Abstract: A drilling apparatus comprised of a multiplicity of subassemblies for drilling an open-hole extension from within an existing cased borehole located in a geological formation for the production of oil and gas. In one embodiment, one subassembly includes a motor located within a cased section of the borehole that rotates a drill pipe segment attached to a rotary drill bit in the open-hole to drill the open-hole extension of the well. In another embodiment, a shroud encloses the motor located within the cased portion of the well that is used to control the mud flow to and from the bit in the open-hole during the drilling process.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments disclosed herein is a method of transporting equipment between sea-surface and seafloor by providing a structure with a subsea equipment package mounted thereon. The structure is used for installation and recovery in a subsea environment by changing the buoyancy of the structure or ballasting the structure to effect a controlled sinking motion.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus comprised of a multiplicity of subassemblies for drilling an open-hole extension from within an existing cased borehole located in a geological formation for the production of oil and gas. In one embodiment, one subassembly includes a motor located within a cased section of the borehole that rotates a drill pipe segment attached to a rotary drill bit in the open-hole to drill the open-hole extension of the well. In another embodiment, a shroud encloses the motor located within the cased portion of the well that is used to control the mud flow to and from the bit in the open-hole during the drilling process.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments disclosed herein is a method of transporting equipment between sea-surface and seafloor by providing a structure with equipment mounted thereon. The equipment may be liquid storage tanks, pumps, compressors, separators, metering systems, energy sources, communication systems, buoyancy tanks, and the like. The structure is used for disposal and installation in a subsea environment by changing the volume of buoyancy material within at least one buoyancy tank.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to drill and complete wellbores. Such wellbores include extended reach horizontal wellbores, for example in shales, deep subsea extended reach wellbores, and multilateral wellbores. Specifically, the invention provides simple threaded subassemblies that are added to existing threaded tubular drilling and completion equipment which are used to dramatically increase the lateral reach using that existing on-site equipment. These subassemblies extract power from downward flowing clean mud, or other fluids, in an annulus to provide additional force or torque on tubular elements within the wellbore, while maintaining circulation, to extend the lateral reach of the drilling equipment and completion equipment. These added elements include combinations of The Leaky Seal™, a Cross-Over, The Force Sub™ and The Torque Sub™. The use of such additional simple elements allow lighter drilling equipment to be used to reach a given lateral distance, therefore reducing drilling costs.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments disclosed herein is a method of transporting equipment between sea-surface and seafloor by providing a structure with equipment mounted thereon. The equipment may be liquid storage tanks, pumps, compressors, separators, metering systems, energy sources, communication systems, buoyancy tanks, and the like. The structure is used for disposal and installation in a subsea environment by changing the volume of buoyancy material within at least one buoyancy tank.

Abstract: A liquid storage tank comprising an outer container wherein the outer container is rigid and has at least two inner containers disposed within the outer container. The first inner container contains seawater, and the second inner container contains at least one stored liquid. The at least two inner containers are flexible and pressure balanced while the volume of the outer container remains fixed, and the volumes of the at least two inner containers are variable. The liquid storage tank is provided for disposal and installation in a subsea environment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to drill and complete wellbores. Such wellbores include extended reach horizontal wellbores, for example in shales, deep subsea extended reach wellbores, and multilateral wellbores. Specifically, the invention provides simple threaded subassemblies that are added to existing threaded tubular drilling and completion equipment which are used to dramatically increase the lateral reach using that existing on-site equipment. These subassemblies extract power from downward flowing clean mud, or other fluids, in an annulus to provide additional force or torque on tubular elements within the wellbore, while maintaining circulation, to extend the lateral reach of the drilling equipment and completion equipment. These added elements include combinations of The Leaky Seal™, a Cross-Over, The Force Sub™ and The Torque Sub™. The use of such additional simple elements allow lighter drilling equipment to be used to reach a given lateral distance, therefore reducing drilling costs.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments disclosed herein is a method of transporting equipment between sea-surface and seafloor by providing a structure with equipment mounted thereon. The equipment may be liquid storage tanks, pumps, compressors, separators, metering systems, energy sources, communication systems, buoyancy tanks, and the like. The structure is used for disposal and installation in a subsea environment by changing the volume of buoyancy material within at least one buoyancy tank.

Abstract: A method and system for transporting and processing sour gas are provided. The method includes collecting a sour gas at a collection location, which has an associated sweetening device, and delivering a solvent to the sweetening device from a regeneration device remote therefrom. The sour gas is treated at the collection location with the solvent in the associated sweetening device to form a sweetened gas and a sour gas-rich solvent. The sweetened gas is transported from the sweetening device to a gas processing plant remote therefrom, and the sour gas-rich solvent from the sweetening device is delivered to the regeneration device for regeneration therein.

Abstract: A liquid storage tank comprising an outer container wherein the outer container is rigid and has at least two inner containers disposed within the outer container. The first inner container contains seawater, and the second inner container contains at least one stored liquid. The at least two inner containers are flexible and pressure balanced while the volume of the outer container remains fixed, and the volumes of the at least two inner containers are variable. The liquid storage tank is provided for disposal and installation in a subsea environment.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus comprised of a multiplicity of subassemblies for drilling an open-hole extension from within an existing cased borehole located in a geological formation for the production of oil and gas. In one embodiment, one subassembly includes a motor located within a cased section of the borehole that rotates a drill pipe segment attached to a rotary drill bit in the open-hole to drill the open-hole extension of the well. In another embodiment, a shroud encloses the motor located within the cased portion of the well that is used to control the mud flow to and from the bit in the open-hole during the drilling process.

