Abstract: A connection between a riser and a receptacle of a floating platform may be preloaded to reduce fatigue. The platform has a receptacle with upper and lower grooved profiles. A hanger is connected to the upper end of the riser. The hanger has a latch that engages the lower grooved profile in the receptacle to resist downward pull of the riser. A tieback connection inserts from above into the receptacle. The tieback connection has an outer member that lands on the hanger. The outer member has a latch that engages the upper grooved profile. The tieback connection also has an inner member with a set of internal threads. Threads on the inner member engage threads on the latch, rotating the inner member relative to the outer member exerts an outward force on the tieback connection latch. As the latch is pushed into the tieback grooved profile, a downward preload force is created, which passes to the hanger latch.

Abstract: A connector for tying back a riser from a subsea wellhead to a platform, wherein the wellhead has an internal wellhead housing with external grooves thereon. The connector having a plurality of dog members carried within a cavity which engage the external grooves. The dog members are actuated by axial movement of a piston linked to a cam ring. The connector has a plurality of transfer members located within the cavity to support the dog members and transfer upward loading to the wellhead housing during tension on one side due to bending. Further, the connector has a release ring which forces the dog members out of engagement with the external grooves when the connector is released.

Abstract: A connector for tying back a riser from a subsea wellhead to a platform, wherein the wellhead has an internal wellhead housing with external grooves thereon. The connector having a plurality of dog members carried within a cavity which engage the external grooves. The dog members are actuated by axial movement of a piston linked to a cam ring. The connector has a plurality of transfer members located within the cavity to support the dog members and transfer upward loading to the wellhead housing during tension on one side due to bending. Further, the connector has a release ring which forces the dog members out of engagement with the external grooves when the connector is released.

Abstract: A bottom connector for the tendon of a tension leg platform uses a latch ring with an outer profile to engage a mating profile in a receptacle on the sea floor. The latch ring moves radially within a housing, relative to the receptacle, between an engaged position and a retracted position. The latch ring engages the receptacle by lowering the connector into the receptacle below the mating profile and then lifting it until the latch ring locks into the receptacle. The latch ring disengages the receptacle by lowering the connector beyond a recess located below the mating profile and then lifting the connector out of the receptacle. As the connector is lifted above the recess, a retaining ring is actuated by the recess to retain the latch ring in its retracted position.

Abstract: A segmented ring forms a set of latches for a tendon top connector on a floating platform. The latches reside in a housing and have either a groove or thread profile on an upper internal surface. The grooves interface with a mating groove profile on the tendon. The latches rotationally pivot backward and forward from the outer portion of the bottom surface. When the latches are forward, the profile in the internal surface engages the mating profile of the tendon top joint. When the latches are swung out, these profiles clear and permit the top joint to pass through the connector. Retraction of the latches is provided by application of force on the inside surface of an annular extension on the outer portion of the latches. This force can be provided by a variety of actuators. This top connector allows for passive dynamic engagement of the connector to the tendon top joint. When the latches are permitted to move inward, contact is made with the mating profile on the tendon top joint.

Abstract: A subsea wellhead system is used in areas which have shallow water producing sands. A first string of casing extends from the sea floor through a section of conductor pipe and below the conductor pipe to a point above the water sand. An external wellhead housing having flow ports is supported at the upper end of the conductor pipe. A valve sleeve is located on the exterior of the external wellhead housing. The valve sleeve is movable to a closed position, closing the flow ports. A second string of casing is installed to a point below the water producing formation. An internal wellhead housing is secured to the upper end of the second string of casing, which lands within the external wellhead housing. During cementing of the second string of casing the flow ports are open. After cementing, the valve sleeve is moved to the closed position.

Abstract: A tieback adapter will connect a tieback string between a subsea wellhead assembly and a platform at the surface. The tieback adapter has a housing in which a sub is carried. The sub has a lower end which contains a seal for sealingly engaging an internal sealing surface of a casing hanger located within the subsea wellhead assembly. The sub is connected on its upper end to the tieback string. The housing has a locking element which locks to an internal locking profile of the subsea wellhead assembly. A retainer carries the sub in an upward position within the housing while the tieback adapter is being lowered into the subsea wellhead assembly. A release device will release the retainer from the sub in response to the landing of the housing in the subsea wellhead assembly. This allows the sub to move downward. A cam surface on the sub simultaneously moves the locking element into engagement with the locking profile and the subsea wellhead assembly housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for tensioning a riser that extends from a floating platform to a subsea wellhead has hydraulic cylinders. The hydraulic cylinders attach between the platform and the riser in a cluster with the axis of the riser substantially parallel with the axes of the hydraulic cylinders. A guide sleeve within the cluster transfers bending moments of the riser to the platform.

