Connection Of Pipe Hanging Patents (Class 166/348)
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Patent number: 12228007Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2023Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: Mako Rentals, Inc.Inventors: Kip M. Robichaux, Kenneth G. Caillouet, Terry P. Robichaux
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Patent number: 12180793Abstract: A wellbore system includes an upper body, a lower body, removably coupled to the upper body, and a passage extending through both the upper body and the lower body, the passage being aligned and extending through an interface between the upper body and the lower body. The wellbore system also includes a latch piston, confined to the lower body, the latch piston being moveable responsive to an applied pressure via the passage. The wellbore system further includes a latch piston retaining ring, confined to the lower body.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2022Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: Baker Hughes Energy Technology UK LimitedInventors: Jack James Cavanagh, Mark John Jamieson
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Patent number: 12044090Abstract: A sleeve for protecting a lockdown screw of a wellhead assembly can include a body having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the body has a concave curvature, where the body is configured to be disposed within an upper portion of a recess of a component of the wellhead assembly inside of which the lockdown screw is disposed, where the concave curvature of the body is configured to match that of an inner wall of the component, and where the outer surface is configured to isolate the lockdown screw from an environment in a cavity partially formed by the inner surface when the body is disposed in the upper portion of the recess.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2022Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventor: Jay Patrick Painter
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Patent number: 11905824Abstract: A monitoring system includes a first transducer component configured to couple to a running tool that is configured to place an insert into a housing and a second transducer component configured to couple to the housing. One of the first transducer component or the second transducer component is configured to emit acoustic waves, and the other one of the first transducer component or the second transducer component is configured to output sensor signals indicative of a received portion of the acoustic waves. The monitoring system also includes one or more processors configured to determine that the insert is in a landed position in the housing based on the sensor signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONInventor: Conor Gray
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Patent number: 11905785Abstract: A system an annular sleeve configured to be positioned in an annular space between a first annular component and a second annular component of a drilling system. The annular sleeve includes a radially-inner annular surface and a radially-outer annular surface. The annular sleeve also includes a first annular seal element coupled to the radially-inner annular surface and configured to seal against the first annular component, a second annular seal element coupled to the radially-outer annular surface and configured to seal against the second annular component, and one or more axially-extending passageways extending from a first end to a second end of the annular sleeve. The annular sleeve is configured to direct a fluid flow through the one or more axially-extending passageways across the annular sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Vikas Rakhunde
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Patent number: 11719067Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2022Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Mako Rentals, Inc.Inventors: Kip M. Robichaux, Kenneth G. Caillouet, Terry P. Robichaux
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Patent number: 11668151Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide for a tubing head spool that may be disposed in a wellhead during drilling or other wellbore operations, after which a tubing hanger adapter may be disposed within the tubing head spool for hanging tubing. Methods include installing a tubing head spool onto a wellhead, installing a blow out preventer onto the tubing head spool, drilling a well by running downhole tools and at least one casing string through the tubing head spool, running a tubing hanger adapter bushing through the blow out preventer and into the tubing head spool, running a tubing string into the well, and landing out the tubing string using a tubing hanger configured to hang within the tubing hanger adapter bushing.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jeff Bourgeois, Ian Mcclymont Davidson
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Patent number: 11560767Abstract: A running tool having an annulus seal assembly and casing hanger attached thereto may be sent into to the wellhead to lock and preload the casing hanger in a single trip. The running tool may be rotated a first time to drop the annulus seal assembly on the casing hanger, a first pressure may be applied axially above the annulus seal assembly to set the annulus seal assembly, the running tool may be rotated a second time to close a gap between the annulus seal assembly and the wellhead, and a second pressure may be applied axially above the annulus seal assembly to preload the casing hanger.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2021Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ryan William Phillips, Justin Rodriguez, Jasmeet S. Johar, David Mcvay, Marlon Arboleda, Joseph Graham
