Abstract: A control ball valve that includes a flow path is disclosed. The flow path may be capable of coupling the control valve to a subsea operator. The control ball valve comprises a ball and a seat. The ball includes an outer surface, and a portion of the outer surface comprises a spherical surface. The ball also includes a channel that may be part of the flow path. The ball may be capable of rotating about an axis perpendicular to the channel. The seat includes a sealing surface that mates with the portion of the outer surface of the ball to form a seal. The control valve may be included in a pod. Other embodiments of the present invention include combinations of valves and methods for testing and flushing subsea control ball valve assemblies.

Abstract: A composite metal sealing ring and method are provided for sealing between tubular members. First and second tubular members have first and second conical inner sealing surfaces. A metal sealing ring has corrosion-resistant inlays defining opposing conical outer sealing surfaces for sealing with the first and second conical inner sealing surfaces. The resulting composite sealing ring has the corrosion-resistant benefits of stainless steel at the sealing surfaces, along with the desired expansion ratio of a conventional carbon steel.

Abstract: A connection structure is disclosed for connecting a riser to a subsea wellhead assembly. The connection structure allows components of the tie-back connector (16) to be assembled over the tie-back connector before the tie-back connector is secured to a long stress joint, to avoid the need to maneuver the components over the long stress joint. High strength materials are used in the construction of the stress joint to minimize the effects of stresses in the wellhead connector. The connection fixture provides electrical insulation (34) between the engagement points of the stress joint and the tie-back connector to minimize corrosive galvanic action. The connection structure provides an upwardly facing flange (18) that may be threaded or otherwise connected to the top of the tie-back connector and is adapted to mate with and secure to a downwardly facing flange (12a) carried at the bottom of the stress joint (12).

Abstract: A system and method for subsea drilling/completion. The system comprises a high-pressure riser extending from a semi-submersible platform to a subsea wellhead. A landing string extends along the insider of the riser, and has a surface blowout preventer and at least one subsea blowout preventer attached thereto. A tubing hanger running tool is run from the platform toward the wellhead. In one embodiment, hydraulic control for various functions of the tubing hanger running tool is communicated either through the tubing string or through the riser. In another embodiment, hydraulic control lines for the tubing hanger running tool extend from the platform to the tubing hanger running tool through an umbilical line, which may either run through the tubing string, inside the riser but outside the tubing string, or outside and alongside the riser.

Abstract: A control ball valve that includes a flow path is disclosed. The flow path may be capable of coupling the control valve to a subsea operator. The control ball valve comprises a ball and a seat. The ball includes an outer surface, and a portion of the outer surface comprises a spherical surface. The ball also includes a channel that may be part of the flow path. The ball may be capable of rotating about an axis perpendicular to the channel. The seat includes a sealing surface that mates with the portion of the outer surface of the ball to form a seal. The control valve may be included in a pod. Other embodiments of the present invention include combinations of valves and methods for testing and flushing subsea control ball valve assemblies.

Abstract: A workover system for use with a subsea horizontal tree provides an economical solution when it is not necessary to pull the production tubing out of the well and/or when a subsea drilling BOP is not required. The system utilizes a riser and riser adaptor. An annulus flow line for connection to the annulus is provided with the riser. The workover system is adaptable to multiple configurations for connecting the lower end of the annulus flow line to the subsea horizontal tree for communication with the annulus. For instance, the annulus flow line may be connected to the adapter, or may be connected between the well cap and tubing hanger, or below the tubing hanger. An isolation sleeve may or may not be utilized in various embodiments and may be constructed for sealing and/or latching with different components depending on the embodiment.

Abstract: A subsea production system is disclosed. The subsea production system may comprise a well head, a tubing spool, a tubing hanger, an annulus, a production tree, and a bypass flow path.

Abstract: A method for match lapping a ball valve assembly including a ball and a seat, the method having the following steps: contacting the seat with the ball; rotating the ball about a first rotational axis; rotating the seat about a second rotational axis; and changing an angle formed at the intersection of the first and second rotational axes. The method may include applying lapping compound to one or both of the seat and ball.

Abstract: A composite metal sealing ring and method are provided for sealing between tubular members. First and second tubular members have first and second conical inner sealing surfaces. A metal sealing ring has corrosion-resistant inlays defining opposing conical outer sealing surfaces for sealing with the first and second conical inner sealing surfaces. The resulting composite sealing ring has the corrosion-resistant benefits of stainless steel at the sealing surfaces, along with the desired expansion ratio of a conventional carbon steel.