An autonomous BOP system is provided for stopping an uncontrolled flow of formation hydrocarbons comprising two or more sensors distributed along a length of a subsea blowout preventer to monitor a drill pipe inside a blowout preventer and measure critical parameters. A computer using predictive-software monitors a blowout preventer along with material critical parameters and calculates a blowout preventer configuration and sequence to arrest a well blowout. Blowout preventer components are fine-tuned and operational modes are added to aid an arrest of a well blowout under realistic conditions.

A hydraulic protection system (46) for preventing collapse of a hydraulic line (38). The system comprises a pressure sensing assembly (50) which is arranged to monitor a pressure differential between fluid external to the hydraulic line and fluid contained within the hydraulic line; and a pressure compensation assembly (52) which is adapted to be coupled to the hydraulic line and which is exposed to the fluid external to the hydraulic line. The pressure compensation assembly (52) is operable to employ the pressure of the fluid external to the hydraulic line to increase the pressure of the fluid contained within the hydraulic line and thereby compensate for the loss. The system is arranged so that the pressure compensation assembly (52) is operated when the pressure differential monitored by the pressure sensing assembly (50) reaches a predetermined level, which is below a collapse pressure of the hydraulic line.

A system for collecting solid particles accumulating at the bottom of a subsea oil/water separation station of an installation for the subsea disposal of water produced during the deepwater subsea production of hydrocarbons, comprises at least one vertical drainage channel intended to open into a lower part of a horizontal body (of the oil/water separation station, a discharge pipe to be positioned horizontally under the horizontal body of the oil/water separation station and into which the drainage channel opens, and a high-pressure slurry ejector having a suction port connected to the discharge pipe via a supply valve.

Various embodiments provide methods and systems for providing sustainable and environmentally friendly fluid lighteners for use in downhole wells. The sustainable and environmentally friendly fluid lighteners may include one or more viscosifiers, one or more aphron generators, and a location-specific non-emulsifying or de-emulsifying surfactant. Various embodiments provide methods and systems for providing continuity of chemistry in downhole wells.

A protection system for a drilling riser. The drilling riser includes a main drilling riser bore and a drilling riser annulus and extends from a floating installation to a location on a seafloor and is fluidly connected to a subsea BOP. The system includes a fluid conduit which extends from the floating installation to a lower region of the drilling riser. The fluid conduit is fluidly connected with the drilling riser annulus in the drilling riser. The fluid conduit provides at least one of a rapid pressure relief and a fluid bypass for the main drilling riser bore to prevent the drilling riser from an uncontrolled pressure build-up due to an inadvertent plugging or a restriction resulting in a maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) of the drilling riser being exceeded, if a restriction, a plug or a blockage exists in the drilling riser annulus or in riser outlets.

What is provided is a method and apparatus which can be detachably connected to an annular blowout preventer thereby separating the drilling fluid or mud into upper and lower sections and allowing the fluid to be displaced in two stages, such as while the drill string is being rotated and/or reciprocated. In one embodiment the sleeve can be rotatably and sealably connected to a mandrel. The swivel can be incorporated into a drill or well string and enabling string sections both above and below the sleeve to be rotated in relation to the sleeve. In one embodiment the drill or well string does not move in a longitudinal direction relative to the swivel. In one embodiment, the drill or well string does move longitudinally relative to the sleeve of the swivel.

What is provided is a method and apparatus which can be detachably connected to an annular blowout preventer thereby separating the drilling fluid or mud into upper and lower sections and allowing the fluid to be displaced in two stages, such as while the drill string is being rotated and/or reciprocated. In one embodiment the sleeve can be rotatably and sealably connected to a mandrel. The swivel can be incorporated into a drill or well string and enabling string sections both above and below the sleeve to be rotated in relation to the sleeve. In one embodiment the drill or well string does not move in a longitudinal direction relative to the swivel. In one embodiment, the drill or well string does move longitudinally relative to the sleeve of the swivel.

This disclosure includes flow spool riser segment assemblies that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) and that can be lowered (e.g., when connected to other riser segment assemblies) through a rotary of a drilling rig. Some embodiments are configured to have portions of the flow spool connected (e.g., without welding) below the rotary.

Apparatus and methods for performing subsea drilling operations. An example method may include receiving drilling fluid from a drilling fluid source at a first pressure by a pressure exchanger located within a subsea environment and receiving seawater from the subsea environment at a second pressure by the pressure exchanger to increase pressure of the drilling fluid within the pressure exchanger to a third pressure. The second and third pressures are substantially greater than the first pressure. The method may further include discharging the drilling fluid from the pressure exchanger into piping to communicate the drilling fluid to a drill forming a wellbore in a seabed and discharging the seawater from the pressure exchanger into the subsea environment.

A system includes a mud return system. The mud return system includes a pressure exchanger (PX) configured to be installed in a body of water, to receive used drilling mud, to receive a second fluid, to utilize the second fluid to pressurize the drilling mud for transport, via a mud return line, from a first location at or near the sea floor to a second location at or near a surface of the body of water.