Abstract: A hydraulic coupler adapted to select the supply of fluid from a first source or a second source. The fluid selection is achieved by mechanically shifting a fluid selector with a male stab member that also supplies the second fluid source. When shifted, the fluid selector positively blocks the first fluid source and opens a hydraulic pathway for the second fluid source. When the male stab is disengaged, the fluid selector is pressure biased by internal and external pressure to a position allowing fluid flow from the first fluid source and preventing external fluids from entering the hydraulic system. In certain embodiments the hydraulic coupler is horizontally installed in a tubing hanger providing horizontal porting for connection with a subsea christmas tree and vertical porting for connection to a running tool. The coupler prevents riser fluid contamination of the hydraulic system regardless of the differential pressure between the riser fluid and the hydraulic system.

Abstract: A tubular separation unit insertable into a caisson or tube for separating liquid from an upward flowing liquid/gas multi-phase stream, and comprising: 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 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: An exhaust system for a two-cycle internal combustion engine combusting a normally gaseous hydrocarbon as fuel, the engine having a cylinder having an exhaust port in communication with an exhaust manifold. The exhaust system has an exhaust gas inlet connectable to the exhaust manifold of the internal combustion engine and an exhaust gas outlet spaced from the exhaust gas inlet in the direction of flow of exhaust gas through the system. A first tubular portion is disposed between the exhaust gas inlet and outlet, the first tubular portion diverging in the direction of flow. A second tubular portion is disposed between the exhaust gas inlet and outlet and spaced from the first tubular portion in the direction of flow, the second tubular portion converging in the direction of flow.

Abstract: A variable bore ram packer including a ram body, a top seal and a packer member designed for use in a standard ram-type blowout preventer used in oil and gas drilling operations is disclosed. A side retainer plate is molded into the edges of the packer member. The side retainer plate includes a depending lip portion to minimize extrusion of the elastomeric material between the packer member and the guideways of the blowout preventer.

Abstract: An underwater well system in which an initially vertical drilling riser conduit is fixed by a template at the seabed in a non-vertical orientation. Drilling is carried out through wellhead in the template which also includes a valve tree allowing the production fluid to be brought to the surface along a line separate from the drilling riser conduit. The template may be a junction template allowing several wells to be drilled from a single template, or allowing the template to be connected by one or more drilling conduits to further templates such that a wide area of the seabed can be covered for a single drilling riser conduit.

Abstract: A bidirectional sealing blowout preventer including bidirectional sealing blowout preventer rams, and fluid communication systems for equalizing pressure between the backs of ram guideways in a bidirectional sealing blowout preventer and a passageway through the blowout preventer. Methods for operating a bidirectional sealing blowout preventer to seal a well around a well pipe against downhole pressure to control the well, and to seal a well around a well pipe to pressure test another blowout preventer or other apparatus in a stack.

Abstract: A variable bore ram packer including a ram body, a top seal and a packer member designed for use in a standard ram-type blowout preventer used in oil and gas drilling operations is disclosed. The packer member is molded of an elastomeric material having a central semi-elliptical opening with a plurality of packer inserts molded within the elastomeric material in a semi-circular pattern around the central semi-elliptical opening of the elastomeric material. The semi-circular pattern of the packer inserts and the semi-elliptical opening of the elastomeric material share a common axis. The packer member and the plurality of packer inserts are molded into a unitary structure allowing the plurality of packer inserts to move and seat against different diameter tubular members to prevent extrusion of the elastomeric material between the packer inserts and the tubular member.

Abstract: An air-cooled multi-stage compression system using centrifugal compressors is disclosed. It is packaged in a comparable volume to a water-cooled unit having the same driver horsepower. The performance is comparable and opportunities for use of the waste heat are available. Existing water-cooled units can be retrofit to run in an air-cooled mode. Special applications such as combined air compression and nitrogen compression useful in air separation applications are presented. The circulating cooling air can make the unit into an air filter of its surrounding space. Cooling air is drawn through the enclosure before being forced through the coolers above. This air movement can cool compressor housings, the control panel and the drive motors mounted in the enclosure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allowing the injection of hydrate inhibitors into a valve cavity without washing out the valve seals, generally comprising a valve having a sealing member, such as a gate or a ball, that provides for fluid communication between the valve cavity and the valve flowbore. One embodiment of a valve constructed in accordance with the present invention is an expanded gate valve comprising a valve body having a flowbore intersecting a valve cavity and a gate assembly disposed within said cavity. The gate assembly is a parallel expanding gate assembly having ported, juxtaposed members that are moveable into a sealing arrangement with upstream and downstream valve seats disposed about the flowbore. The gate assembly further comprises a flow path that enables direct fluid communication between the aligned ports and the valve cavity.

