Abstract: The lockdown mechanism (10) and running tool (50) are provided for securing the casing hanger (12, 13) within the wellhead (14) and sealing the annulus between the casing and the wellhead. The lockdown ring (20) fixes the lockdown sleeve (40) to a wellhead in response to a lockdown piston (22). A first seal (24) energized by the running tool seals between the lockdown sleeve and the wellhead. Ball seat (30) is axially movable within the running tool, and a second seal also energized by the running tool (32) seals between the lockdown sleeve and the casing hanger.

Abstract: A seal assembly (30) and a running tool (20) are provided for sealing a casing annulus in a wellhead (14). A casing hanger (12) includes a radially external groove therein, and wellhead has a radially internal groove therein. A locking ring (36) may be actuated by the running tool to move into the internal recess in the wellhead and thereby axially connect the seal assembly and the wellhead. Another locking ring (40) is radially movable to connect the seal assembly to the casing hanger. The seal assembly seals the casing annulus while being interconnected with the wellhead and the casing hanger.

Abstract: A method and system for coupling a riser to a subsea wellhead are disclosed. A first terminal end of a riser comprised of an inner riser and an outer riser is coupled to the platform and a second terminal end of the riser is coupled to a wellhead. The second terminal end of the inner riser is coupled to an inner drilling riser tie-back connector (“ITBC”) having a main body. The ITBC is landed on a landing shoulder disposed within the subsea wellhead. A downward weight is applied to the main body. The application of the downward weight to the main body couples the ITBC and the subsea wellhead.

Abstract: An integral diverter system for diverting drilling fluid returns into flowlines connected to outlets for return to the drilling fluid reservoirs or other desirable locations is disclosed. The diverter assembly includes a lower tubular body that is coupled to a conductor and an upper tubular body having one or more diverter flow outlets, and one or more additional outlets. A connecting means secures the lower tubular body to the upper tubular body. One or more additional packer elements are disposed within the upper tubular body and locking means are provided for securing the one or more additional packer elements in position within the upper tubular body.

Abstract: Systems and methods for riser coupling are disclosed. A riser coupling system comprises a riser joint connector comprising a first tubular assembly coupled to a second tubular assembly. The riser coupling system further comprises a spider assembly which receives the riser joint connector and has a connector actuation tool. The connector actuation tool comprises a dog assembly, a clamping tool and a splined member. The dog assembly selectively extends a dog to engage the riser joint connector. The clamping tool couples the first tubular assembly and the second tubular assembly. Finally, the splined member actuates a locking member of the riser joint connector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for riser coupling are disclosed. A riser coupling system comprises a riser joint connector comprising a first tubular assembly coupled to a second tubular assembly. The riser coupling system further comprises a spider assembly which receives the riser joint connector and has a connector actuation tool. The connector actuation tool comprises a dog assembly, a clamping tool and a splined member. The dog assembly selectively extends a dog to engage the riser joint connector. The clamping tool couples the first tubular assembly and the second tubular assembly. Finally, the splined member actuates a locking member of the riser joint connector.

Abstract: Hybrid-tieback seal assemblies, interventionless setting assemblies, and associated methods of setting downhole components of the hybrid-tieback seal assemblies using such interventionless setting assemblies are disclosed. A hybrid-tieback seal assembly comprises one or more anchoring bodies, one or more packer seal assemblies, and one or more interventionless hydraulic setting systems. A method of setting downhole equipment comprises applying a pressure to a compensating volume and providing a working volume, wherein the working volume is separated from the compensating volume by one or more hydraulic control devices. A pressure is applied to the working volume in response to the pressure applied to the compensating volume. The pressure applied to the compensating volume is then reduced and the pressure applied to the working volume is captured by the hydraulic control devices. The captured pressure in the working volume is applied to set one or more of the anchoring bodies and packer seal assemblies.

Abstract: Systems and methods for riser coupling are disclosed. A riser coupling system comprises a riser joint connector comprising a first tubular assembly coupled to a second tubular assembly. The riser coupling system further comprises a spider assembly which receives the riser joint connector and has a connector actuation tool. The connector actuation tool comprises a dog assembly, a clamping tool and a splined member. The dog assembly selectively extends a dog to engage the riser joint connector. The clamping tool couples the first tubular assembly and the second tubular assembly. Finally, the splined member actuates a locking member of the riser joint connector.

Abstract: The riser tensioning system (10) includes a tensioning ring (18) for secured engagement with the riser and plurality of hydraulic cylinders (12) extending between the tensioning ring and a floating platform. A gimbal mechanism (42) acts between the platform and the riser to allow the riser axis to tilt relative to the floating platform. One or more elongate torque transfer members (38) extend between the tensioning ring and the gimbal mechanism and allow axial movement of the tensioning ring and the riser with respect to the floating platform.

Abstract: A seal assembly (10) is provided for sealing between an interior surface (14) on a wellhead (12) and a tapered exterior surface (18) on a hanger (16). A unitary seal body (20) includes an upper portion for engagement with a force tool and a lower portion for sealing with the wellhead and the hanger. A first locking ring (24) is movable radially inward for securing the sealing assembly to the hanger, and a second locking ring (22) is movable radially outward for securing the seal assembly to the wellhead. An actuation member (60) including a plurality of downward extending fingers passing through slots in the seal body move downward through a portion of the body to force the first and second locking rings into engagement with the wellhead and the hanger.

