Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the condition of a seal, such as a seal in a blowout preventer or in another oilfield device, is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a blowout preventer including a seal and a blowout preventer seal-monitoring system that includes a sensor positioned within a body of the seal and a data analyzer. The data analyzer has a processor and is configured to monitor a condition of the seal through analysis of data received by the data analyzer from the sensor positioned within the body of the seal. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to electrical power generation from a piezoelectric material. A piezoelectric power generator assembly is disclosed including a housing, a piezoelectric transducer located in the housing, and a piston located in the housing, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is configured to generate an electrical charge when contacted by the piston. A piezoelectric power generator assembly is also disclosed including a housing comprising a flowline located within the housing and a piezoelectric transducer located in the housing and disposed about a perimeter of the flowline, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is configured to generate an electrical charge when contacted by a fluid contained in the flowline. A subsea drilling system is disclosed including a subsea blowout preventer stack and a piezoelectric power generator assembly for powering sensors on the blowout preventer stack configured to monitor characteristics of the stack.

Abstract: A system for a blowout preventer (BOP) stack assembly includes one or more pairs of ultrasonic transducers coupled to a body that is configured to support a movable component of the BOP stack assembly, wherein each pair of ultrasonic transducers comprises a first ultrasonic transducer disposed on a first side of the body and a second ultrasonic transducer disposed on a second side of the body, opposite the first side. The system also includes a controller configured to receive a first signal indicative of a position of the movable component from the one or more pairs of ultrasonic transducers, to determine the position of the movable component based on the first signal, and to provide a first output indicative of the position of the movable component.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to data communication in subsea oil and gas drilling and production operations. In particular, data communication from sensors located on a piece of subsea oil and gas drilling and/or production equipment to a remote location, such as to a demodulation system, is disclosed. The data communication system can include sensors for measuring various characteristics of the subsea equipment, for coding the measured data into a signal, for transmitting the signal, and for ultimately decoding the signal. The signal is transmitted along the structures which provide the containment for existing hydraulic fluid lines associated with the subsea equipment by a variety of methods, such as by pulse position modulation and/or reverse time pulse position modulation. The communication system can further include a local power generator assembly to power associated sensors and transmitters.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to monitoring the condition of fluid extraction components associated with a subsea hydrocarbon drilling and production operation and, in an embodiment described herein, more particularly provides a sensor assembly for monitoring the extraction component which is easily installable and locally powered. The sensor assembly, in one embodiment, is contained on a patch. The assembly comprises a sensor, a power supply, and a communication device, all located on the patch. The patch can be easily coupled to fluid extraction components, such as a valve associated with a blowout preventer stack. The patch can include a coupling material on one side of the patch allowing the patch to adhere to the fluid extraction components. The patch can further include a power generator, such as a piezoelectric generator, thereby allowing for the sensor assembly to be locally powered.

Abstract: A system for a blowout preventer (BOP) stack assembly includes one or more pairs of ultrasonic transducers coupled to a body that is configured to support a movable component of the BOP stack assembly, wherein each pair of ultrasonic transducers comprises a first ultrasonic transducer disposed on a first side of the body and a second ultrasonic transducer disposed on a second side of the body, opposite the first side. The system also includes a controller configured to receive a first signal indicative of a position of the movable component from the one or more pairs of ultrasonic transducers, to determine the position of the movable component based on the first signal, and to provide a first output indicative of the position of the movable component.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a blowout preventer housing comprising a bore extending through the blowout preventer housing and an inflatable element positionable within the blowout preventer housing and comprising an internal cavity. The internal cavity is configured to receive fluid pressure to expand the inflatable element and facilitate forming a seal within the blowout preventer housing.

Abstract: An annular blowout preventer (BOP) includes a housing comprising a bore extending through the housing, an annular sealing element configured to be displaced inwardly into the housing bore, and an actuating member configured to be actuated radially or perpendicularly with respect to an axis of the annular sealing element to compress the annular sealing element inwardly into the housing bore.

