Vetco Gray Controls Limited

Energy Equipment Corporation

Kop Surface Products Singapore Pte. Ltd.

David Wade Webster

Phillip Tarr

The valve actuator () has a movable control element () which is typically connected to the valve to be opened/closed and a propulsion device () which may be a hydraulically operated piston () for moving the movable control element. A resilient element () which may be in the form of a spring arrangement has a stroke extending from a first relatively unloaded position to a second relatively loaded position and a transmission mechanism () is also provided, where the resilient element is loaded under the action of the propulsion device via the transmission mechanism and is configured to urge the moveable portion of the propulsion device towards the first position via the transmission mechanism when loaded. The transmission mechanism provides a gearing ratio reduction between the moveable portion of the propulsion device and the resilient element.

Valve actuator

The invention provides an apparatus and a method of deploying a tubular along a predetermined path. The method includes the steps of: coiling a tubular; accommodating the tubular in a deployment unit such that at least a portion of the coiled tubular is biased radially outwardly against the deployment unit; and deploying the tubular from the deployment unit along the predetermined path. The tubular can be deployed in a fluid along a predetermined path by: independently suspending the deployment unit in the fluid; and moving the deployment unit adjacent the predetermined path and simultaneously deploying the tubular along the predetermined path. The apparatus for deploying a tubular can comprise a deployment facilitator for facilitating deployment of the coiled tubular. The tubular can be arranged to feed into the deployment facilitator in use, and the deployment facilitator can be adapted to substantially reverse the coil bend of the tubular.

Method and apparatus for deploying a tubular

A running tool for deployment from a base such as a vessel for installing a component at an underwater facility such as a hydrocarbon extraction well includes a carriage which is lowered from the base. The carriage releasably retains the component. A compensator is located between the carriage and the base for compensating for relative motion between the underwater facility and the base.

Underwater installation apparatus

A protection system for a pipeline comprises a hydraulically actuated valve operable to switchably prevent a flow of fluid from a first section of the pipeline to a second section of the pipeline, a hydraulic fluid source for supplying hydraulic fluid to said hydraulically actuated valve to enable actuation thereof, a vent for venting hydraulic fluid from the hydraulically actuated valve, the hydraulically actuated valve being connected to the vent via a differential pressure valve to control venting of the hydraulically actuated valve, a pressure transfer barrier with a first port connected to the first section of the pipeline and a second port connected to said differential pressure valve, said differential pressure valve being supplied with hydraulic fluid at a reference pressure. If the pressure of fluid in the first section of pipeline exceeds the reference pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied to the differential pressure valve, the differential pressure valve is caused to be in an open state, thereby causing the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulically actuated valve to be released via the vent. The protection system is of particular application to sub-sea hydrocarbon extraction wells.

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Monmouth, United Kingdom

David Wade Webster