Vetco Gray Inc.

Dril-quip, Inc.

Other

Abb Vetco Gray Incorporated

John Edward Nelson

Thomas A Fraser

Bruce Joseph Witwer

Charles Edward Jennings

Lionel J Milberger

Ready Joseph Johnson

Charles Morris Smith

Norman Brammer

Blake T DeBerry

Rick C Hunter

Nicholas Peter Gette

Daniel Caleb Benson

Frank David Kalb

Philip S Kossin

Justin Rye

Amin Radi

Flavio Santos

James A Gariepy

Thomas Lowell Steen

Mark A Manning

Chau Hoang

Stephen David Peters

Ryan Herbel

Ian Douglas Calder

Egil E Rebne

Steven C Ellis

Javier Garcia, Jr

Detrick Deyon Garner

Armando Faz

Thomas M Dolan

Christopher C Mayer

Raymond J Smith

Hugh J Reddington

Oscar Maldonado

Scott P Ellisor

Systems and methods for coupling a platform to a subsea wellhead are provided. The systems may include a riser extending between the platform and the subsea wellhead. The systems may further include an inner drilling riser tie-back connector ('ITBC') coupled to an inner riser and having an outer body and an inner body. The inner body is at least partially disposed within the outer body, and the inner body is translatable along a longitudinal axis of the ITBC between a first unlocked position and a second locked position. The systems may additionally include a locking mechanism for the ITBC.

Inner drilling riser tie-back internal connector

Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead, landing a tree on the wellhead, and making electrical and hydraulic couplings between the tree and the tubing hanger without having to orient the tree or the tubing hanger relative to each other are provided. This is accomplished using a seal sub that is coupled to the tree and lowered with the tree into contact with the tubing hanger located in the wellhead. The seal sub features an electrical conductor that facilitates electrical coupling of the tree to the tubing hanger. The tubing hanger and seal sub may include a metal-to-metal and elastomeric seal arrangement designed to seal off electrical and hydraulic connections between these components when, the tree is positioned within the wellhead.

Non-orientating tubing hanger and tree

In one embodiment, an anti-rotation system includes a first tubular member having an extended thread and a torque shoulder, the first tubular member comprising a radial recessed area, the radial recessed area located axially between the external thread and the torque shoulder of the first tubular member. The system may further include a second tubular member comprising a radial recessed slot, the radial recessed slot located in the inner circumference of the second tubular member. The system may also include a pin toothed insert mechanically coupled to the first tubular member within the recessed area, the pin toothed insert comprising a first circumferential tooth pattern facing radially outward from the first tubular member. The system may also include a spring loaded, radial ratchet dog located within the radial recessed slot, the spring loaded radial ratchet dog comprising a second circumferential tooth pattern facing radially inward from the second tubular member. The spring loaded radial ratchet dog may be movable radially outward over the pin toothed insert during coupling of the first tubular member and the second tubular member. Furthermore, the spring loaded radial ratchet dog may engage the pin toothed insert and resisting decoupling of the first tubular member and the second tubular member.

Radial ratchet dog anti-rotation device

In one embodiment, a vertical ratcheting anti-rotation device includes a ratchet mechanism pivotally coupled at a proximal end to a first tubular member in a first recessed area located on a shoulder of the first tubular member. A distal end of the ratchet mechanism includes a first plurality of angled teeth and a spring allowing the ratchet mechanism to pivot in a vertical direction within the first recessed area. The anti-rotation device may also include a toothed insert mechanically coupled to a second tubular member in a second recessed area located on a shoulder of the second tubular member. The toothed insert may include a second plurality of angled teeth positioned to engage the first plurality of angled teeth of the ratchet mechanism. The spring is compressible during coupling of the tubular members to allow the ratchet mechanism to move vertically over the second plurality of angled teeth.

Vertical ratcheting anti-rotation device

An apparatus and methods for installing and selectively retrieving a casing hanger locking device within a wellhead system during the bit run and retrieval operations are provided. An embodiment is an apparatus comprising: a bit sub comprising a tong neck, a cylindrical portion below the tong neck, and at least one stabilizing fin below the cylindrical section, wherein the at least one stabilizing fin comprises a keyway; a casing hanger locking device comprising an annular structure and an expandable ring disposed around an upper portion of the annular structure, the casing hanger locking device disposed around the bit sub; an actuation sleeve that engages with the casing hanger locking device; and a selective retrieval collar comprising a segmented retrieval ring, wherein the selective retrieval collar is attached to the bit sub, the actuation sleeve, and the casing hanger locking device.

