Abstract: A composite mandrel includes a filament-wound composite tube, and composite material molded over the filament-wound composite tube. For example, the composite material includes chopped fibers and a matrix of thermoset resin. The chopped fibers are arranged in layers upon the filament-wound composite tube, and the chopped fibers in each of the layers are randomly oriented along first and second orthogonal directions in each of the layers. The composite material includes at least one sheet of the composite material wound over the filament-wound tube, and at least one strip of the composite material wound over the sheet of the composite material and forming a head on the composite mandrel. An internal cavity of the filament-wound composite tube may provide a lumen for the composite mandrel. The internal cavity may be threaded to receive a removable bridge plug.

Abstract: A composite mandrel includes a filament-wound composite tube, and composite material molded over the filament-wound composite tube. For example, the composite material includes chopped fibers and a matrix of thermoset resin. The chopped fibers are arranged in layers upon the filament-wound composite tube, and the chopped fibers in each of the layers are randomly oriented along first and second orthogonal directions in each of the layers. The composite material includes at least one sheet of the composite material wound over the filament-wound tube, and at least one strip of the composite material wound over the sheet of the composite material and forming a head on the composite mandrel. An internal cavity of the filament-wound composite tube may provide a lumen for the composite mandrel. The internal cavity may be threaded to receive a removable bridge plug.

Abstract: A double-ended flexible pipe joint has first and second extension pipes extending from opposite ends of an outer housing, and first and second primary annular elastomeric flex elements mounting the first and second extension pipes to the outer housing. An inner housing is disposed in the outer housing, and first and second secondary annular elastomeric flex elements disposed in the inner housing mount the first and second extension pipes to the inner housing. Tension upon the first and second extension pipes places each of the first and second primary flex elements and each of the first and second secondary flex elements in compression. The first and second secondary flex elements contain fluid pressure within the first and second extension pipes so that the first and second primary flex elements are not subjected to the fluid pressure within the extension pipes.

Abstract: A flexible pipe joint has two annular elastomeric flex elements stacked in a co-axial fashion at an inner radius from a common center of rotation, and at least one elastomeric flex element disposed at an outer radius from the common center of rotation. The flex elements at the inner radius are coupled mechanically in series between the extension pipe and the housing of the flexible pipe joint, and the flex element at the outer radius is coupled mechanically in parallel with the series combination of the inner flex elements. The inner flex elements isolate the flex element at the outer radius from transport fluid, and the flex element at the outer radius reduces the axial compression of the inner flex elements. Thus, the inner flex elements may have a reduced radius and a different composition to handle a higher loading of heat and pressure.

Abstract: A composite mandrel includes a filament-wound composite tube, and composite material molded over the filament-wound composite tube. For example, the composite material includes chopped fibers and a matrix of thermoset resin. The chopped fibers are arranged in layers upon the filament-wound composite tube, and the chopped fibers in each of the layers are randomly oriented along first and second orthogonal directions in each of the layers. The composite material includes at least one sheet of the composite material wound over the filament-wound tube, and at least one strip of the composite material wound over the sheet of the composite material and forming a head on the composite mandrel. An internal cavity of the filament-wound composite tube may provide a lumen for the composite mandrel. The internal cavity may be threaded to receive a removable bridge plug.

Abstract: A flexible pipe joint has two annular elastomeric flex elements stacked in a co-axial fashion at an inner radius from a common center of rotation, and at least one elastomeric flex element disposed at an outer radius from the common center of rotation. The flex elements at the inner radius are coupled mechanically in series between the extension pipe and the housing of the flexible pipe joint, and the flex element at the outer radius is coupled mechanically in parallel with the series combination of the inner flex elements. The inner flex elements isolate the flex element at the outer radius from transport fluid, and the flex element at the outer radius reduces the axial compression of the inner flex elements. Thus, the inner flex elements may have a reduced radius and a different composition to handle a higher loading of heat and pressure.

Abstract: A flexible joint has an extension mounted to a housing for relative angular displacement. Two or more annular elastomeric flex elements are stacked in a co-axial fashion and joined mechanically to mount the extension to the housing so that the flex elements react in parallel to angular and axial displacements of the extension with respect to the housing so that tensile load upon the extension places each of the flex elements in compression to split and share the tensile load among the flex elements in proportion to their relative axial stiffnesses. Therefore, for a given housing size or footprint, the overall load capacity is increased, and the lifetime of the flexible joint is increased for a given load capacity. The flex elements may have a common center of rotation, and the flex elements may be disposed either on the same side of the center of rotation or on opposite sides.

