Abstract: A ball valve assembly includes a ball configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position. The ball valve assembly also includes a cradle having a ball-facing surface. The ball-facing surface faces the ball and is positioned at an end of a fluid passage through the cradle. In addition, the cradle is configured to rotatably support the ball to enable the ball to rotate between the open position and the closed position, and the cradle is configured to block movement of the ball toward the ball-facing surface to establish a separation distance between the ball and the ball-facing surface.

Abstract: A subsea fluid pressure-increasing machine includes an elongated member that is rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The machine also may include a plurality of impellers each having a leading edge, a trailing edge, a suction side, and a chord line defined by a line between the leading and trailing edges. Each impeller is fixedly mounted to the member such that a chord angle defined by an angle between the chord line and the rotation direction is less than or equal to a stall angle at which a maximum force is exerted on a fluid in a direction primarily parallel to the longitudinal axis when the member is rotated in the rotation direction. At least some of the impellers comprise one or more features that effectively reduce a pressure peak or specific loading of the suction side such that the axial length of the impeller is configured to be reduced without exceeding a desired specific load.

Abstract: A connector assembly for multiple components includes a dog having an engagement feature configured to engage a first component while the dog is in a locked position. The connector assembly also includes a lock ring disposed about the dog along a circumferential axis of the connector assembly. One of the dog or the lock ring includes a cam surface, the other of the dog or the lock ring includes a driver, and the driver is configured to move along the cam surface in response to rotation of the lock ring and/or the dog along the circumferential axis to drive the dog to the locked position.

Abstract: A temperature sensor assembly for measuring temperature of a fluid in a conduit, the assembly comprising a temperature sensor and a thermowell housing the temperature sensor and embedded in a wall defining the conduit. The thermowell has a face for interfacing the fluid that is substantially non-intrusive relative the conduit and a groove that extends radially inward of the thermowell housing to minimize the cross-sectional area of the thermowell body proximate the location of the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A vertical rotating system that includes a first vertical shaft that rotates. The first vertical shaft is oriented such that the gravitational force is substantially parallel to the first vertical shaft. A radial bearing extends about a first portion of the first vertical shaft. A first impeller sectioned couples to the first vertical shaft and rotates in a first direction to pump a first fluid. A first stator surrounds the first vertical shaft. The first stator defines a first groove that extends about a second portion of the first vertical shaft. The first groove receives a second fluid. A pressure of the second fluid drives the first vertical shaft away from the first groove.

Abstract: An improved swivel with increased sealing capability at fluid pressures up to 20 ksi and at fluid temperatures as high as 250° F. and as low as 35° F. The swivel may be relatively compact, being less than 8 feet in overall length and can operate unpressurized with axial loads of at high as 1,400,000 lbs. The swivel may comprise a swivel mandrel rotationally coupled with a swivel housing. Rotational bearings units can be securely held using cartridge carriers. A pressure seal may be formed between the swivel mandrel and swivel housing via a redundant seal stack.

Abstract: A ball valve assembly includes a ball having a fluid pathway and a leading edge portion. The ball is configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position, the fluid pathway is configured to align with a fluid passage while the ball is in the open position, and the fluid pathway is configured to be offset from the fluid passage while the ball is in the closed position. Furthermore, the leading edge portion includes a first leading edge configured to cut a line extending through the fluid pathway as the ball rotates from the open position to the closed position, the leading edge portion includes a second leading edge configured to engage a seal of the ball valve assembly as the ball rotates from the open position to the closed position, and the first leading edge is positioned radially inward from the second leading edge.

Abstract: A configurable coupling assembly includes a body having a central bore and multiple receptacles. The central bore is configured to facilitate flow of fluid through the body, the receptacles are positioned radially outward from the central bore, the receptacles are substantially the same as one another, the receptacles are configured to receive respective couplers, and the respective couplers include multiple different types of couplers.

Abstract: An insertable flow meter assembly includes a flow measuring device configured to be inserted into a flow passage of a receiving structure. The flow measuring device is configured to enable determination of a flow rate of fluid through the flow passage, the flow measuring device is formed as a single continuous structure, and an outer cross-section of at least a portion of the flow measuring device is configured to be substantially the same as an inner cross-section of the flow passage. The insertable flow meter assembly also includes an end cap configured to engage an exterior surface of the receiving structure and to couple to the receiving structure at an end of the flow passage. The end cap is configured to block movement of the flow measuring device out of the end of the flow passage.

Abstract: A distributed control system for a well string includes a first control section configured to be positioned at a first location. The first control section includes a first control module configured to control a first device positioned at the first location, and the first control module includes a first electric actuator configured to control flow of a fluid to the first device based on a first control signal to control the first device. The distributed control system also includes a second control section configured to be positioned at a second location, remote from the first location. The second control section includes a second control module configured to control a second device positioned at the second location, and the second control module includes a second electric actuator configured to control flow of the fluid to the second device based on the second control signal to control the second device.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a ball configured to block fluid flow through the valve assembly while the ball is in a closed position and to enable fluid flow through the valve assembly while the ball is in an open position. The valve assembly also includes an actuator assembly configured to drive the ball to transition between the open position and the closed position. In addition, the valve assembly includes multiple compression springs disposed on one side of the ball. Each compression spring of the multiple compression springs is configured to directly urge the ball toward the closed position.

