Abstract: A modular undersea oil production plant having at least one satellite unit whose product is conveyed by a collector pipe (10) towards a central structure (4) in which operating modules (5,6) are grouped together, said product being removed from said operating modules, wherein said satellite unit has a wellhead (1) linked by a connector (13) to the upper portion of a pipe (44) in a drill hole, an individual auxiliary module (3) which can be raised being associated with said wellhead, said module containing the control and operation components and being connected firstly to said wellhead by a first connector (23) and secondly to one end of said collector pipe (10) by a second connector (24), said wellhead (1) and said auxiliary module (3) being installed on a template (2) in two distinct cavities whose shape is complementary to that of said wellhead and of said auxiliary module which has means for disconnecting it from the collector pipe and from the wellhead and for removing it from the template (2), said disc

Abstract: Remotely operated tool for performing functions at underwater installations. Tools according to the invention are especially useful for remote retrieval and installation of wireline bushings in hollow guide posts. Particularly advantageous embodiments of the tool are fluid pressure operated, include means for performing at least two functions, successively, and respond to a single pressure fluid input rather than requiring successive inputs.

Abstract: Connectors, particularly remotely operated connectors used to connect underwater well members under large clamping forces, are provided with rigid rolling antifriction elements engaged between a camming surface and a cam follower surface for converting axially directed operating motion into radial movement of a contractible and expansible annular locking means.

Abstract: Connector, particularly for use in underwater well installations, for securing members together under large clamping forces. The connector is characterized by two successive stages of actuation of a locking means, typically a split ring or set of arcuate segments, with the actuating force of the second stage being applied by camming surfaces via low friction means to establish a high compressive preload without use of especially large power devices.

Abstract: A remotely releasable connector for a pair of pipes including first and second sets of engageable threads on the first and second pipes, first and second aligned recesses on the exterior of the pipes, a latch received in both recesses to prevent relative rotation of the pipes, and a release ring supported around the exterior of the pipes and longitudinally movable therealong to engage the latch to remove it from the locking position.

Abstract: A cap for an underwater Christmas tree having locking probes to lock down the operating rods of a connector connecting the Christmas tree to an underwater wellhead housing. The tops of the operating rods are housed within hollow canisters at the top of the Christmas tree.The cap includes a body having circumferentially disposed locking dogs housed therein for engagement with the top of the Christmas tree. The dogs are actuated by a cam ring which telescopically receives the body and has a tapered surface for sliding over a correlatively tapered surface on each of the dogs. The body includes a metal gasket seal for sealing engagement with the top of the Christmas tree, and seals are provided between the cam ring and body.The cap has downwardly extending locking probes which extend telescopically into the canisters above the operating rods. The locking probes each include a housing and a releasable tubular piston slidably disposed in the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to installation of underwater equipment, more specifically for use in oil-fields.This new device for connecting and disconnecting a guide line between an installation on the seabed and a floating platform comprises a cylindrical adapter, free to rotate on its own axis, and provided with means of guiding, directing, positioning lengthwise and locking into a cylindrical sleeve, forming the upper portion of a guide post fixed to the underwater installation. The locking mechanism comprises at least one locking head, which extends out from and can be detached from a locking bar. The lower edge of this locking head forms a retracting cam, while the horizontal upper surface forms a locking edge.Such a device can be used to connect and disconnect the guide line by remote control, from a floating platform.

Abstract: A marine compliant riser system is provided for attaching a flexible flowline to a buoyed conduit riser section. The improved system includes a releasable yoke assembly for receiving flexible flowline with a means for holding flexible flowline termination.Quick-disconnect yoke attachment means support and lock the yoke assembly onto horizontal buoy-mounted support means. A fail-safe release means is provided for pulling an unreleased yoke attachment away from the support arm in the event of an opposite end release.The system is particularly adapted for emergency disconnect of a subsea wellhead or production gathering system from a floating vessel.

Abstract: A well tool such as a multiple string tubing hanger is installed remotely with the aid of a handling tool which has a hydraulically actuated component and a locator device movable between a retracted inactive position and an extended position in which the locator device engages in a locator slot in a surrounding member to orient the well tool in a predetermined rotational position relative to the surrounding member, a pressure fluid conduit of the handling tool being connected to the hydraulically actuated component and a valve associated with the locator device in parallel so that full pressure on the hydraulically actuated component cannot be built up except when the locator key is in its extended position.

