Abstract: An apparatus and methods for installation of an offshore platform for supporting equipment installations is provided. The apparatus includes a platform configured to support offshore equipment supported by a structure such as a modular column assembly. The modular column assembly can be comprised of main barrel joint bundles.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for installation of an offshore platform for supporting equipment installations is provided. The apparatus includes a vertical compression assembly and a counteracting tensioning tendon system. The vertical compression assembly may comprise multiple compression members, a column truss, or other configurations.

Abstract: The integration joint assembly includes an integration joint body (10) having a through bore (16), the body being for connection with a riser system. The integration joint assembly permits a tubular work string (50; 54) to pass there through such that there is an annulus created between the inner through bore (16) of the integration joint body (10) and the outer surface of the tubular work string (50; 54). The integration joint body (10) can also include at least two (300, 200) and more preferably three sealing devices (300, 200, 100) within its through bore (16). A method of drilling is also described as including the steps of installing an integration joint assembly in a riser string and running a tubular work string (50; 54) through the through bore (16) thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for installation of an offshore platform for supporting equipment installations is provided. The apparatus includes a vertical compression assembly and a counteracting tensioning tendon system. The vertical compression assembly may comprise multiple compression members, a column truss, or other configurations. The methods of fabrication, load out, and installation provide for cost-effective port and installation vessel requirements.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for installation of an offshore platform for supporting equipment installations is provided. The apparatus includes a vertical compression assembly and a counteracting tensioning tendon system. The vertical compression assembly may comprise multiple compression members, a column truss, or other configurations. The methods of fabrication, load out, and installation provide for cost-effective port and installation vessel requirements.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a connection system 1 for a marine drilling riser 10 having one or more auxiliary lines 20, the connection system comprising: a moveable coupling member 30 having at least one first connector and at least one second connector coupled to the at least one first connector, wherein the at least one second connector is adapted for engaging with at least one connector of an auxiliary line of the marine drilling riser The connection system further comprising a control line support 18 for fixing at or adjacent an outer surface of the marine drilling riser; a control line supported by the control line support and for attachment to the moveable coupling member; and a tailing line for attachment to the moveable coupling member.

Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein includes positioning a first tubular adjacent a second tubular, wherein one of the first and second tubulars includes a plurality of radially deflectable fingers formed in an end thereof, mating the first and second tubulars into mated engagement with one another, wherein, during the mating of the first and second tubulars, the radially deflectable fingers deflect in a radial direction, and expanding the first and second tubulars by forcing an expansion mandrel through the mated first and second tubulars such that the expanded first and second tubulars have an expanded inside diameter that is greater than an initial inside diameter of the first and second tubulars.

Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein includes positioning a first tubular adjacent a second tubular, wherein one of the first and second tubulars includes a plurality of radially deflectable fingers formed in an end thereof, mating the first and second tubulars into mated engagement with one another, wherein, during the mating of the first and second tubulars, the radially deflectable fingers deflect in a radial direction, and expanding the first and second tubulars by forcing an expansion mandrel through the mated first and second tubulars such that the expanded first and second tubulars have an expanded inside diameter that is greater than an initial inside diameter of the first and second tubulars.

Abstract: Rigid riser adapter operable to be at least partially installed into a lower riser balcony. The rigid riser adapter includes a receptacle support structure. Additionally, the rigid riser adapter also includes an adapter tube extending from the receptacle support structure substantially along a vertical direction, the adapter tube operable to be inserted through a lower riser balcony. The rigid riser adapter can also include a rigid riser receptacle coupled to the receptacle support structure, wherein the rigid riser receptacle is angled between six degrees and twenty degrees in relation to the vertical direction.

Abstract: A subsea rotating control device (RCD) system (1; 2) adapted to permit a tubular work string to pass there through such that there is an annulus created between the inner throughbore of subsea rotating control device (RCD) system (1; 2) and the outer surface of the tubular work string. The subsea rotating control device (RCD) system (1; 2) comprises a system housing (10) comprising a throughbore, an upper end and a lower end (10L) adapted for connection with a BOP (18) of a wellhead. The subsea RCD system (1; 2) further comprises at least two RCD seals (302, 2302; 304, 2304) arranged for selective mounting within the system housing (10) and which are selectively actuable between an unsealed configuration and a sealed configuration.

Abstract: An actuatable sealing mechanism for sealing a fluid channel provided between two co-axially arranged tubular members having a central longitudinal axis. The actuatable actuable sealing mechanism comprises an elastomeric seal, an axially moveable actuating sleeve member (1400, 2400, 3020) and a radially moveable activating member. The activating member is configured to be moveable in a radial direction in use to translate the actuatable sealing mechanism between an unsealed state and a sealed state. When it is in the sealed state, the activating member axially compresses the elastomeric seal sufficiently to expand the elastomeric seal in the said radial direction to seal the fluid channel.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a connection system 1 for a marine drilling riser 10 having one or more auxiliary lines 20, the connection system comprising: a moveable coupling member 30 having at least one first connector and at least one second connector coupled to the at least one first connector, wherein the at least one second connector is adapted for engaging with at least one connector of an auxiliary line of the marine drilling riser The connection system further comprising a control line support 18 for fixing at or adjacent an outer surface of the marine drilling riser; a control line supported by the control line support and for attachment to the moveable coupling member; and a tailing line for attachment to the moveable coupling member.

