Abstract: In accordance with certain preferred aspects of the present invention, there is provided tree running tool with a mechanical mechanism for unlatching the tree running tool from a side valve tree. The tree running tool is formed from a tool body, a stem, a telescoping element, a retractable spacer, a means for moving the spacer, and a means for attaching the telescoping element to a lift device. The tool body has an upper end, a lower end, and a longitudinal axis. The stem is fixedly attached to the upper end of the tool body and extends axially therefrom. The stem has a lower end attached to the tool body and a generally annular flange at a position spaced apart from the tool body. The telescoping element is positioned alongside the stem. The telescoping element has a generally annular flange at a position between the generally annular flange of the stem and the tool body.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes first and second connector parts. The first connector part has a bearing portion and the second connector part is connectable with the first connector part. A carriage comprises an abutment which is disposed against the first connector part and the carriage is reciprocatable between a forward position for connecting the connector parts and a retracted position for disconnecting the connector parts. A bias is provided for biasing the bearing against the abutment. The bearing portion and the abutment cooperate to permit pivoting of the first connector part in response to a force in any lateral direction on the first connector part. The first connector part may include a weakened portion providing a reduced resistance to shear. The connector assembly may also form part of a wellhead assembly.

Abstract: A lightweight intervention apparatus is described for use with a single bore intervention operation and which is suitable for use with a sub-sea horizontal tree with a tree cap and integral ball valve. The lightweight intervention apparatus is adapted to be coupled to the horizontal tree and that when so coupled the integral ball valve within the tree can be actuated via the intervention apparatus and cycled between an open and a closed position. The annulus line within the horizontal tree is adapted to be coupled through the lightweight intervention apparatus to a separate annulus line such that the annulus line is separate from the main bore to facilitate control of the annulus for certain well functions. A significant advantage of this arrangement is that the internal diameter of the main bore is not reduced in any way by apparatus or equipment for separating the annulus line from the main bore so that full bore diameter may be used.

Abstract: An adjustable casing hanger for suspending a casing string from a wellhead is provided which includes an elongated tubular body having a lower end adapted to be connected to the casing string and an upper end portion including a plurality of axial annular grooves formed in the outer diameter surface thereof, each groove defining a downwardly facing support surface, and a support ring adapted to be positioned around the body in one of the grooves, the support ring having an upwardly facing load shoulder for engaging the support surface and a downwardly facing load surface for engaging a support shoulder formed in the wellhead, whereby the elevation of the casing hanger within the wellhead can be adjusted depending on in which groove the support ring is positioned.

Abstract: A quick release locking drill rod includes a hollow sleeve having opposite first and second end portions and components for quick release locking the first end portion of the sleeve of one rod to the second end portion of the sleeve of another rod. The first end portion of the sleeve of one rod receives therein the second end portion of the sleeve of another rod. The quick release locking components connect the first end portion of the sleeve of one rod to the second end portion of the sleeve of another rod and include an internal cross pin and pair of diametrically opposed L-shaped slots. The internal cross pin is disposed in the first end portion of the sleeve and is spaced inwardly from the open first end. The internal cross pin spans the first diameter and has opposite ends attached to opposite sides of the first end portion of the sleeve. The diametrically opposed L-shaped slots are defined in respective opposite sides of the second end portion of the sleeve.

Abstract: A system for accessing a subsea well in which a guide on a buoy system is tethered to the well head and the buoy is evacuated to render the guide arrangement rigid and a flexible coil tubing from a surface vessel above the well head is guided through this arrangement to the well head while adjustable buoyancy is provided along the flexible tubing between the vessel and the well head for controlling the profile of the tubing.

Abstract: A subsea connection system includes a rigid vertical main connector (23) and an active (mobile) lateral connector (24) coupled to a subsea module (20) for connection, respectively, to a main mandrel (25) and to a lateral mandrel (26) rigidly fixed to the structures (27, 28) set at the seabottom. The active lateral connector (24) utilized in this system is provided internally with a locking and sealing set which is supported by pins (39) held in the orifices (40) of an intermediate jacket (41) which, in turn, is supported by pins (45) circumferentially offset at 90.degree. in relation to the orifices (40).

