Vetco Gray Inc.

Steven Wong

Rockford Dee Lyle

Joseph William Pallini, Jr

Joseph W Pallini

Bulent Aksel

Benjamin James Kubichek

Jesus J Garcia

Philip John Potter

Tsorng-Jong Maa

Chijie Lin

A connector for tie back liners has a tubular housing having at least one interior locking dog window. A setting chamber having a setting piston is located in the housing. A retraction chamber is in the housing, spaced axially from the setting chamber and having a retracting piston. Locking dogs are movably coupled in the locking dog window and axially spaced between the setting chamber and the retraction chamber. An actuating sleeve has a cam surface in engagement with the locking dogs and end portions with the setting piston and the retracting piston. Linking elements are in engagement with the locking dogs and a load shoulder located in the housing. The linking elements extend through linking element windows in the actuating sleeve. A shock absorber on the end of the housing absorbs shock when the connector lands on a wellhead.

External hydraulic tieback connector

A tensioner assembly for applying tension to a tubular member, such as a riser, can include an upper latch connected to the tubular member, a platform with a bore, and a lower latch ring. After applying tension to the tubular member, the lower latch ring can be closed around the tubular member so that when the tension is released, the upper latch lands on and engages the lower latch. The assembly can include a locking mechanism that prevents axial movement of the upper latch, relative to the lower latch, after engagement. The upper latch can self-center on the lower latch as it is moved into the latching position.

Tensioner latch with sliding segmented base

A tensioner assembly for applying tension to a tubular member, such as a riser, can include an upper latch connected to the tubular member, a platform with a bore, and a plurality of lower latch segments, each having a base that is pivotally connected to the platform. After applying tension to the tubular member, the segments pivot inward to form an annular lower latch ring having an inner diameter less than an outer diameter of the upper latch. The assembly can include a locking mechanism that prevents axial movement of the upper latch, relative to the lower latch ring, after engagement. The upper latch can self-center on the lower latch as it is moved into the latching position.

Tensioner latch with pivoting segmented base

A coupler having two degrees of axial freedom couples a hydro-pneumatic cylinder to a tensioner ring of a riser tensioner mounted to a platform. A post extends along an axis of the cylinder and an intermediate sleeve is disposed around the post to form a post annulus. An outer sleeve is secured to the tensioner ring and defines a cavity into which the post and intermediate sleeve are inserted so that an annulus is formed between the sleeve and the outer sleeve. The Outer sleeve is coupled to the intermediate sleeve so that the outer sleeve may pivot on the coupling between the outer sleeve and the intermediate sleeve relative to the intermediate sleeve. The intermediate sleeve is coupled to the post so that the intermediate sleeve may pivot on the coupling between the intermediate sleeve and the post relative to the post.

Tensioner cylinder connections with multiaxial degrees of freedom

A subsea riser assembly connects two tubular members with axial movement of an outer sleeve. The assembly includes a first tubular member having an end, and a second tubular member having an end with a plurality of box end fingers separated by slots, the second tubular member coaxial with the first tubular member. The end of the first tubular member is inserted into the end of the second tubular member. An outer sleeve having an inner diameter that engages an outer diameter of each box end finger. Axial movement of the outer sleeve relative to the box end fingers causes the inner diameter of the outer sleeve to interact with the outer diameter of the box end fingers, thereby causing the box end fingers to contract radially. The radial contraction of the box end fingers secures the first tubular member to the second tubular member in a made-up position.

Slide actuating tubular connector

A push-up tensioner for maintaining a tensile force in a riser having an axis couples to a floating platform and maintains the tensile force while the riser tilts variably from the vertical. The tensioner includes a plurality of cylinders having a lower end pivotally coupled to the deck. The cylinders are substantially perpendicular to the deck in the running position and at an angle to the deck in the tensioning position. After running of the riser, a placement assembly moves the cylinders from the running position to the tensioning position. A tensioner ring is run on the riser proximate to an upper end of the cylinders, and the cylinders are then automatically coupled to the tensioner ring.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Steven Wong