Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments related generally to computer vision, graphics, image scanning, shadow casters, shadow caster scanners, and image processing as well as associated mechanical, electrical and electronic hardware, computer software and systems, and wired and wireless network communications to form at least three-dimensional models or images of objects and environments.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments related generally to computer vision, graphics, image scanning, shadow casters, shadow caster scanners, and image processing as well as associated mechanical, electrical and electronic hardware, computer software and systems, and wired and wireless network communications to form at least three-dimensional models or images of objects, scenes, and environments.

Abstract: A shear blade 10 for a downhole apparatus 50 comprises a body portion 12 and a first cutting edge 21 provided at a cutting end of the shear blade 10, the first cutting edge 21 comprising a sharp edge 22 located at or near a central region of the first cutting edge 21 and at least one blunt edge 23 located at or near at least one outer portion of the first cutting edge 21. In an embodiment, the shear blade 10 has a recess or slot 40 which is provided at or near a central region of a shear face 30 and which extends partially between a first side 27 and a second side 28 and which is generally aligned with the sharp edge 22 of the first cutting edge 21 in a plane substantially parallel to an axis of the throughbore and perpendicular to the first cutting edge 21.

Abstract: A shear blade 10 for a downhole apparatus 50 comprises a body portion 12 and a first cutting edge 21 provided at a cutting end of the shear blade 10, the first cutting edge 21 comprising a sharp edge 22 located at or near a central region of the first cutting edge 21 and at least one blunt edge 23 located at or near at least one outer portion of the first cutting edge 21. In an embodiment, the shear blade 10 has a recess or slot 40 which is provided at or near a central region of a shear face 30 and which extends partially between a first side 27 and a second side 28 and which is generally aligned with the sharp edge 22 of the first cutting edge 21 in a plane substantially parallel to an axis of the throughbore and perpendicular to the first cutting edge 21.

Abstract: An apparatus for circulating well fluids in an intervention system is described. The apparatus comprises at least one subsea storage vessel adapted to be located adjacent a subsea intervention system, a first conduit adapted to provide fluid communication between the at least one storage vessel and the intervention system, a second conduit adapted to provide fluid communication between the at least one storage vessel and the intervention system and at least one pump adapted to pump fluid from the at least one storage vessel to the intervention system or from the intervention system to the at least one storage vessel through said first and/or second conduits.

Abstract: A well containment system is described, the system comprises a blow out preventer, the blow out preventer defining a throughbore and including at least one well containment barrier adapted to seal the throughbore, at least one first seal adapted to seal against the lower end of a riser, and at least one second seal adapted to seal against the upper end of a downhole tubular wherein the at least one first seal is located above the at least one well containment barrier and the at least one second seal is located below the at least one well.

Abstract: A subsea winch is described. The subsea winch comprises a housing adapted to be attached to a well intervention system, the housing having an inlet and an outlet and at least one powered sheave arranged between the inlet and the outlet, the or each powered sheave having a surface adapted to form a frictional engagement with a cable passing between the inlet and the outlet via the at least one sheave. In use, a pull force pulling the cable in a downhole direction applied to the cable by a tool string being lowered into the well intervention system is increased by the winch such that the downhole pull force on the cable at the housing inlet is greater than the downhole pull force at the housing outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for remotely running a subsea production tree (12) and desuspending a well is described. The apparatus comprises a tree running tool (16) adapted to be connected to a production tree, at least one downhole tool, at least one of the tools being a plug retrieval tool (22) and a tool deployment device (18) in hydraulic communication with at least the plug retrieval tool to hydraulically operate the plug retrieval tool.

Abstract: A well intervention system is described which has a riser access drive adapted to be located below a vessel, or a rig, work floor. The riser is tensioned and extends from a subsea wellhead to the access device which, in use, is attached to the riser at the location below the work floor. Embodiments of the invention are described.

Abstract: A blow out preventer (10) includes a housing (40) defining a longitudinal throughbore (16) and a ram cavity (34) and at least one pair of opposed rams (12, 14) located in the ram cavity. Each ram includes a seal (18, 24) disposed on an upper surface (20, 26) and the rams are movable transversely across the bore. The blow out preventer further includes at least one seal seat (30) having a seal surface (36) for engaging with the ram seals. There is a seal seat associated with each at least one pair of rams, the seal seat being moveably mounted in the ram cavity. In one embodiment the seal seat continuously engages the rams as the rams move from a cavity open position to a cavity closed position.

Abstract: A riser weak link (10) is described. The riser weak link comprises an upper housing (16) for connecting to a riser upper section (12), a lower housing (18) for connecting to a riser lower section (14), at least one connection device for releasably connecting the upper and lower housings, and a pressure application device (24) adapted to apply a coupling force to the upper housing to at least partially counter a separation force applied, in use, by well pressure, the well pressure separation force acting to separate the upper and lower housings.

