Abstract: A top drive includes a hydraulic motor in fluid communication with first inlet for a supply of pressurized drilling fluid. A drill string adapter is mechanically coupled to the hydraulic motor and is in fluid communication with the first inlet.

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 marine riser includes a plurality of central pipes assembled end to end to form a main conduit. A plurality of tension members runs the length of the main conduit. The tension members are coupled to the main conduit to support and constrain an axial motion of the main conduit.

Abstract: A dual-flow valve includes an inner valve body defining a first flow path and an outer valve body circumscribing the inner valve body. The outer valve body and the inner valve body define a second flow path. The dual-flow valve includes a valve element disposed across the first flow path and the second flow path. The valve element has a first passage for selective flow alignment with the first flow path and a second passage for selective flow alignment with the second flow path. A dual flow swivel includes an upper and lower swivel body, with the lower body adapted to rotate relative to the upper body. Two separate flow paths extend through the swivel bodies allowing upwardly and downwardly directed flows through the swivel bodies.

Abstract: The techniques herein relate to a ram assembly for a blowout preventer for receiving a tubular of a wellbore. The ram assembly includes a ram block for engagement with the tubular, a ram shaft for selectively extending and retracting the ram block, and a ram connector for operatively connecting the ram shaft to the ram block. The ram block has at least one block groove. The ram shaft has a ram head with at least one shaft groove. The ram connector includes at least one shear connector correspondingly disposable in the block groove and the shaft groove whereby the ram shaft is releasably securable to the ram block.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sealing a wellbore are provided. The system is for sealing a wellbore having a pipe therein for the passage of fluid therethrough. The system is provided with a BOP positionable about the pipe and at least one seal assembly positionable about the BOP. Each of the seal assemblies comprises a plurality of blocks positionable within the BOP, at least one actuator for selectively moving the blocks to a contact position surrounding the pipe and a plurality of pipe seals for creating a seal about the pipe. The seals are carried by the plurality of blocks. At least one of the pipe seals in each block is selectively extendable therefrom for sealing engagement about the pipe after the blocks are moved to the contact position whereby the pipe seals are prevented from extending between the blocks as the blocks are moved to the contact position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sealing a wellbore are provided. The wellbore has a pipe therein for the passage of fluid therethrough. The system is provided with a BOP positionable about the pipe and at least one seal assembly positionable about the BOP. Each of the seal assemblies has a plurality of blocks positionable within the BOP, at least one actuator for selectively moving the blocks to a contact position surrounding the pipe, and a plurality of pipe seals carried by the blocks for creating a seal about the pipe of the wellbore. Each block has an opening extending into a cavity therein. Each pipe seal is positionable in one of the cavities and flowable through the opening thereof as the blocks are moved into the contact position whereby at least a portion of a pressure applied to the pipe seals is released from the blocks.

Abstract: The techniques herein relate to a blowout preventer a tubular of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The blowout preventer includes a housing having a bore therethrough, a segment carrier positionable in the housing, and a piston. The segment carrier includes a carrier ring for receiving the tubular and a plurality of segments pivotally movable radially thereabout. The piston is operatively connectable to the plurality of segments and actuatable for moving the plurality of segments between a disengaged and an engaged position about the tubular.

Abstract: The techniques herein relate to a blowout preventer a wellhead of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The blowout preventer includes a housing having a bore therethrough, a segment carrier positionable in the housing, and a piston. The segment carrier includes a carrier ring for receiving the mandrel and a plurality of segments pivotally movable radially thereabout. The piston is operatively connectable to the plurality of segments and actuatable for moving the plurality of segments between a disengaged and an engaged position about the mandrel.

Abstract: A dual-flow valve includes an inner valve body defining a first flow path and an outer valve body circumscribing the inner valve body. The outer valve body and the inner valve body define a second flow path. The dual-flow valve includes a valve element disposed across the first flow path and the second flow path. The valve element has a first passage for selective flow alignment with the first flow path and a second passage for selective flow alignment with the second flow path. A dual flow swivel includes an upper and lower swivel body, with the lower body adapted to rotate relative to the upper body. Two separate flow paths extend through the swivel bodies allowing upwardly and downwardly directed flows through the swivel bodies.

Abstract: Techniques for continuously circulating fluid into a drill string are provided. These techniques involve a circulation sub (108) including a tubular and a diverter valve (200A). The tubular has a first end connectable to the drill string, a second end connectable to a pipe segment, and a port (220) therein. The tubular has a fluid path (202) for allowing the fluid to flow from the pipe segment to the drill string and a circulation path (204) for allowing the fluid to flow from the port to the drill string. The diverter valve has a channel therethrough in selective fluid communication with the fluid path. The diverter valve is positionable between a flow through position for selectively allowing the fluid to flow through the fluid path and a diversion position for selectively allowing the fluid to flow through the circulation path whereby the fluid may continuously flow through the drill string.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sealing a wellbore are provided. The system is for sealing a wellbore having a pipe therein for the passage of fluid therethrough. The system is provided with a BOP positionable about the pipe and at least one seal assembly positionable about the BOP. Each of the seal assemblies comprises a plurality of blocks positionable within the BOP, at least one actuator for selectively moving the blocks to a contact position surrounding the pipe and a plurality of pipe seals for creating a seal about the pipe. The seals are carried by the plurality of blocks. At least one of the pipe seals in each block is selectively extendable therefrom for sealing engagement about the pipe after the blocks are moved to the contact position whereby the pipe seals are prevented from extending between the blocks as the blocks are moved to the contact position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sealing a wellbore are provided. The wellbore has a pipe therein for the passage of fluid therethrough. The system is provided with a BOP positionable about the pipe and at least one seal assembly positionable about the BOP. Each of the seal assemblies has a plurality of blocks positionable within the BOP, at least one actuator for selectively moving the blocks to a contact position surrounding the pipe, and a plurality of pipe seals carried by the blocks for creating a seal about the pipe of the wellbore. Each block has an opening extending into a cavity therein. Each pipe seal is positionable in one of the cavities and flowable through the opening thereof as the blocks are moved into the contact position whereby at least a portion of a pressure applied to the pipe seals is released from the blocks.

Abstract: A blowout preventer including, in certain aspects, a main body, a bonnet movably connected to the main body, the bonnet having a bonnet channel with interior threading, a ram shaft with a first portion extending through the main body and a second portion extending through the bonnet, the ram shaft having a ram shaft channel therein and an outer end, a ram connected to the ram shaft for selectively engaging a pipe, a locking assembly for selectively locking the ram shaft, the locking assembly including a torquing shaft with a portion within the ram shaft channel, the torquing shaft having an external end projecting beyond the bonnet, a locking shaft secured to the torquing shaft, the locking shaft having exterior threading for threadedly engaging the interior threading of the bonnet channel, and the locking shaft rotatable within the bonnet channel to abut the outer end of the ram shaft to releasably lock the ram shaft in position.

Abstract: A blowout preventer including, in certain aspects, a main body, a bonnet movably connected to the main body, the bonnet having a bonnet channel with interior threading, a ram shaft with a first portion extending through the main body and a second portion extending through the bonnet, the ram shaft having a ram shaft channel therein and an outer end, a ram connected to the ram shaft for selectively engaging a pipe, a locking assembly for selectively locking the ram shaft, the locking assembly including a torquing shaft with a portion within the ram shaft channel, the torquing shaft having an external end projecting beyond the bonnet, a locking shaft secured to the torquing shaft, the locking shaft having exterior threading for threadedly engaging the interior threading of the bonnet channel, and the locking shaft rotatable within the bonnet channel to abut the outer end of the ram shaft to releasably lock the ram shaft in position.