A method for identifying anomalous mud flow includes determining an operating rate of a mud pump discharging to a pipe string in a wellbore. Mud returned from the wellbore is moved to a first metering tank. Mud is moved from the first transfer tank to a mud storage tank using a first pump having a flow rate directly related to an operating rate thereof. A first parameter related to volume of mud in the first metering tank is measured. Anomalous mud flow is identified by detecting changes in the operating rate of the first pump wherein the operating rate is adjusted to maintain the first parameter substantially constant.
A method for operating a ram in a well pressure control apparatus includes communicating a control signal to at least one of a rotary motor and a source of pressurized fluid to operate at least one of the motor and the source of pressurized fluid to operate a ram actuator. A parameter related to position of the ram actuator is measured during operation of the actuator. Operation of the ram actuator is automatically stopped when the measured parameter indicates the ram actuator is fully extended or fully retracted.
A method for assembling a riser from a platform on the surface of a body of water includes assembling segments of riser end to end through a drill floor using a main drilling unit on the platform. At least one auxiliary line is assembled from segments connected end to end through an auxiliary hoisting unit on the platform. The auxiliary hoisting unit is displaced laterally from the main drilling unit. The assembled riser is connected to a wellhead proximate the bottom of the body of water.
A power fluid supply system for a well pressure control apparatus includes a control valve manifold in hydraulic communication between a fluid outlet of an hydraulic fluid accumulator and an hydraulic ram in the well pressure control apparatus. A pressurized gas accumulator is in fluid communication with a fluid inlet of the hydraulic fluid accumulator. A pressurized gas supply conduit extends from the pressurized gas accumulator to a source of pressurized gas.
An automatic light control switch includes: a housing configured to receive an optical fiber; a built-in light sensor located in the housing and configured to directly detect light through the housing; an external light sensor located in the housing and shielded from light, the external light sensor being configured to be coupled to the optical fiber and to detect light transmitted by the optical fiber; and a drive controller configured to: determine, automatically, a usage condition as one of an indoor condition and an outdoor condition in accordance with a condition signal; in response to determining that the usage condition is the indoor condition, disable the built-in light sensor and enable the external light sensor; and in response to determining that the usage condition is the outdoor condition, enable the built-in light sensor and disable the external light sensor.
A method for abandonment of a production platform includes moving a mobile offshore service platform (MOSP) to a position proximate the production platform. A hull of the MOSP is raised to a selected elevation above a top of the production platform. A cantilever structure having thereon a drilling unit and a crane is extended from a retracted position over the hull until the drilling unit is positioned over at least one well on the production platform. The well is plugged. The cantilever structure is then moved so that the crane is positioned to lift components from the production platform during disassembly of the production platform.
An apparatus for actuating a ram in a well pressure control apparatus includes an actuator rod coupled to a ram. The actuator rod is movable within a housing to extend the ram into a through bore in the housing. A drive screw is rotationally coupled to the actuator rod. The drive screw is oriented transversely to the actuator rod. At least one motor is rotationally coupled to the drive screw.
An apparatus for actuating a ram in a well pressure control apparatus includes an actuator rod coupled to a ram. The actuator rod is movable within a housing to extend the ram into a through bore in the housing. A drive screw is rotationally coupled to the actuator rod. The drive screw is oriented transversely to the actuator rod. At least one motor is rotationally coupled to the drive screw.
A method for excavating a well cellar includes lowering an excavating apparatus having a cellar liner therein to a bottom of a body of water. The well cellar is excavated while contemporaneously lowering the cellar liner into the well cellar until a top of the cellar liner is substantially level with the bottom of the body of water. A pilot well is excavated below a bottom of the cellar. A well head support pipe is inserted into the pilot well. The bottom of the well cellar and a top of the cellar liner are covered.
A method for excavating a well cellar includes lowering an excavating apparatus having a cellar liner therein to a bottom of a body of water. The well cellar is excavated while contemporaneously lowering the cellar liner into the well cellar until a top of the cellar liner is substantially level with the bottom of the body of water. A pilot well is excavated below a bottom of the cellar. A well head support pipe is inserted into the pilot well. The bottom of the well cellar and a top of the cellar liner are covered.
(1) Operation of a distributorship service dealing in the wholesale and retail sale of industrial pipes, valves and fittings, plumbing and hydronic heating equipment parts and heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment parts.
