Abstract: A subsea energy storage for well control equipment, wherein stored energy near a well on the sea floor monitors and activates well control equipment independently of, or in conjunction with, hydraulic energy. Energy to the subsea energy storage can be supplied by surface umbilical, remotely-operated vehicle, or by subsea electrical generation from stored hydraulic energy. Stored electrical energy may also recharge stored hydraulic energy. A subsea control system is configured to record data, compare the data to predetermined event signatures, and operate the well control equipment with stored electrical energy.

Abstract: A method includes receiving first position data from at least one of a TOF sensor or a LIDAR. The first position data is representative of a position of a human within a hazardous environment. The method further includes receiving second position data associated with a plurality of wearable sensors associated with a plurality of personnel. The method further includes comparing the first position data to the second position data to identify a match between the first position data and the second position data. The method further includes sensing a signal to an alert device associated with the hazardous environment such that the alert device issues an alert in response to the first position data failings to match the second position data.

Abstract: Some connector assemblies include a female connector having a sidewall extending between first and second ends to define an interior channel, the sidewall having a cylindrical inner surface, and a plurality of lugs extending from and disposed circumferentially along the inner surface, and a male connector having a sidewall extending between first and second ends to define an interior channel, the sidewall having a cylindrical outer surface, and a plurality of lugs extending from and disposed circumferentially along the outer surface, wherein the male connector is configured to be coupled to the female connector such that the sidewall of the male connector is received through the first end of and into the interior channel of the female connector, and at least one of the lugs of the male connector is disposed between at least one of the lugs of the female connector and the second end of the female connector.

Abstract: This disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for coupling one or more auxiliary lines to a subsea well control assembly.

Abstract: A tubular connection made during various oil and/or gas operations such as a tripping operation can be identified based on received data such as hookload and/or block position data. A type of tubular connected can also identified by comparing hookload and/or block position data to a tubular specification database. The identification of the tubular connection and/or type of tubular connected can be used to measure a machine sequence, such as a tripping sequence. The measurement of the machine sequence can be used to optimize an operation such as a tripping or drilling operation.

Abstract: A riser data logging system can be installed on the riser top to provide real time information of the riser, instead of or in addition to relying on sensors installed on a tensioner. The riser recoil detection system can thus be made independent of any motion of the vessel. This logging system can feedback the riser top acceleration, velocity, position, and the wire-line tensions into a controller. By comparing the acceleration difference between the riser top and the vessel body, the controller can provide more reliable and faster detection of events occurring on a vessel, potentially detecting the condition within one second. If the acceleration exceeds a certain limit, the electrical tensioners are able to reduce the wire-line tension nearly instantaneously, providing a much more effective anti-recoil control that conventional hydro-pneumatic tensioners.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically preventing a collision between objects is described. One or more images of a working space may be collected, and a first object may be identified based on the one or more images. Three-dimensional coordinates of the first object may be determined, and a virtual boundary enclosing the identified first object in a three-dimensional coordinate system may be generated based on the three-dimensional coordinates of the first object, wherein the virtual boundary specifies a volume in the working space that a second object in the working space should not occupy. The coordinates in the three-dimensional coordinate system corresponding to the generated virtual boundary may be transmitted to a second processor, and the second processor may control the second object to perform an operation in the working space that includes the first object without contacting the virtual boundary of the first object.

Abstract: A hybrid power plant is characterized by a substantially constant load on generators regardless of momentary swings in power load. Short changes in power load are accommodated by DC components such as capacitors, batteries, resistors, or a combination thereof. Resistors are used to consume power when loads in the power plant are generating excess power. Capacitors are used to store and deliver power when the loads in the power plant demand additional power. Reducing rapid changes in power load as seen by the generators allows the generators to operate at higher efficiencies and with reduced emissions. Additionally, power plants employing combinations of generators, loads, and energy storage devices have increased dynamic performance.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically preventing a collision between objects is described. One or more images of a working space may be collected, and a first object may be identified based on the one or more images. Three-dimensional coordinates of the first object may be determined, and a virtual boundary enclosing the identified first object in a three-dimensional coordinate system may be generated based on the three-dimensional coordinates of the first object, wherein the virtual boundary specifies a volume in the working space that a second object in the working space should not occupy. The coordinates in the three-dimensional coordinate system corresponding to the generated virtual boundary may be transmitted to a second processor, and the second processor may control the second object to perform an operation in the working space that includes the first object without contacting the virtual boundary of the first object.

Abstract: A hybrid power plant is characterized by a substantially constant load on generators regardless of momentary swings in power load. Short changes in power load are accommodated by DC components such as capacitors, batteries, resistors, or a combination thereof. Resistors are used to consume power when loads in the power plant are generating excess power. Capacitors are used to store and deliver power when the loads in the power plant demand additional power. Reducing rapid changes in power load as seen by the generators allows the generators to operate at higher efficiencies and with reduced emissions. Additionally, power plants employing combinations of generators, loads, and energy storage devices have increased dynamic performance.

