Abstract: A locking device for a pair of telescopic tubes which assumes a locked position when the tubes are at rest. The locking device comprises a housing mounted around the telescopic tubes. Located interiorly of the housing is an end fitting and a collet with the collet being tightly pressed into engagement with the inner tube when the housing is in a retracted position. Longitudinal movement of the housing to an extended position will free the collet from the end fitting thereby permitting telescopic sliding movement of the tubes.

Abstract: Composite tubing connector assemblies (10, 10a) comprising elongated tubes (14, 14a) of composite material, with liners (12, 12a) and with the tube having upsets (16, 16a) formed by compression rings (20, 20a) located near each end of the composite tubes and end fittings such as a connector pin (22) and connector box (24) positioned over the upsets (16, 16a) and locked in place by split nuts (26, 26a), pressing the upsets (16, 16a) against the compression rings (20, 20a) within the end fittings. When coupled together in end-to-end relationshiop, a seal ring (26) is placed between the assemblies (10, 10a) to form a liner-to-liner seal. This arrangement allows the composite tube (14) to be formed and the end fittings (22, 24) coupled thereto at a later date, if desired.

Abstract: An upper marine riser package (10/10A) comprising a diverter (D) for diverting uncontrolled gas and return drilling mud therethrough, a flexible joint FJ for allowing tilting motion between a vessel and a riser string (RS), a self-tensioning slip joint (SJ) and riser rotation bearing joint (RB) suspended below said vessel (V) to compensate for vertical motion between a subsea well (W) and a floating vessel (V). The upper marine riser package (10/10A) is sized to be run through a confined opening such as a riser handling spider (HS) and rotary table (RT) and to be suspended and operated below the deck of the vessel (V). The upper marine riser package can be used to eliminate the conventional riser tensioners normally above the platform and can be used in combination with such conventional riser tensioners normally above the platform for deeper and deeper drilling opertion.

Abstract: A device (10) to control the position of a valve (12) in relation to the position of a unidirectionally rotating member (22) includes the use of a valve drive wheel assembly (24) which is movable in a reciprocating rotational manner, a flexible arm assembly (23), and a flexible rod assembly (25). The flexible arm assembly (23) is in operative association with the unidirectionally rotating member (22) and the valve drive wheel assembly (24) for driving the valve drive wheel assembly (24) in rotational reciprocation as the unidirectionally rotating member (22) rotates. Flexible rod assembly (25) linearly reciprocates the valve (12).

Abstract: An anchor connector incorporating a flexible joint (16) for securing the tension legs (14) of a tensioned leg platform. A latch dog head (34) engages a first recess (26) on the fixed member (22) of the flexible joint and a template recess (30) to prevent disconnection when the dog heads (34) and latch carrier (40) are in a lower position. With the latch carrier (40) in an upper position the latch dog heads (34) fit within a second recess (44) in the fixed member with the dog heads claring shoulder (32) of template recess (30), whereby the connector may be released.

Abstract: A mooring system bearing apparatus (28) has a flexible connector (16). The body (32) is connected to a bearing sleeve (52) thru elastomeric bearings 40,42. Stops 44,60 46,62 limit strain of the elastomeric bearings.

Abstract: A wellhead (16) for an exploratory well carries a latch profile ring (24) at a location just above the wellhead housing (14). Accessory modules (38) latch onto this profile (36) while leaving the conventional upper latch profile (28) free for conventional production equipment. The accessory module may carry flowline alignment apparatus (40) to use the exploratory well as a satellite well. It may carry cantilever well modules (70) to permit the drilling of adjacent wells or a retrievable guide pile module (43) to provide placement of a guide pile required for proper placing of a jacket for an offshore platform.

Abstract: A conductor tieback connector for connecting a conductor to a subsea wellhead includes a downwardly extending funnel. Two bearing rings within the funnel interact with the outside surface of the wellhead to generate bending forces to force the tool in alignment with the wellhead. Thereafter a separate lockdown nut secures the connector to the wellhead without rotation of the conductor.

Abstract: A free-standing, marine production riser and a method of installing same for use in deep-water areas to conduct fluids between the marine bottom and the surface. The riser system is comprised of a lower rigid section and an upper flexible section. The lower rigid section has a casing extending from a preset base on the marine bottom to a point just below the zone of turbulence which exists near the surface of the water. A variable-buoyant buoy having a curved upper surface and a central passage therethrough is mounted on the upper end of the casing to support the casing in a substantially vertical position when the casing is in position on the preset base. A remotely actuated connector assembly is provided on the lower end of the casing for connecting the casing to the preset base. A plurality of conduits are run through the passage in the buoy and through guide means in the casing and are remotely connected to mating conduits on the base.