Patents Assigned to Aker Subsea, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130189039
    Abstract: A riser tensioning system with an individual riser unit on an oil or gas platform. The platform has a traveling trolley structure with at least one trolley bearing and a centralizer. The trolley bearing is coupled to at least one guide rail configured to allow vertical movement of said traveling trolley structure. The traveling trolley structure is coupled to a riser collar configured to support a top of the riser. The riser tensioning system has at least one cylinder coupled to the traveling trolley structure on one end and secured on an opposite end such that the cylinder is adapted to push or pull the traveling trolley structure vertically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: AKER SUBSEA INC.
    Inventors: Leiv Wanvik, Lars Pohner, Rolf Birger Bendiksen
  • Patent number: 8376057
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly including a wellhead housing. The wellhead housing comprises a throughbore having a recessed sealing area and a tubing hanger positioned in the throughbore. A seal is positioned between the wellhead housing and the tubing hanger, the seal being positioned so as to form a gap between the seal and the wellhead housing. The wellhead assembly can further include a seal energizer capable of moving relative to the seal in a manner that forces the seal against the wellhead housing to bridge the gap. A method of installing a tubing hanger into a throughbore of a wellhead housing is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Aker Subsea Inc.
    Inventors: Andy Dyson, Charles Li, Oystein Mogedal, Paulo Cezar Silva Paulo, Nick Newlands
  • Publication number: 20130032076
    Abstract: A deep draft semi-submersible production and drilling platform unit with dry trees is described. The platform unit preferably comprises four columns, a ring pontoon, a two-axis symmetrical hull with draft in the range of 100 to 155 feet, top-tensioned risers with push or pull tensioners of preferred combined vertical stiffness of 10% to 30% of the platform water plane stiffness, a well-bay with a well spacing in the range of 12 to 18 feet, a riser guiding system supported by the pontoons or at an elevated level, topside facilities supported by a box type of deck structure, mooring lines, and catenary risers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: AKER SUBSEA INC.
    Inventors: Yijian Zeng, Leiv Gunnar Wanvik, Tao Wang, Stein Rasmussen, Renjian Lu
  • Patent number: 8256506
    Abstract: A tubing hanger for use in a wellhead. The wellhead includes a throughbore, a landing seat positioned in the throughbore, a landing groove positioned above the landing seat in the throughbore, and a locking groove in the throughbore. The tubing hanger comprises an expandable landing ring positioned on the tubing hanger for engaging the landing groove and a landing mechanism for expanding the landing ring radially outward from the tubing hanger. A locking ring for engaging the locking groove can be positioned on the tubing hanger. The tubing hanger can further include a locking mechanism for expanding the locking ring radially outward from the tubing hanger body and locking it into the locking groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Aker Subsea Inc.
    Inventors: Andy Dyson, Charles Li, Oystein Mogedal, Paulo Cezar Silva Paulo, Nick Newlands
  • Patent number: 8235124
    Abstract: A variable buoyancy subsea running tool for use with subsea transportable devices, such as a tree cap. The buoyancy of the running tool may be varied through fluid or gas displacement in one or more containers. Alternatively, the running tool may be configured with a buoy that has static buoyancy, with the buoyancy of the running tool being varied through the addition of a counterweight. The running tool can be used to install or uninstall a tree cap on a subsea tree. Installation of a tree cap may be actuated by a remotely operated vehicle. Additionally, the running tool may be moved by a remotely operated vehicle and may have additional features such as a position locator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Aker Subsea Inc.
    Inventors: Glen H. Cuiper, Paulo Cezar Silva Paulo
  • Patent number: 8230928
    Abstract: An internal tree cap having a running configuration and a latched configuration to be selectively secured to a tree spool. The tree cap may include an inner sleeve movable between upper and lower positions. The movement of the inner sleeve to the lower position may simultaneously engage a locking profile within the tree spool and energize a sealing element around the exterior of the tree cap. The tree cap may be a low profile tree cap that is flush with the top of the tree spool when installed. The tree cap may provide a collateral beneficial locking means to secure a tubing hanger within the tree spool. A lower housing may be attached to the tree cap to seal on the exterior of the upper neck of the tubing hanger. The tree cap may include a profile to accept a wireline plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Aker Subsea Inc.
    Inventors: Glen H. Cuiper, Paulo Cezar Silva Paulo, André Smith
  • Patent number: 8141909
    Abstract: An umbilical field connect assembly comprising: a first umbilical portion comprising two or more first bundled members chosen from electrical cables, fluid conduits, and optical fibers; a second umbilical portion comprising two or more second bundled members chosen from electrical cables, fluid conduits, and optical fibers; a first housing assembly having a first end coupled to the first umbilical portion and a second end comprising a first coupling plate having a plurality of first couplings chosen from male and female couplings positioned therein, one of the plurality of first couplings being positioned at an end of each of the first bundled members; a second housing assembly having a third end coupled to the second umbilical portion and a fourth end comprising a second coupling plate having a plurality of second couplings chosen from male and female couplings positioned therein, one of the second couplings being positioned at an end of each of the second bundled members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Aker Subsea Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Clover, Jeff Lami, Spencer Powell, Maurus Kresse, Heith Little
  • Patent number: 8087465
    Abstract: A locking tree cap for use on a subsea tree. The tree cap may be installed and retrieved using a remote operated vehicle. The tree cap may include deflectable collet fingers that lock the tree cap to a tree spool. The deflectable collet fingers may be adapted, such as with enlarged heads, to extend into recesses of the tree spool when the tree cap has been landed on the tree spool. The tree cap may be locked onto a tree spool before energizing sealing members within the bores of the subsea tree, thereby protecting the sealing members from damage during the installation of the tree cap onto the tree spool. The tree cap may include soft landing means such as a plastic cap, on the end of stabs to protect the sealing members as the tree cap is landed. The tree cap may include a secondary locking mechanism used to further secure the tree cap to the tree spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Aker Subsea Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Huang, Venu Kopparthi, Saul dos Santos Filho
  • Patent number: 7770899
    Abstract: A pressure actuated seal carrier assembly includes a seal carrier with a body with an inner and an outer projection that are integral with the body and opposite to one another. An inner groove with a first seal is formed in the inner projection, and an outer groove with a second seal is formed in the outer projection. As pressure enters the cavity, the projections are forced radically outward and inward, which maintains contact with the mating surfaces, thus excluding any no extrusion gaps between the seal carrier and the walls of the pressurized space. A spacer is located in the cavity to maintain space between the grooves and bear the axial load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Aker Subsea Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Durham
  • Patent number: 7677319
    Abstract: A retrievable tree cap for use on a subsea tree having a concentric bore. The tree cap may be installed and retrieved using a remotely operated vehicle. Hydraulic pressure may be used to lock the tree cap onto the subsea tree and to set the tree cap seals. The tree cap is locked onto the subsea tree before setting the seals within the concentric bore. The tree cap includes a locking means that may engage a profile within the subsea tree regardless of the radial orientation of the tree cap. The tree cap may be used to hydraulically isolate an annulus bore from the production bore of the subsea tree. The tree cap may provide for the injection of a corrosion inhibitor within a cavity of the tree cap and may also provide for the removal of water trapped between the tree cap and the subsea tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Aker Subsea, Inc.
    Inventor: David Baskett