Abstract: A subsea energy storage for well control equipment, wherein stored energy near a well on the sea floor monitors and activates well control equipment independently of, or in conjunction with, hydraulic energy. Energy to the subsea energy storage can be supplied by surface umbilical, remotely-operated vehicle, or by subsea electrical generation from stored hydraulic energy. Stored electrical energy may also recharge stored hydraulic energy. A subsea control system is configured to record data, compare the data to predetermined event signatures, and operate the well control equipment with stored electrical energy.

Abstract: A derrick structure may include a plurality of drilling rotating/hoisting/circulation (RHC) traveling block/top drive like systems that can move between and are fully functional on multiple well centers. With such a configuration, one RHC can be disconnected from the drill lines and suspended in the drilling derrick allowing two hoisting systems with separate motors to function simultaneously on a single well center, thus doubling the lifting capability on that well center. For example, one traveling block may be suspended and its associated drill line and winch coupled to another traveling block on a different well center.

Abstract: Pressure in subsea systems, and accumulators of the subsea systems, may be increased through the use of a supercharge cylinder to generate higher pressures from an initial pressure provided from a surface vessel. The supercharge cylinder may include a piston that can be stroked to increase pressure stored in accumulators located near subsea systems, such as a blowout preventer (BOP). The increased pressure provided by the supercharge cylinder may allow the same number of accumulators to be used in the subsea system but allow additional effective hydraulic fluid to be stored in the accumulators.

Abstract: A tubular connection made during various oil and/or gas operations such as a tripping operation can be identified based on received data such as hookload and/or block position data. A type of tubular connected can also identified by comparing hookload and/or block position data to a tubular specification database. The identification of the tubular connection and/or type of tubular connected can be used to measure a machine sequence, such as a tripping sequence. The measurement of the machine sequence can be used to optimize an operation such as a tripping or drilling operation.

Abstract: A riser data logging system can be installed on the riser top to provide real time information of the riser, instead of or in addition to relying on sensors installed on a tensioner. The riser recoil detection system can thus be made independent of any motion of the vessel. This logging system can feedback the riser top acceleration, velocity, position, and the wire-line tensions into a controller. By comparing the acceleration difference between the riser top and the vessel body, the controller can provide more reliable and faster detection of events occurring on a vessel, potentially detecting the condition within one second. If the acceleration exceeds a certain limit, the electrical tensioners are able to reduce the wire-line tension nearly instantaneously, providing a much more effective anti-recoil control that conventional hydro-pneumatic tensioners.

Abstract: An enhanced riser control system may employ electrical tensioners coupled to a drilling riser by wires. The electrical tensioners may provide quick response to a tension controller to handle positioning of the drilling riser. The electrical tensioners of the enhanced riser control system may be combined with hydro-pneumatic tensioners in a riser hybrid tensioning system. A controller within the enhanced riser control system may be configured to distribute tension to electrical tensioners and to control electrical tensioners to adjust the length of the first and second wires. Energy from an electrical tensioner may be transferred to an energy storage system or to power dissipaters for dissipating the energy generated by the electrical tensioner. The energy transferred from an electrical tensioner may be energy that has been generated by the electrical tensioner.

Abstract: A riser data logging system can be installed on the riser top to provide real time information of the riser, instead of or in addition to relying on sensors installed on a tensioner. The riser recoil detection system can thus be made independent of any motion of the vessel. This logging system can feedback the riser top acceleration, velocity, position, and the wire-line tensions into a controller. By comparing the acceleration difference between the riser top and the vessel body, the controller can provide more reliable and faster detection of events occurring on a vessel, potentially detecting the condition within one second. If the acceleration exceeds a certain limit, the electrical tensioners are able to reduce the wire-line tension nearly instantaneously, providing a much more effective anti-recoil control that conventional hydro-pneumatic tensioners.

Abstract: An enhanced riser control system may employ electrical tensioners coupled to a drilling riser by wires. The electrical tensioners may provide quick response to a tension controller to handle positioning of the drilling riser. The electrical tensioners of the enhanced riser control system may be combined with hydro-pneumatic tensioners in a riser hybrid tensioning system. A controller within the enhanced riser control system may be configured to distribute tension to electrical tensioners and to control electrical tensioners to adjust the length of the first and second wires. Energy from an electrical tensioner may be transferred to an energy storage system or to power dissipaters for dissipating the energy generated by the electrical tensioner. The energy transferred from an electrical tensioner may be energy that has been generated by the electrical tensioner.

Abstract: A power system may include autonomous breakers coupling generators to a main bus. The autonomous breakers may detect deviation of power parameters of the main bus from a predetermined range and couple generators to the main bus to bring the power parameters within the predetermined range. Autonomous breakers may further couple loads to the main bus and may adjust loads to bring the power parameters back within the predetermined range. Breakers may also check for faults in buses and within themselves before closing and coupling power system components to each other.

Abstract: Provided is a locking apparatus for a damping device of a moonpool, which can automatically lock and unlock an opened state of the damping device of the moonpool. The locking apparatus includes: one or more first locking members installed in a sidewall of the moonpool; one or more second locking members installed in a side of the damping device; and a holding unit separably holding the first locking members and the second locking members when the damping devices are in the opened state.