Abstract: A double-ended flexible pipe joint has first and second extension pipes extending from opposite ends of an outer housing, and first and second primary annular elastomeric flex elements mounting the first and second extension pipes to the outer housing. An inner housing is disposed in the outer housing, and first and second secondary annular elastomeric flex elements disposed in the inner housing mount the first and second extension pipes to the inner housing. Tension upon the first and second extension pipes places each of the first and second primary flex elements and each of the first and second secondary flex elements in compression. The first and second secondary flex elements contain fluid pressure within the first and second extension pipes so that the first and second primary flex elements are not subjected to the fluid pressure within the extension pipes.

Abstract: A flexible pipe joint has two annular elastomeric flex elements stacked in a co-axial fashion at an inner radius from a common center of rotation, and at least one elastomeric flex element disposed at an outer radius from the common center of rotation. The flex elements at the inner radius are coupled mechanically in series between the extension pipe and the housing of the flexible pipe joint, and the flex element at the outer radius is coupled mechanically in parallel with the series combination of the inner flex elements. The inner flex elements isolate the flex element at the outer radius from transport fluid, and the flex element at the outer radius reduces the axial compression of the inner flex elements. Thus, the inner flex elements may have a reduced radius and a different composition to handle a higher loading of heat and pressure.

Abstract: A flexible joint has an extension mounted to a housing for relative angular displacement. Two or more annular elastomeric flex elements are stacked in a co-axial fashion and joined mechanically to mount the extension to the housing so that the flex elements react in parallel to angular and axial displacements of the extension with respect to the housing so that tensile load upon the extension places each of the flex elements in compression to split and share the tensile load among the flex elements in proportion to their relative axial stiffnesses. Therefore, for a given housing size or footprint, the overall load capacity is increased, and the lifetime of the flexible joint is increased for a given load capacity. The flex elements may have a common center of rotation, and the flex elements may be disposed either on the same side of the center of rotation or on opposite sides.

Abstract: A variable reluctance load cell for measuring the static or slowly fluctuating load, or tension, on devices is contained in a support tube. A sensor in the tube utilizes opposing C and I shaped magnetic cores attached to opposing ends of the support tube. A magnetic circuit is formed having an inductance defined by the size of the gap between the magnetic cores with the reluctance dominated by the gap. The sensor inductance is coupled with a fixed, predetermined capacitance in a resonant LC circuit, and the resonant frequency is a function of the gap. The sensor is in a cavity within the tube, and the cavity is sealed in a manner that prevents water or other damaging agents from entering the sensor. In this manner, mounting the sensor and tube to a static device and measuring the AC voltage at the sensor, the amount of load, or stress can be determined.

Abstract: A composite mandrel includes a filament-wound composite tube, and composite material molded over the filament-wound composite tube. For example, the composite material includes chopped fibers and a matrix of thermoset resin. The chopped fibers are arranged in layers upon the filament-wound composite tube, and the chopped fibers in each of the layers are randomly oriented along first and second orthogonal directions in each of the layers. The composite material includes at least one sheet of the composite material wound over the filament-wound tube, and at least one strip of the composite material wound over the sheet of the composite material and forming a head on the composite mandrel. An internal cavity of the filament-wound composite tube may provide a lumen for the composite mandrel. The internal cavity may be threaded to receive a removable bridge plug.

Abstract: A composite metal seal includes core of relatively hard metal, and at least one annular region of relatively soft metal. The annular region of relatively soft metal is integrally bonded with the core of relatively hard metal, and has an annular sealing surface for providing a fluid pressure seal. Such a composite metal seal can be manufactured by welding an overlay of the relatively soft metal onto a workpiece of the relatively hard metal; and machining the overlay of the relatively soft metal to form the annular sealing surface. In a preferred construction, the seal is a ring including two annular regions of the relatively soft metal, which provide tapered annular sealing surfaces for engaging respective sealing surfaces of two mating hubs. Such a seal ring can be used in a subsea collet-actuated pipeline connector to permit a metal-to-metal seal connection to be made and broken a number of times.

