Abstract: A method of receiving returns from a well being drilled in which the hydrostatic pressure of the drilling fluid cannot contain the formation pressure and controlling the flow and pressure of the returns and separating the oil, gas, and drilling fluids on the surface and returning the drilling fluids to the well while disposing of the oil and gas.

Abstract: A system for handling a reeled tubing including a guide, a shear for cutting the tubing and a tubing injector including upper and lower strippers and guides and an enclosure for the injector. The enclosure in one form excludes sea water in an open bottomed enclosure and the other maintains pressure in a completely closed enclosure.

Abstract: An actuator having a tubular body with a cylindrical bore therein within which a piston reciprocates, an output shaft extending into said bore and a linkage for converting the linear movement of the piston into the rotary motion of said shaft. The linkage is contained entirely within said bore. In one form the piston is spring loaded and a spring follower also provides a piston for compressing the spring to permit the force exerted on the piston to be transmitted to the output shaft substantially in its entirety.

Abstract: A fluid handling system with an injector in an enclosure and at least one stripper with upper and lower cup-shaped receptacles and resilient seals in the receptacles together with a fluid relief port between the receptacles for recovering fluid passing the seals.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of forming shiplap grooves (21, 23, 25, 26 and 28) in a duct board (12) utilizing a square (35) and measuring indicia (39). The apparatus comprises shiplap groove cutting tools (22) and (24) and an angle square (35) comprising a guide leg (37) and a base leg (36) having indicia (39) indicative of the desired dimensions for a resulting shiplap duct. The shiplap groove cutting tools have sleds (57, 67, 58 and 56) which are placed against the guide leg (37) to be guided by the same to produce shiplap grooves (23, 25 and 26). The length of the spacing between the grooves is equal to the indicated indicia (39) for the narrow sleds (57 and 68) or the indicated indicia plus the thickness of the board for the wide sleds.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for manufacturing thread gages and gaging pipe pins and boxes in which the pins and boxes are marked at circumferentially and axially located points with the thread systems made-up to a selected degree and matching of the marks will indicate make-up of the product thread systmes to the selected degree or the selected degree plus additional make-up and the system automatically compensates for variations from nominal dimensions.

Abstract: A system for handling reeled tubing including a guide, a shear for cutting the tubing, and a tubing injector including upper and lower strippers and guides and an enclosure for the injector. The enclosure in one form excludes sea water in an open bottomed enclosure and in the other maintains pressure in a completely closed enclosure.

Abstract: The valve of the present invention comprises a tubular body (1) the central ortion (6) of which defines a shutoff chamber (7) which is accessible via an inspection trap (15). Within this chamber (7) there is housed a removable annular pre-body (8) provided with two radial boreholes (9, 10) serving for the rotary mounting of the shaft (11) of the butterfly (12). Sealing means which cooperate with the body (1), the pre-body (8) and the butterfly (12) make it possible to assure the upstream/downstream tightness of the valve. The inspection trap (15) is closed by a cap (28) provided with a passage within which there is rotatably mounted a drive shaft (35) which is coupled to the shaft (11). This structure permits greater ease of access to the inner parts of the valve, a decrease in volume and weight, and greater ease in manufacture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting coiled tubing into a submerged well. The end of a coiled tubing is latched in a tubing injector and the tubing and injector are lowered through a body of water together. The injector is latched to the well and the injector moves the coiled tubing through the well. The injector weight is exerted on the tubing during movement through the body of water.The injector may be contained in a bell type or complete enclosure and fluid in the enclosure is maintained at approximately the external pressure.The injector may be connected to a shear, a stuffing box, and a tool receiver.

Abstract: A collar for electrically insulating between upper and lower tubing sections in which load bearing insulating materials in the collar are isolated from fluids both interior and exterior the collar.

Abstract: A drilling template for multiple wells has a dummy post on the template associated with each wellhead position and a wellhead connector is transferable between the dummy post and wellhead during completion and workover operations. A subsea wellhead is provided with a guide frame on which a dummy post is supported permitting the wellhead connector to be transferred between the dummy post and the wellhead. The wellhead includes a landing nipple and tubing hanger which permit the tubing hanger to tilt relative to the casing head without breaking the seal between the hanger and nipple. The wellhead connector is latched and released from the tubing hanger by reciprocation of a control sleeve and the connector is held in the unlatched position by a releasable lock. The wellhead connector includes a plug having a metal seal held in compression together with a resilient seal.

Abstract: A valve which may be run in the open position, then in response to an increase in pressure in the flowway through the valve moved to closed position, and thereafter in response to a differential between pressure within and without the housing of the valve returned to open position.

Abstract: A valve and particularly a safety valve for use in controlling flow from a well in which an external motor is utilized to shift the actuator of a valve such as a ball valve. The reciprocating rod of the motor is protected by resilient means between the crosshead attached to the motor and the reciprocating actuator. The actuator is latched when the valve is in the open position so that it cannot be moved to closed position except by movement of the reciprocating motor. The valve and seat assembly are designed to be replaced as a unit and can be fabricated as a subassembly with the valve in exact open alignment when the reciprocating actuator is in full valve open position as determined by a stop against which the valve member bottoms.

Abstract: A pipe joint with premium threads having both metal-to-metal and polymeric seals to block fluid leakage through the joint. A polymeric seal ring is preferably carried within an annular groove in the box end. Metal sealing surfaces, each having a different inside diameter, are provided on opposite sides of the annular groove to form metal-to-metal seals with two compatible metal sealing surfaces on the exterior of the pin member. The joint is thus characterized by two metal-to-metal seals formed on opposite sides of the annular groove to trap the seal ring therebetween. The metal-to-metal seals cooperate to prevent undesired extrusion of the seal ring.

Abstract: A motion compensation system for a crane hoist serves to assist the crane operator in safely lifting loads from the deck of a heaving work boat. The crane hook follows the motion of the load because a level of pre-tension is maintained on the line by use of a counterweight connected to the reeving system. A hydraulic cylinder connected to the counterweight provides for locking movement of the counterweight and also provides a cushion at both ends of its travel. Movement of the piston in the cylinder is controlled by a system including a check valve controlling flow between opposite ends of the cylinder which permits the reeving system to take up line. A limit switch responds to movement of the piston and counterweight near the top of their travel to actuate a light to warn the operator of a need to pay out line. As the piston and counterweight approach the bottom of their travel which indicates the load is moving upward, another limit switch actuates a light to indicate time to lift the load.

Abstract: A kickover tool for installing devices such as gas lift valves in and removing them from the offset side pocket receptacles of side pocket mandrels in wells. Kickover movement of the device carrying means from a longitudinally aligned, running-in position to a laterally offset position for landing or pulling the device is controlled by means actuable by engagement with a shoulder in the well flow conductor during upward movement of the kickover tool. Means for positively locking the device carrying means in the laterally offset or kickover position are disclosed, these means being automatically releasable upon withdrawal of the kickover tool from the side pocket mandrel.

Abstract: An impingement device in a side pocket mandrel or other downhole tools for injecting a predetermined quality of steam in one or more zones of a formation. The impingement device directs and mixes the laminae of hot fluid and vapor and a valve in a valve pocket controls the flow of steam to the zone from the side pocket mandrel or other downhole tools. Along with the impingement device, a centralizer to guide tools through the impingement device and to cause a pressure change and dispersion of the steam; and an agitation device to amalgamate the steam may be used if further blending is required.