Abstract: A screen panel assembly includes a screen panel and a raised screen component disposed thereon. The raised screen component includes an inclined screen surface that defines a first plane oriented at a first angle relative to the screen panel and a wedge surface positioned at a back side of the raised screen component. The inclined screen surface has a front edge that is aligned with a top surface of the screen panel and is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the screen panel, the first plane being substantially perpendicular to a displacement vector along which the screen panel assembly is accelerated by a vibratory separation device. The wedge surface is adapted to disrupt a flow path of a flow of a material mixture flowing in a longitudinal direction across the screen panel by redirecting the flow around opposing sides of the raised screen component.

Abstract: A well cellar assembly, and a method of using same, with the well cellar including a base plate, the base plate having at least two well slot openings therein for receiving a conductor pipe, and at least one vertically extending side wall connected to the base plate with a fluid tight seal. The at least two well slot openings provide alternative locations for the conductor pipe and at least one of the at least two well slot openings is selected for placement of the conductor pipe.

Abstract: A system on a marine vessel or platform supports a load while allowing heave compensation. The load is supported via a hydraulic actuator. A transformer of the system includes a power source and at least one hydraulic pump/motor, for communicating energy between any two of: the hydraulic actuator; a hydraulic accumulator; and a power source. A valve associated with the pump/motor is switchable during at least one cycle of the pump/motor for selectively providing fluid communication between a drive chamber of the pump/motor and any of the hydraulic actuator, the hydraulic accumulator, and a hydraulic fluid reservoir, via at least one port of the drive chamber, so as to allow a desired displacement of hydraulic fluid from the pump/motor to be obtained.

Abstract: A method of building an offshore windmill includes, using a 3D-heave-compensated crane, placing on a windmill pedestal a lifting jack having a receiving region, and fixing the lifting jack to the windmill pedestal such that the lifting jack can be later removed, and such that a windmill column can be placed within the receiving region directly on the windmill pedestal. The windmill generator is installed using the 3D-heave-compensated crane. The windmill column is partially erected on the windmill pedestal using the 3D-heave-compensated crane and the lifting jack. Before the windmill is fully erected, windmill blades are placed on the windmill generator using the 3D-heave-compensated crane, and the erection of the windmill column on the windmill pedestal is completed using at least the lifting jack. Using the 3D-heave-compensated crane, the lifting jack is removed from the windmill pedestal.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying torque about an operational axis of rotation includes a first torque device member. In addition, the apparatus includes an actuator support configured to move radially relative the operational axis and configured to be restricted from rotating in a plane oriented perpendicular to the operational axis. Further, the apparatus includes a first torque actuator pivotally coupled to the first torque device member and the actuator support. Still further, the apparatus includes a rod or a second torque actuator pivotally coupled to the first torque device member and the actuator support. Moreover, the apparatus includes a second torque device member coupled to the first torque device member and disposed about the operational axis of rotation. The actuator support is pivotally coupled to the second torque device member and is configured to pivot about a first pivot axis towards and away from the operational axis of rotation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly comprising an end-fitting and an unbonded flexible pipe having a length and a longitudinal axis, said flexible pipe comprising, from the inside and out, an internal armour layer, an internal pressure sheath, at least one external armour layer and an outer sheath, the first end of the unbonded flexible pipe being terminated in the end-fitting, and the end-fitting comprising means for connecting the internal armour layer to an external electrical power source. The means comprise connection points to the internal armour layer in the unbonded flexible pipe and connection points to the electrical power source wherein the connection points for the electrical power source are mounted in a housing adapted to an outer surface-part of the end-fitting.

Abstract: A self-directing nozzle of a drill bit of a downhole tool and method are disclosed. The drill bit with the nozzle may be used to form a wellbore in a subterranean formation. The drill bit has a passage for fluid to pass through. The nozzle includes a case positionable in the passage of the drill bit and a movable body movably positionable in the case. The movable body has a channel for passage of the fluid therethrough. The channel has a non-linear shape with a channel axis extending therethrough. The channel axis is curved to define a spiral flow path therethrough whereby the fluid passing through the channel facilitates rotation of the movable body within the passage of the drill bit.

Abstract: A system for generating pressure pulses in drilling fluid includes a concentric drive power section. The power section includes a stator and a rotor rotatably disposed in the stator. The rotor is coaxially aligned with the stator. The system also includes a valve. The valve includes a first valve member coupled to the stator and a second valve member coupled to the rotor. The second valve member is configured to rotate with the rotor relative to the first valve member and the stator. The rotation of the second valve member relative to the first valve member is configured to generate pressure pulses in drilling fluid flowing through the concentric drive power section.

Abstract: A tubular member for threadably engaging another tubular member to form a tubular string includes a first end including a helical female thread formed in an outer surface of the tubular member, wherein the female thread includes a slot extending radially inwards from the outer surface, and a root extending radially inwards from the slot, wherein the root has a maximum width that is greater than a maximum width of the slot, a second end opposite the first end and including a helical male thread formed on an inner surface of the tubular member, wherein the male thread includes a shank extending radially outwards from the inner surface, and a notch extending radially outwards from the shank, wherein the notch has a maximum width that is greater than a maximum width of the shank.

