Abstract: A system comprising a surface installation in position above a plurality of subsea wells disposed within the watch circle of the surface installation. A plurality of flowlines directly couple at least one of the plurality of subsea wells to the surface installation. A control station, a hydraulic power unit, and an injection unit are disposed on the surface installation. A distribution body is disposed on the seafloor and is coupled to each of the control station, hydraulic power unit, and the injection unit via one or more umbilicals. A first wellhead component is disposed on one of the subsea wells and is coupled to the distribution body via one or more flying leads that provide electrical, hydraulic, and fluid communication. A second wellhead component is disposed on another one of the subsea wells and coupled to the distribution body via one or more flying leads that provide electrical, hydraulic, and fluid communication.

Abstract: A method for making a deep draft semi-submersible drilling/production vessel having a center of gravity below its center of buoyancy by constructing a plurality of buoyant individual columns. The method connects a pair of columns with at least a first top truss and a first bottom truss. The method additionally floats a connected first and second columns horizontally in water. The method floats the semi-submersible structure to a location for installation. The method concludes by deballasting the semi-submersible structure with connected deck forming a semi submersible drilling/production vessel having a center of gravity below its center of buoyancy with a draft between 300 and 500 feet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coupling a topside to a fixed or floating substructure during float-over installation of the topside are disclosed. Some system embodiments include a first plate coupled to a leg of the substructure and a retaining wall coupled to the first plate and extending substantially normally therefrom, wherein the retaining wall and the first plate form a recess. The system embodiments further include a second plate disposed at an end of a leg of the topside, the second plate received within the recess and engaging the first plate, and a plurality of shims disposed between the second plate and the retaining wall, wherein the plurality of shims are configured to inhibit translational movement of the second plate relative to the first plate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aligning and engaging a topside with a fixed or floating substructure during float-over installation of the topside are disclosed. Some system embodiments include an alignment member coupled to the substructure, an extendable member coupled to the topside, the extendable member having a receptacle configured to receive the alignment member, and a damping system. In some embodiments, the damping system includes a piston-rod assembly having a piston slideably disposed with a housing, wherein a first chamber and a second chamber are formed, and a rod coupled between the piston and the extendable member, a source of pressurized gas coupled to the first chamber, and an accumulator containing fluid coupled to the second chamber.

Abstract: A quick-release system for coupling a topside for a fixed or floating platform and a barge for float-over installation of the topside is disclosed. The quick-release system comprises one or more releasable connections, each releasable connection configured to support at least a fraction of the weight of the barge and to be remotely actuated to allow the barge to decouple from the topside. In some embodiments, the quick-release system comprises two plates, one coupled to the topside and the other coupled to the barge, and a plurality of bolts extending therebetween. A frangible nut is coupled to each bolt. The quick-release system is actuatable by an electric signal that causes the frangible nuts to fracture and the barge to subsequently be released from the topside.

Abstract: Systems and methods for lifting drilling fluid from a well bore in a subsea formation are disclosed. Some system embodiments include a drill string suspended within a drilling riser to form the well bore, and a drilling fluid source for supplying drilling fluid through the drill string during drilling. A diverter is coupled between the drilling riser and a return line, while a power riser coupled to the return line at an interface. A lift fluid source supplies lift fluid through the power riser into the return line. The lift fluid is intermittently injected from the power riser through the interface into the return line to form one or more slugs of lift fluid positioned between slugs of drilling fluid, such that the combined density of lift fluid and drilling fluid in the return line is less than the density of the drilling fluid alone.