Abstract: A connector employs a segmented nut and a seal. The connector includes a housing with a bore having a bowl in it. A shaft extends through the bore, the shaft having exterior threads. Segments are carried on the bowl and move between a upper retracted position to an engaged position. A drive system slides the segments down and rotates them until threads from the segments align with the shaft threads. Each segment has a resilient seal which also has a portion of a thread for sealing against the threads of the shaft. An actuator will move the seals from an outboard position which occurs during rotation to a sealing position after rotation.

Abstract: A tension leg platform utilizes a top connector for the tendons that has ratcheting segments. Each segment includes a carrier located above and a lower portion containing grooves for engaging the upper end of the tendon. Springs locate between the carrier and the segments. An actuator will move the carriers downward from an upper position to a lower position. The springs allow ratcheting axial movement between the segments and the carriers. The ratcheting movement occurs as the housing moves downward relative to the tendons.

Abstract: A tension leg platform top connector will connect a tendon to the platform. The top connector has a housing with a bore containing a conical shoulder. Several segments locate on the conical shoulder and will slide between an upper retracted position to an engaged position. In the engaged position, threads on the interior of the segments will engage threads formed on the exterior of the tendon. A cam plate will slide the segments down when the cam plate is rotated. A guide ring mounts outward of the segments. The guide ring has fingers that engage slots in the backs of each of the segments. The fingers and vertical slots allow the segments to move axially, but prevent them from rotating relative to the guide ring. A clutch ring applies a frictional force to the guide ring to resist rotation until the segments engage the tendon threads.

Abstract: A tube has a deflection section to allow it to align between two bores which are substantially coaxial. The tube has an inner wall, an outer wall, a first end and second end. The first end of the tube rigidly connects to the first member. The second end of the tube slidingly extends into the bore of the second member. The deflecting section has circumferential inner and outer grooves. These grooves extend in from the inner and outer walls of the tube. Each of the grooves has an axial thickness that is much less than the distance between the grooves. The axial thickness is also less than the radial dimension between the base of each groove and the adjacent wall of the tube. This provides substantial rigidity to the deflecitng section, yet allows slight deflection.

Abstract: A tubular connector system is disclosed for joining two pipe ends without the necessity of rotating the pipe ends. One pipe end is provided with an external thread and a second pipe end includes multiple thread lead entries. The tubular connector includes an internal thread at one end and internal multiple thread lead entries at the other end. The tubular connector is first threaded onto the first pipe. Next, the second pipe is stabbed into the second end of the tubular connector and the tubular connector is then rotated less than a single turn with respect to the second pipe to fully mate the tubular connector and the second pipe. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the tubular connector is provided with resilient seals and a slot and tab arrangement to restrict rotation after make-up.

Abstract: A drill ahead tool for drilling the initial portion of a subsea well allows an operator to drill ahead after running conductor pipe. The running tool locates in the wellhead housing secured to the upper end of the string of conductor pipe. The running tool has a mandrel that connects into the string of drill pipe. The mandrel locates in a sleeve. The sleeve locates in a body of the running tool. The body has dogs which engage a groove in the wellhead housing to secure the running tool to the wellhead housing while the conductor pipe is being run. The sleeve has a cam on its exterior for maintaining the dogs in the extended position. The drill pipe rotates the sleeve to advance the cam to allow the dogs to be retracted. The mandrel and sleeve have a J-slot and pin that allow the mandrel to be released from the sleeve to continue drilling ahead.

Abstract: A method for a cutting locking tab 56 and tool for a selected configuration on a joint (a pin (12a) and box (16a) threaded together). The pin has longitudinal slot(s) 24a and the box (16a) has inner and outer peripheral grooves (44,46) forming shear lines (50) to enhance the shearing to form the locking tab (56).The essential feature is the elimination of clocking, i.e., a predetermination of the relative orientation of the box and pin during manufacture.

Abstract: A method and tool for a cutting locking tab 56 of a selected configuration on a joint (a pin (12a) and box (16a) threaded together). The pin has longitudinal slot(s) 24a and the box (16a) has inner and outer peripheral grooves (44,46) forming shear lines (50) to enhance the shearing to form the locking tab (56).The essential feature is the elimination of clocking, i.e., a predetermination of the relative orientation of the box and pin during manufacture.

Abstract: A snap type pin and box connector. A plurality of box diameters 24, 28, 32 interact with a plurality of pin diameters 36, 40, 44, 48 and 50 to produce a minimum clearance at an intermediate location 28, 44. The box load shoulder 56 is chamfered 54, as is a portion K of the split lock ring 14 adjacent to the split.