Abstract: A well completion system having a spool tree body defining a vertical bore extending therethrough. The vertical bore defines an annular recess adjacent to the lateral production fluid outlet port in the spool tree body. A tubing hanger is connected to the spool tree body. The tubing hanger defines a vertical production bore extending therethrough and has at least a lateral production fluid flow port. The tubing hanger is positioned within the vertical bore such that the lateral production fluid flow port in the tubing hanger is in flow communication with the lateral production fluid outlet port in the spool tree body. There is a removable plug that seals the vertical production bore extending through the tubing hanger above the lateral production fluid outlet port in the spool tree body. A stopper means seals the vertical bore extending through the spool tree body above the removable plug.

Abstract: A coupling element having two ends, and outer surface and a longitudinal axis extending between the ends, wherein the first end of the coupling element defines a sealing surface where extends normally to the longitudinal axis and the outer surface of the other end defines a cam follower surface forming an angle on the range of from about 2 to about 10 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis and wherein the second end defines the cam follower surface and the coupling element defines a passage extending from the sealing surface to the outer surface and apparatus comprising the coupling element and valve elements.

Abstract: A tree running tool is provided which has a means for actuating a latch for latching a side valve tree to a wellhead. Also disclosed is a tree running tool having an external axially movable actuator, preferably in the form of a sliding piston sleeve which is capable of exerting great forces. Also disclosed is a tree running tool having an external connector unit for connecting the tree running tool to a side valve tree. The connector unit is preferably mounted to the sliding piston sleeve and is for axially mechanically connecting the tree running tool to a linkage extending upwardly from the side valve tree.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining two flowlines, one having an external flanged end and the other an enlarged flaring portion at one end. A ball with an axial flow passage is seated in receptacle cavities formed in said ends and in fluid-tight sealing engagement therewith. A collar is sleeved and clamped about the flared end of the second flowline by bolts which connect the first flowline flange with the collar. Piston drive means are provided for driving against the collar to stretch the bolts by an amount sufficient to release the second flowline member and allow limited articulated movement of the second flowline without compromising the seal effectiveness of the joint.

Abstract: In accordance with certain preferred aspects of the present invention, there is provided tree running tool with a mechanical mechanism for unlatching the tree running tool from a side valve tree. The tree running tool is formed from a tool body, a stem, a telescoping element, a retractable spacer, a means for moving the spacer, and a means for attaching the telescoping element to a lift device. The tool body has an upper end, a lower end, and a longitudinal axis. The stem is fixedly attached to the upper end of the tool body and extends axially therefrom. The stem has a lower end attached to the tool body and a generally annular flange at a position spaced apart from the tool body. The telescoping element is positioned alongside the stem. The telescoping element has a generally annular flange at a position between the generally annular flange of the stem and the tool body.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in subsea well completion systems is provided. The apparatus has an isolation sleeve and an extension sleeve. The isolation sleeve has a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis defined between the first end and the second end. The isolation sleeve has a generally tubular shape. The extension sleeve has a first end attached to the second end of the isolation sleeve to form an assembly comprising the isolation sleeve and the extension sleeve, a second end, and a longitudinal axis that is coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the isolation sleeve. Like the isolation sleeve, the extension sleeve has a generally tubular shape.

Abstract: A method for connecting a subsea wellhead to a subsea manifold by an articulated flowline comprised of a plurality of flowline segments joined in series by adjustable ball joint connectors each of which comprises a plurality of bolts for clamping the joined segments in a fixed position and means for stretching the bolts by applying a force which does not exceed the yield strength of the bolts to loosen the connection. The method includes attaching one end of the flowline to an outlet of the wellhead, adjusting each of the ball joint connectors to configure the flowline as necessary for attaching the other end of the flowline to the manifold, and attaching said other end of the flowline to the manifold.

Abstract: A subsea wellhead assembly comprises a subsea wellhead, a spool body assembly, a helix, and a tubular bore protector. The spool body assembly is mounted to the wellhead and has an inside surface defining a vertical bore. The spool body assembly has an upper end, a lower end, and a lateral production fluid outlet port. The helix is formed from a tubular member and is positioned in a lower portion of the spool body assembly. The helix has a generally cylindrical outer surface defining an outer diameter and a generally cylindrical inner surface defining an inner diameter, an upper end and a lower end. The tubular member has an organ pipe-shaped cut in the upper end so that the upper end is generally elliptically shaped and forms a pair of arcuate ramps to orient a tubing hanger. The tubular bore protector body has an upper end, a lower end, and a longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A well completion system for a side valve tree that has a precision cut low profile helix that can be used in completing a wellbore where the bore is substantially curved is provided. The well completion system has a typical spool body assembly having an inside surface defining a vertical bore extending therethrough and having at least a lateral production fluid outlet port. The spool body assembly has a helix is positioned at the lower end. The helix has a tubular member having a generally cylindrical outer surface defining an outer diameter and a generally cylindrical inner surface defining an inner diameter, an upper end and a lower end. The tubular member has an organ pipe-shaped cut in the upper end so that the upper end is generally elliptically shaped to form a pair of arcuate ramps which meet at an apex at the upper end and at a longitudinally extending slot near the lower end and a means for attaching the helix to the spool body assembly.

Abstract: A lateral connector for a tube assembly has a modular unit which can be used to establish a lateral connection through the sidewall of a tubular member positioned around it. The modular unit has a carrier ring, a coupling element, and a carrier body. The coupling element can move radially but not axially. The carrier ring has generally cylindrical inside and outside surfaces. The coupling element is carried by the carrier ring. The coupling element has a longitudinal axis which is generally radially positioned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the carrier ring. The coupling element has an inner end and an outer end and the outer end has a sealing face.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a tubular assembly having a lateral connection. The assembly comprises a spool body, a carrier ring, penetrators, and an urging means.The carrier ring is built to carry the radial penetrator(s) for the carrier body. The carrier ring is mounted in sliding relationship, concentric with the carrier body. The ring is spring loaded down relative to the carrier body, against a stop shoulder (device) there. This fixes or at least stabilizes the ring on the body during running into the spool body or retrieving from the spool body.The carrier ring fits into the spool body and seats on a stop in the spool body. The carrier body also seats in the spool body, but on a different stop.Radially extending penetrators are mounted in radial ports or passages in the carrier ring, and are fixed to control fluid lines which conduct the fluid down into the well. The penetrators can move radially relative to the ring, but not axially.