Abstract: In the process of suspending a subsea hydrocarbon well (1) after finalizing the completion operation and prior to stimulation of the well and putting the well on production, preinstalled upper and lower glass plugs (11, 12) are used as temporary barriers in the tubing. The plugs allow various tests to be performed before the lower plug (12), below the production packer (10), is broken; the upper plug (11) located above the downhole safety valve (13) then forms one of the barriers required to suspend the well whilst the Blow Out Preventer (BOP) is removed and Xmas tree installed, at which point the upper plug (11) is broken.

Abstract: The invention relates to the alignment of a tubing hanger (14) when installed in a subsea wellhead (11). Sensors (39a,b; 40a,b) detect when the orientation is correct and send a signal to the surface to provide positive confirmation of correct orientation, before a XMT (15) is installed on the wellhead (11) and the HP riser (31) removed, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to the drilling of subsurface oil and gas wells and the installation of subsurface equipment (11). A lifting vessel 7 brings heavy equipment such as Xmas trees or manifolds and wet parks this equipment (11) on the seafloor (5) during good weather when the significant wave height is low. The equipment (11), once it is underwater, has much lower weight and may easily be moved into place onto a wellhead (10) at an appropriate time using lower capacity lifting gear. The timing of this operation is much less sensitive to weather conditions because the equipment does not need to pass through the splash zone (sea surface). This makes for efficient use of expensive drilling rig time, and allows for acceleration of production of first wells on the template as critical heavy lifts could not else be done until rig has left the location. (FIG. 1).

Abstract: The invention relates to the drilling of subsurface oil and gas wells and the installation of subsurface equipment (11). A lifting vessel 7 brings heavy equipment such as Xmas trees or manifolds and wet parks this equipment (11) on the seafloor (5) during good weather when the significant wave height is low. The equipment (11), once it is underwater, has much lower weight and may easily be moved into place onto a wellhead (10) at an appropriate time using lower capacity lifting gear. The timing of this operation is much less sensitive to weather conditions because the equipment does not need to pass through the splash zone (sea surface). This makes for efficient use of expensive drilling rig time, and allows for acceleration of production of first wells on the template as critical heavy lifts could not else be done until rig has left the location. (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A system and method for creating a subsea well for the production or injection of hydrocarbons, fluids, or gases which can include installing an assembly having a subsea template and at least one conductor housing installed in a slot in the template. A drill string can be passed through the at least one conductor housing and drill directly into the seafloor to create a first bore associated with the slot in the template. The bore can be of a diameter suitable for a surface casing and the surface casing can be passed through the conductor housing and into the bore.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for monitoring strain data on a subsea wellhead and associated tubing especially during a drilling or completion operation when the wellhead is connected via a riser to a drilling rig. The bending stresses on the wellhead assembly can be modelled and monitored, based on strain data from strain gauges attached to the conductor, surface casing and possibly also inner tubing. The strain gauges are located where maximum bending stresses occur, at around seafloor level. Data from the strain gauges is transmitted by radio to a receiver unit on the template, from which it may either be transmitted to the surface or stored and retrieved by divers or subsea vehicles.

Abstract: The invention relates to the cleaning of a wellbore including a reservoir liner 3 and an upper portion 2 of the wellbore, by running in only one string into the wellbore and performing a reservoir liner cementing operation, displacing the cement 7 with completion fluid 8, followed using the same string to circulate mud in the upper completion, perform an inflow test on the reservoir liner 3, wash the upper completion and displace it to completion fluid 8.

Abstract: The cleaning of a wellbore which has a casing in its upper part and a reservoir liner at its lower end by running only one string into the wellbore to cement the liner in place and to clean both the liner and the upper part of the well. Thus, the entire well is made ready for completion in a single trip.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a subsea well for the production or injection of hydrocarbons, fluids, or gases which can include installing an assembly having a subsea template and at least one conductor housing installed in a slot in the template. A drill string can be passed through the at least one conductor housing and drill directly into the seafloor to create a first bore associated with the slot in the template. The bore can be of a diameter suitable for a surface casing and the surface casing can be passed through the conductor housing and into the bore.

Abstract: The invention relates to the cleaning of a wellbore including a reservoir liner 3 and an upper portion 2 of the wellbore, by running in only one string into the wellbore and performing a reservoir liner cementing operation, displacing the cement 7 with completion fluid 8, followed using the same string to circulate mud in the upper completion, perform an inflow test on the reservoir liner 3, wash the upper completion and displace it to completion fluid 8.

Abstract: Systems and methods contain fluids discharged from a subsea well or at the surface by capping the well blowout with a pre-positioned capping device and diverting flow of hydrocarbons to a secondary location for disposal/handling in situations where casing integrity is compromised preventing ability to close in the flow of the hydrocarbons. The capping device includes at least one blind shear ram and is separate from a blowout preventer. Different personnel offsite of a rig drilling the well may have access and control to operate the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods contain fluids discharged from a subsea well or at the surface by capping the well blowout with a pre-positioned capping device and diverting flow of hydrocarbons to a secondary location for disposal/handling in situations where casing integrity is compromised preventing ability to close in the flow of the hydrocarbons. The capping device includes at least one blind shear ram and is separate from a blowout preventer. Different personnel offsite of a rig drilling the well may have access and control to operate the device.