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Patent number: 11542778Abstract: A subsea wellhead assembly having an arrangement of primary well barriers provided in equipment that is located within the well and/or the wellhead housing is provided. All of the well barriers may be located within the tubing hanger and/or the production tubing string extending into the wellbore. The subsea wellhead assembly also includes a flowline connection body placed atop the wellhead housing and fluidly coupled to the tubing hanger. None of the primary barriers for the well are located in the flowline connection body.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2019Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Chris D. Bartlett, Daniel J. McLaughlin, Raymond Guillory, Blake T. DeBerry, Marcus Smedley
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Patent number: 11261701Abstract: A shifting tool can include a flow restrictor outwardly extendable in a well. A method can include flowing a fluid through a flow restriction, thereby creating a pressure differential and, in response, shifting a closure member while the fluid flows through the flow restriction. Another method can include positioning a shifting tool in a tubular string, then outwardly extending keys from the shifting tool in response to fluid pressure applied to the shifting tool, then engaging the keys with a profile formed in a closure member, and then shifting the closure member between open and closed positions.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2017Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Corey M. Kshyk, Todd A. Weirmeir, Andrew J. Hanson
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Patent number: 11236572Abstract: A lead impression system having a downhole tool and a lead impression assembly assembled radially around the downhole tool is landed on a previously installed host casing hanger or a casing hanger being installed in the current/same trip to obtain a lead impression from the bore of the wellhead housing and indicate where the host casing hanger is located axially within the wellhead housing with respect to a feature on the bore of the wellhead housing from which the lead impression is obtained. Lead impression modules in the assembly have a lead pad that protrudes radially outward through a window on an outer sleeve according to a pressure differential between an internal and an external pressure of the lead impression assembly. The lead pad retracts to its pre-set position when the pressure differential exceeds a preset burst pressure.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2020Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Shane McAllister, Alex Wendeborn
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Patent number: 11203910Abstract: A casing hanger and annulus sealing device running tool for deepwater drilling and a method for using the same. The running tool includes a spindle connected to a hollow suspension structure via a torque transmission structure, one end of the spindle slidably passes through a hollow piston, the suspension structure rotates with the spindle and slide along the piston, the inner cavity of the torque transmission structure communicates with that of the suspension structure to form a piston cavity; the piston cavity and the piston form a hydraulic piston structure; and one end of the suspension structure away from the torque transmission structure can rotatably hook to and lift upward to release the annulus sealing device, and one end of the piston away from the torque transmission structure can radially expand to hook to the casing hanger and can radially contract to release the casing hanger.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2020Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM—BEIJINGInventors: Yanbin Wang, Deli Gao, Jun Fang, Jing Zeng
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Patent number: 11072984Abstract: A lockdown sleeve and a running tool that may be used to install the lockdown sleeve within a wellhead in a single trip are provided. The lockdown sleeve, may include two pieces that are rotatably coupled together via threads such that the axial length of the lockdown sleeve can be adjusted by rotation of one portion of the lockdown sleeve relative to the other. The running tool may lower the lockdown sleeve into the wellhead, actuate the lockdown sleeve to lock against an inner wall of the high-pressure wellhead housing and subsequently adjust the length of the lockdown sleeve so that the lockdown sleeve is fully landed on the casing hanger and applying any desired pre-load to the connection.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2020Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Rodrigo Albani Queiroz, Carlos Eduardo Martins Gaban, Sergio Campelo Almeida, Guilherme Pedro Eppinghaus Neto, Fife Ellis
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Patent number: 11060375Abstract: A system includes a flow control assembly having a first portion configured to be positioned within and coupled to a first passageway formed in a wellhead component and a second portion configured to be coupled to a second passageway formed in a body that is configured to be coupled to the wellhead component. An actuator of the second portion is configured to drive a valve member of the first portion into an open position to enable fluid flow across the flow control assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONInventors: Brandon Blake Shirley, Kirk Paul Guidry
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Patent number: 10947803Abstract: A flow control module includes an inlet hub coupled to a first flow passage having a first flow bore, a flow meter, and a choke disposed in a second flow passage having a second flow bore, where the second flow passage is coupled to a distal end of the first flow passage. The flow meter is associated with the first flow bore and positioned for top-down fluid flow. The flow control module also includes an outlet hub coupled to a distal end of the second flow passage, where the outlet hub faces in a different direction from the inlet hub.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2016Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Paul L. Riley, Ramu Valliappan Manickam, Wei Soung Tan, May-Ling Rachel Ho, Guoxiang Calvin Wu
