Abstract: Disclosed is a wireline well servicing system for underwater wells utilizing a lubricator stack having upper and lower sections connected by a remotely operable connector. The lower lubricator section includes a remotely operable valve connectable to a wellhead and a stress joint connected on the valve. The valve may be closed to retain pressure control of the well if the stress joint is fractured in bending by side loading on the lubricator stack. The upper lubricator section includes a remotely operable wireline clamp and cutter unit on a stuffing box. The clamp and cutter are remotely operable by the same control conduit to quickly clamp and cut the wireline to permit emergency removal of the surface service vessel.

Abstract: A subsea test assembly securable in a subsea blowout preventer stack is used in methods for performing wellbore tests and for disconnecting a tubular string from a subsea wellhead. The test valve assembly includes an upper subassembly releasably latched to a lower subassembly. Dog members are latched and unlatched in a corkscrew manner requiring only a slight rotation, and are held in the locked position by an axially movable sleeve. Nominal rotation of the latch within the upper subassembly is required to latch and unlatch the dogs, and a relatively short stroke of the movable sleeve locks and unlocks the dog members. The latch may be hydraulically or mechanically deactivated. The valving of the test assembly preferably comprises a ball member having both a metallic and elastomeric seal for sealing the passageway through the assembly. The elastomeric seal is carried by the ball and engages a metallic sleeve axially movable below the ball for sealing engagement against the ball.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for use in testing a formation of and/or performing remedial work within a subsea well by means of a pipe string which is lowered through a conductor depending from a drilling vessel at the water surface and releasably connected at its lower end to a blowout preventor stack mounted on the head of the well. The string is landed within the well head for depending from the wellhead into the well bore, and a connected as part of the pipe string is adapted to open and close the string in response to the supply and exhaust of control fluid from a source at the surface, whereby the well may be controlled upon closing the string and raising of the upper end of the string above the means for opening and closing it and closing of the blowout preventor thereabove.

Abstract: A safety joint for a control umbilical which separates the umbilical and severs internal control hoses when a predetermined tension is exceeded. The control hoses are severed by opposing cutting edges on mating slots formed by an inner cutting tube and an outer cutting tube which separate when the sfety joint separates. The safety joint can be installed at any point along the control umbilical without cutting the control hoses during installation.

Abstract: A vent line system is disclosed which is adapted for connection to a flow diverter attached to a drilling rig. The system assures that the vent line is always open for discharge of pressurized drilling fluid away from the drilling rig in one of two directions.

Abstract: The existance of fire at or near an oil field wellhead is sensed by a eutectic body which holds a valve system in a cocked position. When the eutectic is melted, the valves are positioned to terminate communication of a hydraulic fluid pressure source with a downhole safety valve and open a bleed conduit connected with the conduit to the downhole valve. A second eutectic body will melt at a different temperature than the first, providing a second position for the valve system which closes the conduit to the downhole valve and atmosphere to give positive isolation from the oil well fluid.

Abstract: A safety installation for a well-head located on the sea bottom comprises an emergency unit mounted on the well-head below the well shut-off units and including a complete-closure shut-off device controlled by sound transmission and by an intervention liquid supplied to a lateral inflow, a re-entry structure provided with an inflow funnel and placed on the sea bottom in the region of the well-head but spaced therefrom, and a flexible pipe connecting the lateral inflow of the emergency unit to the re-entry structure for intervention liquid and being wound on a drum on the re-entry structure.

Abstract: A safety system for eliminating the risk of liquids, rather than gases, being carried to a torch nose-piece or to a vent hole, during burning or dispersion of the gases associated with the production or treatment of hydrocarbons, particularly on off-shore installations. The gas flow line is connected to a storage volume or capacity, such as a torch foot tank. An overflow column is also connected to the gas flow line, and discharges below a liquid level, such as for example the sea, at a distance from the connection to the overflow column.

