Abstract: A release assembly for operating a remote mechanism such as a subsea well connector includes a funnel-shaped body adapted to engage the well connector and a movable arm adapted to engage and disengage a locking cap of the well connector and provide lifting force in order to actuate the locking cap.

Abstract: An improved metal-to-metal seal packoff system for establishing a high pressure metallic barrier between concentric tubular elements, such as a wellhead housing and a casing hanger, including a seal element with a pair of annular metal sealing lips that are energized by the wedging force of an expander mandrel having a cross-sectional configuration resembling a tuning fork with depending legs.

Abstract: A well casing suspension system comprising a casing hanger assembly with an expandable, multiple shoulder, split load ring that is radially expanded into supporting position in a mating groove in a wellhead housing by contact with a previously installed annulus packoff.

Abstract: A subsea well casing suspension system whereby each of a plurality of concentric casing strings and its hanger is directly and totally supported on the wellhead housing, independently of all the other strings and their hangers, by a plurality of load ring slips that are components of a packoff assembly for an earlier installed casing string. When the packoff assembly is pressure tested following its installation, the load ring slips rise off the assembly and expand into their mating wellhead housing groove wherein they function to transmit the total hang load of the next casing string and hanger directly to that housing.

Abstract: A stem-operated fire-resistant gate valve including an improved metal-to-metal stem backseat a eutectic ring assembly for facilitating automatic stem backseating at pre-selected temperatures, spring enhancement of the backseating procedure, and a lost motion connection between the valve stem and the valve closure element.