Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for executing an emergency disconnect sequence in shallow water depth includes unlatching a lower marine riser package (LMRP) of a blowout preventer (BOP) from a lower stack of the BOP. The BOP defines a wellbore fluidically coupled to the subsea wellhead. A tubular is disposed within the wellbore. The method further includes shearing the tubular and sealing the wellbore. In response to an indication that a vessel operably coupled to the BOP has failed to keep station, an unlatch sequence and a shear and seal sequence are initiated, such that each sequence occurs at least partially simultaneously. The unlatch sequence includes disconnecting the LMRP from the lower stack, and the shear and seal sequence includes activating the lower stack to shear the tubular in less than about one second and seal the wellbore.

Abstract: Pressure in subsea systems, and accumulators of the subsea systems, may be increased through the use of a supercharge cylinder to generate higher pressures from an initial pressure provided from a surface vessel. The supercharge cylinder may include a piston that can be stroked to increase pressure stored in accumulators located near subsea systems, such as a blowout preventer (BOP). The increased pressure provided by the supercharge cylinder may allow the same number of accumulators to be used in the subsea system but allow additional effective hydraulic fluid to be stored in the accumulators.

Abstract: Some connector assemblies include a female connector having a sidewall extending between first and second ends to define an interior channel, the sidewall having a cylindrical inner surface, and a plurality of lugs extending from and disposed circumferentially along the inner surface, and a male connector having a sidewall extending between first and second ends to define an interior channel, the sidewall having a cylindrical outer surface, and a plurality of lugs extending from and disposed circumferentially along the outer surface, wherein the male connector is configured to be coupled to the female connector such that the sidewall of the male connector is received through the first end of and into the interior channel of the female connector, and at least one of the lugs of the male connector is disposed between at least one of the lugs of the female connector and the second end of the female connector.

Abstract: This disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for coupling one or more auxiliary lines to a subsea well control assembly.

Abstract: This disclosure includes systems and methods for hoisting and/or lowering oil and/or gas well-related loads. Some systems include first and second hoisting systems and a load sharing device configured to be coupled to each hoisting system such that, when a well-related load is coupled to the load sharing device, each hoisting system supports a portion of the weight of the well-related load. In some systems, each hoisting system includes a frame, a crown block coupled to the frame, a travelling block coupled to the crown block via a drill line, and a draw-works coupled to the drill line such that actuation of the draw-works moves the travelling block relative to the frame, and the load sharing device is configured to be coupled to the travelling block of each hoisting system. In some systems, each hoisting system is associated with a respective well operation center of an oil rig.

Abstract: Pressure in subsea systems, and accumulators of the subsea systems, may be increased through the use of a supercharge cylinder to generate higher pressures from an initial pressure provided from a surface vessel. The supercharge cylinder may include a piston that can be stroked to increase pressure stored in accumulators located near subsea systems, such as a blowout preventer (BOP). The increased pressure provided by the supercharge cylinder may allow the same number of accumulators to be used in the subsea system but allow additional effective hydraulic fluid to be stored in the accumulators.

Abstract: Methods for treating tumors are provided comprising the general step of administering to a patient a gene delivery vehicle or vector which directs the expression of an EXT gene, such that growth of the tumor is diminished.