Abstract: A system involving at least one well equipped with an elevated or sub-sea production head, and at least one pipeline collecting the effluent from the production head leading to an effluent phase separation unit. The system comprises, in addition, a tube in the form of a U-tube connected to the unit and dipping into the sea to a predetermined depth; the exit in the sea of this U-tube can open into a balancing column that protects the air-sea interface from fluctuations due to the state of the sea. The invention also makes it possible to regulate the input pressure into the installations at a value which is preferably close to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A subsurface test tree so compact in its vertical dimension that the entire tree can be positioned below the blind rams in a blowout preventer stack. When the stinger is removed the remaining valve section of the tree will be below the blind rams in any conventional blowout preventer stack.The valve operators are split, one carried by the stinger and one carried in the valve housing with the arrangement of operator and valve in the housing providing an extremely small vertical dimension. A dome charge is effective on a piston to drive a ball valve to closed position to cut a line extending through the ball valve and to provide sequential operation between the ball valve on bottom and the valve thereabove which may be a flapper valve so that the lower valve closes and the line is cut before the upper valve closes.In one form the invention includes a subsurface safety valve below the test tree operated by one of control or balance pressure fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling a well drilled from a floating drilling vessel during the time that the marine riser is removed and conductor casing is being lowered and cemented into the well. An annular blowout preventer having a bore substantially equal to that of the structural casing is provided in a stack above the structural casing wellhead. A kill line is provided to the drilling vessel and is connected to the wellbore conduit below the blowout preventer. A spool is attached to the top of the blowout preventer. A casing stripper is attached to the top of the spool and has a mandrel extending from its top about which a wellhead connector attached to the marine riser system is connected. The marine riser system includes a flow diverter at its top disposed on the drilling vessel.The hole to be lined with conductor casing is drilled through the marine riser to a depth of about one thousand (1000) feet below the sea bed.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated method for capping a blowing well, one embodiment of the apparatus including a hydraulically activated clamp for engaging the exposed well pipe stem, a hydraulically operated shut off valve having a tapered fitting and hydraulically activated pistons connecting the clamp and the valve for axially displacing the fitting into sealing engagement with the open end of the pipe stem. A preferred embodiment substitutes a hydraulic motor driven threaded coupling for the connecting pistons and includes thread-forming dies or taps on the tapered fitting.

Abstract: A seal member of elastomeric material which is shaped to fit sealably within a recess of a flow diverter body. On the inside of the diverter body, a seal is effected against a slidable cylindrical valve sleeve. On the outside of the diverter body, a seal is effected against a permanent housing. The seal is constructed with an outer section having a generally circular opening, an inner section having an oblong opening and a connecting section between the outer and inner section having a bore therein connecting the circular opening with the oblong opening. A rigid support member embedded in the elastomeric material provides rigidity and strength to the seal member.

Abstract: A control system for subsea oil wells, more particularly well heads, is disclosed, which comprises, in combination, an electronic command and control unit, a valve actuating hydraulic electric unit, a power generator unit, and interconnection devices for interconnecting the hydraulic lines for controlling the whole system from the surface with the hydraulic units for commanding the electric-hydraulic unit.

Abstract: The emergency well-control vessel is capable of being moved above an offshore live oil or gas well, over which all normal controls have been lost. The vessel carries special purpose equipments and specially trained personnel for the purpose of bringing the erupted well under control, thereby stopping the pollution of the water body with the ejected formation fluids which form a so-called "plume". Such equipment is adapted to allow the vessel to move over and continue to dispel the plume while simultaneously attempting to regain control of the well. In one aspect, control of the abandoned wellhead and blowout preventers is established with divers working from the vessel or from an auxiliary craft. After control of the blowout preventer stack is confirmed and the same is fully operational, a kill string is lowered through the open blowout preventer stack and as deep down into the well as necessary.

Abstract: Latching means are provided for use in a test valve assembly and preferably comprise a first rocker section carryable with an upper conduit portion. A second rocker section is carryable with a second conduit portion. Lock means have a recess contoured for securement over the rocker sections and are manipulatable over the first and second rocker sections to locked and unlocked positions. Shiftable means are carried across the locked means to a first position whereby the lock means are engaged over the rocker sections and the conduit portions are secured together. The shiftable means are moved to a second position whereby the lock means are disengaged from the second rocker section and the conduit portions are in disengaged position. Second lock means also are provided for additional securement.

Abstract: A pressure insensitive, fail-safe subsea valve is disclosed. The valve is manipulator operable for deep water application and does not require conventional diving techniques to install, maintain or remove. The valve is pressure balanced by employing a hollow valve stem which equalizes the pressure on both ends of the stem.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided having particular utility in a test assembly securable in a blowout preventer stack above a subterranean well. The valve assembly is carriable between upper and lower portions of a tubular conduit extendible to at least one production zone in the well. The valve assembly comprises first and second ball valve elements interior of the assembly and is shiftable between fully open and fully closed positions, with one of the valve elements being manipulated from the fully closed position to the fully open position prior to the other of the valve elements being manipulated from the fully closed position. The ball valve elements are circumferentially off-set from one another, and may be provided in a cartridge-type assembly.

Abstract: A surface-controlled subsurface safety valve apparatus and method of utilizing the safety valve in through-the-flowline serviced wells. Both the valve frame and valve operator are provided with ball and socket universal joints to enable passage of the safety valve past restrictions in the flowline resulting from bends and curves in the flowline by flexing the safety valve in moving to and from the subsurface operating location.

Abstract: A subsea test valve system for wells completed at the floor of the sea includes a safety valve and disconnect mechanism mounted in a blowout preventer at the bottom of the sea and having hydraulic fluid pressure operated means for opening the safety valve and controlling a latch in the disconnect mechanism. A tubing test string shut off valve is releasably latched in the disconnect mechanism and has a hydraulic fluid operated shut off valve and a valve for venting the test string to the riser pipe which extends from the blowout preventer to the vessel or platform at the surface of the sea. The subsea hydraulic pressure operated devices are supplied with pressure fluid from a subsea accumulator under the control of subsea pilot valves which are operated by small pressure differences, to accomplish rapid operation at great depth from a control console on the vessel or platform.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for monitoring fluid pressure in a subsea petroleum installation or other similarly inaccessible system while isolating the well fluid from the production control system. In one particular form of the invention, a body of secondary fluid is pressure-responsively coupled to but isolated from the oil or other primary fluid of interest by a piston, which subjects the secondary fluid to the pressure existing on the primary fluid. In addition, a measuring device is connected to the secondary fluid to derive an electrical signal representation of the pressure on the secondary fluid as a correlative indication of the wellhead or other pressure actually sought to be measured.