Abstract: A variable bore ram packer designed for use in a standard ram-type blowout preventer used in oil and gas drilling operations is disclosed. The variable bore ram packer is molded of an elastomeric material having a central semi-circular opening sized to fit closely about a tubular member. The packer member includes a plurality of pillar inserts molded within the elastomeric material around the central semi-circular opening. The packer member and the plurality of pillar inserts are molded into a unitary structure allowing the plurality of pillar inserts to move and seat against different diameter tubular members to prevent extrusion of the elastomeric material between the pillar inserts and the tubular member. The pillar inserts include a top plate, a bottom plate and a reduced cross section central column integrally formed therebetween. The reduced cross section central column allows a rubber with higher moduli to be used.

Abstract: A comprehensive system for the cleaning, inspection, and testing of tubulars, particularly riser pipes, is provided. In a first aspect, a method of inspecting a tubular comprises cleaning, visually inspecting, corrosion mapping, and TOFD testing the tubular. In another aspect, a specially designed or adapted tool is provided for each of the steps of the method.

Abstract: Disclosed is 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. A locking sleeve is added to lock the elastic device against distortion and movement to the release configuration.

Abstract: A completion system for a subsea well includes a tree having a generally cylindrical wall forming an internal bore therethrough and a production port extending laterally through the wall in communication with the internal bore. The internal wall has a landing arranged to support a tubing hanger having seals for sealing the production port between the tubing hanger and the internal wall, the production port being arranged to communicate with a lateral production fluid outlet port in the tubing hanger. A workover port extends laterally from an opening in the internal wall below the production port and the production port seals and a tubing annulus seal sealing the workover port from the tubing annulus. A tubing annulus port extends from an opening in the tree below the tubing annulus seal and the tubing annulus port and workover port being arranged to be in fluid communication externally of the internal bore.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal end cap seal for a well sealing assembly for sealing the annulus between two tubular members that has improved sealing abilities at an increased range of temperatures. The metal end cap seal generally comprises a resilient ring with a metal end caps on either end. The inner diameter of the resilient ring has one or more grooves that enable the installation of a one or more o-rings. The o-rings are sized so as to provide an increased stored energy within the resilient ring so that the sealing engagement is increased.

Abstract: Accordingly, there is provided herein a metal end cap seal assembly for sealing the annulus between two tubular members that has improved sealing abilities at a wide range of temperatures. The metal end cap seal generally comprises a resilient ring with a metal end caps on either end. The inner diameter of the resilient ring has one or more circumferential cavities open to the inner diameter and connected to the outer diameter by one or more radial holes. After the seal is energized, a high pressure is applied to the seal so that the pressure will migrate past the nose of the seal, through the radial holes, and into the groove. The groove is shaped so that, once the high pressure is relieved, the pressure within the groove will become trapped. This trapped pressure acts as a source of stored energy within the seal and causes the seal to be energized to a level that is greater than the energization capable without the trapped pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal end cap seal for a well sealing assembly for sealing the annulus between two tubular members that has improved sealing abilities at an increased range of temperatures. The metal end cap seal generally comprises a resilient ring with a metal end caps on either end. The inner diameter of the resilient ring has one or more annular protrusions along the inside diameter of the resilient ring. The annular protrusions are sized so as to provide additional interference with the internal tubular member and provide areas of localized compressive stress within the resilient ring while maintaining a desirable overall stress distribution.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor assembly, especially one having two or more stages, comprises a first compressor casing having. A fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a first impeller rotatable within the first compressor casing. The assembly further comprises a second compressor casing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a second impeller rotatable within the second compressor casing. Drive for the compressors is provided by an electric motor, preferably a permanent magnet motor, disposed between the first and second compressor casings and comprising a stator and a rotor rotatable within the stator. A drive shaft is provided, wherein the first impeller, second impeller and the rotor are mounted on the drive shaft and rotatable therewith.

Abstract: A method of drilling an offshore underwater well comprising the steps of installing a riser conduit so that it is substantially vertically supported at a production deck. The riser conduit deviates progressively further from the vertical with increasing sea depth, so that its end can be anchored at the seabed by a skid either at an oblique angle so that drilling into the seabed can be carried out at the oblique angle, or horizontally, so that the riser conduit can extend some considerable distance across the seabed before drilling is carried out.

Abstract: A fail-safe gate valve for sub-sea use features a floating, pressure biased compensating piston whose movement prevents internal pressure buildup from opening movement of the gate. A pre-charged fluid chamber provides the bias on the balancing piston. Using unequal piston diameters reduces the charge pressure. The balancing piston is not connected to the gate so that internal pressures can be employed to act on a net area, which biases the gate toward its fail-safe position.