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Patent number: 10927626Abstract: A system including a load shoulder system, including a shoulder setting tool, including a shoulder coupling system configured to couple to a load shoulder, and a shoulder energizing system configured to couple the load shoulder to a tubular of a mineral extraction system.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
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Patent number: 10837251Abstract: A subsea system includes in-riser equipment, and a surrounding structure configured to be coupled to a marine riser and a subterranean well. The in-riser equipment is positioned within the surrounding structure, and the surrounding structure comprises a power connection extending radially therethrough. The system also includes a power supply located outside of the surrounding structure. The power supply is connected to the in-riser equipment via the power connection through the surrounding structure, to communicate with the in-riser equipment.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK LimitedInventors: Brian L. Foley, David R. June, Wayne C. Hand
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Patent number: 10570688Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a well casing hanger system that provides for orientation of a hanger with respect to a landing ring during installation. The landing ring has a mating feature, such as a recess, adapted to engage with a mating feature, such as a protrusion, on the casing hanger. The shape of the mating features of the landing ring and hanger is such that rotation to a specific alignment will occur during installation if there is an initial rotational offset.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2015Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Inventor: James A. Rose
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Patent number: 10533395Abstract: A production assembly comprising a valve, a flow meter and a choke as part of a branch of a production tree.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK LimitedInventors: Rolf Rustad, Alexandre Lupeau, Nick Simpson
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Patent number: 10392883Abstract: Various tools for locking components in place within a wellhead housing are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a lockdown tool (32) having an inner body (40), an outer body (42) coupled to the inner body, and a locking mechanism (44) carried by the inner body. The locking mechanism can be selectively engaged by moving the outer body with respect to the inner body to secure the lockdown tool to the wellhead housing (60). Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventors: Edward T. Thornburrow, Edward J. Thornton
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Patent number: 10081986Abstract: Techniques and systems to couple a high pressure casing string to a blowout preventer or a subsea shut-in device. A device includes a locking mechanism configured to interface with a terminal end of a casing string of an offshore platform to couple the device to the terminal end of the casing string. The device also includes a sealing mechanism configured to fluidly seal an area around the terminal end of the casing string, wherein the locking mechanism and the sealing mechanism are disposed at separate positions along a vertical orientation of the device.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2016Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Ensco International IncorporatedInventor: Christopher Scott Stewart
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Patent number: 10066457Abstract: A system including a hydraulic tool configured to energize a lock ring system and a seal assembly with a hydraulic fluid, wherein the hydraulic tool including a hydraulic body configured to couple to a hydraulic fluid source, a first piston configured to move axially with respect to the hydraulic body to energize the seal assembly, and a second piston configured to move axially with respect to the hydraulic body to energize the lock ring system, wherein the first and second pistons are simultaneously exposed to the hydraulic fluid in an opening in the hydraulic body.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2017Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
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Patent number: 10006266Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatus and methods for a lightweight subsea intervention package that may be installed using vessels with a smaller lifting capacity than semi-submersible platforms so that the subsea intervention package can be transported, installed, and removed from a subsea well in less time and with less cost. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a lower riser package for controlling the subsea well which utilizes two hydraulically activated gate valves. An emergency disconnect package is secured to the lower riser package utilizing a disconnect mechanism. The emergency disconnect package is operable to seal the bottom of a riser if the disconnect mechanism is activated to thereby minimize environmental leakage of fluid from the riser.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2014Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Inventors: Alagarsamy Sundararajan, Tom McCreadie
