Abstract: Several pre-assemblies holding panels of photovoltaic cells are constructed and pre-wired in a factory. The pre-assemblies are shipped to a solar farm, where they are lifted above posts secured to the ground using, for example, using an excavator connected to an end effector. The pre-assemblies are then connected to the posts and electrically coupled to one another. Such installation of solar panels in a solar farm may be faster and less labor-intensive than other types of installation.

Abstract: A valve for use in a hydraulic circuit to drive a piston is fluidly connected to a first actuating chamber of the hydraulic piston. The valve is piloted to close when the first chamber is pressurized. The valve vents the fluid in the first actuating chamber when the first chamber is not pressurized. The valve permits several fluid supplies connected to the chamber via check valves to be used to drive the piston. The hydraulic piston and hydraulic circuit may be implemented in a blowout preventer operating in a subsea environment to ensure safe drilling of deepwater wells.

Abstract: A detection system and method for a well site is provided. The well site has a surface rig and a surface unit. The surface rig is positioned about a formation and a surface unit. The detection system includes a well site component deployable from the surface rig via a conveyance, well site equipment positioned about the well site and having a bore to receive the well site component therethrough; and base units. The base units include scanners positioned radially about the bore of the well site equipment. The scanners detect an outer surface of the well site component and generate combinable images of the well site component whereby the well site equipment is imaged.

Abstract: A system for handling pipes on a drilling rig includes an elevator suspended from a stand transfer vehicle, a top drive or other lifting device of a drilling rig. The system also includes a rig-floor pipe lifting machine including a fork sized to engage a tool-joint of a pipe. A navigation system includes a controller that can be programmed to autonomously drive the rig-floor pipe lifting machine.

Abstract: A device for retrieving a control pod from a subsea BOP stack or deploying a control pod to a subsea BOP stack includes a base having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end axially opposite the first end. The base includes a plurality of axially adjacent bays positioned side-by-side between the first end and the second end. Each bay is sized to hold one control pod. In addition, the device includes a trolley moveably coupled to the base. The trolley includes a first stall and a second stall axially adjacent the first stall. Each stall is configured to hold one control pod. Further, the device includes a housing fixably coupled to the base. Still further, the device includes a control pod actuation assembly coupled to the housing. The control pod actuation assembly is configured to move the trolley axially relative to the base and the housing to align each stall of the trolley with at least one bay of the base.

Abstract: A method for replacing a first control pod of a BOP stack includes (a) lowering a control pod exchange device subsea. In addition, the method includes (b) coupling the control pod exchange device to the BOP stack. Further, the method includes (c) transferring the first control pod from the BOP stack to the control pod exchange device after (b). Still further, the method includes (d) lifting the control pod exchange device to the surface after (c).

Abstract: Hydraulic circuits for controlling a movable component use one or more of a plurality of fluid supplies. Pressurized fluid flowing from one supply is routed toward the component and is not inadvertently vented into another fluid supply, or into an exit port. A backflow path is provided for fluid returning from the hydraulic component when the component is actuated in a reversed direction. The hydraulic circuits can be used, for example, on blowout preventers in a subsea environment.

Abstract: Cranes and crane systems with high capacity lifting capabilities, as well as versatility and relatively large operational areas. A crane of the present disclosure may have main boom pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis and a luffing assembly configured for luffing the boom about the axis. The main boom may be pivotable in both a forward luffing operation and a reverse or rearward luffing operation. In this way, the main boom may be operable within a range extending up to 180 degrees. Various adjustment mechanisms may be used to shift the main boom from a forward luffing operation to a reverse luffing operation. Additionally, a crane of the present disclosure may have a utility boom rotatable about a substantially vertical axis. The utility boom may allow for added lateral reach of the crane, thus further increasing the operational area of the crane.

Abstract: A system for handling tubulars on a rig may include a top handling device configured for arrangement on the rig and for handling a top portion of a tubular to and from a setback area. The system may also include a lower handling device configured for arrangement on the rig and for handling a bottom portion of the tubular between well center and a release position. The system may also include a bottom handling device configured for arrangement on the rig and for handling the bottom portion of the tubular between the release position and the setback area.

Abstract: Hydraulic circuits for controlling a movable component use one or more of a plurality of fluid supplies. Pressurized fluid flowing from one supply is routed toward the component and is not inadvertently vented into another fluid supply, or into an exit port. A backflow path is provided for fluid returning from the hydraulic component when the component is actuated in a reversed direction. The hydraulic circuits can be used, for example, on blowout preventers in a subsea environment.

Abstract: A system for handling pipes on a drilling rig includes an elevator suspended from a stand transfer vehicle, a top drive or other lifting device of a drilling rig. The system also includes a rig-floor pipe lifting machine including a fork sized to engage a tool-joint of a pipe. A navigation system includes a controller that can be programmed to autonomously drive the rig-floor pipe lifting machine.

