Abstract: A torque reducer assembly including a ball screw assembly and a plunger gear assembly with a low torque allowing a single user to operate a hand wheel to open or close a valve under very high pressure without need of gear reduction and a balance stem. A gear shaft, ball screw, valve stem and gate are fixed from rotation with respect to each other but move axially together in response to rotation of a ball screw nut in the ball screw assembly. The plunger gear assembly rotates with the ball screw nut. In the engaged position, a plunger prevents rotation of the ball screw nut in the valve open direction but permits rotation of the ball screw nut in the valve close direction. In the disengaged position, the plunger permits rotation of the ball screw nut in the valve open direction and the valve close direction.

Abstract: A high pressure ball valve seal assembly utilizes primary, secondary, and tertiary seals to withstand debris, caustic fluids, high pressure, and high temperature. The seal assembly comprises first and second inner seats and first and second outer seats which are retained within the valve body. First inner and outer seats are mounted on a first side of a closure member in the valve cavity and second inner and outer seats mounted on a second side of the closure member opposite the first side. A plurality of sealing rings are provided, whereby the sealing rings may be arranged to provide a tertiary upstream seal physically located on the downstream side of the ball valve.

Abstract: As compared to a BOP, a compact lightweight cutting system may have two gates with cutters moveable in opposite directions to cut drill pipe. The system utilizes a relatively short stroke and relatively less hydraulic oil for subsea operation. An opening through the gates surrounds the wellbore in the open position. The cutting elements are mounted within the openings. The piston rods and pistons are vertically offset with respect to each other. The compact cutting system with a gate valve can be used to substitute for a BOP to significantly reduce the size and weight required in an intervention system.

Abstract: A valve body defines a valve stem opening. A valve stem comprises an enlarged portion greater than the valve stem opening to thereby secure the valve stem within the valve body by limiting radially outward movement of the valve stem with respect to the valve body. A rotary member comprise upper and lower bosses. Upper and lower split trunnions, with split components that can be inserted from opposite sides of the valve body, are used to rotationally support the upper and lower bosses to permit rotation of the rotary member while preventing axial movement of the axial flow path of the valve.

Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatus and methods for a lightweight subsea intervention package that may be installed using vessels with a smaller lifting capacity than semi-submersible platforms so that the subsea intervention package can be transported, installed, and removed from a subsea well in less time and with less cost. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a lower riser package for controlling the subsea well which utilizes two hydraulically activated gate valves. An emergency disconnect package is secured to the lower riser package utilizing a disconnect mechanism. The emergency disconnect package is operable to seal the bottom of a riser if the disconnect mechanism is activated to thereby minimize environmental leakage of fluid from the riser.

Abstract: A valve body defines a valve stem opening. A valve stem comprises an enlarged portion greater than the valve stem opening to thereby secure the valve stem within the valve body by limiting radially outward movement of the valve stem with respect to the valve body. A rotary member comprise upper and lower bosses. Upper and lower split trunnions, with split components that can be inserted from opposite sides of the valve body, are used to rotationally support the upper and lower bosses to permit rotation of the rotary member while preventing axial movement of the axial flow path of the valve.

Abstract: A valve body defines a valve stem opening. A valve stem comprises an enlarged portion greater than the valve stem opening to thereby secure the valve stem within the valve body by limiting radially outward movement of the valve stem with respect to the valve body. A rotary member comprise upper and lower bosses. Upper and lower split trunnions, with split components that can be inserted from opposite sides of the valve body, are used to rotationally support the upper and lower bosses to permit rotation of the rotary member while preventing axial movement of the axial flow path of the valve.

Abstract: A high pressure metal-to-metal seal utilizes an expandable metal seal element able to withstand caustic fluids, high pressure, and high temperature. The metal-to-metal seal assembly is resilient for repeatable sealing and comprises an energizing metal ring and a metal sealing ring. Engagement of these two rings expands surfaces of the metal sealing ring to create inner and/or outer metal-to-metal seals.

Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatus and methods for a lightweight subsea intervention package that may be installed using vessels with a smaller lifting capacity than semi-submersible platforms so that the subsea intervention package can be transported, installed, and removed from a subsea well in less time and with less cost. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a lower riser package for controlling the subsea well which utilizes two hydraulically activated gate valves. An emergency disconnect package is secured to the lower riser package utilizing a disconnect mechanism. The emergency disconnect package is operable to seal the bottom of a riser if the disconnect mechanism is activated to thereby minimize environmental leakage of fluid from the riser.

