Abstract: A riser assembly includes a riser with a first and second riser joint, an auxiliary line, and a first and second flange. The auxiliary line has an auxiliary line joint which connects a first and second auxiliary line section. The auxiliary line joint has a first joint assembly connected to the first auxiliary line section, and a second joint assembly connected to the second auxiliary line section. The first and second joint assembly each have a bearing surface. A bearing surface of the first flange engages the bearing surface of the first joint assembly. A bearing surface of the second flange engages the bearing surface of the second joint assembly. The bearing surface of the first flange or of the first joint assembly also has a rocker formation which contacts the bearing surfaces of the first flange and of the first joint assembly while permitting a relative angular movement therebetween.

Abstract: The invention provides a remotely activated connecting device for connecting a wellhead and or Christmas tree positioned on a wellhead to a fracing tree that may comprise a collet system for selectively engaging and disengaging from a threaded, spiral, and or flange shoulder that may utilize hydraulics for same.

Abstract: Well centre assembly for an offshore drilling rig and associated method. There is described a well centre assembly 10 for an offshore drilling rig. The well centre assembly 10 comprises a diverter assembly 16 and a movement control system 18. The movement control system 18 is operable between the diverter assembly 16 and a supporting structure 12 of the rig. In use, the movement control system 18 controls or permits relative movement between the diverter assembly 16 and the supporting structure 12. A connector such as a riser 34 connected to the diverter assembly 16 during deployment, while deployed or during retrieval of the riser 34 may experience external forces such as from tidal, wind and/or wave movement at a water surface 50, which may cause the positioning and/or orientation of the riser 34 to vary. The movement control system 18 may control the movement of the diverter assembly 16 so as to compensate for movement of the riser 34.

Abstract: The invention relates to the introduction of pressurized fluid, e.g. acid, into a subsea well directly from a vessel (33). A fluid injection assembly (20) is fitted to the top of a subsea Xmas tree (3), the assembly (20) including fail safe closed valve (21) which is controlled via a hydraulic line (31) from the vessel. The hose and assembly and valve are designed with an internal bore allowing a large diameter ball to be dropped (required for acid stimulation). The subsea subsea control module (8) on the Xmas tree is controlled from the producing platform.

Abstract: A vessel is adapted to perform subsea wellbore related operations, involving a riser string that extends between a subsea wellbore and a vessel and that is assembled from releasably interconnected riser sections that each comprise a main riser pipe and at least one auxiliary pipe. The vessel includes an auxiliary pipe filling device adapted to fill the at least one auxiliary pipe of a riser section during a lowering step of said riser running operation, the auxiliary pipe filling device including a liquid source, e.g. for water, at least one nozzle adapted to dispense water into said auxiliary pipe, a liquid flow line, connecting the liquid source with the nozzle, and a nozzle mount that is adapted to mount the nozzle in a filling position in which the nozzle is positioned to dispense liquid into the at least one auxiliary pipe of the riser section during said lowering step.

Abstract: A rotating control device is disclosed for the use of oil, gas or geothermal wells. While providing for sealing with or without rotation of the drill pipe, the device consists of a housing with guide rails attached beneath the two part dual actuated clamp that can be locked in place by remote controlled retention pins. The design has a novel adapter design enabling a common RCD bearing assembly to be installed in a variety of different housing sizes.

Abstract: A dynamically positioned vessel (DPV) is located above an injection well, inject water or other fluids temporarily or for a short period of time, adjust the injection parameters, and either continue operating for the life of the system or as long as required to add permanent facilities on another platform. The DPV is connected to the potential injection well via a hybrid riser system. The hybrid riser system includes a rigid portion and a flexible portion. Injection using the DPV and the hybrid rise system can be more economical than injection using a conventional mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) and a rigid riser.

Abstract: A technique facilitates communication in a subsea well application. The technique involves deployment of a blowout preventer subsea control and telemetry system to a subsea location proximate a wellbore. The blowout preventer subsea control and telemetry system is coupled to both a blowout preventer system and a wireless telemetry system. The wireless telemetry system has a plurality of repeaters deployed along the wellbore. The blowout preventer subsea control and telemetry system is used both to collect data from the wireless telemetry system and to control operation of the blowout preventer system. For example, the blowout preventer subsea control and telemetry system may receive control signals from a surface system and also relay data to the surface system through a common communication line.