Abstract: A method for transmitting signals in a subsea environment includes determining that a quality of an acoustic signal is below a threshold. The acoustic signal travels from a first device, through water in the subsea environment, to a second device. A parameter of the first device, the second device, or both is then adjusted to improve the quality of the acoustic signal when the quality of the acoustic signal is below the threshold.

Abstract: An intelligent system is provided for monitoring a subsea structure and delivering appropriate cathodic protection to desired areas of the subsea structure. According to an embodiment, the technique involves monitoring a cathodic protection potential level at an important location or locations of the subsea structure. Based on the data acquired via monitoring, a controller is able to apply voltage levels to the subsea structure so as to attain and modulate a desired cathodic protection level, e.g. a cathodic protection level within a range of about ?800 mV to ?950 mV (SCE). Consequently, undesirable overprotection and under protection are avoided and the subsea structure is adequately protected from corrosion while reducing undesirable production of hydrogen.

Abstract: A method of integrated modeling using multiple subsurface models includes receiving multiple sets of input values associated with a hydrocarbon formation of the Earth. The method also includes receiving a network model that includes one or more assets configured to distribute a flow of hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon formation to a processing facility. The method further includes generating the multiple subsurface models based on the multiple sets of input values, wherein each subsurface model comprises a set of input values of the multiple sets of input values, and wherein each subsurface model represents a production of the flow of hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon formation. The method also includes applying the multiple subsurface models to the network model to generate an integrated model comprising multiple production rates of hydrocarbons via the one or more assets over time. The method further includes identifying at least one asset to adjust based on the integrated model.

Abstract: A technique facilitates controlling barrier fluid via a mechanical pressure regulation system which may be coupled with a rotating machine at a subsea location. The mechanical pressure regulation system enables controlled supply of the barrier fluid to the rotating machine and comprises a mechanical valve mechanism. The mechanical valve mechanism automatically maintains a pressure differential between the barrier fluid and a process fluid within a desired range. According to an embodiment, the mechanical valve mechanism is mechanically actuated via pressures applied to a pilot piston so as to provide barrier fluid to the rotating machine when the pressure differential reaches a lower limit and to dump barrier fluid when the pressure differential reaches an upper limit.

Abstract: A flowline jumper for providing fluid communication between first and second spaced apart subsea structures includes a length of conduit having a predetermined size and shape and first and second connectors deployed on opposing ends of the conduit. The first and second connectors are configured to couple with corresponding connectors on the subsea structures. At least one electronic sensor is deployed on the conduit. The sensor is configured to measure at least one of a vibration and a load in the conduit.

Abstract: A method of integrated modeling using multiple subsurface models includes receiving multiple sets of input values associated with a hydrocarbon formation of the Earth. The method also includes receiving a network model that includes one or more assets configured to distribute a flow of hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon formation to a processing facility. The method further includes generating the multiple subsurface models based on the multiple sets of input values, wherein each subsurface model comprises a set of input values of the multiple sets of input values, and wherein each subsurface model represents a production of the flow of hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon formation. The method also includes applying the multiple subsurface models to the network model to generate an integrated model comprising multiple production rates of hydrocarbons via the one or more assets over time. The method further includes identifying at least one asset to adjust based on the integrated model.

Abstract: A connection system includes a turnbuckle having a first set of threads and a second set of threads disposed on an inner surface of the turnbuckle. The turnbuckle is configured to couple two threaded components to one another via rotation of the turnbuckle in a first direction. In addition, the connection system includes a compression washer configured to compress as the turnbuckle rotates in the first direction. The compression washer is configured to apply a longitudinal force to the turnbuckle while the compression washer is compressed to increase resistance to rotation of the turnbuckle in a second direction, opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A technique is provided for properly orienting a subsea tree with respect to a tubing hanger landed in a subsea wellhead. An alignment ring is rotationally positioned on the subsea wellhead such that a coarse alignment feature of the alignment ring is at a desired angular orientation with respect to a fine alignment feature on the tubing hanger. The alignment ring is then secured to the subsea wellhead. Subsequently, a subsea tree may be rotationally oriented with respect to the tubing hanger as the subsea tree is landed on the subsea wellhead. As the subsea tree engages the coarse alignment feature, the coarse alignment feature guides the subsea tree into engagement with the fine alignment feature of the tubing hanger to ensure proper rotational orientation as landing of the subsea tree is completed.

Abstract: A modular hydraulic intensification system includes a housing configured to be deployed within a subsea landing string. The modular hydraulic intensification system also includes multiple hydraulic intensifiers positioned within the housing, wherein each hydraulic intensifier includes a first chamber configured to fluidly couple to a hydraulic fluid supply and a second chamber configured to fluidly couple to one or more landing string valves within a lower portion of the subsea landing string. The modular hydraulic intensification system further includes a shuttle valve fluidly coupled to the respective second chambers of the multiple hydraulic intensifiers, wherein the shuttle valve is configured to enable flow of an output fluid across the shuttle valve from the respective second chambers of the multiple hydraulic intensifiers and to block backflow of the output fluid across the shuttle valve toward the respective second chambers of the multiple of hydraulic intensifiers.