Abstract: A connector for subsea flowlines is disclosed having a metal-to-metal seal affording minimum flexure of the flowline. Each end of the flowline to be connected is provided with a mandrel. One mandrel, designated the flowline mandrel, is provided with a seating surface and an external locking surface. The second mandrel, designated the connector mandrel, is provided with a seating surface adapted for mating relationship with the seating surface of the flowline mandrel with a metal seal disposed therebetween. Additionally, the connector mandrel carries a first sleeve disposed concentrically about it adapted to slide over the end of the connector mandrel into circumferential engagement with the flowline mandrel. A plurality of locking dogs are carried by the first sleeve adapted for engagement with the external locking surface of the flowline mandrel.

Abstract: Marine riser conduit section coupling means adapted to withstand high riser tension and bending loads in deep sub sea well drilling and production operations by preventing stress concentrations has upper and lower coupling members, each being mounted to an associated marine conduit section, and fastening means for securing the coupling members together wherein the outer surface configuration for each said coupling member comprises an effectively continuous arcuate surface extending circumferentially about substantially the entire outer surface of each coupling member from one axial extremity thereof adjacent the associated conduit section to an opposite extremity thereof adjacent outer marginal areas of the associated member flange. The fastening means include threaded bolts and means for preventing their inadvertent removal from a connector flange when disconnected from the mating flange.

Abstract: A heave compensator is disclosed particularly adapted for use in compensating the flow through a riser pipe employed in offshore drilling apparatus for surges and ebbs produced in the flow therein by the rising and falling of the surface platform or vessel in relation to the ocean floor. A telescoping section substantially identical to that incorporated within the riser is carried by the floating platform or vessel at a location remote from the telescoping section of the riser. The compensating telescoping section is connected into the flow pipe on one end and closed at the opposite end. The two telescoping sections are disposed normal to the earth's surface whereby gravity tends to extend the compensating telescoping section. The two lower portions of the respective telescoping sections are interconnected by a flexible cable passing over a sheave carried by the platform or vessel.

Abstract: Improvements in flotation means for subsea well riser wherein the riser is run from a floating vessel and includes one or more buoyancy chambers open in the lower portions thereof to the sea and a gas injection line runs from the vessel to each of the chambers for injecting gas from a source thereof under pressure into each such chamber. The improvements include the provision of means for controlling the bleeding off of gas from within each of the chambers to reduce the buoyancy thereof thereby making the flotation of the riser completely adjustable. A check valve may be provided between the injection line and the chambers for limiting the introduction of gas into the chambers from the injection line until a predetermined pressure of the gas in the injection line is reached.

Abstract: A flexible supportive joint is provided between a buoyancy chamber of flotation means and a sub-sea well riser conduit upon which the flotation means is mounted. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, such flexible supportive joint comprises an assembly of coaxial, telescopically oriented pipe sections with a cylindrical elastomeric member bonded therebetween to flexibly join the two sections in load bearing relation, one section being connected to the riser conduit with the other section being connected to the flotation means buoyancy chamber. In a first alternative exemplary embodiment, the flexible supportive joint is provided by a ball and socket-like connection while in a second alternative construction, the flexible supportive joint is provided by a combination of an elastomeric member in load bearing relation with coaxial conduit sections and a ball and socket-like joint between the sections.