Abstract: A method for injection of a lift gas into a wellbore production string comprises determining production pressure within the production string, and autonomously controlling a variable orifice gas lift valve in accordance with the determined production pressure, wherein the variable orifice gas lift valve controls the injection flow rate of the lift gas into the production string. A valve comprises a housing defining an inlet, an outlet and a flow path therebetween, and a valve member linearly moveable within the housing between first and second positions to vary flow along the flow path, wherein the valve member is prevented from rotation relative to the housing during linear movement between the first and second positions. The valve further includes a rotary drive and a transmission arrangement interposed between the rotary drive and the valve member for converting rotation of the rotary drive to linear movement of the valve member.

Abstract: A tubular stabbing guide (10) used to assist in the location of a pin end connection of a tubular in a box end connection (14) of another tubular forming the upper end of a drill string held and supported from the drill floor (16) of a rig. The stabbing guide (10) has a mounting frame (22) for location on the drill floor (16) and funnel-forming members (32) mounted on the frame (22). In use, the funnel-forming members (32) are moved from a retracted location spaced from the box end connection (14) to an active location surrounding the box end connection (14), such that the funnel-forming members (32) form a funnel for guiding the pin end connection into the box end connection (14).

Abstract: A valve assembly (10) comprises a flow path extending from an assembly inlet (20) to an assembly outlet (22), a valve (24a/26a) arranged within the flow path and a filter assembly arranged within the flow path between the assembly inlet and the valve. The filter assembly comprises a filter chamber defining a particle settlement region, a filter chamber inlet for facilitating inflow of a fluid into the chamber, and a filter chamber outlet for facilitating outflow of fluid from the chamber towards the valve, wherein the filter chamber outlet includes a particle filter.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprises an actuation fluid inlet, an actuation fluid outlet and a valve member moveable between a closed position in which the actuation fluid outlet is closed, and an open position in which the actuation fluid outlet is opened. A locking arrangement is provided for locking the valve member in its closed position, wherein the locking arrangement is operable in response to a first predetermined fluid pressure event associated with at least the actuation fluid inlet to release the locking arrangement to permit the valve member to be moved to its open position in response to a second subsequent predetermined fluid pressure event associated with at least the actuation fluid inlet.

Abstract: A downhole slip apparatus that includes a radially extendable slip assembly. The radially extendable slip assembly including a primary slip arrangement and a secondary slip arrangement. The downhole slip apparatus is arranged such that during a first phase of operation the primary and secondary slip arrangements are radially extendable simultaneously from a retracted configuration towards and/or into a first extended configuration. The downhole slip apparatus is also arranged such that during a subsequent second phase of operation the secondary slip arrangement is radially extendable relative to the primary slip arrangement towards and/or into a second extended configuration.

Abstract: A subsea connector system (10) for providing a connection with a subsea well component comprises a latch assembly (14) defining a through bore and a latch member (18) mounted on the latch assembly. A mandrel (20) extends through said bore of the latch assembly, wherein the mandrel and the latch assembly are axially and rotatably moveable relative to each other in a predefined relative movement sequence to operate the latch member and configure the connector system between connected and disconnected configurations. The connector system also comprises a conveyance connector (22) for providing a connection between a conveyance member (24) and the mandrel such that a conveyance member may permit an axial movement component of the predefined movement sequence. A rotation interface (26) is mounted on one of the mandrel and the latch assembly such that a subsea manipulator may permit a rotational movement component of the predefined relative movement sequence.

Abstract: A vent valve comprises a valve housing defining a vent port and a valve member mounted within the housing so as to define a fluid system chamber and an activation chamber with the housing. The valve member is biased towards a closed position, in which fluid communication between the fluid system chamber and the vent port is prevented, by fluid pressure within the fluid system chamber acting on the valve member. The valve member is biased towards an open position, in which there is fluid communication between the fluid system chamber and the vent port, by fluid pressure within the activation chamber acting on the valve member. The vent valve further comprises a pressure limiting arrangement associated with the activation chamber to limit pressure therein to a predetermined pressure value.

Abstract: A flow control apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a screen, a first inflow control device and a second inflow control device, wherein a fluid inflow path is provided through the screen and from an outer portion to an inner portion of each inflow control device. A method of cleaning a flow control apparatus such as that described above comprises providing in a wellbore a flow control apparatus comprising at least one screen and at least one inflow control device wherein a fluid inflow path is provided through the at least one screen and from an outer portion to an inner portion of the at least one inflow control device, targeting the at least one inflow control device with a treatment fluid and delivering the treatment fluid such that the fluid flows in a reverse direction along the fluid inflow path.

Abstract: Tubing reaming apparatus comprises a housing adapted to be mounted to tubing to be reamed. The housing provides mounting for a reamer shaft adapted to mount a cutter within the tubing. The housing also provides mounting for a drive arrangement. A gear arrangement is provided between the drive arrangement and the reamer shaft. The housing may comprise a clamping arrangement adapted to reduce residual bend and ovality of the tubing.

Abstract: A flow control apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a screen, a first inflow control device and a second inflow control device, wherein a fluid inflow path is provided through the screen and from an outer portion to an inner portion of each inflow control device. A method of cleaning a flow control apparatus such as that described above comprises providing in a wellbore a flow control apparatus comprising at least one screen and at least one inflow control device wherein a fluid inflow path is provided through the at least one screen and from an outer portion to an inner portion of the at least one inflow control device, targeting the at least one inflow control device with a treatment fluid and delivering the treatment fluid such that the fluid flows in a reverse direction along the fluid inflow path.

Abstract: A connector comprises a male component, a female component configured to receive an end portion of the male component, and a rotatable collet mounted on the male component. The collet and the female component comprise respective complementary inter-engaging lugs configured to secure the male and female components together in an engaged position. A latch is provided on the collet to lock the male and female components together.

Abstract: Tubing reaming apparatus comprises a housing adapted to be mounted to tubing to be reamed. The housing provides mounting for a reamer shaft adapted to mount a cutter within the tubing. The housing also provides mounting for a drive arrangement. A gear arrangement is provided between the drive arrangement and the reamer shaft. The housing may comprise a clamping arrangement adapted to reduce residual bend and ovality of the tubing.

Abstract: A centralizer for well casings is disclosed which, in one aspect has spring strips which are normally bowed to centralize the casing, but which are held in a collapsed disposition against the casing while the casing is positioned in a borehole. The holding force may be provided by a band and/or an arrangement of struts which are released when the casing is positioned. An additional energizing device may be provided to increase the bowing of the spring strips for more certain engagement with the surrounding borehole.

Abstract: A safety interlock between a machine guard and a machine actuator, comprising locking means for the guard and locking means for the actuator, the guard locking means being arranged, upon closing of the guard, to engage and thereby release the actuator locking means and to be held in a guard locking condition by such engagement while the machine is actuated.