Abstract: A wellhead has, instead of a conventional Christmas tree, a spool tree (34) in which a tubing hanger (54) is landed at a predetermined angular orientation As the tubing string can be pulled without disturbing the tree, many advantages follow, including access to the production casing hanger (21) for monitoring production casing annulus pressure, and the introduction of larger tools into the well hole without breaching the integrity of the well.

Abstract: A fuel blend for use in an internal combustion engine is provided. The fuel blend comprises a hydrocarbon-containing fuel component and an oxygen-containing component capable of providing a portion of the oxygen needed for combustion of the fuel component under conditions prevailing during the combustion cycle of the internal combustion engine. The major oxygen-providing agent of the oxygen-containing component is one or more compounds having the general formula (I) R2—O—(CO)—R1, wherein R1 is selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl and lower alkynyl groups, R2 is selected from lower alkyl, lower alkenyl and lower alkynyl groups, or a group having the general formula (II) R3—(CO)—O—R4—wherein R3 is selected from lower alkyl, lower alkenyl and lower alkynyl groups, and R4 is selected from lower alkyl. The blend may additionally comprise one or more of a stabilizer, a biocide and a substituted alcohol.

Abstract: A wellhead has, instead of a conventional Christmas tree, a spool tree (34) in which a tubing hanger (54) is landed at a predetermined angular orientation. As the tubing string can be pulled without disturbing the tree, many advantages follow, including access to the production casing hanger (21) for monitoring production casing annulus pressure, and the introduction of larger tools into the well hole without breaching the integrity of the well.

Abstract: A separator for separating multiphase flow, the separator comprising: an inlet for multiphase fluid; a plurality of outlets at least one for each selected separator phase; and a main annular tubular bore through which the multiphase flow is caused to flow and to separate into lighter and heavier fluids, the bore having an outlet for each of the lighter and heavier fluids.

Abstract: A rod brake, and a method, including an elastic device, such as a coil spring, array of split rings, or an elastic sleeve, that engages one or more grooves in a cylindrical surface to restrain the rod from longitudinal movement relative to another body, and wherein longitudinal force is applied to distort the elastic device and push it out of the one or more grooves to release the rod for longitudinal movement is disclosed. A locking sleeve is added to lock the elastic device against distortion and movement to the release configuration.

Abstract: A connector for securing tubular members or conduits in sealed end to end relationship is disclosed. A split ring biased to an unlocked position is carried on the pin connection member in a recess. After the connection is made, the split ring is expanded through a window in the box connection member and locked in place. Alternative embodiments showing a split ring biased to a locked position and a split ring with an articulated joint are shown. A fourth embodiment that allows preloading of the split ring is shown also.

Abstract: An actuator system for shifting a control device that is pressure-loaded in the direction opposite the shift direction. The actuator system comprises an actuator element capable of being axially moved in the shift direction within a system enclosure by a rotating spindle of an advance mechanism. The rotating spindle is connected to a rotating sleeve that is pivot-mounted in the system enclosure and surrounds the rotating spindle. The rotating sleeve is locked in position in the direction opposite the direction of advance rotation of the rotating spindle by a volute spring. The volute spring is associated with an emergency release unit for resetting the actuator element against the shift direction. The emergency release unit comprises a tensioning sleeve for the volute spring. The tensioning sleeve rotates between a tensioned and a relaxed position and is pressure-loaded in the direction of its relaxed position. The volute spring is releasably retained in the tensioning sleeve's tensioned position.

Abstract: A displacement measuring device measures a path of a moving object that can be displaced in a direction has at least one first component that is allocated to the moveable object and a second, stationary component. The components are interlinked for the purpose of converting a movement and/or displacement of the moving object into an electrical signal. The displacement measuring device also has an evaluating device for converting the electrical signal into movement and/or position information. The displacement measuring device has a high degree of accuracy, is not susceptible to wear, is resistant to vibration, shocks, or corrosion and is economical to use in almost all media. To this end, the first component is a spring element connecting the moving object and the second component is a force-measurement device which releases an electrical signal corresponding to the force that is exerted on the spring element.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for flowing a subsea well. The method comprises the steps of: supplying a multi-phase medium from a subsea tree 18 to a removable separator package 10; separating the multi-phase flow into one or more phases at the desired pressures, the pressures being controlled by one or more pressure control devices 51, 67, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 on one or more outlets from the separator package 10; and analysing each of the one or more phases to determine the amount and quality of products produced by the well.

Abstract: A system for use in down hole operations, the system comprising a wellhead; a BOP ram package connected at one end to the wellhead and having an axial bore extending from the wellhead to the other end; a device above the other end of the BOP ram package for isolating the pressure of the wellhead; a fluid take of between the pressure containing means and the BOP ram package; a separator in communication with the fluid take of such that, in use, a multi-phase medium obtained from the well can be separated into its constituent phases; and a pressure control device on each of one or more outlets from the separator for allowing the system to be operated different wellhead pressures.

