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 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: A tailstock of a woodturning lathe with an insert having a morse taper and an adjuster pin capable of passing through the exterior of the insert; an internal collar and engaging with a threaded spindle thereby rendering the threaded spindle fixed. When the pin is removed, the threaded spindle is rotatable (i.e., live). Thus, the tailstock is easily adjustable between live and dead configurations with the simple inclusion or removal of the adjuster pin.

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: 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: 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: An example play yard can include: a plurality of side panels configured to be coupled to one another to form the play yard, with each of the plurality of side panels being plastic; a yard mount configured to be coupled to a free end of one of the plurality of side panels, the yard mount including a first side configured to be coupled to the free end and a second side including a plurality of tabs with each forming an aperture therein; and a wall mount configured to be coupled to a structure, the wall mount including a plurality of members. As the yard mount is moved relative to the wall mount, each one of the plurality of members of the wall mount is received in the aperture of each respective tab of the plurality of tabs of the yard mount to couple the yard mount to the wall mount.

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 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 non-metallic centralizer for use with downhole operations. The centralizer is formed of a hollow, cylindrical body, a plurality of non-metallic blades protruding from the outer surface of the cylindrical body, and a plurality of wear buttons positioned on each of the plurality of blades, each of the wear buttons having a surface designed to reduce grabbing or sticking and wear of the hollow cylindrical body.

Abstract: An improved flexible joint elastomer protection tool is described, which can be actuated and removed by a remote operated vehicle (“ROV”), the tool having pivot arms that can be rotated from a closed position to an open position. Rotation inward to the closed position results in the compression of the elastomeric component in an offshore flexible joint. Rotation outward to the open position results in the de-compression of the elastomeric component in an offshore flexible joint. Rotation of the arms can be accomplished using mechanical, hydraulic or other mechanisms that can be operated by an ROV.

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: 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 security gate including an outer gate and an inner gate for selective passage of people and/or pets therethrough. In one example, the security gate includes: an outer frame; an outer gate at least partially disposed within the outer frame; an inner gate disposed within the outer gate, the inner gate comprising an inner frame having at least one recess; a door at least partially disposed within the inner frame; and at least one projection extending from the outer gate and engaging the at least one recess for supporting the inner gate within the outer gate.

Abstract: For load compensation, different kinds of elastomeric load compensators are placed at various locations on the crane for increased flexibility and for shock and vibration absorption. The elastomeric load compensators employ elastomeric tension elements, elastomeric torsion elements, or elastomeric shear elements. Elastomeric tension elements can be simply inserted in series with the main hoist rope. An elastomeric load compensator employing elastomeric torsion elements is mounted to the underside of the boom for receiving the live end of the main hoist rope. A single stack of elastomeric shear elements is suitable for mounting a hoist or winch or an idler sheave to the crane structure. For additional load compensation, the hoist, winch, and idler sheaves are mounted on rails for increased displacements under heave loads, and the increased displacements are compensated by elongated elastomeric tension elements or multiple elastomeric tension, torsion or shear elements in series.