Abstract: A ball valve (10) for sealing a conduit (12) is described. The ball valve includes a housing having a throughbore and a valve seat. An apertured ball element (18) is mounted within the housing and is rotatable about an axis of rotation (38) between a throughbore open and a throughbore closed position. The apertured ball element (18) has a first portion (20) and a second portion (22) coupled together which are rotatable and moveable relative to each other. The first portion has a sealing surface for engaging with the valve seat. In use, in the throughbore closed position, the second portion is moveable relative to the first portion to axially displace the first portion from the axis of rotation towards the valve seat such that the sealing surface on the first portion of the apertured ball forms a seal with valve seat.

Abstract: The well bore control valve comprises a housing (12) defining a throughbore (14), the throughbore adapted to receive a first tubular. The valve further comprises first (18) and second gates (20) located within the housing, the gates being movable in different directions transverse to the throughbore between the throughbore open position and the throughbore closed position. Movement of the gates from the throughbore open position to the throughbore closed position, in use, shares a tubular located between the gates. The valve also comprises a first seal seat (22) performing a seal of one of the gates in the throughbore closed position to seal the throughbore. In one embodiment, the gates are axially movable with respect to the throughbore.

Abstract: An apparatus for circulating well fluids in an intervention system is described. The apparatus comprises at least one subsea storage vessel adapted to be located adjacent a subsea intervention system, a first conduit adapted to provide fluid communication between the at least one storage vessel and the intervention system, a second conduit adapted to provide fluid communication between the at least one storage vessel and the intervention system and at least one pump adapted to pump fluid from the at least one storage vessel to the intervention system or from the intervention system to the at least one storage vessel through said first and/or second conduits.

Abstract: A well containment system is described, the system comprises a blow out preventer, the blow out preventer defining a throughbore and including at least one well containment barrier adapted to seal the throughbore, at least one first seal adapted to seal against the lower end of a riser, and at least one second seal adapted to seal against the upper end of a downhole tubular wherein the at least one first seal is located above the at least one well containment barrier and the at least one second seal is located below the at least one well.

Abstract: A subsea winch is described. The subsea winch comprises a housing adapted to be attached to a well intervention system, the housing having an inlet and an outlet and at least one powered sheave arranged between the inlet and the outlet, the or each powered sheave having a surface adapted to form a frictional engagement with a cable passing between the inlet and the outlet via the at least one sheave. In use, a pull force pulling the cable in a downhole direction applied to the cable by a tool string being lowered into the well intervention system is increased by the winch such that the downhole pull force on the cable at the housing inlet is greater than the downhole pull force at the housing outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for remotely running a subsea production tree (12) and desuspending a well is described. The apparatus comprises a tree running tool (16) adapted to be connected to a production tree, at least one downhole tool, at least one of the tools being a plug retrieval tool (22) and a tool deployment device (18) in hydraulic communication with at least the plug retrieval tool to hydraulically operate the plug retrieval tool.

Abstract: A completion suspension valve system is described which allows a well to be suspended and desuspended remotely without a dual bore riser to the surface. This is achieved by incorporating a remotely actuatable valve into the production bore of a tubing hanger. The valve is hydraulically operable and may be controlled via the tubing hanger running tool or via the xmas tree. The valve can be closed and tested after the tubing hanger has been installed, thereby isolating the well. The dual bore riser and running tool are retrievable and the MODU type vessel is then free to continue drilling and completion operations elsewhere. The xmas tree can therefore be deployed from a workclass supply boat instead of a MODU type vessel.

Abstract: A ball valve (10) for sealing a conduit (12) is described. The ball valve includes a housing having a throughbore and a valve seat. An apertured ball element (18) is mounted within the housing and is rotatable about an axis of rotation (38) between a throughbore open and a throughbore closed position. The apertured ball element (18) has a first portion (20) and a second portion (22) coupled together which are rotatable and moveable relative to each other. The first portion has a sealing surface for engaging with the valve seat. In use, in the throughbore closed position, the second portion is moveable relative to the first portion to axially displace the first portion from the axis of rotation towards the valve seat such that the sealing surface on the first portion of the apertured ball forms a seal with valve seat.

Abstract: A bearing mounted ball valve (10) comprises a housing (12) having a throughbore and a valve seat (16) and an apertured ball (18) mounted within the housing in continuous engagement with the valve seat. The apertured ball is rotatable by rotation means (20), about an axis of rotation, between a throughbore open position and a throughbore closed position. The bearing mounted ball valve further comprises bearing means (26) coupled between the apertured ball and the housing for constraining the rotation of the apertured ball about the axis of rotation between the throughbore open and the throughbore closed position. In the throughbore closed position, the bearing means is adapted to release the apertured ball from the axis of rotation to permit the apertured ball to float into a sealing engagement with the valve seat.