mass flowrate of the fluid at a second vibration frequency and (2) fluid compressibility compensation circuitry, coupled to the flowrate measurement circuitry, that employs the first and second mass flowrates to determine a frequency response of the fluid and a fluid compressibility compensation adjustment from the frequency response.

Abstract: A gate valve for a component which includes an elongated body and a flow passage extending generally longitudinally through the body, the flow passage including a generally lateral first branch connected to a generally longitudinal second branch. The gate valve comprises a gate which is moveable generally longitudinally across the first branch between an open position in which a hole in the gate is aligned with the first branch and a closed position in which the hole is offset from the first branch; a conduit which extends through the body from the gate; an actuating mechanism positioned in the conduit for moving the gate from a first position to a second position; and a return biasing mechanism for moving the gate from the second position to the first position; wherein one of the first and second positions corresponds to the open position of the gate and the other position corresponds to the closed position of the gate; and wherein the conduit extends generally longitudinally through the body.

Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore; a tubing hanger which is supported in the central bore and which includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet, the tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway; wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member which

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a Coriolis-type flowmeter having a dynamic counterbalance system which comprises a flowtube through which a fluid to be measured is permitted to flow; the flowtube comprising first and second ends; a counterbalance which is vibrationally coupled to the flowtube proximate the first and second ends; an electromagnet device for vibrating the flowtube and the counterbalance in opposition to one another; the flowtube having a first frequency response to the vibrating means and the counterbalance having a second frequency response to the vibrating means; at least one inertial mass; and means for selectively coupling the inertial mass to the counterbalance to thereby alter the second frequency response by a desired amount; wherein in the event the second frequency response is different from the first frequency response, the inertial mass may be coupled to the counterbalance to alter the second frequency response by the desired amount to thereby make the second frequency response

Abstract: A controls bridge for a flow completion system which comprises a tubing spool having a production outlet, a tubing hanger having a production bore that communicates with the production outlet and at least one service and control conduit extending therethrough, and at least one external service and control line that terminates near the tubing spool, the controls bridge comprising a first body portion; a mechanism for securing the first body portion to the top of the tubing spool and/or the tubing hanger; at least one first coupling member which is adapted to engage a second coupling member that is mounted in the service and control conduit; at least one third coupling member which is adapted to engage a fourth coupling member that is connected to the external service and control line; a bridge line which is connected between the first coupling member and the third coupling member; a first actuator for moving the first coupling member into engagement with the second coupling member; and a second actuator for mo

Abstract: A tubing hanger for a flow completion system which comprises a Christmas tree connected above a wellhead housing that includes a central bore in which the tubing hanger is supported, the tubing hanger comprising a generally annular body; a production bore which extends generally axially through the body; an annulus bore which extends generally axially through the body; the annulus bore comprising a generally lateral first branch which is connected to a generally axial second branch; and a closure member which includes a gate that is moveable generally axially across the first branch between an open position in which a hole in the gate is aligned with the first branch and a closed position in which the hole is offset from the first branch.

Abstract: A coupling is incorporated in the landing string which is non-destructively unlatched by the closure of BOP pipe rams. The coupling is simple and reliable to operate in emergencies. When the pipe rams are closed, the radial force releases a mechanism comprising captive pins and an outwardly biased split ring. The split ring is compressed inwardly, releasing shoulders on collet fingers from beneath an undercut in a bore of the coupling. Reconnection is simply achieved by re-engaging the collet fingers in the undercut. Other BOP closure element non-destructively operated landing string couplings are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tubing hanger incorporates a flow control valve that is ordinarily found in a horizontal christmas tree. A branch passage forming a production fluid outlet has a mouth that intersects with a vertical production bore. A valve closure element in the form of a rotatable sleeve or saddle is disposed in the bore for co-operation with a seat disposed in the branch passage. Rotation of the sleeve, e.g. by a shaft extending through a crown plug, brings a hole into or out of alignment with the seat to control production fluid flow. In other embodiments, the sleeve is axially movable.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a gate valve assembly which comprises an elongated body having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough; a plurality of gates slidably disposed in the longitudinal bore across respective flow passages which each extend laterally through the body between corresponding inlet and outlet ports; each gate being movable between an open position wherein an opening in the gate is aligned with its respective flow passage and a closed position wherein the opening is offset from its respective flow passage; and an actuator for moving the gates simultaneously between a first position, wherein at least one of the gates is in its open position, and a second position, wherein the at least one gate is in its closed position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a counterbalance apparatus for a Coriolis-type mass flowmeter having a flowtube through which a fluid to be measured is permitted to flow, the counterbalance apparatus comprising a counterbalance beam which is coupled to the ends of the flowtube; a force driver for vibrating the flowtube and the counterbalance beam in opposition to one another; at least one pair of inertial masses, each of which is movably coupled to the counterbalance beam; and an apparatus for selectively positioning the inertial masses longitudinally along the counterbalance beam; wherein the frequency response of the counterbalance beam can be selectively altered by appropriately positioning the inertial masses along the counterbalance beam to thereby achieve a desired condition of balance between the counterbalance beam and the flowtube.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a Coriolis mass flowmeter having first and second generally parallel flowtubes which each extend between an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold and comprise respective first and second centerlines that lie in corresponding parallel first and second planes, at least one force driver for vibrating the first and second flowtubes in a natural mode of vibration and at least one motion sensor for detecting the vibrating motion of the flowtubes. In particular, the invention comprises at least one brace bar for decoupling extraneous modes of vibration in the flowtubes from the desired driven and Coriolis modes of vibration.

Abstract: The invention proposes an articulated arm for transferring fluid products comprising two tubular sections (7, 8+2) connected to each other by a rotating joint (3) with a horizontal axis, and one of which, mobile in rotation, has an angular reference configuration in which it is balanced despite the effect of gravity. A balancing device (4, 10) compensates for variations in the effect of gravity on this mobile tubular section as a function of the orientation of this vis-a-vis the vertical, it is mounted between a fixed reference portion and a linkage portion of the mobile tubular section which is at a distance other than zero from the axis of rotation; it includes a spring (10) which tends to return the mobile section to its angular reference configuration (it is then idle) and applying to the mobile tubular section a force which is approximately proportional to the distance between this linkage portion and the location of this linkage portion in the angular reference configuration.

Abstract: The present invention embodies a temperature control device for preventing the formation of alkane hydrates in a subsea oil and gas production equipment component having at least one flow path through which a well fluid is permitted to flow, the well fluid having a flow temperature and a lower hydrate formation temperature at which hydrates will form in the well fluid, the temperature control device comprising a housing positioned in heat exchange relation with respect to the flow path and a phase change material disposed in the housing, the phase change material having a melting point which is below the flow temperature but above the hydrate formation temperature, whereby when the temperature of the phase change material drops to its melting point, the phase change material will solidify and its latent heat will be transferred to the well fluid to maintain the temperature of the well fluid in the flow path above its hydrate formation temperature.

Abstract: A flowline jumper handling apparatus for supporting a flowline jumper in a generally horizontal position as it is offloaded from a surface structure with a first lifting apparatus and then supporting the flowline jumper in a generally vertical position as it is lowered to a subsea structure with a second lifting apparatus. The flowline jumper handling apparatus comprises an elongated spreader bar, at least one first cable connecting the spreader bar to the flowline jumper, at least one second cable connecting the spreader bar to a through member, at least one third cable connecting the through member to the second lifting apparatus, at least one fourth cable passing through the through member and connecting the flowline jumper to the first lifting apparatus, and a restricting member for preventing a portion of the fourth cable from passing through the through member.