Armco Inc.

Abb Vetco Gray Incorporated

Dril-quip, Inc.

National Oilwell, Inc.

Douglas D Hall

William S Cowan

Paul E Helfer

Miles F Caraway

A splitter assemblyis positioned downhole within a conductorfor separating two or more tubular strings placed within the conductor. A splitter housing may include a first boreand a second borefor separating a first well from a second well, and a plugpositioned in one of the bores including a top facesloping downwardly toward the other bore. One or more guide platessecured to the splitter housing and positioned above the plug guide a bit or other tool toward one of the first bore and the second bore. The splitter housingmay be positioned along the conductorafter the conductor is jetted in place. According to the method, the plug in one of the bores is retrieved after a casing is run in one well, so that the second bit and the second casing will pass through the bore which previously included the plug.

Downhole tubular splitter assembly and method

Drill pipe protection rings for filling external identification slots in drill pipe tool joints prevent damage to the internal seals of a drilling head. The rings are formed from resilient elastomeric materials. In cross-section, each ring has slightly convex inner and outer surfaces, and a series of circumferentially spaced-apart, hemispherical bumps located along its inner surface. One ring is mounted within each slot on each drill pipe section. The rings stretch slightly while being installed, but form a tight fit once they are properly seated. When installed, the outer surfaces of the rings will protrude slightly outward from or beyond the slots. The hemispherical bumps help align and center the rings within the slots. Without the rings, sharp edges of the slots on the drill pipe tool joints could cause severe damage as they passed through the drill head. However, with the rings, the outer surfaces of the slots are substantially filled to prevent their edges from cutting or gouging the elastomers.

Drill pipe protection rings and method of using the same

A drilling head has a body which lands in an external housing. The body is removably secured to the housing with an annular split ring which is moveable in response to a cam member. The body has an outer body and a rotatable inner body with an axial bore. An annulus extends between the inner and outer bodies. Inlet and outlet ports communicate hydraulic fluid to the annulus which is sealed. The inner body has a gripping member with inner and outer portions. The inner portion has a solid annular elastomer which is free to slide radially relative to the inner body. The outer diameter of the inner portion abuts the outer portion. The outer portion has an energizable elastomer with an annular cavity. The cavity communicates with the annulus through a passage. A primary seal extends from a lower end of the inner body. The seal has a conical elastomer and reinforcement webs to give the elastomer greater rigidity in the upward direction. Drill pipe having a plurality of tool joints is lowered through the bore of the drill head. As tool joints are lowered through the primary seal, the elastomer and ribs flex outward. As the tool joints exit the primary seal, it snaps back and seals around the drill pipe. During drilling, the gripping member is energized to grip and provide a secondary seal around the drill pipe, thereby causing the inner body to rotate with the drill pipe.

Rotating drilling head with spaced apart seals

An apparatus for remotely cutting a broken guideline extending from an underwater guide post comprising a frame, a clamping mechanism for clamping the frame to the guide post in a predetermined location, a pair of opposed cutting jaws pivotally coupled to the frame, and a remotely actuated power device for pivoting the jaws across the longitudinal axis of the broken guideline to sever the guideline from the guide post. The cutting jaws are pivoted about the same axis and are actuated by a U-shaped driver slidably movable along the frame. The clamping mechanism comprises a pair of opposed jaws receivable in an annular groove in the guide post. Above the cutting jaws are a pair of pivotal loom jaws which guide the assembly on the post and also deflect any interfering portion of the broken guideline extending along the side of the post.

Remotely actuated cutting assembly for broken underwater guidelines

Remotely operated tool for performing functions at underwater installations. Tools according to the invention are especially useful for remote retrieval and installation of wireline bushings in hollow guide posts. Particularly advantageous embodiments of the tool are fluid pressure operated, include means for performing at least two functions, successively, and respond to a single pressure fluid input rather than requiring successive inputs.

Remotely operated tool for performing functions under water

Underwater devices, particularly bushings for centering and/or anchoring a guide line relative to a hollow guide post in a guidance system, are equipped with latch means which can be unlatched by the same remotely operated tool employed to retrieve the device after unlatching.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Douglas D Hall