Abstract: A coupling for first and second pipe sections where end portions on the first and second pipe sections are shaped and dimensioned so that the end portion of the first pipe section can be inserted in the end portion of the second pipe section. Penetration of the first section is limited relative to the second section. The outer surface of the end of the second pipe section adjacent to the other section includes at least a first set of continuous helical spin-up threads. A female union box is connected to the first section, the inner surface of the box including at least a first set of continuous helical spin-up threads interengaged with the set of threads on the second pipe section, the union box further including an additional set of helical power threads. A power ring is located around the first section and includes a set of helical power threads interengaged with the helical power threads on the union box.

Abstract: A coupling for underwater upper and lower riser pipe sections and associated parallel choke and kill line pipe sections, where one riser pipe section is inserted in a second one. One of the riser pipe sections includes a threaded male end which has at least two sets of continuous threads. A female union box carried on the other riser section includes at least two sets of continuous threads interengaged with the sets of threads on the male end, the respective sets of threads being axially and radially spaced from each other, the union box engaging the other riser pipe section for preventing the sections from moving axially relaltive to each other. The sections are provided with a fluid tight seal and choke and kill line sections are also penetratingly joined and supported by the raiser pipe sections.

Abstract: A valve body forms flow passages at longitudinally opposite sides of a stopper to be brought into communication through the stopper when the stopper is rotated from closed to open positions, the body having a side opening. To rotate the stopper there are provided:(a) a sleeve adapted for reception in the side opening, the sleeve having retainer structure to interfit shoulder structure on the body for blocking rotation of the sleeve in the side opening,(b) a crank received in the sleeve for rotation therein, thereby to rotate the valve stopper, and(c) interengageable stop shoulder structure on the crank and sleeve to limit rotation of the crank and the stopper at stopper open and closed positions.The retainer structure typically includes two tangs projecting in spaced apart relation for reception in grooving in the body.

Abstract: A connector for releasably securing end pin and box portions of adjacent pipe sections in a telescopic relationship along aligned longitudinal axis to provide an internal fluid flow passageway. One of the end portions is provided with a plurality of threaded openings disposed in a radial relationship about the longitudinal axis and adjacent the other end portion, the other end portion having a similar plurality of openings that align with the threaded openings when the end portions are positioned for connection, each of said thread openings having a threaded latch screw operably positioned therein for movement to extend from said threaded opening into the aligned opening on the other end portion for securing the end portion together.

Abstract: A retrievable inside blowout preventer valve apparatus for use in blocking undesired upwardly flow in the bore of a rotary drill string during well drilling operations is disclosed. The valve apparatus is installed and retrieved from a subsurface receiver sub connected in the drill string by movement through the bore of the drill string. When shutting off upwardly flow through the bore of the drill string, the valve automatically operably secures and seals itself in the receiver sub. A wireline retrieving tool is used to release the valve apparatus from the receiver sub and to establish a connection therebetween for retrieving the valve apparatus with the wireline.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling a well drilled from a floating drilling vessel during the time that the marine riser is removed and conductor casing is being lowered and cemented into the well. An annular blowout preventer having a bore substantially equal to that of the structural casing is provided in a stack above the structural casing wellhead. A kill line is provided to the drilling vessel and is connected to the wellbore conduit below the blowout preventer. A spool is attached to the top of the blowout preventer. A casing stripper is attached to the top of the spool and has a mandrel extending from its top about which a wellhead connector attached to the marine riser system is connected. The marine riser system includes a flow diverter at its top disposed on the drilling vessel.The hole to be lined with conductor casing is drilled through the marine riser to a depth of about one thousand (1000) feet below the sea bed.

Abstract: A safety valve for controlling flow in a flow line is disclosed which is especially adapted for use in emergency control of a producing well. The apparatus includes means for securing a punch out tube in series with the flow line and ramming means for ramming the punch out tube and displacing at least a portion of it from the flow path of the flow line and sealing the flow line. The punch out tube comprises top, bottom and middle cylindrical members stacked end to end with an elastomeric seal provided in channels resulting from cooperating grooves formed in the end surfaces of the members. When the middle member is rammed, while the bottom and top members are fixed within the valve body, the middle member is displaced to a valve recess and the ram covers and seals the outlet flow path of the valve.The valve is adapted to be attached between production casing of a production wellhead and a production tree. The production tubing is supported within the valve body.

Abstract: A flexible conductor adapted for use as a "marine riser" in offshore drilling and production operations. The conductor includes a central flexible elastomer portion connected at each end with a rigid tubular portion. Disposed in the elastomer portion are inner and outer reinforcing members for containing the pressure differential across the central portion and for carrying the compressive loads. A plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending metal wires are disposed in the central portion between the inner and outer reinforcing members for enabling flexing of the central portion while carrying the tension load on the flexible conductor. The longitudinally extending wires are secured to the end portions by threaded retainers for ease of assembly.

Abstract: A surface controlled subsurface safety valve having rotatable ball-type closure elements and disclosed the tubular operator assembly is sealed to be substantially pressure balanced with respect to well fluid pressures when the ball-type closure is in either the open or closed position. Such arrangement enables the valve to be opened at a moderate control fluid pressure level with a substantial well pressure differential across the closed ball. In the disclosed tubing retrieval embodiment, an enclosed hydraulic system is used to balance the tubular operation and offset the hydrostatic head of the control fluid to enable greater setting depth.

Abstract: A fluid flow control valve especially adapted for use during well drilling operations as a drilling choke is disclosed. A replaceable ported seat and movable tubular flow control element cooperate to control flow through the angled body valve housing. The flow closure mechanism is operating fluid pressure balanced for ease of valve operation during extreme pressure working conditions. Internal flow control working parts of the valve are rugged in construction and assemblage. The portions of the valve subject to wear or flow erosion are also easily replaced when required. An indicator is arranged to signal incipient failure of the replaceable parts of the valve in order that they may be replaced prior to the occurrence of a major failure.