Abstract: A well conveyance apparatus for conveying equipment into a wellbore possessing long-lasting movable and slidable hydraulic seals against the interior of a borehole casing located within a wellbore in a geological formation in the earth that is caused to move by the application of pressurized wellbore fluids against the seals. The seals are allowed to rotate on bearings about the tool mandrel to prevent the build-up of torque on the seals to minimize wear and to extend the life of the seals. Vibratory means are attached to the tool mandrel to vibrate the sealing portion of the seals, so as the extend the life of the seals and to minimize wear of the seals. Sensor arrays provide information to a computer system that is used to control the vibratory means, pressure relief valves, and other parameters to minimize wear of the hydraulic seals.

Abstract: Method and required apparatus to provide the closed-loop feedback control of a remote electric motor that has specific required operating parameters which is used to turn a rotary drill bit to drill a borehole in the earth that receives electrical energy through a long umbilical possessing insulated electrical conduits that includes the steps of measuring a set of electrical parameters with a multiplicity of sensors located near the electric motor, sending that measured information to a computer on the surface of the earth, comparing the measured information with the required operating parameters within the computer, adjusting an uphole power generator system to adjust its electrical output parameters to provide electrical energy to a portion of the umbilical located on the surface of the earth, repeating the measurements and adjustments to provide the closed-loop feedback control of the electric motor having specific required operating parameters.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to drill and complete wellbores. Such wellbores include extended reach horizontal wellbores, for example in shales, deep subsea extended reach wellbores, and multilateral wellbores. Specifically, the invention provides simple threaded subassemblies that are added to existing threaded tubular drilling and completion equipment which are used to dramatically increase the lateral reach using that existing on-site equipment. These subassemblies extract power from downward flowing clean mud, or other fluids, in an annulus to provide additional force or torque on tubular elements within the wellbore, while maintaining circulation, to extend the lateral reach of the drilling equipment and completion equipment. These added elements include combinations of The Leaky Seal™, a Cross-Over, The Force Sub™ and The Torque Sub™. The use of such additional simple elements allow lighter drilling equipment to be used to reach a given lateral distance, therefore reducing drilling costs.

Abstract: A method and system for transporting and processing sour gas are provided. The method includes collecting a sour gas at a collection location, which has an associated sweetening device, and delivering a solvent to the sweetening device from a regeneration device remote therefrom. The sour gas is treated at the collection location with the solvent in the associated sweetening device to form a sweetened gas and a sour gas-rich solvent. The sweetened gas is transported from the sweetening device to a gas processing plant remote therefrom, and the sour gas-rich solvent from the sweetening device is delivered to the regeneration device for regeneration therein.

Abstract: A well conveyance apparatus for conveying equipment into a wellbore possessing long-lasting movable and slidable hydraulic seals against the interior of a borehole casing located within a wellbore in a geological formation in the earth that is caused to move by the application of pressurized wellbore fluids against the seals. The seals are allowed to rotate on bearings about the tool mandrel to prevent the build-up of torque on the seals to minimize wear and to extend the life of the seals. Vibratory means are attached to the tool mandrel to vibrate the sealing portion of the seals, so as the extend the life of the seals and to minimize wear of the seals. Sensor arrays provide information to a computer system that is used to control the vibratory means, pressure relief valves, and other parameters to minimize wear of the hydraulic seals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for conveying an electrically energized hydraulic pump into a wellbore surrounded by steel casing and thereafter using that hydraulic pump to pump oil, water and gas to the surface of the earth. The apparatus may be used as a well tractor conveyance system to service a perforated steel cased wellbore located in a geological formation that incorporates means to prevent any reverse fluid flow into the geological formation through any perforations in the steel cased wellbore during movement within the wellbore of the tractor conveyance means.

Abstract: Method and required apparatus to provide the closed-loop feedback control of a remote electric motor that has specific required operating parameters which is used to turn a rotary drill bit to drill a borehole in the earth that receives electrical energy through a long umbilical possessing insulated electrical conduits that includes the steps of measuring a set of electrical parameters with a multiplicity of sensors located near the electric motor, sending that measured information to a computer on the surface of the earth, comparing the measured information with the required operating parameters within the computer, adjusting an uphole power generator system to adjust its electrical output parameters to provide electrical energy to a portion of the umbilical located on the surface of the earth, repeating the measurements and adjustments to provide the closed-loop feedback control of the electric motor having specific required operating parameters.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for installing electrically heated composite umbilicals within subsea flowlines containing produced hydrocarbons as immersion heaters to prevent waxes and hydrates from forming within the subsea flowlines that could block the flowlines. The electrically heated composite umbilicals may be installed, or retrofitted, into existing subsea flowlines. Such retrofitted electrically heated composite umbilicals provide an alternative for previously installed, but failed, permanent heating systems. A hydraulic pump installed on the distant end of an electrically heated composite umbilical also provides artificial lift for the produced hydrocarbons. Other electrically heated umbilicals used as immersion heaters are described. Such immersion heater systems may be removed from the well, repaired, and retrofitted into flowlines without removing the flowlines. Near neutrally buoyant electrically heated umbilicals are described which may be installed great distances into flowlines.