Abstract: For continuous high temperature operation over a service life in excess of twenty years, a flexible pipe joint includes various features that tend to reduce the temperature of the load-bearing flex element or reduce strain in the warmer elastomeric layers of the flex element. These features include a heat shield of low heat conductivity material integrated into the inner profile of the pipe extension and interposed between the central bore of the pipe joint and the flex element, low heat conductivity metal alloy components between the hot production fluid and the flex element, high temperature resistant elastomer at least in the warmest inner elastomer layer of the flex element, and a flex element constructed to shift strain from the warmer inner elastomer layers to the colder outer elastomer layers by providing greater shear area, different layer thickness, and/or higher elastic modulus elastomer for the warmer inner elastomer layers.

Abstract: An articulating connector system including an active connector coupled to a first line and a hub assembly coupled to a second line. The active connector includes a swivel coupling element intermediate a grip and a ball nose to allow rotational and articulating motion. A seal is coupled to the ball nose and is protected and guided by an alignment lip into mating engagement with a sealing surface defined by the hub. A clamp closes about the swivel coupling element and hub to draw together the seal and sealing surface into sealing contact to connect the first line to the second line.

Abstract: A tensile load is applied to a sensor element that will carry the tensile load in the absence of a substance and will fail to carry the tensile load in the presence of the substance. The sensor element is disposed in a flow of fluid, and a flow control member is actuated to shut off the flow of fluid when the sensor element fails to carry the tensile load. In a preferred implementation, a hydrocarbon sensing valve includes a polystyrene sensor element suspending the flow control member above a valve seat. The sensor element is disposed in a cavity in the top of the flow control member, and a channel member directs fluid from the inlet port to the cavity. The sensor element is pinned to the channel member, and the flow control member is pinned to the sensor element.

Abstract: For deploying a pipe string, a traveling table is movably mounted to a mast and clamps an upper region of a pipe section. For weld alignment, at least two centralizer units are mounted to the mast between the traveling table and an upper end of the pipe string. One centralizer unit translates a lower region of the pipe section radially for alignment of the lower end of the pipe section with the upper end of the pipe string. Another centralizer unit at a middle region of the pipe section translates the middle region of the pipe section radially for correcting angular mismatch of the lower end of the pipe section with the upper end of the pipe string. Each centralizer, for example, includes four hydraulic cylinders, each operative for driving a respective pinned cam having a face carrying a roller for contacting the pipe section.

Abstract: The pig launcher is installed subsea by coupling it to a launcher manifold. The launcher manifold is installed substantially permanently subsea as a part of a pipeline. The pig launcher includes a dual bore collet connector for coupling to the launcher manifold, and a rotary storage magazine for storing the pigs. The launcher manifold can be manufactured, for example, as part of an inline lateral tie-in sled or as part of a pipeline end manifold (PLEM). A branch connection from the pipeline to the pig launcher is provided in the launcher manifold via a piggable Y connection to a dual bore collet connector male hub. The pig launcher is landed and latched to the launcher manifold to complete the pig launching system. A closure valve between the Y connection and the hub prevents a pressure loss when the pig launcher is not installed, and the closure valve is opened to permit passage of the pigs during launching.

Abstract: In a broad aspect, the invention relates to a new design for a fairlead that is capable of being remotely uninstalled from and then reinstalled on an offshore drilling and production vessel, while the vessel is in its moored position, in the event that the fairlead develops mechanical difficulties that require repair. Thus, the present invention discloses a fairlead that may be remotely uninstalled and reinstalled while the fairlead is underwater and without ballasting the vessel far enough to raise the fairlead above the water surface. The need for this invention primarily arises in connection with fairleads that are mounted to a vessel of the type where the ballasting process can be a very difficult, time-consuming, and expensive process.

Abstract: A pipeline connection assembly includes a landing platform and rotary or swivel connection hub which may be attached to a pipeline branch, termination, or manifold. The landing platform is mounted so that it may be rotated about the connection hub. This permits the installation of a subsea connection on a near level platform and allows the pipeline to be laid subsea with greater roll angles than would be acceptable otherwise. Orientation of the landing porch horizontally removes the requirement to manufacture the connection jumper to compensate for the roll differences in the hubs. In the preferred construction, the elevation of the platform can be adjusted by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and locked into place once the adjustment is completed.