Abstract: A system and method in which a buoyant central docking station captures, lifts and couples one or more other sea vessels is disclosed, wherein a flexible, modularized production system is quickly realized on a cost effective basis. The capabilities of a number of older, less expensive, readily available vessels are combined to achieve an effective FPSO substitute that allows lower producing fields to be explored and produced in a profitable manner. The time horizon between initiation and consummation of field operations is reduced, and older vessels that might otherwise be scrapped or retired are again made useful and seaworthy in a safe and profitable exploration and production environment.

Abstract: A system and method in which a buoyant central docking station captures, lifts and couples one or more other sea vessels is disclosed, wherein a flexible, modularized production system is quickly realized on a cost effective basis. The capabilities of a number of older, less expensive, readily available vessels are combined to achieve an effective FPSO substitute that allows lower producing fields to be explored and produced in a profitable manner. The time horizon between initiation and consummation of field operations is reduced, and older vessels that might otherwise be scrapped or retired are again made useful and seaworthy in a safe and profitable exploration and production environment.

Abstract: A system and method in which a buoyant central docking station captures, lifts and couples one or more other sea vessels is disclosed, wherein a flexible, modularized production system is quickly realized on a cost effective basis. The capabilities of a number of older, less expensive, readily available vessels are combined to achieve an effective FPSO substitute that allows lower producing fields to be explored and produced in a profitable manner. The time horizon between initiation and consummation of field operations is reduced, and older vessels that might otherwise be scrapped or retired are again made useful and seaworthy in a safe and profitable exploration and production environment.

Abstract: A system and method in which a buoyant central docking station captures, lifts and couples one or more other sea vessels is disclosed, wherein a flexible, modularized production system is quickly realized on a cost effective basis. The capabilities of a number of older, less expensive, readily available vessels are combined to achieve an effective FPSO substitute that allows lower producing fields to be explored and produced in a profitable manner. The time horizon between initiation and consummation of field operations is reduced, and older vessels that might otherwise be scrapped or retired are again made useful and seaworthy in a safe and profitable exploration and production environment.

Abstract: A method for measuring non-drilling times during well construction operations includes automatically determining a staring time and a stopping time of at least one non-drilling activity. An elapsed time between the starting time and the stopping time of the activity is recorded. The recorded time is normalized for at least one of a well depth and a water depth.

Abstract: A system and method in which a buoyant central docking station captures, lifts and couples one or more other sea vessels is disclosed, wherein a flexible, modularized production system is quickly realized on a cost effective basis. The capabilities of a number of older, less expensive, readily available vessels are combined to achieve an effective FPSO substitute that allows lower producing fields to be explored and produced in a profitable manner. The time horizon between initiation and consummation of field operations is reduced, and older vessels that might otherwise be scrapped or retired are again made useful and seaworthy in a safe and profitable exploration and production environment.

Abstract: A system for and method of limiting and controlling the unintended subsurface release of an exploration or production riser system is provided including one or more means for anchoring the riser or casing stack at one or more pre-determined points upon the length of the riser, and/or on the housing of an associated buoyancy chamber or the like, and/or on a particular portion of the riser as dictated by the operational environment, and/or on an anchor portion secured in the sea floor; and a network of restraining members disposed on the anchoring means. A lower anchoring portion includes one or more anchors disposed in communication with a wellhead, or with the sea floor or below the sea floor mud line, or with a well casing portion. A network of restraining members forms an essentially continuous connection from the buoyancy member portion to said bottom anchor portion.

Abstract: A system and method in which a buoyant central docking station captures, lifts and couples one or more other sea vessels is disclosed, wherein a flexible, modularized production system is quickly realized on a cost effective basis. The capabilities of a number of older, less expensive, readily available vessels are combined to achieve an effective FPSO substitute that allows lower producing fields to be explored and produced in a profitable manner. The time horizon between initiation and consummation of field operations is reduced, and older vessels that might otherwise be scrapped or retired are again made useful and seaworthy in a safe and profitable exploration and production environment.

Abstract: A system for monitoring auxiliary operations on a drilling unit includes at least one sensor configured to measure a parameter related to a start time and a stop time of at least one auxiliary operation on the drilling unit. The system includes a data acquisition device configured to determine a start time and a stop time of the at least one auxiliary operation from measurements made by the at least one sensor. The data acquisition device includes a data recorder for recording elapsed time between the start time and the stop time.

Abstract: A system for and method of limiting and controlling the unintended subsurface release of an exploration or production riser system is provided including one or more means for anchoring the riser or casing stack at one or more pre-determined points upon the length of the riser, and/or on the housing of an associated buoyancy chamber or the like, and/or on a particular portion of the riser as dictated by the operational environment, and/or on an anchor portion secured in the sea floor; and a network of restraining members disposed on the anchoring means. A lower anchoring portion includes one or more anchors disposed in communication with a wellhead, or with the sea floor or below the sea floor mud line, or with a well casing portion. A network of restraining members forms an essentially continuous connection from the buoyancy member portion to said bottom anchor portion.

