Abstract: An end effector for gripping and spinning a pipe includes a head portion including a first connection interface for connecting the end effector to a robotic arm. In addition, the end effector includes a pair of jaws rotatably connected to the head portion between an open position and a gripping position. Further, the end effector includes a spinner for spinning a pipe held by the pair of jaws in the gripping position around a spinning axis generally corresponding to a longitudinal centre axis of the pipe. The first connection interface has a normal which is substantially parallel to the spinning axis. There is also disclosed a robot including an end effector as well a robot assembly and a drilling installation including such as robot.

Abstract: A connection between a first tubular member and a second tubular member includes a first tubular end, a second tubular end, a load shoulder member threadable onto the first tubular end, and a nut receivable around the first tubular end and the load shoulder member and threadable onto the second tubular end. The connection also includes a keyway disposed axially between the load shoulder member and the second tubular end, wherein the keyway is also disposed through the load shoulder member and into the first tubular end to receive a key member.

Abstract: A pipe having suspendable from an elevator in a drill tower. The pipe includes an end portion which, in operational use, is suspended from a hole of the elevator, wherein the end portion has a minimum diameter that is greater than a minimum diameter of the hole of the elevator. The end portion of the pipe includes sidewalls shaped with an engagement surface for engagement with correspondingly-shaped sidewalls of the hole. The engagement surface of the pipe includes a first part and a second part neighbouring the first part, the first part defining a frustoconical shape having a non-zero first taper angle, and the second part defining a shape having at least partially a non-zero second taper angle that is less than the first taper angle.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an apparatus for suspending a connector provided on a first elongated hoisting member during a subsea hoisting operation. The apparatus includes a mechanism for holding the connector, in which, when the mechanism is subjected to a hydrostatic pressure above a threshold pressure, the mechanism is changeable to a configuration for moving past the connector while the apparatus is raised. Also described are a system and methods for moving a load between a floating vessel and a submerged position.

Abstract: Disclosed is an elevator for holding and end portion of a pipe in a drill tower. The elevator includes a hole from which, in operational use, an end portion of the pipe is suspended. The minimum diameter of the end portion of the pipe is selected larger than the minimum diameter of the hole, wherein sidewalls of the hole are shaped with a receiving surface for receiving correspondingly-shaped sidewalls of the end portion of the pipe. Similarly, sidewalls of the end portion of the pipe are shaped with an engagement surface for engagement with correspondingly-shaped sidewalls of the hole. Both the receiving surface and the engagement surface includes a first part and a second part neighbouring the first part, the first part defining a frustoconical shape having a first conicity, and the second part defining a shape having at least partially a second conicity lower than the first conicity.

Abstract: A free-mold stator for a progressing cavity pump can comprise a housing include an inner housing surface defining an uninterrupted helical profile, and a liner including an inner liner surface and an outer liner surface. The inner liner surface and the outer liner surface can each define an uninterrupted helical profile, and the inner housing surface of the housing can be adapted to receive the outer liner surface to prevent lateral and rotational movement between the liner and the housing.

Abstract: A method of installing an offshore wind turbine includes the step of raising a full-length tower for the offshore wind turbine by moving it longitudinally from a container in a substructure, the substructure being a support structure for the wind turbine, wherein the substructure is arranged with a container configured for housing a tower for the wind turbine substantially in its entirety.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a well state with intermittent well state sampling includes determining a measured volume differential by measuring flow out of a wellbore, measuring flow into the wellbore, and calculating a difference between the measured flow out and the measured flow in. The method includes determining an expected volume differential by calculating a fluid volume of the wellbore system, determining a wellbore pressure difference, determining a well system bulk modulus, and multiplying the fluid volume of the wellbore by the wellbore pressure difference and dividing a result by the well system bulk modulus. If the expected volume differential is not substantially equal to the measured volume differential, reporting to the user that the well state is experiencing a significant change requiring user intervention.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for use in water processing include housing sections that house in their interiors water treating membranes, the respective interiors being separate from one another. A distributor chamber for containing a flow of water to be treated conveys water to be treated from a feed inlet and distributes the water to be treated into the interiors of the housing sections. A collector chamber for collecting treated water from the interiors of the housing sections is provided to communicate a merged flow of the treated water to an extraction outlet. The device may be employed in subsea systems or in a topside water processing system.

Abstract: A system for disinfecting and removing biological material from water to be injected into an injection well in a water body is described; the system includes: at least one apparatus for the gravitational precipitation of particles from water, which is connected, in terms of fluid, to a source of untreated water and to the injection well; and an apparatus for the addition of an oxidant for the disinfection of water, which is connected in terms of fluid to the apparatus for the gravitational precipitation of particles, a source of untreated water and to the injection well such that the apparatus for the gravitational precipitation of particles is positioned downstream relative to the apparatus for the addition of an oxidant for disinfection. The disclosure also relates to a method for disinfecting and removal of biological material from injection water.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a housing; a first piston arranged within the housing such that it can move axially under the action of fluid flowing through the tool; and an indexer configured to control axial movement of the first piston between a first, second and third axial position. The indexer is configured such that the first piston can be selectively moved into the third position in accordance with a variation of a flow of fluid through the tool. A second piston is movable between a closed position in which fluid flowing through the tool is restricted from communicating with an activation chamber and an open position in which fluid flowing through the tool is permitted to communicate with the activation chamber; wherein the second piston is configured to move between the closed position and the open position in response to the first piston moving to the third axial position.

