Abstract: A blowout preventer includes a main body having a through bore and defining a passage transverse to the through bore. A seal is disposed in the main body and arranged to restrict fluid flow from the through bore to the passage. The seal comprises a seal body formed as a closed loop having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the seal body comprises an inner wall and an outer wall. The lower surface comprises at least one wing extending laterally from the outer surface to provide a lateral sealing surface. The upper surface comprises at least one raised portion to provide a sealing surface.

Abstract: Releasable tubular couplings entailing spring-based designs providing a mechanical solution for linking/coupling tubulars. A method for forming a releasable coupling between a first tubular member and a second tubular member.

Abstract: An initiator monitoring and actuating system includes a first power supply selectively electrically connectable to a charge initiator. The first power supply provides a current lower than an activation current of the initiator. A second power supply is selectively electrically connectable to the charge initiator. The second power supply provides a current of at least the activation current. Switches are selectively operable to connect the second power supply to a test circuit operable to measure a current generated by the second power supply. The switches are selectively operable to connect the second power supply to the charge initiator. A current sensor is operable to measure current through the test circuit and operable to measure current from the first power supply when the first power supply is connected to the charge initiator.

Abstract: Cutters for severing objects in a bore. The cutters having a planar body with an opening passing from a top surface through a bottom surface, with the opening encircled by the body. A cutting edge is disposed on a side of the opening proximate a back end of the body. The cutting edge having a layer thereon to sealingly cover the edge. The body is configured for placement with the opening coincident with a bore in a housing and for movement across the bore. The body is configured to receive a propelled member to make contact with the body to transfer kinetic energy from the member to the body to move the body across the bore for the cutting edge to pass through the layer thereon and sever any object in the bore. A method for severing objects in a bore.

Abstract: A blowout preventer actuation system has a frame configured for underwater disposal, with a kinetic blowout preventer and at least one hydraulically actuated blowout preventer mounted thereon. The kinetic blowout preventer is configured with an electrically operated initiator. An interface module is disposed on the frame for signal communication with the electrically operated initiator. The interface module is configured to generate an actuation signal to actuate the initiator upon detection of the at least one of an electrical signal, an acoustic signal, and a hydraulic signal. A method for actuating a blowout preventer.

Abstract: A blowout preventer includes a main body having a through bore and defining a passage transverse to the through bore. At least one seal is configured for positioning with an opening on the seal coincident with the through bore. The at least one seal being disposed to engage an element disposed in the transverse passage. The at least one seal being configured to receive a fluid under pressure to energize the seal to restrict fluid flow between the through bore and the transverse passage when the element is disposed proximate the through bore. A method for operating a blowout preventer.

Abstract: A valve with a body having a through bore for fluid passage. The body has a plurality of passages transverse to the through bore. At least two of the transverse passages each have a gate disposed therein configured for motion along the passage between a position to permit fluid flow along the through bore and a position to restrict fluid flow along the through bore. Each gate is configured for motion along the transverse passage in one direction in response to a first force acting on the gate and in another direction in response to a second force acting on the gate.

Abstract: A ram for a blowout preventer has a pressure chamber having a piston movably disposed therein, and a charge disposed at one end of the pressure chamber. A gate is coupled to the piston on a side opposed to the charge. The gate is arranged to move across a through bore in a housing disposed at an opposed end of the pressure chamber. A coupling between the piston and the gate has sufficient strength to transfer kinetic energy of the gate to the piston.

Abstract: An underwater robotic system includes a frame for deployment in a body of water and having a control panel with multiple controls. A first actuator on the frame selectively actuates a control from a front side of the panel. A second actuator on the frame selectively actuates a control from a back side of the panel. One or more controls on the panel is configured to regulate distribution of a fluid. The frame is configured to couple to a blowout preventer. A method for robotic fluid distribution in an underwater environment.

Abstract: A blowout preventer includes a main body having a through bore. A pressure chamber is located adjacent to and transverse to the through bore. A gate is disposed in the pressure chamber. An insert is disposed in the main body and defines an opening therethrough parallel to the through bore. The insert also defines a passage therethrough transverse to the through bore for passage of the gate.