Abstract: The invention involves utilizing variable reluctance measurement technology (“VRMT”) sensors to monitor forces and stresses on drilling risers and riser towers. The tension monitoring system described herein includes an optimized configuration of variable reluctance measurement technology sensors, wherein the sensors have increased wire turns around each end of their C-cores or alternatively are mounted on mechanical amplifiers or both. An array of optimized variable reluctance measurement technology sensors can be configured at multiple points on a riser system. The VRMT sensors may be integrally attached to the risers or flexible joints for the risers, or may be installed on existing riser or flexible joint systems.

Abstract: The integration joint assembly includes an integration joint body (10) having a through bore (16), the body being for connection with a riser system. The integration joint assembly permits a tubular work string (50; 54) to pass there through such that there is an annulus created between the inner through bore (16) of the integration joint body (10) and the outer surface of the tubular work string (50; 54). The integration joint body (10) can also include at least two (300, 200) and more preferably three sealing devices (300, 200, 100) within its through bore (16). A method of drilling is also described as including the steps of installing an integration joint assembly in a riser string and running a tubular work string (50; 54) through the through bore (16) thereof.

Abstract: A flexible pipe joint has a body and an annular elastomeric flexible element flexibly coupling an extension pipe to the body and operable to pivot the extension pipe with respect to the body. The flexible pipe joint also has an annular flexible boot operable to thermally or chemically insulating the annular elastomeric flexible element from the fluid flowing through a lumen of the flexible pipe joint. The annular flexible boot encircles the lumen, and the annular flexible boot has a first annular end attached to the extension pipe and a second annular end mounted so that pivoting of the extension pipe with respect to the body causes a flexing of the annular flexible boot, and a majority of the annular flexible boot has a shape conforming to shape of neighboring components of the flexible pipe joint.

Abstract: A liquid loading device including a vertical lattice support structure, a platform coupled to the vertical lattice support structure, and a riser pipe located within the vertical lattice support structure and coupled to the vertical lattice support structure to substantially remain rotation free relative to the vertical lattice support structure. The device further includes a first rotatable joint located on a distal end of the riser pipe in which the first rotatable joint is operable to rotate relative to the riser pipe. The device further includes an arm extending from the platform and operable to be rotated relative to the platform. The device can also include a second rotatable joint coupled to the first rotatable joint through one or more rigid members, in which the second rotatable joint is operable to rotate relative to the platform. The device can further include an extension pipe extending from the second rotatable joint to a distal end of the arm.

Abstract: The invention relates to floating platform mooring and involves an improved platform mounted tendon tension monitoring system with porch mounted variable reluctance measurement technology sensors configured. The variable reluctance measurement technology sensors of this system are optimized for porch mounting. The porch mounted tendon tension monitoring system can also be configured such that the porch-mounted optimized variable reluctance measurement technology sensors are replaceable. Sensors may be replaced to extend the desired useful lifetime of a tendon tension monitoring system or in the event that a sensor happens to malfunction. A plurality of variable reluctance measurement technology sensors can be configured in sensor packs at the corners or at other locations where tendon tension monitoring can be useful for a floating platform.

Abstract: A crane includes a base, an upperstructure rotationally mounted on the base, a boom, and a gantry. The boom is pivotally attached to the upperstructure at a front attachment location and supports a load line operable to raise a payload. The gantry is mounted on the upperstructure and supports a boom line coupled to the boom. The gantry includes at least one front leg mechanically coupled to the front attachment location and inclined away from the boom to apply, to the front attachment location, a horizontal force component towards the boom opposed by a horizontal force component applied by the boom towards the front leg. The upperstructure includes a frustoconical turret forming an upper circle and a lower circle. The front attachment location is aligned over the upper circle of the frustoconical turret.

Abstract: A marine riser component which has an integrated fatigue damage sensor in which the sensor is adapted to be damaged by stresses and strains applied to the marine riser component, and is adapted to record said damage on the sensor. The sensor is optionally integrated into the body of the marine riser component in a location on the component that transmits fatigue loads to the sensor at a known stress concentration factor, optionally in a recess on the body, for example, in a closed recess on an outer surface of the marine riser component.

Abstract: The invention relates to floating platform mooring and involves an improved platform mounted tendon tension monitoring system with porch-mounted variable reluctance measurement technology sensors configured. The variable reluctance measurement technology sensors of this system are optimized for porch mounting. The porch-mounted tendon tension monitoring system can also be configured such that the porch-mounted optimized variable reluctance measurement technology sensors are replaceable. Sensors may be replaced to extend the desired useful lifetime of a tendon tension monitoring system or in the event that a sensor happens to malfunction. A plurality of variable reluctance measurement technology sensors can be configured in sensor packs at the corners or at other locations where tendon tension monitoring can be useful for a floating platform.