Abstract: A downhole motor for drilling a borehole includes a stator assembly including a helical-shaped stator, a rotor assembly rotatably disposed in the stator assembly, wherein the rotor assembly includes a helical-shaped rotor, and a sensor package received in the rotor assembly, wherein the sensor package includes a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, and a plurality of accelerometers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the instantaneous rotational speed of a bottom hole assembly at the lower end of a drill string. In one embodiment, a method includes driving the drill string by a drilling mechanism at the upper end of the drill string. A fundamental frequency of stick-slip oscillations suffered by the drill string is estimated. Variations in a drive torque of the drilling mechanism are determined. Known torsional compliance of the drill string is combined with the variations in the drive torque. An output signal representing the instantaneous rotational speed is provided.

Abstract: A method for handling pipe includes orienting a pipe having first and second ends so that the second end of the pipe is positioned vertically above the first end, and while the pipe is oriented with the second end positioned vertically above the first end, gripping onto the pipe proximate the first end with a lift jaw assembly that is coupled to a lift arm assembly. The pipe is vertically misaligned at a substantially non-zero misalignment angle relative to the first end of the pipe while gripping the pipe with the lift jaw assembly, wherein vertically misaligning the pipe includes rotating the lift jaw assembly relative to the lift arm assembly.

Abstract: Novel and advantageous pipelay reel systems and methods for use in laying flexible or rigid pipe or tubing in on and offshore operations. The pipelay reel system may have a pipelay reel having a drum arranged between two flanges. At least one flange of the reel may have a chute configured to receive an adapter coupled to a starting end of the pipe to be spooled on the reel. An initiation line coupled to a winch and intersecting the flange chute may be used to position the adapter with respect to a receiving end of the flange chute, and the reel may be rotated to pull the adapter down the chute to a latching end of the chute. Moreover, a latch may be used to secure the adapter in the chute such that the pipe may be spooled onto the reel.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods to control directional drilling in borehole drilling for hydrocarbon wells are disclosed. An actual toolface orientation measurement value and an actual downhole torque on bit (DTOB) or actual downhole weight on bit (DWOB) measurement value for a drill string positioned in a borehole are determined. Responsive to a comparison of target measurement values and actual measurement values, error values are determined. A control command for one or more of a top drive, a drawworks, and a mud pump responsive to the DTOB or DWOB error value and the toolface orientation error value is determined. Additionally, one or more of the top drive, the drawworks, and the mud pump are operated responsive to the control command thereby to correct a toolface orientation of the drill string.

Abstract: A top drive apparatus for facilitating communication between a computer apparatus and a device in a drill string, particularly, but not exclusively during tripping, the drill string comprising a pipe (13) having a threaded box end (140) and a pipe communication element (160) therein, the top drive apparatus comprising a top drive (30) having a main shaft (29) and a tool (101) rotationally fast therewith, the tool (101) comprising a threaded pin end (125) having a tool communication element (170) projecting therefrom, such that in use the thread does not have to be made up to obtain a communication between the pipe communication element and the tool communication element, either by induction and most optionally a physical contact therebetween to provide an electrical contact therebetween.

Abstract: A valve assembly for operation within a valve body of a pump includes an axial centerline, a poppet guide having a stem, and a poppet slidingly coupled to the poppet guide so that the poppet and the poppet guide define an internal cavity. The valve assembly also includes a flexible poppet guide mounting system coupled to the poppet guide and the poppet and includes a variable-area flow restrictor in fluid communication with the internal cavity. The flexible poppet guide mounting system is configured to support the poppet guide and the poppet for lateral and axial movement of the poppet guide and the poppet relative to the axial centerline. The poppet is movable relative to the poppet guide to adjust the volume of the internal cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of installing an unbonded flexible pipe with a bore for transportation of fluid wherein the unbonded flexible pipe comprises an outer sheath, an inner sealing sheath inside the outer polymer sheath, an annulus between said outer sheath and said inner sealing sheath and at least one metallic armor layer comprising iron located in said annulus, wherein the method comprises filling at least a part of the annulus with a corrosion promoting liquid before or after installing the unbonded flexible pipe between a first installation and a second installation.

Abstract: Hydraulic circuits for controlling a movable component use one or more of a plurality of fluid supplies. Pressurized fluid flowing from one supply is routed toward the component and is not inadvertently vented into another fluid supply, or into an exit port. A backflow path is provided for fluid returning from the hydraulic component when the component is actuated in a reversed direction. The hydraulic circuits can be used, for example, on blowout preventers in a subsea environment.

Abstract: A system for storing and handling pipes between a pipe rack and a derrick includes pipe-receiving chambers that are positioned around a centre region, and an elevator for lifting and descending the pipes into the chambers. The elevator, located in the centre region in between the receiving chambers, is configured for selecting one of the receiving chambers and for lifting and descending a respective pipe into the selected chamber.

Abstract: A lock assembly of a blowout preventer is provided. The blowout preventer includes a ram assembly slidably positionable in the channel and engageable with a tubular. The ram assembly includes a ram block, a ram cylinder, and a ram shaft. The lock assembly includes a lock cylinder and a lock piston. The lock cylinder is operatively connectable to the ram cylinder. The ram shaft has an end slidably extendable into a lock cavity of the lock cylinder. The lock piston is slidably positionable in the lock cylinder and separates the lock cavity into a lock and a closing chamber. The lock piston has a ram surface engageable with the end when the lock piston is in a locked position, and a ram hole therethrough to receive the end when the lock piston is in an unlocked position whereby the ram block is selectively lockable about the tubular.