Abstract: Data gathering device for in situ gathering of formation data from a borehole wall of a well in an open borehole comprises at least one movable measuring probe structured to be movable out from a well pipe to be able to establish contact with the borehole wall; at least one activation device structured in a manner allowing it to cause said measuring probe movement; at least one measuring sensor which, for measuring at least one formation-associated parameter, is connected to the measuring probe; and at least one data registration device which, for registration of measured parameters, is connected to the measuring sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of separating, in a production well, water from a water- and hydrocarbon-containing production flow emanating from at least one surrounding production formation; and also of injecting, in the production well, a resulting water-containing liquid into at least one surrounding disposal formation, whilst a resulting hydrocarbon-containing liquid is produced out of the production well. The water-containing liquid is separated from the production flow by using at least one water separation device being exposed to a pressure difference (P1-P2) that sucks water from the production flow and through the water separation device. Said water-containing liquid is thus provided. The water separation device may, for example, comprise at least one hydrophilic and water-permeable material. The pressure difference (P1-P2) may be provided through suitable adjustment of a gas pressure (P3) in a first gas column at a downstream side of the water separation device.

Abstract: A gas-driven pumping device and a method for downhole pumping of a liquid from at least one liquid source in a well and onto at least one receiving region for the liquid. The pumping device comprises a pressure manipulation chamber having a lower chamber portion and an upper chamber portion, wherein the pressure manipulation chamber is connected in a flow-communicating manner to a liquid supply channel; a liquid discharge channel; a gas supply channel; and a gas discharge channel. By alternately lowering and increasing the gas pressure (Pchamber), liquid is pumped from the liquid source and onwards to the receiving region via the pressure manipulation chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of separating, in a production well, water from a water- and hydrocarbon-containing production flow emanating from at least one surrounding production formation; and also of injecting, in the production well, a resulting water-containing liquid into at least one surrounding disposal formation, whilst a resulting hydrocarbon-containing liquid is produced out of the production well. The water-containing liquid is separated from the production flow by using at least one water separation device being exposed to a pressure difference (P1-P2) that sucks water from the production flow and through the water separation device. Said water-containing liquid is thus provided. The water separation device may, for example, comprise at least one hydrophilic and water-permeable material. The pressure difference (P1-P2) may be provided through suitable adjustment of a gas pressure (P3) in a first gas column at a downstream side of the water separation device.

Abstract: When production testing a permeable first formation, fluid flowing out from the first formation is subjected to a pressure measurement and a flow rate control. In order to avoid bringing up the fluid flowing out during the production test to a surface position, where the fluid's inherent explosion and fire risk as well as poisonousness would cause substantial problems, a fluid flow path is arranged for fluid transfer between the first formation to be production tested and a second permeable formation. The fluid flow path is preferably constituted by a channel-forming pipe. From this channel, the second permeable formation receives the fluid and keeps it for some time. In the position of use, the apparatus is assigned sealing devices such as annulus packers, which are placed such that fluid flow between the formations is limited to only follow the fluid flow path.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for performing production testing in open holes and in cased holes that avoid transporting formation fluid to the surface. The invention essentially comprises a test string for testing a production zone intersecting a wellbore. The string further comprises a fluid communication member allowing flow of fluid therethrough, a sealing device for isolating a production zone intersecting the wellbore to allow fluid flow from the production zone into the fluid communication member, a second sealing device spaced apart from the first sealing device for isolating a second injection zone intersecting the wellbore, a pump for pumping fluid between zones, and flow control devices.

Abstract: When production testing a permeable first formation (4), fluid flowing out therefrom is subjected to a pressure measurement and a flow rate control. In order to avoid bringing up the fluid flowing out during the production test to surface position where the fluid's inherent explosion and fire risk as well as poisonousness would cause substantial problems, a fluid flow path arranged for fluid transfer between the formations (4, 6) is established between said first formation (4) to be production tested and a second permeable formation (6), said fluid flow path which, in a suitable apparatus, is constituted by a channel-forming pipe (8). From this channel second permeable formation (6) receives said fluid and keeps it for some time. In the position of use, the apparatus is assigned sealing means, i.a. annulus packers (10, 11, 12) which are placed such that fluid flow between the formations (4,6) is limited to only follow said fluid flow path.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for performing production testing in open holes and in cased holes that avoid transporting formation fluid to the surface. The invention essentially comprises a test string for testing a production zone intersecting a wellbore. The string further comprises a fluid communication member allowing flow of fluid therethrough, a sealing device for isolating a production zone intersecting said wellbore to allow fluid flow from said production zone into said fluid communication member, a second sealing device spaced apart from said first sealing device for isolating a second injection zone intersecting said wellbore, a pump for pumping fluid between zones, and flow control devices.