Abstract: Extended casing method and apparatus for completing an underwater well whereby complete and continuous pressure control is maintained at the surface drilling platform. A conductor casing is installed in the floor of a body of water with a casing head and riser attached near the floor. Other casing is installed and supported at the water floor by hanger heads and having other risers extending upwardly therefrom. Pressure control equipment is installed at the upper end of one of the risers. An innermost casing having a tubing hanger-head attached is lowered through the pressure control equipment and installed. An orientation sleeve is aligned with the tubing hanger-head to properly orient the tubing hanger. The tubing hanger and tubing is then passed through the pressure control equipment and the innermost riser, to which the pressure control equipment is attached, and is lowered to engage the orientation sleeve for proper alignment with the innermost hanger-head and remotely latched thereto.

Abstract: The described invention includes method and apparatus for the installation of a casing hanger supporting a string of casing down hole in an oil or gas well, for removal of the installation equipment, and for tying back the hanger to an insulated production riser extending to the surface. The casing hanger is lowered into the well on drilling casing, having a smaller outside diameter than the insulated production riser casing, to permit a sufficiently large annulus for the passage of fluid between the drilling riser and the previously installed drilling riser. The drilling riser is removed by disconnecting it from the hanger by clockwise rotation of the drilling riser. The insulated production riser casing, or other special riser pipe, having a larger outside diameter than the drilling riser casing, is used to tie back with the hanger where standard riser casing is not suitable for the production of oil or gas, e.g. in the case of production through permafrost, by a clockwise rotation of the drilling riser.

Abstract: A valve comprising a housing with an inlet and outlet and a chamber in between, a reciprocating gate mounted in a gate seat disposed within the chamber for opening and closing the valve, an upper bonnet for closing the chamber at one end and a lower bonnet for closing the chamber at the other end, the gate being disposed between upper and lower stems which extend into the upper and lower bonnets respectively. Metal-to-metal seals are provided at all junctures between the above members in the lower gate position with back-up seals at the junctures of all moving members.A double edged seal ring integral with the upper stem self-contained within the upper bonnet provides a metal-to-metal seal with the upper bonnet in the upper and lower gate positions of the valve.A metal gasket arrangement is provided between the upper bonnet and valve body whereby the assemblage of all points of contact between the gasket and body form an annular ring.

Abstract: Extended casing method and apparatus for completing an underwater well whereby complete and continuous pressure control is maintained at the surface drilling platform. A conductor casing is installed in the floor of a body of water with a casing head and riser attached near the floor. Other casing is installed and supported at the water floor by hanger heads and having other risers extending upwardly therefrom. Pressure control equipment is installed at the upper end of one of the risers. An innermost casing having a tubing hanger-head attached is lowered through the pressure control equipment and installed. An orientation sleeve is aligned with the tubing hanger-head to properly orient the tubing hanger. The tubing hanger and tubing, is then passed through the pressure control equipment and the innermost riser, to which the pressure control equipment is attached and is lowered to engage the orientation sleeve for proper alignment with the innermost hanger-head and remotely latched thereto.

Abstract: Extended casing method and apparatus for completing an underwater well whereby complete and continuous pressure control is maintained at the surface drilling platform. A conductor casing is installed in the floor of a body of water with a casing head and riser attached near the floor. Other casing is installed and supported at the water floor by hanger heads and having other risers extending upwardly therefrom. Pressure control equipment is installed at the upper end of one of the risers. An innermost casing having a tubing hanger-head attached is lowered through the pressure control equipment and installed. An orientation sleeve is aligned with the tubing hanger-head to properly orient the tubing hanger. The tubing hanger and tubing is then passed through the pressure control equipment and the innermost riser, to which the pressure control equipment is attached, and is lowered to engage the orientation sleeve for proper alignment with the innermost hanger-head and remotely latched thereto.

Abstract: The coupling comprises a flexible conduit, a packoff assembly, and a gland nut for compressing the packoff assembly. The conduit passes through a passage in a first member and is secured to the outlet of a second member. The nut is threaded into the passage of the first member to compress the packoff for sealing securement of the conduit to the first member even though the axes of the passage and of the outlet are not coincident. A collar is disposed on the interior end of the conduit to prevent the conduit from blowing out of the passage if the conduit should break or disconnect from the second member.

Abstract: A vertical string of pipe such as is used in an offshore piling comprising a plurality of pipe joints connected together by connector means, each connector means comprising a breech block type connection with a latch to hold the connector means in engagement, one of the connector means latches being remotely disengageable by means of a releasing tool lowered down through the string of pipe, the one latch including a bar extending radially through the wall of the connector means to engage the latch, the bar being movable radially outwardly upon being engaged by the releasing tool so as to either break off a portion of the latch or move the latch out of engagement.