Abstract: A protector for protecting the internal bore of a pipeline bend from a line being pulled through the pipeline bend during servicing operations including a first liner section which will travel along the pipeline to the pipeline bend but which will not pass through the pipeline bend, a one or more of second liner sections which will pass through the bend but are connected to the first liner section, releasably connecting the liner sections to a service pig, pulling the liner sections into the pipeline with the service pig until the first liner section encounters the bend and stops, continuing travel with the service pig and releasing the service pig from the liner sections, and constraining a line connected to the service pig to be positioned within the liner sections rather than contacting the pipeline bend.

Abstract: A means of alleviating or preventing flooding in geographic areas which are normally drained by slow moving water in ditches, rivers, bayous or other waterways of relatively shallow slope by using a water thrusting means to add kinetic energy and therefore velocity to a portion of the water, mixing the portion back in the main body of water in a downstream direction to increase the average velocity downstream of the main body of water, and thereby move water away from the flooding area to a remote area more quickly than would occur naturally.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to a system and method of constructing drilling and production platforms that are particularly useful in remote, inaccessible and/or environmentally sensitive operating environments. According to one aspect of the invention, an arctic drilling platform is provided wherein various methods and means of interlocking neighboring platform modules are provided. Methods and means for sealing the intersections formed between a plurality of interlocked platform modules are also disclosed. According to further aspects of the invention, improved platform floor plans are provided, and various wellhead cellar layouts and sealing means are also described. Methods and means of enhancing the usefulness of modular storage platforms are disclosed, and a number of support post installation and removal techniques are also provided.

Abstract: A method of providing for the dynamic positioning of a vessel comprising providing a dynamically positioned service boat, linking the service boat to the vessel by a rigid link with a first connection between the link and the vessel, a second connection between the link and the service boat, the combination of connections having 3 degrees of rotational freedom, said supply boat having one degree of axial freedom relative to said vessel, and using the power of the service boat to dynamically position said vessel in a desired location.

Abstract: A method of supporting a double hull platform section above the surface of the earth for the exploration of oil, gas, or hydrate reserves comprising lowering a platform to a distance above the surface of the earth, engaging a first set of supports with the surface of the earth, drilling holes in the earth, inserting a second set of supports in the drilled holes, adding a slurry in to the drilled holes, allowing the slurry to freeze to support the platform, and disengaging said first set of supports from the earth.

Abstract: A mass transit system providing for the exiting of a first vehicle from a first lower track to the opposite side of a second lower track without entering the space occupied by a second vehicle traveling along the second lower track, comprising providing an upper track suspended above the first track, providing for upper wheels on the first vehicle which will engage the upper track at a location where the upper track is suspended above the first lower track, and curving upper third track upwards to a height such that the first vehicle is above the space occupied by the second vehicle traveling along the second lower track and curving the upper track over the space occupied by the second vehicle traveling along the second lower track.

Abstract: In the j-laying of a pipeline from an offshore floating vessel, the method for raising a pipe section from a horizontal position proximate the deck of the floating vessel to alignment with a mast for being connected to the end of the pipeline, comprising providing a main support arm which is pivoted from a horizontal position to a position parallel to the mast, providing a rotational axis mounted on the main support arm, providing grabbers mounted on the rotational axis to engage the pipe section on the deck, rotating the grabbers about the center of the rotational axis from a position below the rotational axis to a second position above the rotational axis, pivoting the main support arm and the pipe section to a position parallel to the mast, and delivering the pipe section to the mast.

Abstract: The method of operating a subsurface safety valve and preventing or remediating the formations of hydrate, wax, or paraffin solids in the well bore of an oil or gas well comprising coating the external area of the intermediate portion of a string of tubing to electrically insulate said intermediate portion of said string of tubing, inserting said surface control valve into a well bore pipe on a string of tubing, electrically grounding said surface control valve to said well bore pipe, communicating an electrical signal from the surface along said string of tubing, to said surface control valve, and along said well bore pipe back to said surface, closing said surface control valve upon the interruption of said electrical signal, and using the electrical resistance of said string of tubing to heat the wall of said string of tubing.

Abstract: A method of remediating deposits within a pipeline comprising inserting a removable smaller pipe within said pipeline, providing an electrically insulating coating on said smaller pipe, providing a contactor proximate said distal end of said smaller pipe to electrically contact said internal diameter of said pipeline, flowing an electrical current along the wall area of said internal pipe, through said contactor, and along the wall area of said pipeline to generate heat within said smaller pipe to remediate blockages within said smaller pipe.

Abstract: A method of providing for seawater supply to an offshore jackup rig comprising suspending a pump from a hose which is unreeled from a reel on the jackup rig, the hose comprising fluid flow capacity for allowing seawater to be pumped from ocean depths up to the jackup rig, axial tensile capacity members within the wall of the hose to support the pump and the column of pumped water, and electricity carrying members within the wall of the hose to power the pump, a gland for the insertion of an electrical umbilical within the internal bore of the hose, and laying the hose horizontally on the deck of the jackup to insert the electrical umbilical within the hose.

Abstract: The method of providing an accumulator for the storage of pressurized liquids by the use of a pressurized gas, comprising providing for the storage of said pressurized gas, providing for the storage of said pressurized liquids which are pressurized by said pressurized gas, moving said accumulator to a location of lower environmental temperatures, and increasing the temperature of said pressurized gas to increase the pressure of said gas and therefore to increase the pressure of said pressurized liquid.

Abstract: An elastomeric flex joint is provided with a rotational bearing so that torsional stress is relieved by slip of the rotational bearing. In a first embodiment, the flex joint is designed to resist flexing from a mean position at which there is a substantial bend of axial direction, and the rotational bearing does not normally slip. An adjustment mechanism reduces the loading on the elastomeric flex element and the rotational bearing so that the bearing will slip during an initial orientation or during an adjustment of the joint. In a second embodiment, all small torsional deflections are absorbed by the elastomeric flex element, and large torsional deflections are absorbed by the rotational bearing. This is desirable because the elastomeric flex element has a greater fatigue capacity for small oscillations than the rotational bearing. An elastomeric clutch can be used to precisely control the break-out torque.