Gray Tool Company

Seaboard-arval Corporation

Riser Systems Technologies

Robert E Bush

Guy Leath Gettle

Reggie H Etheridge

Albert C Demny

Forrest J Allen

J Matt Harwell

A dual phase riser flotation system contains a number of passive phase buoyancy modules of syntactic foam contained within an outer skin, and a number of active phase buoyancy modules which are similar to air canisters in that they may be inflated or deflated as required to provide levels of buoyancy. The passive phase buoyancy modules may contain tubes filled with air, a compressed gas such as nitrogen, or evacuated to provide additional buoyancy. Charge and discharge valves connect gas flow lines to a manifold system serving the active phase buoyancy modules.

Deep water riser flotation apparatus

A new wellhead housing structure which utilizes identical units of a unique wellhead housing of selected internal diameter and pressure rating. Each wellhead housing utilizes a new flexible bowl ('flexbowl') hanger support ring which may be installed and removed as desired during assembly of the wellhead structure during completion of the well. Each wellhead housing forms an internal circumferential groove to receive the flexible bowl hanger support ring in position to receive and support different kinds and sizes of hangers for casing, protective sleeves, and the like. The flexible bowl support ring is drawn into a contracted position. The contracted support ring will pass through the wellhead housing and is seated by a setting tool. Subsequently, a tubing or casing hanger may be landed upon the support ring and supported by the support ring which serves the same functions as the bowl seat in a conventional wellhead housing. The support ring may be removed by a removal tool.

Universal flexbowl wellhead and well completion method

A fire resistant connection (28) that embodies a sealing means (36) and that is operable for purposes of effectuating the establishment of a fire resistant seal between mating surfaces (32, 34), and in particular mating surfaces (32, 34) of the type that commonly are found to be present in wellhead and valve equipment (10). The subject fire resistant connection (28) includes mating seal surfaces (32, 34) and the aforementioned sealing means (36). The sealing means (36) comprises a seal ring (36), which includes a plurality of seal lips (38, 40) and a pair of scalloped ribs (42, 44), the latter (42, 44) being formed on the seal ring (36) so as to be located in interposed relation between a pair of adjacent seal lips (38, 40). Each of the plurality of seal lips (38, 40) is suitably configured so as to be positionable in sealing engagement with a corresponding one of the mating seal surfaces (32, 34), the latter (32, 34) embodying a configuration that is complementary in nature to that of the seal lip (38, 40) engaged thereby. Likewise, the pair of ribs (42, 44) are suitably configured such that when the seal lips (38, 40) are in sealing engagement with the mating seal surfaces (32, 34), the pair of ribs (42, 44) are also engaged by the mating seal surfaces (32, 34) and are locked in position thereby.

Fire resistant connections and double ribbed sealing means therefor

A fire resistant connection (14) that embodies a sealing means (44) and that is operable for purposes of effectuating the establishment of a fire resistant seal between mating surfaces (52, 54), and in particular mating surfaces (52, 54) of the type that commonly are found to be present in wellhead and valve equipment (10). The subject fire resistant connection (14) includes mating seal surfaces (52, 54) and the aforementioned sealing means (44). The sealing means (44) comprises a seal ring (44), which includes a plurality of seal lips (46, 48) and a dovetail-shaped rib (50), the latter (50) being formed on the seal ring (44) so as to be located in interposed relation between the pair of adjacent seal lips (46, 48). Each of the plurality of seal lips (46, 48) is suitably configured so as to be positionable in sealing engagement with a corresponding one of the mating seal surfaces (52, 54), the latter (52, 54) embodying a configuration that is complementary in nature to that of the seal lip (46, 48) engaged thereby. Likewise, the rib (50) is suitably configured such that when the seal lips (46, 48) are in sealing engagement with the mating seal surfaces (52, 54), the rib (50) is also engaged by the mating seal surfaces (52, 54) and is locked in position thereby.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Robert E Bush