Abstract: A system for remediating a blockage in a subsea component including a riser extending from a surface vessel, a flexible jumper having an upper end coupled to the riser and a lower end coupled to a subsea component, and a surface system disposed on the surface vessel and including flexible tubing configured to be inserted and advanced through the tubular string and flexible jumper to the blockage.

Abstract: A method of safe pressurized mud cap drilling includes determining a set point for a surface backpressure choke manifold, injecting sacrificial fluids into a drillstring disposed in a wellbore, injecting weighted mud into an annulus, and monitoring a surface backpressure. If the surface backpressure rises above the set point, closing one or more chokes of the surface backpressure choke manifold in a stepwise incremental manner to increase an injection rate of weighted mud into the annulus. If the surface backpressure falls below the set point, opening the one or more chokes of the surface backpressure choke manifold in a stepwise incremental manner to decrease the injection rate of weighted mud into the annulus. If the surface backpressure is substantially equal to the set point, maintaining a state of the one or more chokes of the surface backpressure choke manifold to maintain the injection rate of weighted muds into the annulus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compact connector design with an internal locking ring (11). The connector according to the invention comprises a locking ring (11) allowing bayonet type connection on either side with two riser sections. Furthermore, the connector comprises at least one removable pin (12) for translationally blocking locking ring (11), notably upon locking and unlocking.

Abstract: A device for coupling a riser comprises a flexible joint comprising flanges, a ball joint with a housing comprising a mating face; a connection pipe comprising flanges; a guide pipe comprising a hang off face; a hang off structure underneath a flange of the connection pipe comprising a coned section with a surface contacting the connection pipe, a spline having parts fitting into the connection pipe, hang off segments attached to the hang off structure, the segments providing a load transferring surface; and an adapter fastened to the flexible joint housing comprising a mating surface complementary to a mating surface of the flexible joint housing; support regions; a coned section above a support region, ending at a distance from the hang off structure and in contact with the connection pipe; at least one of the support regions and the flexible joint housing being in contact with the guide pipe.

Abstract: Stress reducing system and associated method for reducing stresses at a desired position in an offshore production or drilling system, the offshore production or drilling system comprising: a seabed structure, a floating structure and a riser (24) extending there between, the riser being tensioned, the riser (24) comprising at least a first part (45) and a second part (46), which second part (46) is connected to the first part (45) via a flexible connection (20) allowing an axial, angular and/or rotational movement between the first and second parts (45, 46), said stress reducing system comprises:—a first sensor (41) for real-time monitoring of stresses at the desired position, positioned at or close to the desired position (20),—an actuating system (42) arranged at the flexible connection (20, the actuating system (42) being connected to said first and second parts (45, 46), and wherein the actuating system (45, 46) is configured to apply a force to the first or second part (45, 46) when the first and second

Abstract: An integrated rotating control device and gas handling system for a marine drilling system is disclosed. The system includes a flow spool; a riser sealing tool coupled to the flow spool; a rotating control device coupled to the riser sealing tool below a tension ring of a riser section of a drilling riser, the rotating control device fluidically coupled to the flow spool; and an auxiliary line routed around the rotating control device between the riser sealing tool and the riser section.

Abstract: A device is for reducing the load on a wellhead casing from a bending moment generated by a horizontal load component from a well element arranged over a wellhead. A supporting frame is connected to an upper portion of the wellhead casing and projects outwards from the center axis of the wellhead casing and is provided with an abutment which rests supportingly against a base at a radial distance from the wellhead casing. The supporting frame is arranged to absorb a portion of said bending moment.

Abstract: A communication system for an offshore drilling system includes an acoustic transceiver located at a surface location and a rotating control device (RCD) located below sea level. The RCD including a RCD acoustic transceiver configured to transmit data related to the RCD through a packer assembly located inside of the RCD and to the acoustic transceiver located at the surface location. The acoustic transceiver and the RCD acoustic transceiver are configured to wirelessly and bilaterally communicate data between the surface location and the RCD.