Abstract: An operational package comprising either a pump/driver package (1; 100) or a valve package (250) is retrievably installed at a subsea station by a receptacle (10; 110; 251). Co-operating connection means on the package and the receptacle establish fluid and/or electrical connection between the package and the receptacle on reception of the package within the receptacle. Seal means (14) carried by the package are moved into a condition to seal any such fluid connections. Installation is effected by establishing a running loop extending from a surface vessel downwardly through the receptacle (10; 110) and upwardly to the surface vessel outside the receptacle, the package (1; 100) being moved on and guided by the wire loop from the surface vessel into the receptacle.

Abstract: A subsea oil and/or gas production system comprises a template having a three-dimensional framework enclosing one or more production bays, each bay having a well slot and a manifold slot. The space above the well slot is occupied by a tree module fitted with a high pressure cap. The space above the manifold slot is occupied by a manifold header module positioned on the template and forming the base of the equipment in the area of the manifold slot(s), isolation valve module(s) positioned adjacent to the manifold header module and connected thereto, flow control modules(s) positioned adjacent to the isolation valve module(s) and connected thereto, production choke module(s) positioned adjacent to the flow control module(s) and connected thereto, and production control pod(s) positioned adjacent to the flow control modules(s) and connected thereto. The tree module(s) are connected to the flow control module(s).

Abstract: An improved wellhead casing hanger for suspension of successive casing strings with particularly small annular spacings having an adapter sleeve of double wall construction which is utilized with a load bearing shoulder on the inside of the inner member for receiving a conventional expanding type hanger, with the annulus between the inner and outer walls providing an improved fluid return path without restricting the bore of the sleeve, packoff for sealing the annulus at the appropriate time and an installation tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting coiled tubing into a submerged well. The end of a coiled tubing is latched in a tubing injector and the tubing and injector are lowered through a body of water together. The injector is latched to the well and the injector moves the coiled tubing through the well. The injector weight is exerted on the tubing during movement through the body of water.The injector may be contained in a bell type or complete enclosure and fluid in the enclosure is maintained at approximately the external pressure.The injector may be connected to a shear, a stuffing box, and a tool receiver.

Abstract: Where a subsea well is completed for production or water injection service, a subsea christmas tree must sealably connect with both the wellhead and the pipeline(s) or subsea manifold template pipework in order that fluids may flow out of (or into) the well. An intermediate series of pipework loops mounted within a space frame, herein referred to as a Flowline Connection Module (FCM) is removably interposed between the subsea wellhead and the subsea christmas tree to facilitate the piping connections. Each of the modules is further provided with removable U-looped pipework spools at its extremities and said spools may contain adjustable chokes to control the flow of fluids into or out of the wells. The replacement of one choke spool with another may adapt the service function of the well from, for example, production to water injection.

Abstract: A floating drilling platform having dual work stations is disclosed for performing deep sea drilling and/or hydrocarbon production operations. The structure of the platform is designed to accommodate replaceable modules which facilitate the installation and removal of either a drilling derrick or production equipment. Thus, during the drilling phase of a reservoir's development, the platform may be outfitted with dual drilling derricks while at later times the platform may be outfitted with a drilling derrick and a full production facility. Various expedients are available to permit the equipment of one work station to be used in conjunction with the equipment of one other. Simultaneous management of dual conductors is enabled by a dual riser management system which models in real time riser behavior under varying environmental and other operational conditions. The dual riser management system includes a riser analysis subsystem, a mooring analysis subsystem and a vessel stability analysis subsystem.

Abstract: Sphere of application: underwater oil production installations using electrical and hydraulic interconnections between the various assemblies of the underwater station such as well heads, control modules, manifolds and the like.A remote-controlled multiconnector-pod assembly 1a, 1b is located on an underwater base on which is anchored a hollow tube 10 having an upper edge 10a.A disconnectable tool is suspended at the support plate 20 and is provided by a connection jack 30 with a mechanical connector 40 designed to grip on to a mandrel 5 which is integral with the pod.The tool is anchored by jacks 23 and 24 and holes 10b, while the pod is locked into the tube 10 by bolts 6 which extend into the holes 10c of the tube.With this system it is possible to install the pod by remote control and then to raise the tool so as to prevent any danger of it being damaged by sea corrosion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a production tree (10) with a top block (mandrel) (12) of the tree provided with a cone-shaped male connector member (14) which also functions as a manifold, and called a cone seal manifold, by having a plurality of shuttle valves (66) which, in the production mode connect umbilical hydraulic control lines (44) to valve actuator control lines (42). In the workover mode, a running tool (132) having a mating bell-shaped female connector member (134) engages the cone seal manifold (14) and moves the shuttle valves (66) to disconnect the umbilical control lines (44) from the valve actuator control lines (42) and to open the valve actuator control lines (42) to rig hydraulic control lines in the running tool (132) through the mating cone seal surfaces (134,56). Normally closed passageways (112) in the cone (56) of the cone seal manifold (14) are opened by fluid pressure from the rig control lines.