Abstract: An assembly having a dual barrier gasket located at an interface between a first body and a second body is disclosed. The dual barrier gasket may include a substantially cylindrical inner surface. The dual barrier gasket may further include a gasket outer surface that is configured to provide an inner sealing barrier and an outer sealing barrier, where a first tangent plane to a portion of the outer sealing barrier is radially offset from a second tangent plane to a portion of the inner sealing barrier. The gasket outer surface may include a first port and a second port. A channel may extend from the first port through the dual barrier gasket to the second port. The first body (or the second body) include a channel extending from a cavity between the two sealing barriers of the dual barrier gasket and the first body (or the second body) to an external port.

Abstract: Interventionless setting assemblies and associated methods are disclosed. A method of setting downhole equipment comprises applying a pressure to a compensating volume and providing a working volume, wherein the working volume is separated from the compensating volume by one or more hydraulic control devices. A pressure is applied to the working volume in response to the pressure applied to the compensating volume. The pressure applied to the compensating volume is then reduced and the pressure applied to the working volume is captured by maintaining the pressure applied to the working volume when the pressure applied to the compensating volume is reduced. The captured pressure in the working volume is applied to set downhole equipment.

Abstract: A method and system for coupling a riser to a subsea wellhead are disclosed. A first terminal end of a riser comprised of an inner riser and an outer riser is coupled to the platform and a second terminal end of the riser is coupled to a wellhead. The second terminal end of the inner riser is coupled to an inner drilling riser tie-back connector (“ITBC”) having a main body. The ITBC is landed on a landing shoulder disposed within the subsea wellhead. A downward weight is applied to the main body. The application of the downward weight to the main body couples the ITBC and the subsea wellhead.

Abstract: The riser tensioning system (10) includes a tensioning ring (18) for secured engagement with the riser and plurality of hydraulic cylinders (12) extending between the tensioning ring and a floating platform. A gimbal mechanism (42) acts between the platform and the riser to allow the riser axis to tilt relative to the floating platform. One or more elongate torque transfer members (38) extend between the tensioning ring and the gimbal mechanism and allow axial movement of the tensioning ring and the riser with respect to the floating platform.

Abstract: Systems and methods for riser coupling are disclosed. A riser coupling system comprises a riser joint connector comprising a first tubular assembly coupled to a second tubular assembly. The riser coupling system further comprises a spider assembly which receives the riser joint connector and has a connector actuation tool. The connector actuation tool comprises a dog assembly, a clamping tool and a splined member. The dog assembly selectively extends a dog to engage the riser joint connector. The clamping tool couples the first tubular assembly and the second tubular assembly. Finally, the splined member actuates a locking member of the riser joint connector.

Abstract: A seal assembly (30) and a running tool (20) are provided for sealing a casing annulus in a wellhead (14). A casing hanger (12) includes a radially external groove therein, and wellhead has a radially internal groove therein. A locking ring (36) may be actuated by the running tool to move into the internal recess in the wellhead and thereby axially connect the seal assembly and the wellhead. Another locking ring (40) is radially movable to connect the seal assembly to the casing hanger. The seal assembly seals the casing annulus while being interconnected with the wellhead and the casing hanger.

Abstract: A cylinder accumulator system is disclosed. The system includes a cylinder comprising a cylinder rod, a cylinder barrel coaxial to the cylinder rod, a cylinder end cap coupled to the cylinder barrel and the cylinder rod, and a cylinder piston assembly disposed within the cylinder barrel. The cylinder piston assembly further includes a dynamic sealing arrangement, which comprises one or more dynamic seals. The system further includes a first annular volume coaxial to the cylinder rod and the cylinder barrel, and a second volume disposed within the cylinder piston assembly. The system also includes a piston disposed within a bore of the second volume and between a hydraulic fluid located on a first side of the piston and a gas media located on a second side of the piston. The system also includes an external high-pressure accumulator, a low-pressure accumulator, and one or more tube manifolds coupling the external high-pressure accumulator and low-pressure accumulator to the cylinder.

Abstract: An adjustable hanger system secures a hanger to a wellhead such that a downward extending tubular may be tensioned at a selected level. The wellhead includes a housing having a plurality of axially spaced grooves, with selected grooves receiving a support member therein. The wellhead housing also has an axially elongate and generally cylindrical sealing surface spaced above the plurality of grooves for sealing engagement with a seal element. The hanger is axially movable relative to the plurality of grooves. The hanger is supported by the support member which is radially movable into selected ones of a plurality of grooves. A lockdown member may also move into selected ones of the plurality of grooves for preventing axially upward movement of the hanger relative to the wellhead.

Abstract: Interventionless setting assemblies and associated methods are disclosed. A method of setting downhole equipment comprises applying a pressure to a compensating volume and providing a working volume, wherein the working volume is separated from the compensating volume by one or more hydraulic control devices. A pressure is applied to the working volume in response to the pressure applied to the compensating volume. The pressure applied to the compensating volume is then reduced and the pressure applied to the working volume is captured by maintaining the pressure applied to the working volume when the pressure applied to the compensating volume is reduced. The captured pressure in the working volume is applied to set downhole equipment.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a lock for maintaining a slip in a reduced diameter position when running the tool in the well, and selectively releases the slip to move radially outward to a set position to suspend an anchored portion of the tool within a downhole tubular. The tool includes a mandrel having a through passage, with a hydraulic port within the mandrel that is closed to mandrel internal pressure as the tool is run in the wellbore. A ball seat covers hydraulic ports in the mandrel. A ball may be dropped to seat and increase pressure to open the ports. A piston moves in response to mandrel internal pressure applied through the hydraulic port to unlock the locking device, such that further movement of the piston releases the slip from the reduced diameter position to the set position.