Abstract: A pile repair apparatus includes a metal clamp having left and right brackets connected by a hinge member. A friction surface is positioned along an inner surface of the metal clamp to improve the connection of the apparatus to a pile to be repaired. A platform is connected to a top surface of the metal clamp, and a means for providing buoyancy to the pile repair apparatus can be secured to the platform. The buoyancy of the apparatus allows a diver to move and to submerse the apparatus easily and to position the apparatus around a pile to be repaired by opening and closing the apparatus about the hinge member. The apparatus is secured to the pile by inserting a bolt through corresponding apertures in the left and right brackets of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of installing and implementing a rigid tube (10) referred to as a “main” tube, wherein the following steps are performed: a) lowering an end of the main tube from a floating support or vessel (13) on the surface (14) to below sea level (14) to be connected to undersea equipment (16) that is immersed (17); and b) maintaining the main tube as immersed in this way for a given period of time. The said main tube (10) is caused to pass through a cylindrical orifice (4) of circular section in a stress limiter device, the orifice having a slippery internal coating (3) secured to a support structure (9) secured to the floating support or vessel, the service tube thus being suitable for sliding in contact against the slippery coating during steps a) and b).

Abstract: A predetermined set of connector maintenance functions may be accomplished subsea using a connector maintenance panel which comprises a panel and a plurality of fixed connector interfaces disposed through a predetermined portion of the connector maintenance panel. The connector maintenance panel subsea may be deployed and powered subsea, such as from an external source, and a predetermined set of connector related functions performed in a sequence by sequentially using the connector interface operable to perform a connector related function of the predetermined connector related functions in the predetermined sequence.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a condition of a marine riser including at least one subsea sensing and acoustic platform mechanically coupled to a riser joint of the marine riser. The at least one platform includes one or more sensors mechanically coupled to the riser joint and including plug-and-play sensor interface technology. The platform further includes a microprocessor configured to receive and analyze sensor data from the one or more sensors and provide pre-processed data representative of a determination of a condition of the riser joint. A memory module is provided including one or more software modules executable by the microprocessor and configured to provide data storage. The platform further includes an acoustic modem configured to receive the pre-processed data, communicate the condition to a topside acoustic transceiver in real-time and provide remote command configuration in response to the condition. An included power module provides power to the platform components.

Abstract: A riser intervention system for use with a subsea test tree includes a lower riser package spool, an intermediate spool, and a riser stress joint. The lower riser package spool may include a bore and a shoulder projecting into the bore such that the subsea test tree is landable on the shoulder within the lower riser package spool. The intermediate spool is connectable to the lower riser package spool to secure the subsea test tree within the bore of the lower riser package spool such that the lower riser package spool is in fluid communication with the intermediate spool. The riser stress joint is releasably connectable to the intermediate spool using such that the intermediate spool is in fluid communication with the riser stress joint.

Abstract: Methods for measuring wellbore gauge and dogleg severity are disclosed. The methods include deploying a downhole tool in a subterranean wellbore. The downhole tool includes first and second axially spaced stabilizers deployed on at least one tool body section coupled to a universal joint. The method for measuring wellbore gauge further includes measuring first and second axial directions of the tool body section when the universal joint is tilted in corresponding first and second cross-axial directions and processing the first and second measured axial directions to estimate the wellbore gauge. The method for measuring dogleg severity further includes measuring first and second tilt angles of the universal joint when the universal joint is tilted in corresponding first and second cross-axial directions and then processing the first and second measured tilt angles to estimate the dogleg severity.

Abstract: An emergency wellbore intervention assembly connected to a BOP having a first generally L-shaped gate valve with a first and second port on each end of the L, each side operably connected to an actuator connectable to a hydraulic control line for selectable fluid communication with a pipe, the first port connected to a choke line, and the second port connected above a lower shear ram of a BOP, the first gate valve in selectable fluid communication with the pipe to a second similar two valve assembly operably connected to a kill line and below the lower shear ram and a manually operated valve operably connected to the second gate valve for fluid engagement to a high pressure fluid source. A method for controlling a well using the two valve assemblies by selectively plugging the well and circulating fluid from the kill side to the choke side of the system.

Abstract: An external tieback connector secures to a lower end of a driller riser. The tieback connector has a locking element that engages an external profile on the wellhead housing and an actuating piston within a piston chamber. A hydraulic fluid accumulator is in communication with the piston chamber through a hydraulic circuit having valves. An umbilical extends from a floating platform to the accumulator. Sending a signal through the umbilical opens the valves to supply hydraulic fluid pressure from the accumulator to the piston chamber. An acoustic signal receiver also connects to the hydraulic circuit. An acoustic transducer deployed subsea on a transducer cable will emit an acoustic signal that is received by the receiver. The receiver opens the valves to apply hydraulic fluid pressure to the piston chamber.