Abstract: A sub-sea oil production system has a three-dimensional template with a framework of vertical and horizontal members. These members enclose one or more production bays each of which has a well slot and a manifold slot. Within each bay a well tree module may be installed vertically above the well slot and a manifold module vertically above the manifold slot, with a production bridge module linking them. The template and the modules are designed to be transported and installed by a semi-submersible drilling rig without the use of divers or guidelines. All access points are at the top of the modules so that the modules can be inspected, tested and serviced by a remotely operated vehicle, which can perch on raised guides on the top of hinged covers of the framework.

Abstract: An installation comprising a base frame 1 having four locations 2 for well heads 20 and a manifold frame 10 disposed in overhanging fashion inside the zone defined by frame 1. Frame 10 has four locations 17 for a stacked pair of connecting 30 and monitoring 40 modules, as well as a central location 17' for a central control module 50. Each module is provided with guide members 26, 32, 41, 52, for example sleeves, whose geometry corresponds to that of guide devices 3, 18 placed either on guide bases 2 of the frames 1, 10 or on the underlying module, such as guide columns 18. Each module comprises on its lower face a mechanical connector 16 cooperating with a mandril 12 carried on the upper face of the underlying module. The control of locking of the connector is provided by an internal multiconnector receptacle 24, 34, 43, 57 which each module comprises.

Abstract: A device for connecting a collecting head input with the well head output by means of a movable connector connected to a looped duct, comprising a flexible connecting coupling formed by two horizontal loops surrounding the distribution block of the collecting head at different levels and connected by a vertical duct portion. The movable connector, for guiding same towards a receptacle-connector, rests on a fork integral with a lever hinged by means of a swivel joint, an intermediate point of the lever resting on one end of a hydraulic cylinder provided with a swivel joint, the other end of the hydraulic cylinder resting on the connection module being hinged by means of a swivel joint, the connector comprises at its periphery radical guide rollers co-operating with inclined ramps of the receptacle and grouped in pairs of superimposed rollers, of which the lower roller has a diameter less than that of the upper roller.

Abstract: A system and method for installing a fluid flow controller and telescoping spools beneath an offshore bottom supported drilling rig rotary table is disclosed. Upper and lower telescoping spools are provided for initially connecting a Diverter/BOP convertible fluid flow controller between structural casing in the well and a permanent housing beneath the drilling rig rotary table.A system and method for installing a fluid flow controller and a lower telescoping spool beneath and offshore bottom supported drilling rig rotary table is disclosed.This alternative embodiment of the invention provides the lower telescoping spool connected between the diverter/BOP convertible fluid flow controller and structural casing in the well. The top of the controller is connected to the permanent housing beneath the drilling rig rotary table. Additionally, a diverter system, a low pressure blowout preventer system and a high pressure blowout preventer system are disclosed for both embodiments.

Abstract: A system of liason between an underwater wellhead for the production of hydrocarbons from underwater formations to a surface support. The system includes at least one flexible conduit (4) connected between the wellhead (2) and the surface support (1). Each flexible conduit is equipped at its lower end with means to limit the radius of bending or deflection and is connected vertically to the wellhead. Each conduit can be pulled or led into at least a first configuration (4a, 4'a, 4"a) in which the conduit is generally relaxed and non-tensioned, for the flow of hydrocarbons to the surface support, and at least a second configuration (4b), in which the conduit is at least partly tensioned, and sufficiently straight and upright that tools can be lowered to descend by gravity from the support surface to the well, for working of the well.