Abstract: A plurality of wells are clustered around a central riser which is maintained under tension from a floating platform. A plurality of spiders on the riser carry funnels in vertical alignment with the wells. The funnels are sufficiently large to permit the passage of wellhead connectors and master block valves, and the production risers include centralizers which brace the production riser from the funnels through a limited vertical range. Tensioning of the production riser is with a lower force and through a limited range which precludes disengagement of the centralizers from the funnel. Some centralizers are located to facilitate entry and attachment to the wellhead.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically shutting in a producing well whenever the pressure in the well annulus drops below a defined pressure. A valve is positioned in the production tubing above an isolated production formation in the well and is maintained in an open position in response to the defined pressure in the well annulus. When the defined pressure is lost in the well annulus (e.g. due to intersection by a second well being drilled in the proximity of the producing well), the valve will close to shut in the producing well.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for treating or completing wells to provide surface controlled subsurface safety systems in the wells, whether at the time of original completion or when the well is reworked or reequipped. A method and apparatus is provided for installing receptacles at the upper ends of one or more lower well flow conductors left in place in the well below the surface for receiving the lower ends of corresponding upper flow conductor sections having surface controlled subsurface safety valves connected therein for controlling undesired flow from the well through said lower flow conductors in the event of an emergency, disaster or accident damaging the surface flow controlling system or threatening the integrity thereof. A hanger or packer may be installed in the well casing below the surface for supporting the upper ends of the lower flow conductor or conductors therebelow and providing means for connecting receptacles at the upper ends of said lower flow conductors above such hanger or packer.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for treating or completing wells to provide surface controlled subsurface safety systems in the wells, whether at the time of original completion or when the well is reworked or re-equipped. A method and apparatus is provided for installing receptacles at the upper ends of one or more lower well flow conductors left in place in the well below the surface for receiving the lower ends of corresponding upper flow conductor sections having surface controlled subsurface safety valves connected therein for controlling undesired flow from the well through said lower flow conductors in the event of an emergency, disaster or accident damaging the surface flow controlling system or threatening the integrity thereof. A hanger or packer may be installed in the well casing below the surface for supporting the upper ends of the lower flow conductor or conductors therebelow and providing means for connecting receptacles at the upper ends of said lower flow conductors above such hanger or packer.

Abstract: A system for controlling a plurality of subsea wellhead operators provides a dual set of operator controls having an electrical control cable and a pair of hydraulic control lines from the wellhead to a control center at the surface of the water. A primary set of electro-hydraulic multiplexed controls and a back-up set of hydraulic controls are each mounted in a separate control module on a base near the Christmas tree. When the primary set of controls fails operation is changed to the back-up set of controls by a signal from the surface control center. Defective control modules can be changed without removal of the tree cap as the controls are all outside the Christmas tree. Also, a defective primary control module can be removed while the back-up control module continues to control the operators in the Christmas tree.

Abstract: A well tool for inclusion in a tubing string of a well adapted to perform multiple functions including controlling fluid flow through the tubing string and/or cutting coiled tubing or wire line used in the tubing string for performing well completion and workover functions.

Abstract: An acoustic communication system is disclosed as a secondary means for command control of underwater operations from a surface unit. The system includes a diving acoustic command control unit for use in the event of prime propagation path occlusion. Self-check verification as well as data read-out upon interrogation is provided from the surface unit to an underwater receiver-transponder. The latter will also respond to acoustic command signals from the diving unit. An early warning blowout detector employs sensors at the wellhead to detect seismic waves, mud pressure wave fronts and mud flow rates resulting from an emerging blowout and in response thereto, transmits an alert signal.

Abstract: A sub-sea well head comprising a connector and a christmas tree which is enclosed in a capsule is characterized in that a master valve is contained within a member forming the foot of the christmas tree, the member penetrating and being sealed into the bottom of the capsule and supporting the capsule, and in that the master valve is contained within a part of the member within the capsule.

Abstract: An underwater Christmas tree for controlling flow from an offshore well is disclosed as having a master valve which is controlled by fluid pressure within a flow-line extending from a production bore of the tree, and means for receiving and releasably retaining a TFL tool in the production bore intermediate the location at which control pressure is sensed and the intersection of the production bore with an auxiliary bore of the tree through which wireline tools are run. Since the TFL tool limits flow therepast, flowline pressure may be maintained at a level necessary to maintain the master valve open independently of fluid pressure within the auxiliary bore.

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