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Patent number: 9945202Abstract: A technique facilitates protection of potentially susceptible components from unwanted exposure to well fluids or other fluids in a monobore subsea installation. The subsea installation may comprise various components, e.g. a tubing hanger and a subsea tree which form a plenum region therebetween. An annulus stab (or stabs) is positioned to extend between the tubing hanger and the subsea tree so as to provide an isolated flow path within the annulus stab and through the plenum region. The isolated flow path also may extend longitudinally through the tubing hanger until exiting through a side of the tubing hanger. The annulus stab and overall isolated flow path are thus able to accommodate an annulus flow within the monobore subsea installation while protecting components exposed to the plenum region from contact with deleterious fluids in the annulus flow path.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2017Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: ONESUBSEA IP UK LIMITEDInventors: David June, Claudio Santilli
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Patent number: 9909380Abstract: A system and method for accessing a well is disclosed. The system includes a first cap positionable within a bore of a completion member such as a tree or a spool. The first cap has a sealable interface to accept a second cap, and the second cap when sealed to the first cap is capable of providing a barrier against a release of well fluid external to the well.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK LimitedInventor: David R. June
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Patent number: 9909393Abstract: A completion system for a well includes a tubing hanger movable into a landed position within an internal bore of the completion system. The tubing hanger includes a hanger bore formed through the tubing hanger, an auxiliary passage formed through the tubing hanger outside of the hanger bore, and a shuttle rod valve including a rod movable in a cavity that is capable of being in fluid communication with the auxiliary passage to control the flow of fluid through the auxiliary passage.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK LimitedInventors: Dean Porter, Benjamin Kobe
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Patent number: 9765588Abstract: A wellhead assembly includes a wellhead housing having a bore and a locking profile including a gallery slot, and an annular notch. An inner wellhead assembly is selectively landed in the bore of the wellhead housing, the inner wellhead assembly having a lock ring with a lock ring profile that engages the locking profile. The engaging surface is a sloped downward facing surface at an axially upper end of the gallery slot. The annular notch has a notch engaging profile with a downward facing notch upper shoulder and an upward facing notch lower shoulder. The locking profile includes an inlay, the inlay being located on the notch upper shoulder and the engaging surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2014Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: VETCO GRAY INC.Inventors: Mayur Mansukh, Aniruddha D. Gadre, David Lawrence Ford
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Patent number: 9677374Abstract: A system including a hydraulic tool configured to energize a lock ring system and a seal assembly with a hydraulic fluid, wherein the hydraulic tool including a hydraulic body configured to couple to a hydraulic fluid source, a first piston configured to move axially with respect to the hydraulic body to energize the seal assembly, and a second piston configured to move axially with respect to the hydraulic body to energize the lock ring system, wherein the first and second pistons are simultaneously exposed to the hydraulic fluid in an opening in the hydraulic body.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
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Patent number: 9458688Abstract: A wellhead assembly includes a casing head, tubing head, and a production tree mounted on the tubing head. An isolation sleeve is set in a main bore of the wellhead assembly that extends across an interface between the casing and tubing heads so that a portion resides in each. The isolation sleeve is configured so that a fracturing string, and its associated hanger, can be retrieved through the isolation sleeve; which significantly reduces the time and steps required to conduct a fracturing operation in a well. Moreover, the present isolation sleeve can be used without changes to existing casing or tubing heads.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2013Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LPInventors: Sheila Adkinson, Saurabh Kajaria, Khang Nguyen, Knox Wright
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Patent number: 9435164Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting an inner wellhead member in a subsea wellhead housing includes connecting an inner wellhead member to a running tool and running the running tool and wellhead member through a tubular member to a wellhead housing. A plurality of pistons urge fluid through a closed-loop hydraulic system. That fluid actuates a locking mechanism to lock the inner wellhead member into the wellhead housing, and also actuates a release mechanism to release the running tool from the inner wellhead member. The pistons are moved from one position to another in response to fluid pressure from the running string to which the running tool is connected, fluid pressure from the tubular member in which the running tool is located, or in response to fluid in the closed-loop hydraulic system that is being moved in response to the other one of the pistons.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2012Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventor: Rodney Mark Fenwick