Abstract: A method for controlling pressure in a well includes pumping fluid into a riser extending between a drilling vessel and a wellhead, pumping fluid out of the riser to the drilling vessel by operating a first jet pump disposed in a conduit extending from the riser to the drilling vessel, wherein a rate of pumping power fluid into a power fluid inlet of the first jet pump is adjusted to maintain a liquid level in the drilling riser at a selected elevation.

Abstract: A blowout preventer includes a main body having a through bore and defining a passage transverse to the through bore. A seal is disposed in the main body and arranged to restrict fluid flow from the through bore to the passage. The seal comprises a seal body formed as a closed loop having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the seal body comprises an inner wall and an outer wall. The lower surface comprises at least one wing extending laterally from the outer surface to provide a lateral sealing surface. The upper surface comprises at least one raised portion to provide a sealing surface.

Abstract: An underwater robotic system includes a frame adapted to be deployed in a body of water and having guide rails and at least one movable rail movably coupled to the guide rails. An actuator module is movably coupled to the at least one movable rail. A control panel disposed proximate the frame and has a plurality of controls thereon. The plurality of controls is operable by an actuator on the actuator module. A position of each of the plurality of controls is known such that motion of the actuator module and the at least one movable rail is remotely controllable to actuate any chosen one of the plurality of controls.

Abstract: A kinetic ram for a blowout preventer includes a pressure chamber having a piston movably disposed therein. A gas generating charge disposed at one end of the pressure chamber. A ram is coupled to the piston on a side of the piston opposed to the gas generating charge. The ram is arranged to move across a through bore in a blowout preventer housing disposed at an opposed end of the pressure chamber. An initial volume in the pressure chamber between the one end and the piston is chosen to limit a maximum pressure caused by actuating the gas generating charge to a predetermined maximum pressure, and/or the pressure chamber comprises a pressure relief device arranged to vent pressure in the pressure chamber above the maximum pressure.

Abstract: A blowout preventer and method of operating a wellbore. The blowout preventer has a main body containing a wellbore, a passage transverse to the wellbore, a shearing device located in the passage; and a charge that, when activated, propels the shearing device along the passage and across the wellbore to close the wellbore and prevent a blowout.

Abstract: A seal includes a seal body formed as a closed loop. The seal body having an upper surface and a lower surface. The seal body comprises an inner wall and an outer wall. The lower surface comprises an inner wing and an outer wing extending laterally from the outer surface to provide lateral sealing. The upper surface of the seal is configured to provide a sealing contact when the seal is urged into engagement via a fluid pressure.

Abstract: An initiator monitoring and actuating system includes a first power supply selectively electrically connectable to a charge initiator. The first power supply provides a current lower than an activation current of the initiator. A second power supply is selectively electrically connectable to the charge initiator. The second power supply provides a current of at least the activation current. Switches are selectively operable to connect the second power supply to a test circuit operable to measure a current generated by the second power supply. The switches are selectively operable to connect the second power supply to the charge initiator. A current sensor is operable to measure current through the test circuit and operable to measure current from the first power supply when the first power supply is connected to the charge initiator.

Abstract: A connector may comprise a plurality of locking members arranged to engage and disengage a well tool. Each locking member may be selectively and individually actuated to engage and/or disengage the well tool while the connector is coupled to the well tool. The position of the individual locking members may be selectively determined. The position of the locking members may be viewed on a display for remote member actuation.

Abstract: A well pressure control device includes a housing having a through bore. A pressure chamber has a piston movably disposed therein. The pressure chamber is coupled at one end to the housing transversely to the through bore. The actuating piston defines a pressure source side and a through bore side of the pressure chamber. A fluid pressure source is coupled to the other end of the pressure chamber. A closure element is disposed in the pressure chamber on the through bore side. At least one locking element is coupled to the pressure chamber at an axial position along the pressure chamber on the through bore side.

Abstract: A blowout preventer includes a main body having a through bore. A pressure chamber is located adjacent to and transverse to the through bore. A gate is disposed in the pressure chamber. An insert is disposed in the main body and defines an opening therethrough parallel to the through bore. The insert also defines a passage therethrough transverse to the through bore for passage of the gate.