Abstract: A method for control of liquid or liquid slugs in multi phase fluid pipelines, including a multiphase pipeline for the transportation of a fluid, consisting of mainly gas and some liquid such as water an/or gas condensate. The gas is evacuated via a gas separation unit connected to the multiphase pipeline to a second gas transport pipe, and the liquid is fed to a dedicated pipeline section acting as a buffer volume pipeline. The separation unit includes one or several vertical pipes connected at a distance from one another along the multiphase pipeline, whereby the gas is transported separately to a downstream processing facility on a platform or onshore or the like, and whereby the liquid proceeds to the loop which may preferably be an extension of the multiphase pipeline, or the liquid and gas may be re-combined and led in a common transport pipeline to the desired destination.

Abstract: A method for killing an uncontrolled fountain in an oil well following a blowout includes a serial lowering into the well of narrow flow restricting rods, each rod being sufficiently small in diameter to allow its insertion against a high well pressure urging the rods out of the well. Each subsequent rod reduces the cross-sectional area of the well and gradually reduces the flow of fluid discharge out of the well. Once the fountain is sufficiently reduced, the well may be killed using traditional sealing techniques such as pumping cement down the well.

Abstract: An automated closed loop flowback and separation system that allows automated control and remote operation of a flowback operation from a safe distance without any fluid or gas release to the atmosphere. Four-phase separation tanks allow the transport gas, well bore cuttings, produced oil, and produced water to be automatically separated and transported through process piping for reuse or sale, eliminating the need for auxiliary equipment. Flow measurement instruments, pressure transmitters, and level transmitters work in conjunction with an automated blast choke to send data to a programmable logic controller for use in calculating the erosion status of the choke restriction and adjusting the choke to compensate. The programmable logic controller works with a touch-screen or similar human-machine interface to allow remote monitoring and control or automated control of the system. The automated blast choke can vary the choke restriction opening based on the pressure differential and flow rate conditions.

Abstract: A method for removing a fluid influx from a subsea wellbore drilled using a pump to return fluid from the wellbore to the surface. The method includes detecting the influx when a rate of the return pump increases. Flow from the wellbore is diverted from the return pump to a choke line when the influx reaches the wellhead. A choke in the choke line is operated so that a rate of fluid pumped into the wellbore is substantially equal to a flow rate through the choke line. Fluid flow from the wellbore is redirected to the return pump inlet when the influx has substantially left the well.

Abstract: A coring tool for use in a borehole formed in a subterranean formation includes a tool housing with a coring aperture and a core receptacle. A coring bit is mounted within the tool housing and movable between retracted and extended positions by a series of pivotably connected extension link arms. Another set of link arms rotates the coring bit between coring and eject positions. The coring tool may also include a multi-column core storage magazine with shifters to move cores or core holders between columns. The coring tool may be used to measure core lengths during operation and facilitates retrieval of cores having larger lengths and diameters than conventional sidewall coring tools.

Abstract: A riser for use in boring a subsea wellbore having a gooseneck assembly connected onto the riser. The gooseneck assembly has an outlet that couples with a flowline on the riser and a connector assembly that selectively decouples the gooseneck assembly from the flowline. A release member, such as a wire, cable, or rod, is attached to the connector so the connector assembly can be actuated by manipulating the release member from a remote location.

Abstract: A downhole tool including a ball valve having a pivotal ball and providing full drift clearance through a fluid pathway of the valve over a portion of a pivotal range of the ball is described. An internal bore of the ball includes a first opening larger than a second opening, and the internal bore transitions between the first and second openings. The first opening overlays or encompasses an opening formed by a first bore portion over a range of pivot of the ball, and the second opening may be fully encompassed by an opening formed by a second bore portion over a pivotal range when the internal bore is not centrally aligned with the first or second bore portions.

Abstract: A system for producing wellbore fluids. The system includes a pumping system deployable into tubing disposed in a wellbore, the pumping system includes a pump, a pump motor, a reservoir for containing purging fluid, and conductors in electrical communication with the pump motor. Electrical supply contacts are provided in the tubing and are connected to a downhole electrical power supply via a power cable extending along the tubing length from the surface. The conductors are engageable with the electrical supply contacts when the pumping system is landed within the tubing. Purging fluid in the reservoir can be flowed between the conductors and the supply contacts to remove conductive fluid prior to engaging the conductors and supply contacts. The conductors are selectively extended from a retracted position in the pumping system. In an alternative embodiment, the electrical supply contacts are provided at locations along the length of the tubing.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a tubular string from a subsea well installation. The apparatus includes a heave compensator tensioning the tubular string, a subsea actuator assembly positioned within the tubular string, a subsea controller in communication with the subsea actuator assembly, a subsea safety tree positioned within the subsea well installation and a fluid delivery subsystem. An output signal generated by the subsea controller responsive to receipt of a predetermined input signal releases a piston of the subsea actuator assembly such that the tension in the tubular string shifts the piston relative to a cylinder energizing fluid in the fluid delivery subsystem to actuate the retainer valve, the shut-in valve assembly, the vent sleeve and the latch assembly, thereby safely separating the tubular string from a subsea well installation.