Abstract: A mobile, wave motion-isolated, waterborne device having a platform with a plurality of support members extending beneath the platform configured to receive an articulated joint. The device further includes a plurality of corresponding clusters of spar buoys, wherein each spar buoy has an articulated joint at a first end of the spar buoy and a ballast operably configured at the second end. The articulated joint of each spar buoy within the cluster corresponds to a swivel footing configured to receive an articulated joint. The swivel footing itself includes an articulating joint. Each articulated joint of the swivel footing corresponds to one of the support members of the platform. The cluster of spar buoys can optionally move between a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation. An optional movable ballast may be used in place of a stationary ballast. The invention also includes optional thrust/propulsion, steering, and damping features.

Abstract: A method of commissioning one subsea hydrocarbon well terminating by a wellhead, wherein, from a petroleum drilling rig, the method includes: screwing double-walled pipe segments together in mutual succession to form a thermally insulated floor-to-surface 1 hydrocarbons, and an outer pipe, between which pipes a thermally insulating material is disposed; connecting the floor-to-surface link pipe to wellhead; and extracting the hydrocarbons via the floor-to-surface link pipe to the drilling rig on the surface.

Abstract: A mobile, wave motion-isolated, waterborne device having a platform with a plurality of support members extending beneath the platform configured to receive an articulated joint. The device further includes a plurality of corresponding clusters of spar buoys, wherein each spar buoy has an articulated joint at a first end of the spar buoy and a ballast operably configured at the second end. The articulated joint of each spar buoy within the cluster corresponds to a swivel footing configured to receive an articulated joint. The swivel footing itself includes an articulating joint. Each articulated joint of the swivel footing corresponds to one of the support members of the platform. The cluster of spar buoys can optionally move between a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation. An optional movable ballast may be used in place of a stationary ballast. The invention also includes optional thrust/propulsion, steering, and damping features.

Abstract: An underwater connection assembly, and a connection method, for connecting a riser (12) and a flexible pipe (26). The riser (12) has an upper connection end (52) and the flexible pipe (26) has a lower connection end (30). The connection assembly includes a longitudinal frame (36) having a foot (46) rigidly connected to the upper connection end (52) and a head (42) linked to a float (20). A connector (34), and a curved pipe (32) having two opposing ends (62, 64). The opposing end (62) is rigidly connected to the lower connection end (30), and the connector (34) is mounted to the other opposing end (64), to be able to pull the connector (34) towards the upper connection end (52) in a direction oriented from the head (42) to the foot (46).

Abstract: A system for controlling a blowout preventer stack and subsea test tree connected to a subsea wellhead assembly, the system comprising: a marine riser engageable with the subsea wellhead assembly; a lower marine riser package configured to be attached to the marine riser in the subsea environment, wherein the blowout preventer is configured to be removably attached to the lower marine riser package; an umbilical located outside of the marine riser adapted to communicate control fluids, electrical signals and/or fiber optic communications to a subsea controller, wherein the subsea controller is configured to receive control fluids and/or signals from the umbilical and to provide functions to the blowout preventer stack and subsea test tree, further wherein the subsea controller stabs into the system above the subsea wellhead assembly. This out-of-marine riser design provides for simplification in design criteria associated with the subsea controller and umbilical system.

Abstract: A blowout preventer system includes a blowout preventer stack having hydraulic components. The blowout preventer stack is coupled to a lower marine riser package that includes additional hydraulic components. The lower marine riser package includes control pods that enable redundant control of the hydraulic components of the blowout preventer stack and the additional hydraulic components of the lower marine riser package. These control pods include frames, valves, and stack stingers that facilitate connection of the control pods to hydraulic components of the blowout preventer stack, but do not include riser stingers that facilitate communication of control fluid to the additional hydraulic components of the lower marine riser package. The stack stingers extend through central apertures of bottom plates of the control pod frames and facilitate communication of control fluid from the valves to the hydraulic components of the blowout preventer stack. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques and methods to reduce downtime in an offshore platform, such as an offshore semi-submersible drilling rig or drillship. Through the use of one or more movable platforms in a moon pool area, work on a riser string passing through the moon pool area may be performed without exposing workers directly to the open sea below. Accordingly, the use of the one or more movable platforms in the moon pool area may provide protected access to the riser string during, for example, harsh weather conditions.

