Dril-quip, Inc.

Innovex International, Inc.

2r.l-quip

Morris B Wade

Blake T DeBerry

Todd L Scaggs

Gregory K Norwood

Justin Rye

Flavio Santos

Robert Buxton

Bruce Joseph Witwer

James Daryl Kizer

Lionel J Milberger

Andrew B Mitchell

David A Scantlebury

Mark A Manning

Matthew Crotwell

Larry E Reimert

Gregory Dale Williams

Sascha Antonio Castriotta

Colton Bradford Sandman

Michael J Lynch

Daniel J McLaughlin

David Scantlebury

Darren W T Mills

Timothy A Pillow

Eleazar Herrera

Mason Connor Wade

Bruce J Witwer

Systems and methods for coupling subsea tubular members together are provided. An apparatus may be used to properly orient and/or provide communication between a first subsea tubular member that is being landed on a second subsea tubular member. An apparatus for coupling subsea tubular members may include an alignment sub and a corresponding alignment member. The alignment sub includes: a generally cylindrical body having one or more fluid, electric, or fiber optic lines extending therethrough, one or more couplings coupled to at least one end of the alignment sub, and an orientation profile disposed on a surface of the alignment sub. The alignment member has a profile designed to interface with the orientation profile of the alignment sub. One of the alignment sub and the alignment member remains stationary while the other rotates relative to the stationary structure.

Subsea equipment alignment device

A system includes: a conductor pipe running tool configured to be coupled with an upper end of a conductor pipe, and the conductor pipe running tool is configured to support and lower the conductor pipe from a surface location toward a sea floor location. The conductor pipe running tool further includes: one or more sensors disposed on the conductor pipe running tool for measuring one or more properties associated with the conductor pipe; and a communication system disposed on the conductor pipe running tool and coupled to the one or more sensors, wherein the communication system is configured to communicate data indicative of the one or more measured properties to: a monitoring system proximate the surface location, a remote operated vehicle (ROV), or both.

Control/monitoring of initial construction of subsea wells

Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead and then orienting a tree (or spool, or flowline connection body) relative to the tubing hanger while landing the tree on the wellhead are provided. This alignment is accomplished without the use of either a tubing spool or a BOP stack with an orientation pin. The tubing hanger alignment devices may be used to orientate the tree as the tree is landed so that the couplings and stabs between the tree and the tubing hanger line up with each other just at the moment of landing.

Tubing hanger alignment device

Tubing hanger alignment device with plug-based alignment mechanism

Systems and methods for proper orientation of the connections of a tubing hanger and a subsea assembly in a wellhead or tree are provided. The alignment is accomplished with the use of an orientation spool adaptor equipped with positional sensors and an orientation helix. Calibration of the positional sensors at the surface allows for orientation with simple vertical deployment. Positional sensors may provide real time data such as location, speed of installation and orientation back to the surface.

Tubing hanger orientation spool adaptor

Tubing hanger alignment device with helical slot alignment mechanism

Tubing hanger alignment device with torsional spring alignment mechanism

A high capacity universal connector for use in connecting tubular members and a method for sealing the tubular members is provided. First and second tubular members are provided which each have ends that are brought into face-to-face engagement by a connector. A metal sealing element seals against conical surfaces at the ends of the first and second tubular members and enables the entire surface of the end of one tubular member to be bought into engagement with the surface of the end of the other tubular member so as to improve the bending and compression capacity of the assembly comprising the tubular members and the metal sealing element. A metal sealing ring for use in this assembly is also provided, along with a gasket retention assembly.

High capacity universal connector

Hands free gasket retention mechanism

Systems and methods for control/monitoring of internal equipment in a riser assembly are disclosed. The method includes running a tool through at least a portion of an internal bore of a riser assembly associated with a well, and outputting a control signal from a first wireless communication interface disposed along the internal bore of the riser assembly. The first wireless communication interface is coupled to a communication system on the riser assembly. The method also includes receiving the control signal at a second wireless communication interface disposed on the tool, and actuating at least one equipment component of the tool in response to the second wireless communication interface receiving the control signal.

Control/monitoring of internal equipment in a riser assembly

A ball valve assembly including a fluid storage mechanism (e.g., accumulator) that absorbs excess fluid pressure vented through a communication port is provided. The ball valve assembly includes a housing with a fluid passage formed therethrough, a seat located in the fluid passage, and an inlet of the fluid passage on a first side of the seat for coupling the ball valve assembly to the communication port. The ball valve assembly includes a ball with a bore formed therethrough. The ball is positioned in the seat and rotatably movable between an open position allowing flow through the fluid passage and a closed position preventing flow through the fluid passage. The ball valve assembly also includes an accumulator disposed in the housing and fluidly coupled to the first fluid passage on a second side of the seat opposite the first side.

Ball valve with pressure absorbing accumulator

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Morris B Wade