Abstract: The invention relates to a gear assembly (10) for use in a space craft for control of a moveable component thereof. The assembly comprises a load gear (11) in engagement with a drive gear (12) and an auxiliary gear (13). The drive gear (12) is coupled to a drive motor (14) so as to drive the load gear (11) in a first rotational direction. The auxiliary gear (13) is coupled to a retardation device (15) that is configured to passively resist the load gear (11) from rotating in the first rotational direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gear assembly (10) for use in a space craft for control of a moveable component thereof. The assembly comprises a load gear (11) in engagement with a drive gear (12) and an auxiliary gear (13). The drive gear (12) is coupled to a drive motor (14) so as to drive the load gear (11) in a first rotational direction. The auxiliary gear (13) is coupled to a retardation device (15) that is configured to passively resist the load gear (11) from rotating in the first rotational direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for recovery of sections of tubing and inter alia, the tubing hanger, from a subsea well to enable the abandonment of a subsea well to be accomplished from a mono-hull vessel includes a dual gripper assembly (1) adapted for onshore or offshore deployment is configured to handle oilfield tubulars and associated completion equipment and configured for attachment to a wellhead structure and subsequent reciprocation cycles whereby oilfield tubulars can be run-in hole or pulled to surface without requiring a riser. A cutter mechanism (22) is disclosed for severing sections of tubular to form a clean cut end for attachment of a connection mandrel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rig assembly for use in the oil and gas exploration and production industry. In an embodiment of the invention, a rig assembly (12) for a drill ship (10) is disclosed. The rig assembly (12) comprises a rig floor receiving area (14); a plurality of movable rig floor units (18, 20, 22 and 24), each rig floor unit (18, 20, 22 and 24) configured for location in the rig floor receiving area (14), to thereby define a rig floor of the rig assembly (12); and a transporter (26) configured to receive any one of the rig floor units (18, 20, 22 and 24), for transporting a selected one of the rig floor units (18, 20, 22 and 24) from a storage area (28) to the rig floor receiving area (14).

Abstract: There is disclosed an actuator for delivering a supplementary force to the piston of a shear ram in a blowout preventer (BOP), and a corresponding BOP. In one embodiment, a supplementary force actuator (12) is disclosed for use on a hydraulic ram (10), the actuator comprising an actuator body (30) connected to the hydraulic ram; first and second chambers (38, 36) located in the body, the chambers isolated from each other by an actuator piston (46); a rod (42) connected to an operating piston (24) of the hydraulic ram, passing through the first chamber and the actuator piston, and extending into at least a portion of the second chamber; wherein the actuator piston is releasably engageable to the rod by gripping means (48); and wherein the hydraulic ram is operated by a force from movement of the operating piston and by a supplementary force from movement of the actuator piston.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tubing support assembly for supporting tubing utilised in the oil and gas exploration and production industry, a vessel including such a tubing support assembly, and a method of deploying such tubing from a vessel. In one embodiment, a tubing support assembly (12) is disclosed which includes a tubing support in the form of a tension frame (20) that receives and supports tubing such as a casing riser (14) to be deployed from a drillship (10). The tension frame (20) is movable relative to a deck (22) of the drillship (10) and can be located below a level of the deck (22), to facilitate deployment of the tubing (14) from the drillship (10) to a seabed (37).