Abstract: A tubular pin member is received within a tubular box member. The pin member includes a reduced diameter portion forming a shoulder having an annular groove in the shoulder. A metal seal ring of aluminum bronze is shrink fitted onto the outer diameter wall of the annular groove. The tubular box member and the tubular pin member have cooperable connection means connecting the tubular members. The metal seal ring sealingly engages the box thereby establishing a metal-to-metal seal between the tubular members. Pressure in the flow bore of the tubular members applies a force to the inner diameter of the metal seal ring to enhance the metal-to-metal sealing engagement between the seal ring and the outer diameter wall and the box.

Abstract: Safety valves and control apparatus for generally inaccessible fluid storage facilities wherein a closure mechanism may be attached to an access conduit at an accessible control location and inserted with the conduit into a casing or outer conduit, which closure mechanism may be actuated by control mechanism from the accessible control location to open or close the access conduit or the annulus between the access conduit and the casing, as desired, to permit or interrupt fluid flow, respectively therein. In an underground storage reservoir with access facilities including an outer casing and an inner conduit, separate closure mechanisms may be attached to the inner conduit and inserted therewith along and within the casing to the reservoir, and may be actuated independently to open or close the annulus between the outer casing and inner conduit, and the inner conduit, to thereby control fluid flow in either or both, as desired.

Abstract: Safety valves and control apparatus for generally inaccessible fluid storage facilities wherein a closure mechanism may be attached to an access conduit at an accessible control location and inserted with the conduit into the storage facilities, which closure mechanism may be actuated by control mechanism from the accessible control location to open or close the access conduit at the remote storage facilities to permit or interrupt fluid flow, respectively. In an underground storage reservoir with access facilities including an outer casing and an inner conduit, separate closure mechanisms may be attached to the inner conduit and inserted therewith along and within the casing to the reservoir, and may be actuated independently to open or close the annulus between the outer casing and inner conduit, and the inner conduit, to thereby control fluid flow in either or both, as desired.

Abstract: A flexible connection apparatus is disclosed for accommodating relative movement between a compliant offshore structure and the sea floor. The compliant offshore structure supports a fluid-carrying system which conveys fluids between the sea floor and the structure. The fluid-carrying system includes a riser and a helical flowline. The lower end of the riser is connected to the sea floor. The first end of the helical flowline is connected to the upper end of the riser and the second end of the helical flowline is connected to the structure. As the compliant offshore structure is displaced from its vertical equilibrium position due to loading forces induced by wind, waves, and ocean currents, the helical flowline elastically flexes through torsional deflection to accommodate such movement. In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus, a wellhead is connected between the riser and the helical flowline such that the centerline of the helical flowline is substantially vertical.

Abstract: A method and three embodiments for continuously removing a film of pollutant, as oil, from floating on the water solely by gravity forces is disclosed. One apparatus comprises a closed top collecting vessel or tank of water elevated above the oil covered water with a large conduit extending from the bottom of the tank down into the oil, so that as the oil continuously and uninterruptedly floats up internally of the conduit and tank to the top of the tank, the water is simultaneously and continuously displaced and sinks down through the tank and conduit to the water below. With a plurality of tanks filled with water mounted not higher than 33 feet on a barge being pulled behind a barrier for gathering and banking up the oil just ahead of the barge, a floating pollutant or oil removal system is formed by extending conduits from the bottoms of the water tanks sloping downwardly over the barrier into the floating oil.