Abstract: A riser joint connection includes a box connector having a box preload fixture, a pin connector having a pin preload fixture, at least one shear element configured to fit into at least one shear element cavity defined by a box connector shear groove in alignment with a pin connector shear groove, wherein the at least one shear element contacts load surfaces of the pin connector and the box connector.

Abstract: A system for dynamic positioning of a vessel includes a number of generators that generate electrical power. The system also includes a power distribution system having a first bus that obtains a first portion of the electrical power from a first portion of the plurality of generators and a second bus that obtains a second portion of the electrical power from a second portion of the plurality of generators. The system further includes a thruster that generates thrust using the first portion of the electrical power and the second portion of the electrical power.

Abstract: A substantially cylindrical buoyancy module for a marine riser includes a plurality of buoyancy elements separated along at least one helical separation plane.

Abstract: A substantially cylindrical buoyancy module for a marine riser includes a plurality of buoyancy elements separated along at least one helical separation plane.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for operating a subsea blowout preventer includes a surface manifold configured to convey hydraulic power to the blowout preventer, a surface actuation valve hydraulically connected to subsea valves and configured to operate the blowout preventer, and a control system monitoring apparatus. The control system monitoring apparatus includes a surface manifold pressure transducer hydraulically connected to the surface manifold, an electronic readback system, and a surface control line pressure transducer hydraulically connected to the surface end of at least one control hose and the surface actuation valve. The control system monitoring apparatus is configured to read, record, and process pressure data supplied by the surface manifold and surface control line pressure transducers.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for operating a subsea blowout preventer includes a surface manifold configured to convey hydraulic power to the blowout preventer, a surface actuation valve hydraulically connected to subsea valves and configured to operate the blowout preventer, and a control system monitoring apparatus. The control system monitoring apparatus includes a surface manifold pressure transducer hydraulically connected to the surface manifold, an electronic readback system, and a surface control line pressure transducer hydraulically connected to the surface end of at least one control hose and the surface actuation valve. The control system monitoring apparatus is configured to read, record, and process pressure data supplied by the surface manifold and surface control line pressure transducers.

Abstract: A substantially cylindrical buoyancy module for a marine riser includes a plurality of buoyancy elements separated along at least one helical separation plane.

Abstract: A threaded union includes a threaded union nut configured to couple abutting ends of a threaded nipple on a distal end of a first joint and a shouldered nipple on a distal end of a second joint and a lower wedge and an upper wedge positioned within an offset distance formed between a lower surface of the union nut and an upper surface of an enlarged section of the shouldered nipple.

Abstract: A threaded union includes a threaded union nut configured to couple abutting ends of a threaded nipple on a distal end of a first joint and a shouldered nipple on a distal end of a second joint and a lower wedge and an upper wedge positioned within an offset distance formed between a lower surface of the union nut and an upper surface of an enlarged section of the shouldered nipple.

Abstract: An apparatus to restrain a riser tensioner of an offshore drilling rig includes a restraint cone configured to fit within hydraulic cylinders of the riser tensioner, a hoist configured to extend and retract the restraint cone, and a tension member extending from a lower end of the restraint cone, the tension member configured to engage a lower end of the riser tensioner and maintain a wedging action between the restraint cone and the hydraulic cylinders.

Abstract: A cathodic protection system for use in an electrolyte includes a protected structure to be at least partially immersed in the electrolyte, at least one sacrificial anode to be at least partially immersed in the electrolyte and electrically connected to the protected structure, and a substantially impermeable barrier disposed between the at least one sacrificial anode and the electrolyte.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for operating a subsea blowout preventer includes a surface manifold configured to convey hydraulic power to the blowout preventer, a surface actuation valve hydraulically connected to subsea valves and configured to operate the blowout preventer, and a control system monitoring apparatus. The control system monitoring apparatus includes a surface manifold pressure transducer hydraulically connected to the surface manifold, an electronic readback system, and a surface control line pressure transducer hydraulically connected to the surface end of at least one control hose and the surface actuation valve. The control system monitoring apparatus is configured to read, record, and process pressure data supplied by the surface manifold and surface control line pressure transducers.

Abstract: A substantially cylindrical buoyancy module for a marine riser includes a plurality of buoyancy elements separated along at least one helical separation plane.

Abstract: A cathodic protection system for use in an electrolyte includes a protected structure to be at least partially immersed in the electrolyte, at least one sacrificial anode to be at least partially immersed in the electrolyte and electrically connected to the protected structure, and a substantially impermeable barrier disposed between the at least one sacrificial anode and the electrolyte.

Abstract: A riser joint connection includes a box connector having a box preload fixture, a pin connector having a pin preload fixture, at least one shear element configured to fit into at least one shear element cavity defined by a box connector shear groove in alignment with a pin connector shear groove, wherein the at least one shear element contacts load surfaces of the pin connector and the box connector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved hydraulic control systems for actuation of subsea equipment in deep water are disclosed. The hydraulic control system relies on smaller fluid flow associated with a hydraulic pressure pulse to actuate the small volume actuation control valve. In one embodiment, the system includes small diameter control umbilical hoses and pilot-operated valves with low actuation volumes. Particularly, a hydraulic control system for reducing the signal time to a subsea blowout preventer in water depth up to and greater than about 5000 feet. Some embodiments comprise a valve arrangement which hydraulically actuate one side of a hydraulic control function, while simultaneously evacuating the opposing circuit both at the seabed and at the surface. Some embodiments comprise an umbilical hose located proximate the center of an umbilical bundle. Preferably, the umbilical hose has a plurality of layers of reinforcing fibers which increase with the diameter of the reinforcement layer.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system and method utilizing a retrievable control pod for the actuation of subsea blowout preventer stacks are disclosed. In one embodiment, the hydraulic control system comprises a subsea hydraulic umbilical line, a lower marine riser package having a hydraulic receptacle, a hydraulic control pod having a hydraulic connector for hydraulically mating with the hydraulic receptacle, at least one pod umbilical hydraulic connector hydraulically connected through umbilical connector piping to the hydraulic control pod, and at least one lower marine riser package umbilical hydraulic connector for hydraulically mating with the pod umbilical hydraulic connector and the subsea hydraulic umbilical line.

Abstract: An apparatus to restrain a riser tensioner of an offshore drilling rig includes a restraint cone configured to fit within hydraulic cylinders of the riser tensioner, a hoist configured to extend and retract the restraint cone, and a tension member extending from a lower end of the restraint cone, the tension member configured to engage a lower end of the riser tensioner and maintain a wedging action between the restraint cone and the hydraulic cylinders.