Abstract: A multicoupler, particularly for gas or oil production, comprises at least one male and one female part. Said parts comprise a plurality of fluid coupling members which can be assigned to one another and which are in engagement with one another when male part and female part are in the coupling position. One of the parts comprises a connecting means including a spindle, which connecting means in the coupling position is in engagement with a mating connecting means on the other part.

Abstract: An apparatus for, and method of, lowering items from a drilling rig to a well located below it through the use of a landing string comprised of drill pipe having an enlarged diameter section with a shoulder, in combination with upper and lower holders having wedge members with shoulders that engage and support the drill pipe at the shoulder of the enlarged diameter section, the shoulder of the drill pipe and the shoulders of the wedge members being rotatable with respect to each other.

Abstract: The invention concerns a section of tubing or other conduit having a flow passage. The flow passage extends through the tubing and incorporates a member extending through the passage and guides which constrain a fluid flowing through the flow passage to flow around the member along a path which is longer than an axial length of the flow passage in a fluid flow direction. The guides may define an annular path. The conduit may comprise an inside wall and the guides may comprise a combination of at least one spiral channel defined along the inside wall and the member may be a sucker rod extending along the flow passage.

Abstract: A shearing tool for shearing, trimming, or reducing objects being pulled through a drill string and methods for retrieving retrievable tools with fins from the drill string, where the retrievable tools must pass through restrictions in the drill string having interior diameters less than the outer diameters of the fins. The fins, affixed to the retrievable tools, provide stability to the tools, while within the drill string, and can be made of rubber, plastic, other shearable materials, or combinations thereof. The apparatuses and methods include inserting a shearing tool with a flange into a box end of a section of drill string, where the flange keeps the shearing tool in place. The shearing tool further comprising a cutting surface for cutting materials pulled through the shearing tool.

Abstract: A cartridge feed screw nut includes a body having a tubular threaded opening defined therein and having side portions. The side portions include a plurality of lateral surfaces and a plurality of end surfaces. The lateral surfaces and the end surfaces form a profile shaped to prevent rotation of the cartridge feed screw nut relative to a front washer cylinder through engagement between at least one of the lateral surfaces or the end surfaces with the front washer cylinder.

Abstract: The device described herein combines a subsea wellhead and a tree mandrel into a single piece. The wellhead includes a tree valve block having an upper and lower section. The lower valve block section is integral with the wellhead and includes access between the production line and the tubing annulus to the main bore of the wellhead.

Abstract: Method and required apparatus to provide the closed-loop feedback control of a remote electric motor that has specific required operating parameters which is used to turn a rotary drill bit to drill a borehole in the earth that receives electrical energy through a long umbilical possessing insulated electrical conduits that includes the steps of measuring a set of electrical parameters with a multiplicity of sensors located near the electric motor, sending that measured information to a computer on the surface of the earth, comparing the measured information with the required operating parameters within the computer, adjusting an uphole power generator system to adjust its electrical output parameters to provide electrical energy to a portion of the umbilical located on the surface of the earth, repeating the measurements and adjustments to provide the closed-loop feedback control of the electric motor having specific required operating parameters.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a steering assembly for downhole directional drilling comprises a drill bit comprising a cutting portion and an outer diameter. A steering ring disposed around the outer diameter, and at least one biasing mechanism disposed intermediate the outer diameter and the steering ring. The at least one biasing mechanism is configured to move the steering ring with respect to the outer diameter.

Abstract: A valve, such as a ball valve, is assembled and carried by a running tool. The valve is actuated by an actuator that is triggered by the running tool, and thus opens and closes communication between the drill pipe and the volume below the running tool. An actuating cam is assembled below the running tool that interfaces the actuator. The actuating cam is threaded such that it travels axially as the drill pipe is turned. A profile on the actuating cam is timed with the function of the running tool and controls the action of the actuator such that the valve is open when the running tool function requires communication with the volume below the running tool and the valve is closed when the running tool needs to be pressurized.

Abstract: Cutting elements include an ultra-hard body, e.g., comprising diamond, that is attached to substrate, e.g., comprising a cermet. An interface exists between the body and the substrate, and an angle of departure as measured between the interface and a free edge of the cutting element within one or both of the body and substrate, is less than about 90 degrees to provide a desired stress reduction along the interface. The angle of departure can be from about 3 to 87 degrees. The desired reduced angle of departure is provided by a surface feature disposed along an outer side surface of the cutting element adjacent a free edge of the interface. The surface feature can in the form of a groove disposed circumferentially around the body and/or substrate outer side surface, that is configured to provide the desired reduced angle of departure within the body and/or substrate.

Abstract: A DHD hammer that can exhaust working air volumes partially through a proximal end of the DHD hammer's actuator assembly includes a drive chamber, a return chamber, and a backhead that includes exhaust ports. Working air volumes from the drive chamber are exhausted through the backhead while working air volumes from the drive chamber are exhausted primarily through a drill bit.