Abstract: An apparatus for automatically closing a bottom safety valve in a pumped oil well in case of a cessation of pumping, and reopening the valve when pumping resumes. A conventional valve pump is installed in the production tube. A channel, which is connected to the production tube, passes through the valve body, and is blocked by a controllable flap. The valve body also contains a second channel, the two channels communicating by means of a cavity which is located upstream of the flap. A push rod slidably retained in the second channel is actuated by a piston for opening and closing the flap. A conduit connects the downstream portion of the production tube to an admission chamber and thereby transmits pressure to the piston; such that, when the downstream pressure of the valve pump is greater than that at the bottom of the well, the flap remains open; and when the difference in the pressures is reversed, the push rod causes the flap to close.

Abstract: This invention concerns the connection and disconnection of well-pipes in an articulated structure level with the articulation.The device comprises a length of flexible pipe, at one end of which is an adapter containing a sealing device, a positioning device and a locking device, and at the other end of which is another adapter containing a sealing device and a locking device, these sealing, positioning and locking devices being designed to fit into upper and lower receptacles, the upper receptacle consisting of the lower end of the tubing pipe, and the lower receptacle consisting of the upper end of the seabed pipe, the whole connection-disconnection device being able to pass through the upper receptacle.This connection-disconnection device is specially designed for use in articulated hydrocarbon-production installations.

Abstract: This invention concerns the connection and disconnection of well-pipes in an articulated structure level with the articulation.The device comprises a length of flexible pipe, at one end of which is an adapter containing a sealing device, a positioning device and a locking device, and at the other end of which is another adapter containing a sealing device and a locking device, these sealing, positioning and locking devices being designed to fit into upper and lower receptacles, the upper receptacle consisting of the lower end of the tubing pipe, and the lower receptacle consisting of the upper end of the seabed pipe, the whole connection-disconnection device being able to pass through the upper receptacle.This connection-disconnection device is specially designed for use in articulated hydrocarbon-production installations.

Abstract: A device for connecting two underwater pipes, one prolonged by a terminal and the other by a receptacle for the terminal. The device comprises separate, reversible means for securing and sealing the terminal in the receptacle, and also comprises a tension tool comprising a tension chuck secured to the end of a tension cable, the cable extending through the receptacle and the second pipe, and a plug connected to the chuck by an articulated connecting means having a length variable between a minimum and a maximum greater than the distance between the plug and the opening of the terminal, the chuck and the plug having releasable locking means and sealing means in the terminal. The device is adapted for connecting an underwater pipe to a tubular column, inter alia a production column at the foot of an oil rig.

Abstract: A riser pipe consists of a plurality of sections of production pipe which are centered and free to slide axially in a guide shaft. The guide shaft is fixed to a pivoted structure and the riser pipe comprises a lower section which is connected at one end to piping at the bottom of the water by means of a remotely controlled releasable connector and at the other end to the penultimate section of the pipe by a connector which is longitudinally slidable to the said guide shaft. The bending stresses on the pipe may be distributed over the length of a lowermost section which may be removed and replaced from the surface.