Abstract: A rope connector connects prepared ends of two rope segments, wherein said prepared ends each include a rope eye. The rope connector includes at least two complementary parts, each being configured with a shaped recess for receiving at least part of said prepared end of a respective rope segment. The complementary parts are detachably mountable to each other to establish a firm connection there between. A rope extension system is disclosed to include such rope connector, and a hoisting system employs such rope extension system.

Abstract: A monitoring system is for a well stream from a hydrocarbon well with seawater injection. The monitoring system includes a sample receiving system, a sample preparation system, an analyzing system, and a pressure control and measurement system. The monitoring system is connectable to a sample point for receiving a sample of the well stream. The sample receiving system includes a fluid conduit connectable for fluid communication with the sample point, and a separator for separating a water fraction from the sample. The sample preparation system includes a filter for filtering the water fraction. The analyzing system includes an x-ray fluorescence analyzer for measurement of a concentration of at least one of dissolved elements Fe, Ba, Ca, S, Cl, P, Cu, Zn, Pb, Br or scale inhibitor tracers in the sample. The pressure control and measurement system is connected to the sample receiving system or the sample preparation system.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a flywheel on a floating vessel includes a support for the flywheel; and a tilt sensor for measuring an angle of slope relative to the Earth, the tilt sensor being arranged to detect a change of an angle of slope of the floating vessel relative to the Earth. The apparatus further includes a driver for manoeuvring the support relative to the floating vessel, based on the measured angle of slope from the tilt sensor, wherein the driver is operable to manoeuvre the support so as to counteract a change of an angle of slope of the flywheel relative to the Earth due to the detected change of an angle of slope of the floating vessel.

Abstract: A connection between a first tubular member and a second tubular member includes a first tubular end, a second tubular end, a load shoulder member threadable onto the first tubular end, and a nut receivable around the first tubular end and the load shoulder member and threadable onto the second tubular end. The connection also includes a keyway disposed axially between the load shoulder member and the second tubular end, wherein the keyway is also disposed through the load shoulder member and into the first tubular end to receive a key member.

Abstract: A basket system for a shale shaker includes a front, solids discharge end and a rear, feed end, spaced apart by opposed first and second sides. The feed end includes a fluid retaining wall. A first screen deck frame is mounted or mountable to the basket for supporting a screening surface and forming a first screen deck in use. The screening surface of the first screen deck has a lower, feed receiving end that is proximal to the fluid retaining wall at the rear end of the basket and a distal, higher, solids discharge end at the front end of the basket. The basket further includes at least one mounting for mounting at least one additional screen deck frame above or below the first screen deck frame.

Abstract: A valve for use in a wellbore for facilitating a multi-stage stimulation method includes a first sleeve configured to move to open the valve. In addition, the valve includes a second sleeve configured to move to close the valve. The first sleeve and the second sleeve are both movable in a first direction. Movement of the first sleeve a first distance in the first direction opens the valve and subsequent movement of the second sleeve a second distance in the first direction closes the valve. Further, the valve includes a third profile configured to engage a third key of a tool for operating the valve. The third profile is shaped to prevent movement of the tool in a second direction opposite to the first direction when engaged with the third key of the tool.

Abstract: This disclosure includes flow spool riser segment assemblies that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) and that can be lowered (e.g., when connected to other riser segment assemblies) through a rotary of a drilling rig. Some embodiments are configured to have portions of the flow spool connected (e.g., without welding) below the rotary.

Abstract: A rotating control device includes a bowl housing with an inner aperture to receive a seal and bearing assembly. A plurality of hydraulically-actuated fail-last-position latching assemblies are disposed about an outer surface of the bowl housing to controllably extend a plurality of piston-driven dogs radially into a groove of the seal and bearing assembly. The seal and bearing assembly includes a housing, a mandrel disposed within an inner aperture of the housing, a first interference-fit sealing element attached to a bottom distal end of the mandrel, a plurality of tapered-thrust bearings indirectly mounted to the housing, a preload spacer disposed between top and bottom tapered-thrust bearings, a plurality of jam nuts to adjust a preload of the tapered-thrust bearings, and a lower seal carrier attached to the seal and bearing housing comprising a plurality of dynamic sealing elements that contact the mandrel.

Abstract: A closed-loop hydraulic drilling system generates choke characteristic curves or data that more accurately reflects the relationship between the commanded choke valve position and the resulting pressure drop across the choke valve for a given flow rate and fluid density. The choke characteristic curves may be generated through a calibration procedure and then used during normal operations to more accurately monitor return flow and manage wellbore pressure. The specific gravity of an injected calibration fluid and pressure drop across the choke valve may be determined and correlated to the current choke valve position to reflect the choke characteristic curve in situ, thereby providing for more precise control of wellbore pressure and enabling condition monitoring of the choke valve. In addition, an improved closed-loop hydraulic drilling system does not require a flow meter, enabling the adoption of MPD systems in low-specification and economically constrained applications.