Abstract: A method and system for coupling a riser to a subsea wellhead are disclosed. A first terminal end of a riser comprised of an inner riser and an outer riser is coupled to the platform and a second terminal end of the riser is coupled to a wellhead. The second terminal end of the inner riser is coupled to an inner drilling riser tie-back connector (“ITBC”) having a main body. The ITBC is landed on a landing shoulder disposed within the subsea wellhead. A downward weight is applied to the main body. The application of the downward weight to the main body couples the ITBC and the subsea wellhead.

Abstract: A blowout preventer system is provided. In one embodiment, such a system includes a blowout preventer stack including hydraulic components. The blowout preventer stack is coupled to a lower marine riser package that includes additional hydraulic components. The lower marine riser package further includes a pair of control pods that enables redundant control of the hydraulic components of the blowout preventer stack and the additional hydraulic components of the lower marine riser package. Still further, the lower marine riser package also includes a third control pod that enables additional redundant control of the hydraulic components of the blowout preventer stack and the additional hydraulic components of the lower marine riser package. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

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. 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: A subsea system including a frame including an intensifier, the intensifier providing structural support to the frame and capable of providing pressurized delivery fluid. The intensifier includes an intensifier chamber and a delivery fluid chamber separated by a piston, the intensifier chamber capable of receiving ambient pressure to provide a pressure on the delivery fluid through the piston. Also, a regulation system regulates the amount of ambient pressure communicated to the intensifier chamber to maintain the delivery fluid pressure substantially constant as the delivery fluid is depleted.

Abstract: A seabed-to-surface riser system is disclosed. The seabed-to-surface riser system has a group of subsea riser supports that each support riser pipes extending from the seabed to mid-water. Jumper pipes extend from there to a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) offset horizontally from the riser support in a flow direction. The group of riser supports is disposed to one side of the surface installation. Laterally-extending lines are attached to at least the outermost riser supports of the group. Those lines apply mutually-opposed stabilizing forces to those outermost riser supports in directions transverse to the flow direction.

Abstract: An offshore well system for a subsea well, including a floating platform, a drilling riser system connected with the well for drilling operations, and a production riser system connected with the well for production operations. The drilling system also includes a riser tension system. The riser tension system is capable of compensating for movement of the platform while adequately tensioning both drilling riser system and the production riser system when each are connected to the well.

Abstract: A system for diverting fluids from a wellhead in a subsea environment has a capping stack with a connector suitable for connection or interconnection to the wellhead, a flow base fixedly positioned in the subsea environment, and a conduit connected to the outlet of a diverter line of the capping stack and connected to the inlet of an interior passageway of the flow base. The conduit is suitable for passing fluids from the capping stack toward the flow base. The flow base is a modified horizontal Christmas tree. The interior passageway within the horizontal Christmas tree has a plug therein located a level below the level of the inlet to the flow base. The flow base can be attached to a wellhead or to an anchor pile in the subsea environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing umbilical lines and one or more jumpers are provided. An example of a system includes a deployment platform carrying a winch and spool assembly, a tether management assembly, and an integrated electrical and/or hydraulic umbilical line extending between a spool on the winch and spool assembly and the tether management assembly. The winch and spool assembly is configured to deploy and to support the umbilical line. The tether management assembly includes a winch and spool assembly for deploying a flying lead and/or annulus jumper adapted to connect to an emergency disconnect package of a well control package for a well. A set of buoyant modules are connected to or integral with a portion of the umbilical line to be used to form an artificial heave compensation loop.

Abstract: An adapter assembly having a sealing element, a drive bushing, and an adapter flange disposed between the sealing element and the drive bushing. Also, a method of assembling a rotational control device that includes coupling mechanically an adapter flange to a sealing element, coupling mechanically the adapter flange to a drive bushing, and installing the adapter flange, sealing element, and drive bushing in the rotational control device.

Abstract: What is provided is a method and apparatus wherein a rotating and reciprocating swivel can be detachably connected to an annular blowout preventer thereby separating the drilling fluid or mud into upper and lower sections with the mandrel of the swivel being comprised of double box end joints and using double pin end subs to connect a plurality of such mandrel joints together.

Abstract: A system for the diversion of flow from a wellhead has a mudline closure mechanism suitable for attachment to the wellhead, a blowout preventer connected or interconnected to the mudline control mechanism, and a flow control line having one end connected to a diversion passageway of the mudline control mechanism and extending therefrom such that an opposite end of the flow control line is disposed away from the mudline closure mechanism. The mudline closure mechanism has a main passageway communicating with the flow passageway of the blowout preventer. The mudline closure mechanism has a valve suitable for switching fluid flow from the main passageway to the diversion passageway. The blowout preventer is positioned above the mudline closure mechanism. The flow control line is supported by a base anchored into the subsea floor away from the mudline closure mechanism.