Abstract: A system and method for installing a fluid flow controller and telescoping spools beneath an offshore bottom supported drilling rig rotary table is disclosed. Upper and lower telescoping spools are provided for initially connecting a Diverter/BOP convertible fluid flow controller between structural casing in the well and a permanent housing beneath the drilling rig rotary table. Clamp means are provided for clamping the rig vent line to an opening in the housing wall of the fluid flow controller during drilling of the borehole through the structural casing in preparation for setting and cementing the conductor casing. In that mode, the system is adapted as a diverter system. After the well is drilled for the conductor casing and the conductor casing is cemented and cut off at its top, a mandrel is fitted at the top of the conductor casing to which the lower end of the lower spool may be connected.

Abstract: A wellhead connector assembly for use on undersea template platform where a plurality of wellheads are connected to a center work enclosure hull having a plurality of penetration connectors projecting from its sidewall. The present assembly has a connector for fitting on the wellhead, and a laterally movable connector for coupling with a penetration connector. A vertical actuation rod pivots a bell crank linked to the connector to cause lateral movement thereof. A loop of pipe connects the wellhead to the laterally movable connector and biases it to a neutral position.

Abstract: A support and connection system for a riser run from a subsea well to a floating vessel has a female housing supported from the vessel that receives a male termination head secured to the riser string. The termination head fits within a tapered bore in the termination housing. Radial ports connect with radial passages in the termination head for transmitting fluids to and from the vessel and subsea well. A compound curved seat prevents jamming of the termination housing in the termination head due to the high tension placed on the termination housing. The seat is annular and also curves in a vertical direction.

Abstract: Underwater well apparatus in which the handling string for manipulating a handling tool to, e.g., orient and land a multiple string tubing hanger includes a power portion in the form of a single metal piece having a plain cylindrical outer surface to be presented to the blowout protectors, so that orientation of the handling string relative to the protectors is not necessary, and also having through passages for communicating with the tubing strings, and coupling means for attaching the handling tool to the handling string.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for transporting submergible pumping equipment between an underwater well and the water surface and for installing the equipment in and withdrawing the equipment from the well. The apparatus includes a container in the form of an elongate casing in which the equipment is suspended and which is raised and lowered between the wellhead and the surface to transport the equipment therebetween, the casing being connected to wellhead apparatus for installation and withdrawal of the equipment in the well. The casing is divided by a series of blowout preventers into an upper and a lower chamber. In use, the equipment is transported in the lower chamber and a diffractant solution is circulated through the lower chamber while the upper chamber is maintained at a high liquid pressure to provide a barrier inhibiting leakage of contaminants from within the lower chamber to the outer environment.

Abstract: A cable clamp for securing a control cable to a kill or choke line in a mud riser used in offshore drilling of oil and gas wells is described. The cable clamp is comprised of two portions, a fixed portion which remains secured to the kill or choke line and a removable portion which can be engaged to or quickly released from the fixed portion to secure or disengage the control cable. The fixed portion includes a U-clamp, and the removable portion includes cooperating hinged members, each member mounting resilient pad and both members for securing said hinged members together to clamp said cable.

Abstract: A well system and method for completing petroleum oil and gas wells having special application to extreme environmental settings such as platform. sub sea, and floating vessel operations, and frozen regions such as the Arctic. The system effectively defines a downhole wellhead including weight supporting apparatus in which the tubing hanger is supported and a pack-off with the casing for minimizing the effects of structural damage at the surface end of the well system.

Abstract: A well system and method for completing petroleum oil and gas wells having special application to extreme environmental settings such as platform, sub sea, and floating vessel operations, and frozen regions such as the Arctic. The system effectively defines a downhole wellhead including weight supporting apparatus in which the tubing hanger is supported and a pack-off with the casing for minimizing the effects of structural damage at the surface end of the well system.

Abstract: The invention concerns the handling of appliances on the seabed, particularly for handling and maintaining well-heads and corresponding installations. For handling the well-heads, trolleys are mounted for travel along a column which is articulated to a base constructed on the seabed over a number of drilling wells. The trolleys are movable between the upper structure of the columns and the lower body part of the column coupled to the base, and carry well-heads or other devices between the upper structure and the base and release the same upon reaching the lower part of the column at a position above corresponding well orifices. Elongate vertical members or posts of the column have lateral walls constituting guide rails for the trolleys.