Method and apparatus for bit run and retrieved casing hanger locking device

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a seal assembly for sealing and locking a casing hanger to a wellhead includes a lower seal body, an upper seal body connected to the lower seal body, an inner lock ring disposed between the upper seal body and the lower seal body, an external lock ring engaging the upper seal body, and an energizing ring. The lower seal body is structured and arranged to form a seal with the casing hanger and the wellhead. The upper seal body includes a load portion that overhangs a load shoulder of the casing hanger. At least a portion of the energizing ring is disposed within an inner groove disposed within the upper seal body. The energizing ring locks the inner lock ring into forcible engagement with the casing hanger, and locks the external lock ring into engagement with the wellhead.

Metal to metal annulus seal with enhanced lock-down capacity

A key assembly is press fit into an annular space between a box and pin member to resist relative rotation of the box and pin members. The key assembly includes wedge like members that contact one another along complementary tapered surfaces, and when in contact generate radial forces into the box and pin member to secure the connection between the box and pin. The outer wedge is inserted first into the annular space between the box and pin members, and has rows of elongate teeth that project radially outward into contact with an inner surface of the box member. Because the outer wedge is pushed radially outward against the box member rather than axially sliding therebetween, the teeth protrude into the surface of the box member thereby increasing the anti-rotation force created by the outer wedge.

Anti-rotation wedge

A wellhead seal assembly forms a metal-to-metal seal between inner and outer wellhead members. A metal seal ring has inner and outer walls separated by a slot. An energizing ring has a C-ring captured on its outer surface. When the energizing ring is moved further into the slot, the C-ring is forced from its pocket and engages a profile on the seal ring, locking the energizing ring to the seal assembly.

Metal annulus seal

A wireless video camera system including a single or dual HDTV digital camera; a system for the wireless transmission of uncompressed single or multiple SMPTE 292M, HDSDI data streams over an RF band; and automatic self-pointing transmitting and receiving antennas.

Transmission of uncompressed video for 3-D and multiview HDTV

A wellhead housing has a telescoping casing hanger with an actuator mechanism to provide for direct transfer of casing and pressure loads to the housing. The transfer of casing and pressure loads occurs even in conditions where the telescoping casing hanger may be set in a high position in the wellhead housing on a load shoulder. The transfer of casing and pressure loads also occurs in conditions where the telescoping casing hanger may be set in an earlier installed casing hanger in the wellhead housing for a larger diameter casing string.

Wellhead assembly with telescoping casing hanger

An offshore riser system has riser joints, each having a pin and a box. The pin has an external grooved profile that is engaged by a locking element carried by the box of another riser joint. An actuating ring engages with the locking element to move it into the locked position. A retractable spider supports the string of riser while the new joint is being made up. A makeup tool on the riser deploying floor moves the ring relative to the locking element, causing the locking element to move to the locked position.

Riser joint coupling

A wellhead seal assembly that forms a metal-to-metal seal between inner and outer wellhead members. A metal seal ring has inner and outer walls separated by a slot. The exterior surfaces of the outer and inner walls contain a soft metal inlay. A wicker profile with a slick area is located on the outer surface of the inner wellhead member and on the inner surface of the outer wellhead member. An energizing ring is moved into the slot to force the outer and inner walls of the seal into sealing engagement with the inner and outer wellhead members. The soft metal inlays deform onto the slick area on the wellhead members. The wickers on the wellhead members embed into the walls of the seal ring.

Metal-to-metal seal with travel seal bands

A seal assembly for sealing between wellhead members in a wellhead, the assembly may include a seal element and a lockdown member. The seal assembly is attachable to either one of the wellhead members by coupling the lockdown member to a locking surface on the wellhead member. The lockdown member and locking surface may include corresponding profiles for mating engagement thereby preventing relative movement between the wellhead member and seal assembly.

Wellhead seal assembly

A wellhead seal assembly forms a metal-to-metal seal between inner and outer wellhead members. A metal seal ring has inner and outer walls separated by a slot. A lock ring has grooves for locking the inner wellhead member to the outer wellhead member during installation. An energizing ring has a C-ring captured on its inner surface. When the energizing ring is moved further into the slot, the C-ring is forced from its pocket and engages the surface of the inner wellhead member, locking the seal assembly to the inner wellhead member.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

John Edward Nelson