Abstract: A manifold unit is connected to a running tool and pipe and run into position in a receptacle on a subsea template or platform to establish a flow path between fluid passages in the receptacle. Fluid supplied through the running pipe forces locking elements into locking engagement with the receptacle and the unit is forced into seating engagement in the receptacle to make a seal between the unit and the flow passages. The unit is retrievable by engaging another pipe in the unit and supplying pressure to release the locking elements.

Abstract: A riser column particularly for use in deep water comprises a central tube connectable by its lower end to a submerged installation, for example a well, and including means permitting the central tube to oscillate relative to the installation, and connected at its upper end to a suspension table associated with a surface support, for example a platform, and bearing support means intermediate its ends at a level below that at which waves are effective, and a plurality of satellite tubes arranged around the central tube, each satellite tube having a bottom part extending from the intermediate support means to the submerged installation and a removable top part extending from the support means to suspension table and releasably connected to the bottom part thereof for withdrawal from the column following disconnection of the column from the installation, for example, in the event of a storm.

Abstract: First and second pipes supported substantially vertically in a subsea location with a breech block connector connecting the pipes together, the said breech block connector comprising male and female elements, one of which has longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced lugs thereon and the other of which has at least one longitudinally extending stop positioned to engage one of the lugs to limit relative rotation of the members when making up the connection, a longitudinally movable latch member on the other breech block element resiliently biased in a position to engage one of said lugs on the side opposite the stop to prevent relative rotation of the breech block elements in a direction to disconnect them, and a hydraulic cylinder having a piston and piston rod therein connected to the latch member, with biasing means applied to the piston to bias the latch into engagement with the lug and means for applying hydraulic fluid under pressure to both ends of said hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: There is disclosed a riser pipe having telescoping sections which are held in retracted position by a part which is adapted to sever upon application of a predetermined tensile load, and a fluid-actuated connector at its lower end which is adapted to be released from connection with a blowout preventer stack at the upper end of an underwater wellhead automatically in response to extension of said sections upon severance of said part.

Abstract: A latching and unlatching system for connecting a riser pipe to the casing in a subsea well. A split-circumferential ring fits into mating grooves in the male end of the casing and the female end of the riser. A releasing tool runs on a drill pipe suspended within the riser pipe and has a number of radially extendible pistons actuated by hydraulic pressure through the drill pipe to expand the split ring out of the casing groove to the grooved recess of the riser pipe. This releases the riser pipe from connection with the casing so it can then be raised.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated subsea test tree is disclosed for placement in a blowout preventer stack position on a sea floor above an oil well wherein fluid pressure from one side a set of rams is directed to a first side of a ball valve operating piston, and fluid pressure on the second side of said operating piston is directed to an area on the other side of the set of rams. By closing the rams and applying fluid pressure to the one side of the rams, the ball valve is moved from the closed to the opened position. Tandem ball valves are disclosed, each of which are hydraulic pressure operated to open, and spring operated to close such that the ball valves close when pressure on either side of the blowout preventer rams is equalized. A quick release is also disclosed which operates to release a stinger from a conduit leading to the surface when pressure is applied to one side of a second set of closed rams above the pressure which exists in the annulus exterior of the quick release mechanism.

Abstract: An improved safety apparatus for automatically sealing hydraulic lines within a sub-sea well casing when said casing is disconnected from an associated well head connector and Christmas tree assembly, has mandrel means associated with a well head connector assembly and valve means generally coaxially aligned within and to the casing means for controlling fluid flow through associated hydraulic lines, the valve means being moved into a valve-opened position by the mandrel means as the well head connector assembly is landed on the well casing head. Bias means associated with the valve means are provided for urging the valve means into a valve-closed position to seal the hydraulic lines when the mandrel means is withdrawn from the valve means. Hydraulic fluid flow is through passages through the mandrel, the valve means and associated portions of the well head connector and casing head, respectively.

Abstract: An improved safety apparatus for automatically sealing hydraulic lines within a sub-sea well casing when said casing is disconnected from an associated well head connector and Christmas tree assembly, has mandrel means associated with a well head connector assembly and valve means generally coaxially aligned within and to the casing means for controlling fluid flow through associated hydraulic lines, the valve means being moved into a valve-opened position by the mandrel means as the well head connector assembly is landed on the well casing head. Bias means associated with the valve means are provided for urging the valve means into a valve-closed position to seal the hydraulic lines when the mandrel means is withdrawn from the valve means. Hydraulic fluid flow is through passages through the mandrel, the valve means and associated portions of the well head connector and casing head, respectively.