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Patent number: 9376881Abstract: A high capacity single trip lockdown bushing and a method to operate the same is disclosed. The lockdown bushing includes a tubular body that carries a locking ring and an energizing ring about an upper portion of the tubular body. The energizing ring includes a cam portion interposed between the locking ring and the tubular body so that the cam portion and the locking ring overlap along mating cam surfaces in an unset position. A running tool carries the lockdown bushing to land on a casing hanger. The running tool is actuated to drive the energizing ring downward so that the mating cam surfaces interact to move the locking ring radially outward into engagement with wickers formed in a wellhead.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Peter Gette, Carl F. Boehm, Daniel Ralph Barnhart
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Patent number: 9347292Abstract: A subsea wireline system for soft landing equipment during installation. The subsea soft landing wireline system includes coarse alignment members that can be part of a tree and interact with a funnel located on the equipment to be installed by the soft landing system. Smaller alignment members can provide fine alignment and also interact with a funnel located on the equipment to be installed. The funnels are used to trap sea water that provides a cushion for the equipment being installed. Once in alignment, trapped water can be released from the funnel via a restricted orifice or a control valve located on an ROV. The system achieves soft landing without the use of a running tool, thus reducing expense.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2015Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Ronald Baker, Pradeep Dhuper
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Patent number: 9169711Abstract: A seal for sealing an annulus between an outer tubular wellhead member and an inner tubular wellhead member is described. The seal is an annular sealing ring that has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart sealing ring grooves extending at least from a first end to a second end of the sealing surface of at least one of the wellhead members. When the seal is energized, fouling on the sealing surface is urged toward and then through the slot, axially away from the sealing surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2012Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Raynal, Nicholas Peter Gette, Philip John Potter, Daniel Caleb Benson, David Lawrence Ford
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Patent number: 9133679Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a housing running tool including an inner sleeve having a first mating surface configured to engage a second mating surface of a housing to rigidly couple the inner sleeve to the housing. The housing running tool also includes an outer sleeve disposed about the inner sleeve and configured to support the inner sleeve in an axial direction. The outer sleeve includes a first mounting feature configured to engage a second mounting feature of the housing such that substantially all torque applied to the housing running tool in a circumferential direction is transferred to the housing via the outer sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventor: Gavin Paul Robottom
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Patent number: 9109584Abstract: A thermal ratchet system includes a ratchet housing, a ratchet mandrel, a first ratchet, and a second ratchet. The first ratchet is disposed at a position generally fixed with respect to the ratchet housing and is urgeable with respect to the ratchet mandrel in an axial direction by a change in environmental temperature in a first direction. The second ratchet is disposed at a position generally fixed with respect to the ratchet housing and is urgeable with respect to the ratchet mandrel in the axial direction by a change in environmental temperature in a second direction opposite to the first direction. At least one of the first ratchet and the second ratchet is engaged with the ratchet mandrel.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2014Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Mitchel Stretch
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Patent number: 9045960Abstract: An adjustable mudline suspension system, including a tubing hanger having an exterior profile, a clamp having an inner profile to mate with the exterior profile of the tubing hanger, a biasing element to bias the clamp radially inward into an engaged position where the inner and exterior profiles are mated, and a piston to bias the clamp radially outward into a disengaged position where the inner and exterior profiles are not mated when hydraulically actuated. The weight of the tubing hanger is supported by the adjustable mudline suspension system when the interior profile of the clamp mates with the exterior profile of the hanger.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2011Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventors: Delbert Edwin Vanderford, Max Van Adrichem, Kirk P. Guidry
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Patent number: 9022127Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: FMC Kongsberg Subsea ASInventors: Anthony D. Muff, Arnt Ove Pettersen
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Patent number: 8997872Abstract: A cap assembly for use with a tubing spool of a wellhead has a body with an interior passageway body and a mandrel extending upwardly therefrom. The body has a connector extending from an opposite end thereof. The interior passageway extends though the mandrel and the connector. A valve is affixed to the body and extends into the interior passageway. The valve is movable between a first position closing the interior passageway and a second position opening the interior passageway. An actuator is connected to the valve so as to move the valve between the first and second positions. A tubing hanger stab is affixed to the body and extends through the connector so as to join with a tubing hanger in the tubing spool.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Trendsetter Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Mario R. Lugo