Abstract: A method of sealing a wellbore with a blowout preventer (BOP) is disclosed. The method involves providing the BOP with a BOP seal. The BOP has BOP parameters and a fluid flowing through the BOP has fluid parameters. The method also involves simulating erosion of a BOP seal using a BOP model based on the BOP parameters and the fluid parameters, measuring erosion of the blowout preventer seal by performing a lab test of the blowout preventer seal in a tester according to the blowout preventer model, validating the simulating by comparing the simulated erosion with the measured erosion, determining an erosion rate of the blowout preventer seal based on the validated simulating, defining closing parameters based on the determined erosion rate, and operating the blowout preventer rams according to the defined closing parameters.

Abstract: A device for retrieving a control pod from a subsea BOP stack or deploying a control pod to a subsea BOP stack includes a base having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end axially opposite the first end. The base includes a plurality of axially adjacent bays positioned side-by-side between the first end and the second end. Each bay is sized to hold one control pod. In addition, the device includes a trolley moveably coupled to the base. The trolley includes a first stall and a second stall axially adjacent the first stall. Each stall is configured to hold one control pod. Further, the device includes a housing fixably coupled to the base. Still further, the device includes a control pod actuation assembly coupled to the housing. The control pod actuation assembly is configured to move the trolley axially relative to the base and the housing to align each stall of the trolley with at least one bay of the base.

Abstract: A method for replacing a first control pod of a BOP stack includes (a) lowering a control pod exchange device subsea. In addition, the method includes (b) coupling the control pod exchange device to the BOP stack. Further, the method includes (c) transferring the first control pod from the BOP stack to the control pod exchange device after (b). Still further, the method includes (d) lifting the control pod exchange device to the surface after (c).

Abstract: A detection system and method for a well site is provided. The well site has a surface rig and a surface unit. The surface rig is positioned about a formation and a surface unit. The detection system includes a well site component deployable from the surface rig via a conveyance, well site equipment positioned about the well site and having a bore to receive the well site component therethrough; and base units. The base units include scanners positioned radially about the bore of the well site equipment. The scanners detect an outer surface of the well site component and generate combinable images of the well site component whereby the well site equipment is imaged.

Abstract: A connection assembly, system and method for connecting components of a wellsite are provided. The wellsite has a wellbore extending into a subsurface formation, the connection assembly includes a female connector having a cavity extending therein, a floating cartridge having, and a male connector. The female connector or floating cartridge is operatively connectable to a first of the components. The floating cartridge is operatively connectable to the female connector and laterally movable therein. The male connector is receivable in the cavity and is operatively connectable to the second of the components and the floating cartridge such that the male connector and the female connector are movably positionable relative to each other by the floating cartridge whereby a misalignment between the wellsite components is tolerated. The male connector may have a joint pivotally connectable to the floating cartridge.

Abstract: In at least one aspect, this disclosure relates to a wellsite pump for a well site having a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The well site has a conduit to pass a wellsite fluid about the wellsite. The wellsite pump includes a housing having an intake and an outtake, at least one hydraulic motor to pump the wellsite fluid from the intake and through the outtake, at least one driver coupled to the hydraulic motor and movable therewith, and a power source. The intake is in fluid communication with the conduit, and the outtake is positioned a distance upstream of the intake. The hydraulic motor includes a rotor and a stator. The power source drives the driver and the hydraulic motor coupled thereto whereby the wellsite fluid is advance from the conduit to a location upstream therefrom.

Abstract: A tubular and tubular connection for joining adjacent tubulars of a tubular string for passage of fluid therethrough is provided. The tubular connection includes a pin end at an end of a first of adjacent tubulars and a box end at an end of a second of the adjacent tubulars. The pin end has an outer locking surface. The box end has a plurality of fingers at an end thereof with slots therebetween. The fingers are selectively extendable for placement about the pin end of the first of the adjacent tubulars. The fingers having an inner locking surface for interlocking engagement with the outer locking surface of the pin end whereby loads are distributed between the adjacent tubulars.

Abstract: A system for producing mechanical energy. In some embodiments, the system includes a first source providing a first fluid, a fluid pressurization device, a second source supplying a second fluid, a first motor, and a second motor. The fluid pressurization device draws in the first fluid from the first source and increases the pressure of the first fluid. The first motor is driven by the second fluid, the second fluid decreasing in pressure and the first motor powering the fluid pressurization device as the second fluid passes through the first motor. The second motor receives a mixture of the first fluid from the first motor and the second fluid from the fluid pressurization device, whereby the second motor produces the mechanical energy.

Abstract: A cable support, cable support assembly, and method of supporting a cable is disclosed. The cable support includes a body having a base portion and a ball portion with a cable channel to receive a cable therethrough. The body includes a plurality of axial segments movable between an open position to access the cable channel and a closed position to enclose the cable in the channel. The base portion has a cavity to receive the ball portion of another cable support whereby the cable is flexibly supported.