Oceaneering International, Inc.

Control Flow, Inc.

Other

Hydril Company

Syntron, Inc.

B.r. Controls, Inc.

Graeme Edwin Reynolds

Daniel J Pesek

Greg Robert Boyle

Robert A Johnigan

M M Barrier

Timothy I Mournian

Miller M Barrier

An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) may be programmed and launched to interface with an emergency blowout preventer which has been fitted, either when new or retrofitted, with an emergency BOP control system (EBOP). The EBOP is a 'black box' drop-in solution for projects such as emergency well control that can be retrofitted to existing BOP systems or added to new BOP systems and comprises one or more control docking stations, each adapted to receive autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV); one or more interface units connected to the control docking station and used to provide an interface between the control docking station and a BOP; and the AUV which is dimensioned and configured to autonomously mate with the control docking station and effect controls of the BOP.

Emergency blowout preventer (EBOP) control system using an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and method of use

A distributed function control module adapted for use in a modular blowout preventer (BOP) stack for use subsea comprises a housing, adapted to be manipulated by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a stab portion adapted to be received into a BOP stack control module receiver. Control electronics, adapted to control a predetermined function with respect to the BOP stack, are disposed within the housing and connected to one or more controllable devices by a wet mateable connector interface.

Modular, distributed, ROV retrievable subsea control system, associated deepwater subsea blowout preventer stack configuration, and methods of use

The invention relates to the field of offshore subsea oil and gas drilling and production operations. Specifically the invention relates to a hydraulically and/or mechanically driven junction plate actuator suitable for use in connecting and/or disconnecting a dynamic junction box half to a fixed junction box assembly.

Subsea hydraulic junction plate actuator with R.O.V. mechanical override

A distributed function control module adapted for use in a modular blowout preventer (BOP) stack for use subsea comprises a housing, adapted to be manipulated by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a stab portion adapted to be received into a BOP stack control module receiver. Control electronics, adapted to control a predetermined function with respect to the BOP stack, are disposed within the housing and connected to one or more controllable devices by a wet mateable connector interface. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of meaning of the claims.

The invention is directed to a tensioner/slip-joint module for providing a conduit from a floating vessel at the surface of the ocean to the blowout preventer stack, or production tree, which is connected to the wellhead at the sea floor. The tensioner/slip-joint module compensates for vessel motion induced by wave action and heave and maintains a variable tension to the riser string alleviating the potential for compression and thus buckling or failure of the riser string. The tensioner/slip-joint module of the present invention preferably includes at least one mandrel having at least one hang-off donut; at least one upper flexjoint swivel assembly, at least one radially ported manifold, at least one tensioning cylinder, and at least one slip-joint assembly combined in a single unit.

Tensioner/slip-joint assembly

A tensioner for providing a conduit, e.g., drilling and production riser strings, from a floating vessel at the surface of the ocean to the blowout preventer stack, production tree, or other assembly which is connected to the wellhead at the sea floor. The tensioner compensates for vessel motion induced by wave action and heave and maintains a variable tension to the riser string alleviating the potential for compression and thus buckling or failure of the riser string. The tensioner of the present invention preferably includes at least one mandrel having at least one hang-off donut; at least one upper flexjoint swivel assembly, at least one radially ported manifold, and at least one tensioning cylinder co-linearly combined in a single unit. Methods for assembling risers are also disclosed.

Co-linear tensioner and methods for assembling production and drilling risers using same

A tensioner/slip-joint module for providing a conduit from a floating vessel at the surface of the ocean to the blowout preventer stack, or production tree, which is connected to the wellhead at the sea floor. The tensioner/slip-joint module compensates for vessel motion induced by wave action and heave and maintains a variable tension to the riser string alleviating the potential for compression and thus buckling or failure of the riser string. The tensioner/slip-joint module preferably includes at least one mandrel having at least one hang-off donut; at least one upper flexjoint swivel assembly, at least one radially ported manifold, at least one tensioning cylinder, and at least one slip-joint assembly combined in a single unit.

A marine riser segment which includes a riser joint having a threaded coupling at each end and flanges disposed on an exterior of the joint. Each of the flanges is coupled to the joint by a bearing. The flanges including openings therein for auxiliary conduits, so that the conduit joint is connectible to another such joint by relative rotation of corresponding ones of the threaded couplings, while the flanges remain rotationally fixed.

Conduit section having threaded section connectors and external conduits attached thereto

A deep water riser assembly includes a lower BOP stack positioned adjacent and anchored to the bottom of the ocean and an upper BOP stack attached to the riser at a water level just far enough below the surface to be unaffected by surface currents. The upper BOP stack has shear rams above the pipe rams to sever the section of the drill pipe above the shear rams to allow the upper section of the drill pipe between the shear rams and the drill ship to be retrieved followed by the section of riser above the upper BOP stack to free the drill ship to move as required to better weather a surface storm. A floatation module is attached to the riser below the upper BOP stack and exerts an upward force that holds the riser below the upper BOP stack free-standing and in tension. Means are provided to reconnect the upper section of the riser to the upper BOP stack after the storm has passed.

Deep water riser assembly

A connector device freely secures a hydraulic hose to a wireline and comprises a generally cylindrical clamping body having an axial passage therethrough. The clamping body is formed having first and second semi-cylindrical body members which are permitted to pivotally move between an open and a closed position. A clamping assembly secures the first and second body members in the closed position. A closure assembly releasably and freely attaches the cylindrical clamping body to the wireline. The closure assembly includes a plurality of rotatably-mounted rollers surrounding the enclosed wireline W and provides substantially frictionless relative movement of the connector device along the wireline.

Hose-to wireline connector

A modular subsea control pod assembly having a retrievable pod assembly and a receptacle assembly. The retrievable pod assembly has a stab block and at least one function port having an opening in the stab block. The retrievable pod assembly includes a pod gate which is adapted to move between a first position in which the pod gate covers the function port opening and a second position in which the pod gate does not cover the function port opening. The receptacle assembly includes a receptacle base module adapted to receive the stab block and a receptacle function port adapted to be connected to a blowout preventer hydraulic operator. The receptacle assembly includes a receptacle gate which is adapted to move between a first position in which the receptacle gate covers the receptacle function port opening and a second position in which the receptacle gate does not cover the receptacle function port opening. Seal assemblies are provided to operate with the pod gates and the receptacle gates to seal the function and receptacle function ports against the intrusion of saltwater.

Subsea blowout preventer modular control pod

A two-position, three-way subsea non-interflow valve design comprises a plug assembly. An elongated member is positioned within the valve for relative movement with respect to the plug assembly. A first seal on the plug assembly remains closed until a second seal with the elongated member circumscribes the function port. Further movement of the elongated member opens the first seal to allow flow from the supply to the function port. Two seals are presented in the flow path of the supply port to eliminate interflow to any other valve opening.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Graeme Edwin Reynolds