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Patent number: 8978772Abstract: A seal seals an annulus in a subsea assembly between a wellhead and a casing hanger landed on a shoulder within a bore of the wellhead. The seal includes a casing hanger seal ring disposed within the annulus. The seal ring engaged with an inner diameter surface of the wellhead, and engaged with an outer diameter surface of the casing hanger so that the seal ring prevents flow through the annulus. A nose ring is secured to a lower end of the seal ring so that, when the seal ring is energized, a conical surface of the nose ring engages a mating conical profile formed in the inner diameter surface portion of the wellhead and the nose ring engages a surface opposite the conical surface with a substantially smooth outer diameter surface portion of the casing hanger to limit upwards axial movement of the casing hanger.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2011Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Chad Eric Yates, David L. Ford, Daniel Caleb Benson
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Publication number: 20150060078Abstract: A method of forming a wellbore includes providing a drilling assembly comprising one or more lengths of casing and an axially retracting assembly having a first tubular; a second tubular at least partially disposed in the first tubular and axially fixed thereto; and a support member disposed in the second tubular and movable from a first axial position to a second axial position relative to the second tubular, wherein, in the first axial position, the support member maintains the second tubular axially fixed to the first tubular, and in the second axial position, allows the second tubular to move relative to the first tubular; and an earth removal member disposed below the axially retracting assembly. The method also includes rotating the earth removal member to form the wellbore; moving the support member to the second axial position; and reducing a length of the axially retracting assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Eric M. TWARDOWSKI, Jose A. TREVINO, Albert C. ODELL, II, Tuong Thanh LE, Wei Jake XU, Guy F. FEASEY
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Publication number: 20150053412Abstract: A subsea completion system for a subsea well includes a tubing spool including an internal bore formed therethrough and a tubing hanger movable into a landed position within the internal bore of the tubing spool. The tubing hanger includes a production bore formed therethrough, an auxiliary passage formed therethrough outside of the production bore, and a valve in fluid communication with the auxiliary passage to control the flow of fluid through the auxiliary passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventor: David R. June
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Patent number: 8955594Abstract: A subsea wellhead assembly having a tubing hanger set in a tubing hanger spool and a ring with axial passages set in an upper end of the tubing hanger. The wellhead assembly includes a production tree that lands on the tubing hanger spool. Tubing extends from the axial passages in the ring through axial bores provided in a sidewall of the tubing hanger. When landed, a lower end of the production tree engages an upper surface of the ring causing the ring to rotate and align its axial passages with axial passages in the production tree. The respective lower and upper surfaces of the tree and ring are strategically castellated to orient the passages.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2011Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Robert Bell, Rolf Nordaunet, Staale Svindland
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Patent number: 8950483Abstract: A positional feedback system includes a seal assembly coupled to a running tool, the seal assembly having a seal ring and an energizing ring positioned between a hanger and a subsea wellhead. The energizing ring moves relative to the seal ring from an unset position to a set position to seal to the wellhead and the hanger. The system includes a magnet disposed on the energizing ring and having a magnetic field. One or more sensing devices are disposed on running tool and positioned in the magnetic field of the magnet in the set position and the unset position. The sensing devices are configured to communicate with a surface platform when the rare earth magnet passes a magnetic field through the sensing devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2012Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Vetco Gray U.K. LimitedInventors: Guy Harvey Mason, Stephen Paul Fenton
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Publication number: 20150021035Abstract: A landing string for landing a tubing hanger in a tubing spool has flow lines for actuating annulus access valves. A tubing string depends from the tubing hanger, and projects into a wellbore lined with casing when the tubing hanger is landed. Piping outside of the tubing spool connects to a bore formed through the tubing spool to provide access to an annulus between the tubing string and casing. The annulus access valve is in the flow line to control flow to the annulus. The valve is driven by an actuator that is operated by fluid in a flow line ported through the landing string, and in communication with the tubing spool when the tubing hanger is landed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2013Publication date: January 22, 2015Applicant: Vetco Gray U.K., LimitedInventor: Darren Lee Miller