Abstract: A measurement system including a container including an element moveable within an internal volume of the container. A sensor wirelessly measures the position of the element within the container and transmits the measured position information. Also included is an information system capable of reading the position information from the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a blowout preventer housing comprising a bore extending therethrough and a cavity intersecting the bore and a wire cutting apparatus with a cutting wire. The wire cutting apparatus is movably positionable within the cavity of the blowout preventer housing and is extendable into the bore of the blowout preventer housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for characterizing objects in the bore of a well assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a sensing array including ultrasonic transducers and a data analyzer coupled to receive input from the sensing array. The sensing array is positioned to transmit ultrasonic waves into the bore of a well assembly and to receive ultrasonic waves from the bore. The data analyzer processes data representative of ultrasonic waves received by the sensing array to identify a location of a component in the bore. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to electrical power generation from a piezoelectric material. A piezoelectric power generator assembly is disclosed including a housing, a piezoelectric transducer located in the housing, and a piston located in the housing, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is configured to generate an electrical charge when contacted by the piston. A piezoelectric power generator assembly is also disclosed including a housing comprising a flowline located within the housing and a piezoelectric transducer located in the housing and disposed about a perimeter of the flowline, wherein the piezoelectric transducer is configured to generate an electrical charge when contacted by a fluid contained in the flowline. A subsea drilling system is disclosed including a subsea blowout preventer stack and a piezoelectric power generator assembly for powering sensors on the blowout preventer stack configured to monitor characteristics of the stack.

Abstract: A measurement system including a container including an element moveable within an internal volume of the container. A sensor wirelessly measures the position of the element within the container and transmits the measured position information. Also included is an information system capable of reading the position information from the sensor.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a subsea laboratory configured to be positioned and operated below a sea surface. The subsea laboratory includes a housing, a fluid chamber within the housing and configured to receive a fluid from subsea drilling or production equipment, and a sensor within the housing and configured to generate a signal indicative of a characteristic of the fluid. The monitoring system also includes a controller having a processor configured to receive and to process the signal to determine the characteristic of the fluid, to determine an appropriate output based on the characteristic of the fluid, and to provide a control signal that causes an indication of the output via a user interface of a remote base station positioned above the sea surface.

Abstract: An apparatus is used to dissipate heat. The apparatus includes a heat sink, an electronic component, and a coupler. The coupler includes a smart material movable into an engaged position such as to be engaged with the heat sink to dissipate heat from the electronic component to the heat sink through the coupler.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus is connectable in-line with the cable. The monitoring apparatus includes a measuring unit to measure a characteristic of the cable and a storage unit to store the measured characteristic of the cable.

Abstract: A subsea electronic information system for managing data related to a characteristic of subsea equipment locatable subsea. The system includes sensors locatable subsea and in communication with and capable of measuring a characteristic of the subsea equipment. A sensor interface box (SIB) separate from the sensors and locatable subsea includes a processor and a memory device capable of receiving and storing sensor measurement data. Additionally, the SIB is in data and power communication with the sensors. The system further includes a subsea retrievable data capsule capable of recording all system data over a long period. The capsule may be recovered from subsea (independently of the other elements of the information system) for forensic analysis of the recorded data.

Abstract: A system for determining the location of a piston within an accumulator is provided in which a short circuit is created between elements in the accumulator and the piston which is movable within the accumulator. As the piston moves along the longitudinal axis of the accumulator, the circuit's electrical characteristics (e.g., voltage, resistance, current) vary in accordance with the length of the circuit. Measurement of these electrical characteristics allows for precise determination of the piston location relative to the accumulator. In a commercial embodiment, the invention can be utilized to determine fluid volumes in an accumulator by monitoring the location of the piston. This invention overcomes prior art systems because, inter alia, it does not require electrical sensory equipment, enables remote monitoring, maintains system integrity and functions irrespective of container wall thickness.

Abstract: A status assembly to provide visual and electronic indication of the position (open, closed, in-between) of the ram of a ram-type blowout preventer (BOP). The assembly is capable of coupling with a hydraulic motor that can be used to open and close the ram locks. The status assembly includes a rotatable element protruding from the BOP, a gear rotatable by the rotatable element, and an indicator that indicates the rotation position of the rotatable element and thus the linear position of the BOP ram. Some embodiments can also include a sensor that outputs an electronic signal to the system operator and can be incorporated into the main display for the BOP control system. This device is able to give immediate feedback to operators and to indicate whether each ram has achieved its intended travel.

Abstract: A status assembly to provide visual and electronic indication of the position (open, closed, in-between) of the ram of a ram-type blowout preventer (BOP). The assembly is capable of coupling with a hydraulic motor that can be used to open and close the ram locks. The status assembly includes a rotatable element protruding from the BOP, a gear rotatable by the rotatable element, and an indicator that indicates the rotation position of the rotatable element and thus the linear position of the BOP ram. Some embodiments can also include a sensor that outputs an electronic signal to the system operator and can be incorporated into the main display for the BOP control system. This device is able to give immediate feedback to operators and to indicate whether each ram has achieved its intended travel.