Abstract: A flowhead for a well testing system is disclosed. The well testing system comprises a plurality of threaded connection pipes extending from the surface to a subterranean zone of interest which is isolated for testing purposes. Fluid flows from the subterranean zone into the flowhead and is directed to a flare and related measuring instrumentation. The flowhead includes a swab inlet with a swab valve, a kill line with an associated valve and a flow line with an associated valve. The line connecting directly to the well preferably comprises an outer swivel element integral with a body of the flowhead and a roller bearing supported inner swivel element rotatably mounted therein.

Abstract: A valve is disclosed having a telescoping seat assembly that fits into a pocket or enlargement of a flow passageway through the valve body. An outer seat element seals with the pocket utilizing a plurality of seal assemblies to seal with the pocket whereby pressure may become trapped between the seal assemblies during valve operation under certain unusual conditions. A groove with a tapering or angled surface is provided in the outer seat. A seal ring is disposed in the groove whereby pressure from one side of the seal ring moves the seal along the tapering or angled surface to wedge the seal into contact with the wall of the pocket. Pressure from the other side of the seal ring moves the seal ring along the tapering surface and away from the wall of the pocket so as to be out of sealing engagement thereby permitting bleeding off of the pressure or de-energizing of the seal assemblies.

Abstract: A subsea actuator and method is disclosed that includes all moving components mounted in a compact, concentric configuration. The subsea actuator is highly reliable and will operate at depth even with zero valve body cavity pressure. A preferably cup-shaped spring pusher is provided in telescoping relationship to the hydraulic chamber. A piston position indicator is provided which is connected externally to the hydraulic piston cylinder to avoid the possibility of hydraulic leaks due to the piston indicator. A manual override may be provided with a manual override indicator. The manual override indicator has a shorter travel length than the manual override operating stem to thereby reduce the overall length of the manual override assembly. The driving stem provides a removable connection to the hydraulic piston from the top of the actuator housing and a quick disconnect permits disconnection of the driving stem from the valve stem.

Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatus and methods for replacing a BOP with a gate valve to thereby save space, initial costs, and maintenance costs that is especially beneficial for use in offshore subsea riser packages. The method provides a gate valve capable of reliably cutting tubing utilizing a cutting edge with an inclined surface that wedges the cut portion of the tubing out of the gave valve body. A method and apparatus is provided for determining the actuator force needed to cut the particular size tubing.

Abstract: A valve system and method is disclosed that includes, in one preferred embodiment, a compact valve system that may be configured in many different ways so as to be especially suitable for conforming to the dimensional requirements of many particular subsea installations such as lower riser packages. Thus, the height of the hydraulic actuator and/or manual override operators can be varied depending on the necessary configuration. However, operation of the manual override operators is the same as previously utilized subsea manual override operators. In one presently preferred embodiment, a hydraulic actuator which may be a fail-safe actuator, is connected to a gate valve utilizing an operating stem which extends through a first bonnet secured to one side of a gate valve body. A moveable gate is attached to the operating stem and is therefore operably connected for control by the hydraulic actuator. On an opposite side of the gate valve body, a second bonnet is secured.

Abstract: A seat assembly including preferably telescoping seating elements for use between a gate and a pocket in a gate valve body are disclosed. A seal is provided between the telescoping seating elements that is axially moveable and acts to seal with one or more sloping surfaces disposed on the seating elements. A spring acts to bias the seal towards the sloping surfaces so as to provide an initial seal. The sloping surfaces prevent movement of the seal in one axial direction. As line pressure increases the seal will move against the sloping surfaces with increased force to maintain the seal between the line or valve bore and the bonnet of the valve. A reverse pressure differential across the seal that is greater than the biasing force will cause the seal element to move in the opposite axial direction and bleed off the pressure across it.

Abstract: A through conduit gate valve apparatus having a valve seat assembly that is field maintainable and which prevents the occurrence of pressure lock is disclosed. Each valve seat assembly includes a retainer ring fixed in the valve body and a pressure responsive seat ring that seals with the gate member. The seat ring is responsive to fluid pressure in the valve flow passageways for maintaining and enhancing the face seal with the gate and to fluid pressure in the valve chamber for automatically venting the valve chamber to prevent occurrence of a pressure lock condition.