A cantilever skidding apparatus includes a cantilever comprising longitudinal rails and end rails coupled to longitudinal ends of the longitudinal rails, at least one longitudinal rail having a toothed rack thereon. At least one longitudinal extension mechanism is operatively coupled to one of the racks and to a support structure. The at least one longitudinal extension mechanism is coupled to the support structure so as to enable both rotation and translational motion of the extension mechanism. At least one lateral skidding mechanism is operatively coupled to the support structure and to at least one of the longitudinal rails. The at least one lateral skidding mechanism is configured to move the cantilever in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal dimension thereof and to enable relative rotation between the longitudinal rails and a direction of motion of the lateral skidding mechanism.
A fluid containment system for a riser slip joint includes a fluid container sealingly engaged to a fixed part of the slip joint. A movable part of the slip joint is axially movably engaged with the fixed part. An annular seal is disposed between the fixed part and the movable part. A body of fluid disposed in the fluid container has a level selected to submerge the annular seal and at least a portion of the movable part. The system includes means for maintaining a level of the body of fluid substantially constant.
A jackup mobile offshore drilling unit includes a hull and a plurality of jacking legs movable longitudinally with respect to the hull and having features thereon to support the hull above a body of water. A storage tank is disposed inside at least one of the plurality of jacking legs. The unit comprises means for moving the storage tank longitudinally inside the at least one of the plurality of jacking legs.
E02B 17/08 - Equipment specially adapted for raising, lowering, or immobilising the working platform relative to the supporting construction for raising or lowering
E21B 15/02 - Supports for the drilling machine, e.g. derricks or masts specially adapted for underwater drilling
B63B 35/44 - Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
15.
TENDER BARGE FOR DRILLSHIP OPERATING IN ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
A tender barge for a drill ship includes a hull internally segmented into compartments. The compartments are for storing wellbore drilling consumables and wellbore drilling waste. The hull has an opening therein for positioning under a moon pool of a drill ship. The barge hull further includes a support structure for contacting a bottom of a hull of a drill ship when the drill ship is positioned over the barge hull. The barge has a mooring system having capacity to either hold the barge in position or hold both the barge and the drill ship when the drill ship is fully supported by the barge out of the water over a wellbore location.
B63B 35/42 - Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for for transporting marine vessels with adjustable draught
16.
METHOD FOR CAPPING A WELL IN THE EVENT OF SUBSEA BLOWOUT PREVENTER FAILURE
A method for capping a subsea wellbore having a failed blowout preventer proximate the bottom of a body of water includes lowering a replacement blowout preventer system into the water from a vessel on the water surface. The replacement blowout preventer system includes an hydraulic pressure source disposed proximate well closure elements on the replacement blowout preventer system. The replacement blowout preventer system is coupled to the failed blowout preventer. The well closure elements on the replacement blowout preventer system are actuated using the hydraulic pressure source.
A method for capping a subsea wellbore having a failed blowout preventer proximate the bottom of a body of water includes lowering a replacement blowout preventer system into the water from a vessel on the water surface. The replacement blowout preventer system includes an hydraulic pressure source disposed proximate well closure elements on the replacement blowout preventer system. The replacement blowout preventer system is coupled to the failed blowout preventer. The well closure elements on the replacement blowout preventer system are actuated using the hydraulic pressure source.
E21B 33/064 - Blow-out preventers specially adapted for underwater well heads
E21B 43/01 - Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells specially adapted for obtaining from underwater installations
(1) Operation of a business dealing in the wholesale supply and distribution of plumbing and heating products for residential, commercial and industrial markets; retail sale of plumbing products.
A method for forming an aluminum alloy riser includes forming a riser tube from an aluminum alloy. At least one flanged coupling is formed from the aluminum alloy. The flanged coupling is friction stir welded to one end of the tube. In one embodiment, an end of the tube is radially plastically expanded prior to welding the flange to the one end of the tube.
A method for preparing to move a floating structure away from a wellbore drilled below the bottom of a body of water includes filling a riser extending from the bottom of the body of water to the floating structure with water. The water in the riser is displaced to a selected first depth below the water surface. The riser is sealed at a second selected depth shallower than the first selected depth. The portion of the riser above the second selected depth is withdrawn onto the floating structure.