Abstract: An offshore well system for a subsea well. The system includes a floating platform, an external riser and an internal riser nested within the external riser. A external riser tension device tensions the external riser. The drilling system also includes a surface wellhead system that includes a wellhead, a collet, and a flange assembly. The wellhead, collet, and flange assembly are assembled to establish a common bore for receiving the top of the internal riser. A gasket located between the top of the internal riser and an inner shoulder of the flange assembly seals between the wellhead system and the top of the internal riser. The surface wellhead system also retains the internal riser in tension with the wellhead, the internal riser extending above the wellhead into the collet.

Abstract: What is provided is a method and apparatus wherein a swivel can be detachably connected to an annular blowout preventer thereby separating the drilling fluid or mud into upper and lower sections and allowing the fluid to be displaced in two stages, such as while the drill string is being rotated and/or reciprocated. In one embodiment the sleeve or housing can be rotatably and sealably connected to a mandrel. The swivel can be incorporated into a drill or well string and enabling string sections both above and below the sleeve to be rotated in relation to the sleeve. In one embodiment the drill or well string does not move in a longitudinal direction relative to the swivel. In one embodiment, the drill or well string does move longitudinally relative to the sleeve or housing of the swivel.

Abstract: The present invention regards a riser system comprising at least one riser extending from a subsea wellhead to a surface vessel, tension means for keeping the at least one riser tensioned, which tension means are connected to the vessel, a upper workover riser package (UWRP) located at the upper section of the riser and arranged to seal off the riser passage.According to the invention the UWRP is located below the connection point of the tension means to the vessel, giving the UWRP a position stationary relative a seabed, and that the UWRP comprises an interface adapted for the connection of different kinds of workover equipment. The invention also regards a method for inserting tools into a riser.

Abstract: Apparatuses useable in drilling installations for adjusting a mud return flow in a mud loop, at a location far from a mud tank are provided. An apparatus includes (1) a sensor located close to a seabed and configured to acquire values of at least one parameter related to a return mud flow, (2) a valve located near the sensor and configured to regulate the return mud flow, and (3) a controller connected to the valve and the sensor. The controller is configured to automatically control the valve to regulate the return mud flow towards achieving a value of a control parameter close to a predetermined value, based on the values acquired by the sensor. Methods of incorporating an apparatus in a drilling installation and retrofitting existing installations are also provided.

Abstract: A latch and method for use is provided for latching an item of oilfield equipment. The latch has a housing containing a latch member, and the latch member is movable between a radially engaged position in which it is engaged with the item of oilfield equipment, and a radially retracted position in which it is disengaged from the item of oilfield equipment. An actuator is configured to drive the latch member into the radially engaged position. Further, the actuator is configured to drive the latch member toward the radially retracted position.

Abstract: A tensioner assembly for applying tension to a tubular member, such as a riser, can include an upper latch connected to the tubular member, a platform with a bore, and a lower latch ring. After applying tension to the tubular member, the lower latch ring can be closed around the tubular member so that when the tension is released, the upper latch lands on and engages the lower latch. The assembly can include a locking mechanism that prevents axial movement of the upper latch, relative to the lower latch, after engagement. The upper latch can self-center on the lower latch as it is moved into the latching position.

Abstract: A system and method for rapidly responding to and regaining control of uncontrolled flow from offshore hydrocarbon wells, comprising a subsea containment assembly, optionally including a capture caisson assembly installed around the assembly, riser systems for production of hydrocarbons to capture vessels on the surface of the sea, and modularized subsystems facilitating communication between and fluid flow from the subsea containment assembly through the riser to the capture vessel.

Abstract: A blowout preventer assembly comprising a blowout preventer and control apparatus, the blowout preventer comprising a housing a sealing element and a fluid pressure operated actuator mounted in the housing, the actuator 18 dividing the interior of the housing into two chambers, namely an open chamber and a close chamber, substantially preventing flow of fluid between the two chambers, and being movable, by means of the supply of pressurized fluid to the close chamber, to urge the sealing element into sealing engagement with a drill pipe extending through the blow out preventer, the control apparatus including a close line which extends from the exterior of the housing to the close chamber, and a source of pressurized fluid which is connected to the close line, wherein the source of pressurized fluid is located adjacent to the housing.