Abstract: A well blowout preventer packer unit is characterized by long life, and induced back to front (radial) rubber feeding between metallic inserts to close on well pipe for producing a pressure gradient against the pipe which is greatest at the bottom of the packer extent engaging the pipe, and lowest at the top of the packer extent engaging the pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus adapted for connection to a drilling conduit beneath a drilling rig floor for diverting pressurized well bore fluid in the conduit from the rig and sealing the annulus between a pipe or other object and the conduit or closing the conduit in the absence of any object in the vertical flow path in the conduit is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, an annular packing element and an annular piston disposed therein. The piston when actuated serves the dual functions of closing the packing element about an object in the bore and opening a vent line connected to an outlet passage provided in the wall of the housing. In another embodiment of the invention, two outlet passages in the housing are provided one connected to the vent line, the other to the rig drilling fluid system. The piston is also provided with at least one hole such that when not actuated, the piston covers the vent line yet the piston hole aligns with the outlet passage to the fluid system.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed which is adapted for connection to a drilling conduit beneath a drilling rig floor for diverting pressurized well bore fluid in the conduit from the rig and sealing the annulus between a pipe or other object and the conduit or closing the vertical flow path of the conduit in the absence of any object in the conduit. The apparatus includes a housing, an annular packing element and two annular pistons. The housing is provided with two outlet passages in its wall. A first piston covers one outlet passage in the housing wall for preventing fluid communication between that outlet passage and the interior of the housing when it is in a nonactivated position and for aligning a first hole in the piston wall with the outlet passage for allowing fluid communication when the piston is in an activated position.

Abstract: A well blowout preventer packer unit is characterized by long life, and induced back to front (radial) rubber feeding between metallic inserts to close on well pipe or on a well tool for producing a pressure gradient against the pipe or tool which is greatest at the bottom of the packer extent engaging the pipe, and lowest at the top of the packer extent engaging the pipe. The preventer piston has multiple interior frusto-conical surfaces to progressively and sequentially penetrate the packer rubber to effect controlled and enhanced rubber displacement for sealing against the pipe or tool; one of such surfaces is located relatively further from the piston axis than another such surface and has greater angularity relative to that axis than the other surface, and said one surface also has axial projection of greater radial dimension than that other surface.

Abstract: A well blowout preventer packer unit is characterized by long life, and induced back to front (radial) rubber feeding between metallic inserts to close on well pipe or on a well tool for producing a pressure gradient against the pipe or tool which is greatest at the bottom of the packer extent engaging the pipe, and lowest at the top of the packer extent engaging the pipe. The preventer piston has at least three, and typically four, frusto-conical surfaces to progressively and sequentially penetrate the packer rubber to effect controlled and enhanced rubber displacement for sealing against the pipe or tool.

Abstract: A blowout preventer and a seal are disclosed for sealing about pipes or other objects in a well bore. The seal element is a semi-circular section of resilient compressible material having a semi-circular inner surface to engage the pipe and embedded radially disposed support elements having anti-extrusion members which serve in combination with overlapping ram block members to prevent extrusion of the resilient material from the top and bottom of the seal. The top and bottom anti-extrusion members are stair stepped and have interlocking fingers and recesses and are adapted to slide radially and circumferentially with an adjacent anti-extrusion member element as the elements move toward or away from the pipe in the well bore. Flanges on the seal element are provided with top and bottom plates each of which overlaps at least one support element.

Abstract: Flow diverter apparatus is disclosed having a housing and a piston and annular packer disposed therein. The diverter has passages in the piston and housing walls providing fluid communication between the borehole and a vent line. A valve in the vent line is opened before the packer of the apparatus is closed about a tubular member in the bore of the apparatus or completely closes the vertical flow path of the bore of the apparatus when no object is therein, thereby diverting pressurized borehole fluid away from the rig equipment and personnel.

Abstract: A seal member of elastomeric material which is shaped to fit sealably within a recess of a flow diverter body. On the inside of the diverter body, a seal is effected against a slidable cylindrical valve sleeve. On the outside of the diverter body, a seal is effected against a permanent housing. The seal is constructed with an outer section having a generally circular opening, an inner section having an oblong opening and a connecting section between the outer and inner section having a bore therein connecting the circular opening with the oblong opening. A rigid support member embedded in the elastomeric material provides rigidity and strength to the seal member.

Abstract: An instrument for gaging a first shoulder on a workpiece having an axis includes a support and holder means to releasably connect the support to the workpiece; the support includes datum structure to engage a second shoulder on the workpiece to establish an axial reference. A gaging part is provided to move into and out of engagement with the first shoulder on the workpiece; and a carriage for the gaging part includes a first section movable axially and a second section movable radially. The gaging part is mounted on one of the two sections that is carried by and movable independently of the other section. Means is operatively connected to at least one of the two sections to produce output indicative of the extent of movement of the gaging part.

Abstract: A fluid sealing apparatus for use on telescopic slip joints of marine risers. A sealed housing is secured to one of the two telescopic members of the slip joint in a concentric surrounding relationship to the other tubular members with an annular recess disposed adjacent thereto. Positioned within the annular recess is one or more resiliently deformable packing elements operably deformed by sliding movement of an associated fluid pressure responsive packing follower. The packing follower is movable within the recess toward a central guide bushing for urging the packing disposed therebetween to be radially inwardly deformed for initially establishing and maintaining the desired fluid leakage blocking seal.