Abstract: An improved casing hanger for suspending a pipe string from a casing head at a well head employs a plurality of slip members having a series of teeth which are adapted for frictionally engaging the wedging surface of a slip bowl. The teeth have a profile which gradually tapers in accordance with the distance from a central portion of the slip member. The slip member is deformable from a first configuration wherein the edges of one surface of the slip member engage the pipe string while the central portion of the surface is spaced from the pipe string and the opposite surface of the slip member has a central portion which engages the slip bowl with the ends of the outer surface being spaced therefrom to a loaded configuration wherein the surfaces of the slip member engage the pipe string and the slip bowl along a series of substantially continuous arcuate paths.

Abstract: A subsea control pod connector for joining conical interfaces (12, 18) having fluid openings (14, 20). A latch rod (54) carries a spherical ball (56) for vertical axial movement. A plurality of outwardly extending lock dogs (65) each has a spherical inner surface (66) sliding on the ball and an annular groove (72) around the outer surface. The groove surface transmits locking force to shoulder surfaces 68 and 70 located on the members to be joined.

Abstract: A connector for use in establishing a flow path for a control fluid between a pressurized source and a hydraulically controllable device located at a subsea well head. The connector includes a control valve assembly which is reciprocal to establish a seal about a control port on the controllable device prior to coupling the source to the port and to isolate the source from the port prior to breaking the seal pursuant to the separation of the connection from the controllable device.

Abstract: Tubular marine riser sections are formed by a wound or woven filament-resin matrix tubular body having a modulus of elasticity in tension of about 27,000,000 psi or greater utilizing carbon or boron for the filament material. The riser sections may be provided with end couplings secured to the tubular body for forming a riser system wherein the tensile strength or load bearing capacity of each section and its hydrostatic collapse resistance may be selectively determined by its position in the riser system. The riser sections may be provided with cylindrical collapse resisting ribs defining spaced buoyancy chambers filled with low density material contained by an outer shell formed of a glass or aramid fiber-resin matrix composite having a lower modulus of elasticity in tension than the primary load bearing tubular member. An inner abrasion and fluid impervious sleeve is disposed within the tubular body but is not bonded thereto.

Abstract: A snap type pin and box connector. A plurality of box diameters 24, 28, 32 interact with a plurality of pin diameters 36, 40, 44, 48 and 50 to produce a minimum clearance at an intermediate location 28, 44. The box load shoulder 56 is chamfered 54, as is a portion K of the split lock ring 14 adjacent to the split.

Abstract: A pipe connector with helically threaded (49, 57) frustoconical pin (10) and box (30) surfaces. The connector is axially (78) snapped together, but is rotated for disengagement. Centralizing surfaces (150, 152) on each thread form abut opposing crests (62, 54) to maintain concentrically, thereby detering disengagement under bending moments.

Abstract: A control system (10) employable for purposes of effecting the operation of a plurality of actuable devices, which are located at a subsea site, from a position that is remote therefrom. More specifically, the subject control system (10) is particularly suited for employment for purposes of hydraulically effecting the operation of the valves of a subsea christmas tree (30). To this end, the subject control system (10), on the one hand, is connected in fluid flow relation with a surface control center (16) from which hydraulic fluid is supplied under pressure, and, on the other hand, is connected to a subsea sequence valving means (12) which receives the hydraulic fluid under pressure from the surface control center (16) and in turn transmits hydraulic power to the operators (46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56) of the christmas tree valves to cause the latter to move in accordance with a predetermined operating program (32).

Abstract: A pile driving connector device comprising a tubular pin member for telescopic connection with a corresponding box member with the pin member having a wall with a locking groove in the outer face thereof adapted for operational engagement with a locking ring and a bearing surface adapted for driving engagement with the bearing shoulder of a corresponding box member, a tubular box member having a bore for receiving the pin member, a counterbore configured to be adjacent to the locking groove of the pin member and a bearing shoulder adapted for driving engagement with the bearing surface of the pin member, and a conically shaped locking ring coaxially mounted within the counterbore of the box member having a base portion detachably connected to the box member and a upper portion adapted for engagement with a side surface of the locking groove upon insertion of the pin member into the box member for interlocking connection of the pin and box members.

Abstract: A mudline casing hanger assembly wherein a collet 32 latches 20 to a hanger body 10 and positions rotatably attached fingers 40. These fingers rotate outwardly to fit between load surface 24 and load surface 30 whereby hanger body 12 is carried on hanger body 10 thru compression loading of the fingers 40.

