Abstract: Methods and apparatus for installing deepwater completions and performing well intervention from a vessel that can perform other duties while not running completions or performing interventions. The system for installing deepwater completions and performing well intervention may comprise a surface pipe handling and deployment package including a horizontally operated rig that may also be operated in a slanted mode. Deepwater completions may be deployed from the vessel via a buoyant horizontal riser (BHR), which may be supported by a submerged buoyant tensioning system (BTS). In this manner, the cost of performing completion or intervention operations may be significantly reduced compared to such operations run from a drilling rig.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods used to prevent an operator from inadvertently dropping a string into a wellbore during assembling and disassembling of tubulars. In one instance, an interlock system is used to control the operations of a gripping apparatus connected to the top drive and a spider such that at least one of the top drive or the spider retains the tubular. The interlock system allows the spider to open when the gripping apparatus is supporting a load of the tubular or is in position to support a load of the tubular.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for installing deepwater completions and performing well intervention from a vessel that can perform other duties while not running completions or performing interventions. The system for installing deepwater completions and performing well intervention may comprise a surface pipe handling and deployment package including a horizontally operated rig that may also be operated in a slanted mode. Deepwater completions may be deployed from the vessel via a buoyant horizontal riser (BHR), which may be supported by a submerged buoyant tensioning system (BTS). In this manner, the cost of performing completion or intervention operations may be significantly reduced compared to such operations run from a drilling rig.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to prevent an operator from inadvertently dropping a string into a wellbore during assembling and disassembling of tubulars. In one embodiment, an interlock system is used to control the operations of a gripping apparatus connected to the top drive and a spider such that at least one of the top drive or the spider retains the tubular. The interlock system allows the spider to open when the gripping apparatus is supporting a load of the tubular or is in position to support a load of the tubular.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to prevent an operator from inadvertently dropping a string into a wellbore during assembling and disassembling of tubulars. In one embodiment, an interlock system is used to control the operations of a gripping apparatus connected to the top drive and a spider such that at least one of the top drive or the spider retains the tubular. The interlock system allows the spider to open when the gripping apparatus is supporting a load of the tubular or is in position to support a load of the tubular.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to prevent collisions between one drilling tool and another drilling tool during drilling operations. If the drilling tools reach a certain proximity to one another, a controller takes action to prevent a collision.

Abstract: A new joint compensator and systems with it and methods of their use have been invented which, in one aspect, includes a compensator system for compensating for the weight of at least one joint, which is a wellbore tubular member, the compensating system for use below a wellbore apparatus, the wellbore apparatus for supporting the at least one joint, the compensation system having a joint compensator suspended below the wellbore apparatus and connected thereto for selectively compensating for the weight of the at least one joint, a lower elevator suspended below and interconnected with the joint compensator for releasably holding the at least one joint, and a wellbore elevator connected to the wellbore apparatus for selectively supporting the joint compensator and the at least one joint.