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Patent number: 8936092Abstract: A system in some embodiments includes a system, having a seal assembly, including an inner energizing ring, an outer energizing ring, a load ring disposed between the inner energizing ring and the outer energizing ring, a sealing element, and a lock ring. Further other embodiments provide a method of sealing, including rotating an inner energizing ring in a direction to move the inner energizing ring in a first axial direction to seat a seal, rotating an outer energizing ring in the direction to wedgingly engage and set a lock ring in a radial direction, and rotating a load ring in the direction to move the load ring in a second axial direction to set the lock ring.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2013Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Thomas E. Taylor
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Patent number: 8925635Abstract: A tubing hanger landing system includes a tubing hanger running tool, a locking flowline to lock the tubing hanger running tool into a tubing hanger, and a lower body shear joint having a recovery valve. The recovery valve includes a valve body having an operational port, a bi-directional port, a relief port, and an internal piston cavity. The piston cavity includes a radially inwardly extending stop and a valve piston movable between an operational position and a relief position relative to the radially inwardly extending stop. The valve body further includes a shear port that allows pressure communication between the exterior of the recovery valve and the valve piston, a shear ring attached and surrounding a piston collar and sized larger than the radially inwardly extending stop such that the valve piston is prevented from moving from the operational position to the relief position.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventors: Sergio Yamahata, Carlos Aparecido de Oliveira
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Patent number: 8925639Abstract: A seal assembly between a wellhead housing having a bore and a casing hanger, has an inner seal leg for sealing against a hanger and an outer seal leg for sealing against the housing. A bellows style portion is formed on a nose ring carried by the seal assembly to increase lockdown capacity. The bellows style portion has an inner surface that faces an outer profile of the hanger, and an outer surface that faces the bore of the housing. Inner and outer lock rings are disposed on the bellows style portion. When the bellows style portion is axially collapsed, it radially expands into the bore of the housing and the outer profile of the hanger, and urges the inner and outer lock rings into engagement with the outer profile of the hanger and the bore of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Daniel Caleb Benson, David L. Ford
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Publication number: 20150000923Abstract: An adjustable riser suspension system for suspending a riser under tension including a riser hanger, a mating sleeve rotationally coupled to the riser hanger, a ratchet-latch sleeve located inside the mating sleeve with an external profile configured to engage an internal profile of the mating sleeve and an internal profile configured to engage an externally threaded face of the riser. The riser hanger and mating sleeve are configured to move downward relative to the riser such that the mating sleeve fits over at least a portion of the riser, causing the ratchet-latch device to ratchet over the external threads of the riser. The mating sleeve is configured to rotate relative to the riser, causing the internal and external profiles of ratchet-latch device to lock the riser and the mating sleeve to prevent movement of the riser relative to the mating sleeve.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Applicant: Cameron international CorporationInventors: Delbert Edwin Vanderford, Max Van Adrichem
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Publication number: 20140345873Abstract: A tubing hanger (1) landing in a tubular element (101), having a coupling assembly (11) for hydraulic coupling between the tubing hanger (1) and the element. A coupling element (17) moves radially between an outer coupled position and an inner non-coupled position. An actuation element (25) with a contact surface (25f) exerts an outward actuation force onto an inner actuation surface (17a) of the coupling element. The actuation element comprises two actuation sections (25x, 25y) exposed to a outward force from an actuation arrangement (27). The contact surface (25f) has a distance the actuation sections. The actuation element moves in the radial outward direction so that the movement of at least one of the two actuation sections (25x, 25y) stops after the radial movement of the contact surface (25f) stops. The contact surface (25f) movement halts as the coupling element (17) reaches the coupled position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2012Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: Aker Subsea ASInventor: Robert Johansson
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Patent number: 8893800Abstract: An apparatus for, and method of, lowering items from a drilling rig to a well located below it through the use of a landing string comprised of drill pipe having an enlarged diameter section with a shoulder, in combination with upper and lower holders having wedge members with shoulders that engage and support the drill pipe at the shoulder of the enlarged diameter section, the shoulder of the drill pipe and the shoulders of the wedge members being rotatable with respect to each other.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2013Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Archer Rental Services, LLCInventors: Burt A. Adams, Norman A. Henry