Abstract: A pull in tool incorporating within its structure a winch 220 and a capstan 210. A track system 231 on the tool moves to engage openings 38 in the guidelineless reentry assembly 50. Thereafter the flow line termination 400 is passed down the track system 231 to achieve precise final positioning.

Abstract: A mudline casing hanger assembly with an elliptical support ring 20 which is run at an angle 46, rotated to horizontal 48, and landed 50. A support and flowby sleeve 16 to support the landing ring 20 is cut and inserted into a recess.

Abstract: A marine riser coupling assembly includes bolted flanges (26, 28) with a raised face (30) around the inner edge and a raised face (32) around the outer edge. In the area of the bolt holes (38), there is a recess (34) between the two raised faces around the entire circumference. Bending strain of bolts (42) is thereby reduced.

Abstract: A mudline casing hanger assembly in which the support collet 16 has the upper end and support segments biased outwardly, with the lower end (34) push down portion biased inwardly. The lower end can be expanded (58) at the support elevation with load applied on a nonlocking shoulder (36).

Abstract: A tubing suspension system for undersea well production operations employs a nonoriented tubing hanger having an inner body for supporting a tubing string and a landing collar for supporting the tubing hanger on a wellhead casing. The tubing hanger includes three cooperating concentric sleeve assemblies which are employed to lock and seal the tubing hanger to the wellhead housing. The outer sleeve assembly includes a locking actuator and a dual seal assembly and is separately retrievable from the remainder of the hanger assembly. A nonorienting hydraulic set running tool is employed to run the tubing hanger, set the seals, lock the tubing hanger to the wellhead casing, retrieve either the outer sleeve assembly or the entire tubing hanger. The running tool includes a hydraulically controlled actuating sleeve which carries a latch dog assembly which locks with the tubing hanger.

Abstract: A marine riser coupling assembly comprised of a pair of flanged couplings (14, 16). A pin insert (36) is retained (44, 54) within tubular portions (22, 24) of the couplings. The insert has multiple outside diameters (50, 50), and seals (66, 74) on each.

Abstract: A valve seat (28) having a generally saddle-shaped, eccentric surface (52); a groove (50) of constant depth and width formed in the eccentric surface, having sidewalls (70) perpendicular to the eccentric surface and a base (72) parallel to the eccentric surface; and a flexible O-ring (54) retained by friction within the groove. The groove sidewalls and base have a surface finish in the range of about 32 to 125, which provides sufficient smoothness to retain the O-ring in the required non-planar shape.The valve seat groove (50) can be produced according to the disclosed method, which is preferably implemented in a numerically controlled four-axis horizontal milling tool system. The valve seat part (100) is mounted in a fixture (102) on a rotary table (104) such that the part axis (56) is aligned with the longitudinal axis (Z) of the tool (106).

Abstract: A mudline casing hanger assembly wherein the collet (10) is retained on the hanger body (12) during running by tensile coupons (26). The lower portion (32) of the coupon is retained in slot (24) with collet slots (22) and hanger flowby slots (48) being aligned.

Abstract: A valve seat (28) having a generally saddle-shaped, eccentric surface (52); a groove (50) of constant depth and width formed in the eccentric surface, having sidewalls (70) perpendicular to the eccentric surface and a base (72) parallel to the eccentric surface; and a flexible O-ring (54) retained by friction within the groove. The groove sidewalls and base have a surface finish in the range of about 32 to 125, which provides sufficient smoothness to retain the O-ring in the required non-planar shape.The valve seat groove (50) can be produced according to the disclosed method, which is preferably implemented in a numerically controlled four-axis horizontal milling tool system. The valve seat part (100) is mounted in a fixture (102) on a rotary table (104) such that the part axis (56) is aligned with the longitudinal axis (Z) of the tool (106).

Abstract: A two member control connector for joining multiple hydraulic control conduits (20) has one member (14) attached to the underwater equipment. The other member (10) is raisable to the water surface and also carries annular seal assemblies (24) around the mating ends of the conduits (20). The seal assemblies are each retained in a dove-tail groove (26). A vent passageway (42) is also provided in either the seal or the member (10) to prevent the occurance of differential pressure under the assembly, possibly resulting in seal loss.

Abstract: An anchor connector incorporating a flexible joint (16) for securing the tension legs (14) of a tensioned leg platform. A latch dog head (34) engages a first recess (26) on the fixed member (22) of the flexible joint and a template recess (30) to prevent disconnection when the dog heads (34) and latch carrier (40) are in a lower position. With the latch carrier (40) in an upper position the latch dog heads (34) fit within a second recess (44) in the fixed member with the dog heads claring shoulder (32) of template recess (30), whereby the connector may be released.