Abstract: It is important to know the precise position of equipment when testing of the BOP, testing the wellhead, flow testing the well, kick control, well circulation and testing of spool trees between the wellhead and the BOP. Accordingly, there is provided a system for determining the real time position of equipment within a bore, the system comprising: a data input means for inputting data concerning the physical characteristics of components which are run into the bore; a sensing means located, in use, within the bore and including a sensor for determining data concerning at least one physical characteristic of the equipment at a given time; a data storage means for recording the inputted data and the determined data; and a comparison means for comparing the input data and the determined data to establish which part of the equipment is being sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: A tubular separation unit insertable into a caisson or tube for separating liquid from an upward flowing liquid/gas multi-phase stream, and including a centrifugal flow-induced liquid separator having a multi-phase gas/liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, and a gas stream outlet; a liquid transfer conduit connected to the liquid outlet of the flow separator; and a pump for pumping liquid, disposed below the separator and including a pump liquid inlet connected to the liquid transfer conduit and through which liquid separated in the separator is received, and a pumped liquid outlet through which separated liquid is, in use, caused to flow selectively.

Abstract: A system supplies electrical power to a remote electrical device. The system includes an AC/DC voltage converter coupled to the AC voltage source for converting an AC voltage from the AC voltage source to a high DC voltage output at a first location. The AC/DC voltage converter comprises a plurality of AC/DC voltage converter components which, on the input side thereof, are connected in parallel with the AC voltage source and which, on the output side thereof, are connected serially to an electric conductor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device for detecting a body moving in relation to an, in particular, tubular container. Said device comprises at least one magnet unit which generates a magnetic field, measures this magnetic field and which is assigned to the container and/or to the magnetic body. The device also comprises at least one evaluation device connected to the magnet units and provided for receiving measurement signals of the magnet units. The aim of the invention is to improve a measuring device of this type in order to be able to easily determine, in addition to the position of the body in relation to the container in a longitudinal direction, the position of the body in relation to the container in the transverse direction with a relatively high level of accuracy. To this end, the magnet units comprise a maximum magnetic flux that is essentially perpendicular to the direction of the relative motion of the body and container.

Abstract: A riser recoil control system (10) adjusts tension forces (F1, F2) applied to a marine riser (60), which is attached to an anchored, floating vessel (30) and a wellhead (80). The riser (60) is attached to the vessel (30) using tension forces (F1, F2) asserted by riser tensioners (20). Each tensioner (20) has an air shutoff valve (110), and an orifice-controlled fluid valve (120). A disconnection sensing means (200) provides a disconnect signal when the riser (60) is disconnected from the wellhead (80), which closes the valves (110, 120) and adjusts the tension forces (F1, F2) applied by the tensioners (20). The invention includes a method for adjusting the tension forces (F1, F2) applied to the riser (60), including sensing the disconnect signal and adjusting the tension forces (F1, F2) supplied to the riser (60) by closing the air shutoff valves (110) and partially closing the orifice-controlled fluid valves (120).

Abstract: A wellhead has, instead of a conventional Christmas tree, a spool tree in which a tubing hanger is landed at a predetermined angular orientation. As the tubing string can be pulled without disturbing the tree, many advantages follow, including access to the production casing hanger for monitoring production casing annulus pressure, and the introduction of larger tools into the well hole without breaching the integrity of the well.

Abstract: An automated riser recoil control system (10) including a plurality of riser tensioners (20), a vessel heave measurement system (210) and a control processor (70) with each tensioner (20) having a piston travel indicator (27) which signals the processor (70) and a method of operation is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device for detecting a body moving in relation to an, in particular, tubular container. Said device comprises at least one magnet unit which generates a magnetic field, measures this magnetic field and which is assigned to the container and/or to the magnetic body. The device also comprises at least one evaluation device connected to the magnet units and provided for receiving measurement signals of the magnet units. The aim of the invention is to improve a measuring device of this type in order to be able to easily determine, in addition to the position of the body in relation to the container in a longitudinal direction, the position to the body in relation to the container in the transverse direction with a relatively high level of accuracy. To this end, the magnet units comprise a maximum magnetic flux that is essentially perpendicular to the direction of the relative motion of the body and container.

Abstract: A choke actuator having an integrated choke control system enabling fast closure and opening of the choke. The choke control system includes integral electronics to receive signals from a surface or subsea control module and control directional control valves to regulate the flow of hydraulic fluid from a local hydraulic supply to the choke actuator. Response times for choke actuation are greatly reduced by locating the electronic control system and directional control valves in an integrated package with the choke actuator and providing a local hydraulic supply. Additional embodiments may also include other electronic sensing and instrumentation enabling the choke control system to monitor and adjust the choke to maintain selected flow characteristics or in accordance with a predetermined production scheme. Any or all of the components of the choke, the choke control system, or the choke actuator may also be retrievable separately from the other components so as to allow maintenance and replacement.

Abstract: A drill-through spool body sleeve assembly comprises a test sleeve removably installed within a drill-through spool body having a bore with the terminal ends of the outer diameter of the test sleeve sealingly engaging the bore wall. The sleeve assembly also comprises a wear bushing removably installed in the bore between the bore wall and the test sleeve. The test sleeve is of sufficient thickness to pressure test the spool body outlets, ports, and valves before drilling and production. The test sleeve seals the bore from the outside of the spool body during the pressure testing. After the pressure tests are completed, the test sleeve is removed from the spool body, leaving the wear bushing in place. The wear bushing protects the bore wall, outlets, ports, and valves while allowing equipment such as drilling and wellhead equipment to pass through the spool body.