Abstract: A system and method in which a buoyant central docking station captures, lifts and couples one or more other sea vessels is disclosed, wherein a flexible, modularized production system is quickly realized on a cost effective basis. The capabilities of a number of older, less expensive, readily available vessels are combined to achieve an effective FPSO substitute that allows lower producing fields to be explored and produced in a profitable manner. The time horizon between initiation and consummation of field operations is reduced, and older vessels that might otherwise be scrapped or retired are again made useful and seaworthy in a safe and profitable exploration and production environment.

Abstract: A system and method of establishing an offshore exploration and production system is disclosed, in which a well casing is disposed in communication with an adjustable buoyancy chamber and a well hole bored into the floor of a body of water. A lower connecting member joins the well casing and the chamber, and an upper connecting member joins, the adjustable buoyancy chamber and a well terminal member. The chamber's adjustable buoyancy enables an operator to vary the height or depth of the well terminal member, and to vary the vertical tension imparted to drilling and production strings throughout exploration and production operations. Also disclosed is a system and method of adjusting the height or depth of a wellhead while associated vertical and lateral forces remain approximately constant. A variety of well isolation members, lateral stabilizers and anchoring means, as well as several methods of practicing the invention, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for monitoring auxiliary operations on a drilling unit includes at least one sensor configured to measure a parameter related to a start time and a stop time of at least one auxiliary operation on the drilling unit. The system includes a data acquisition device configured to determine a start time and a stop time of the at least one auxiliary operation from measurements made by the at least one sensor. The data acquisition device includes a data recorder for recording elapsed time between the start time and the stop time.

Abstract: A system and method in which a buoyant central docking station captures, lifts and couples one or more other sea vessels is disclosed, wherein a flexible, modularized production system is quickly realized on a cost effective basis. The capabilities of a number of older, less expensive, readily available vessels are combined to achieve an effective FPSO substitute that allows lower producing fields to be explored and produced in a profitable manner. The time horizon between initiation and consummation of field operations is reduced, and older vessels that might otherwise be scrapped or retired are again made useful and seaworthy in a safe and profitable exploration and production environment.

Abstract: A system for and method of limiting and controlling the unintended subsurface release of an exploration or production riser system is provided including one or more means for anchoring the riser or casing stack at one or more pre-determined points upon the length of the riser, and/or on the housing of an associated buoyancy chamber or the like, and/or on a particular portion of the riser as dictated by the operational environment, and/or on an anchor portion secured in the sea floor; and a network of restraining members disposed on the anchoring means. A lower anchoring portion includes one or more anchors disposed in communication with a wellhead, or with the sea floor or below the sea floor mud line, or with a well casing portion. A network of restraining members forms an essentially continuous connection from the buoyancy member portion to said bottom anchor portion.

Abstract: A drilling system includes a pressure sensor disposed on a drill string in the wellbore, the sensor responsive to pressure of a drilling fluid disposed in an annular space between a wall of the wellbore and the drill string, and a processor operatively coupled to the pressure sensor. The processor is adapted to operate a drill string release controller to release the drill string into the wellbore so as to maintain an equivalent density of the drilling fluid substantially at a selected value. A method for automatically drilling a wellbore includes measuring pressure of a drilling fluid in an annular space between a wall of the wellbore and a drill string in the wellbore, and automatically controlling a rate of release of the drill string in response to the measured pressure so as to maintain an equivalent density of the drilling fluid substantially at a selected value.

Abstract: A drilling system includes a pressure sensor disposed on a drill string in the wellbore, the sensor responsive to pressure of a drilling fluid disposed in an annular space between a wall of the wellbore and the drill string, and a processor operatively coupled to the pressure sensor. The processor is adapted to operate a drill string release controller to release the drill string into the wellbore so as to maintain an equivalent density of the drilling fluid substantially at a selected value. A method for automatically drilling a wellbore includes measuring pressure of a drilling fluid in an annular space between a wall of the wellbore and a drill string in the wellbore, and automatically controlling a rate of release of the drill string in response to the measured pressure so as to maintain an equivalent density of the drilling fluid substantially at a selected value.

Abstract: A system for cementing a tubular member in a well bore includes a cementing plug. The cementing plug includes at least one sensor. The system transmits a value measured by the sensor to a surface location. The system may transmit the value measured by the sensor through a cable connected between the plug and the surface location. Alternatively, the system may transmit the value measured by the sensor acoustically to the surface location.

Abstract: Methods are provided for metrics-related testing of one or more operational support systems (OSSs) of an incumbent provider for compliance with a regulatory scheme, the method performed by an independent testing entity attempting to emulate a competitive provider that would access the OSSs in attempting to compete with the incumbent provider in an open competitive market. Each method includes an active testing phase in which one or more OSSs are tested. Performance of the incumbent provider during active testing is evaluated according to predetermined evaluation criteria. Test results are generated according to the evaluation and a final report is issued. The final report includes the test results and provides a sufficient basis for a regulatory entity administering the regulatory scheme to determine compliance of the incumbent provider with the regulatory scheme.

Abstract: A method for testing one or more OSSs of an ILEC includes performing one or more actions associated with preparation of a test plan for testing one or more elements of the ILEC OSSs, performing one or more actions associated with implementation of a test plan in testing one or more of the ILEC OSS elements, evaluating the performance of the one or more ILEC OSS elements according to the testing, and generating one or more test results according to the evaluation, each test result corresponding to a particular ILEC OSS element tested.