Patents Examined by Matthew Buck
  • Patent number: 9126276
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for cutting a tubular part (16) extending down into a sea- or ocean bed. The apparatus includes a carrying body (1) adapted to be led over the tubular part (16) that is to be cut, with a cutting assembly placed in the carrying body (1). The cutting assembly includes a ring adapted to be driven in rotation in the carrying body (1). At least one cutting element (6) with a cutting portion (19), is hinged to the ring. At least one actuator (3) is adapted for leading the cutting element (6) between a retracted position and a cutting position against the tubular part (16) that is to be cut. Furthermore it is described an assembly with a cutting apparatus (A) and a carrying body (1) with a least one jaw (15, 28, 29) for fixing and centring the tubular part (16) in relation to the apparatus (A), and a method for subsea cutting of tubular parts (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: 1 Diamond, LLC
    Inventor: Harald Ramfjord
  • Patent number: 9127516
    Abstract: A dual firing line drilling installation has a drilling tower main structure with four frameworks that are each over a major portion of their height U-shaped in horizontal cross-section. A four-sided central (11) space is present, and along each side of the central space one framework is arranged with its opened vertical side facing the central space. First and second storage devices (25,27) are provided for vertically storing drilling tubulars. The first storage device is housed in a first framework, the second storage device in a second framework. A first hoisting device is supported by a third framework of the drilling tower main structure, to manipulate a string of drilling tubulars in a first firing line (21). A second hoisting device is supported by a fourth framework to manipulate a string of drilling tubulars in a second firing line (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Diederick Bernardus Wijning
  • Patent number: 9121229
    Abstract: An improved drilling riser assembly including a male drilling riser assembly section and a female drilling riser assembly section that form a connection joint when mated. The drilling riser assembly sections having an internal stab type main drilling riser connector. The drilling riser assembly sections each have main drilling riser flanges that have helically threaded rings on an outer edge of the flange. A box and pin connector each have an inner helically threaded ring that mates with the outer helical flange ring of a drilling riser assembly section. The box and pin connectors extend towards each other and make up an enclosed compression joined mating section around the stab type connectors of the drilling riser assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: OIL STATES INDUSTRIES (UK) LTD.
    Inventor: John Gallagher
  • Patent number: 9121231
    Abstract: A subsea oil and/or gas production system comprises a host production facility and a plurality of subsea wells. A fluid conveying network is provided that connects each subsea well to the host production facility. A separate electrical power and data network is provided for conveying direct current electrical power and data, operatively connected to each subsea well for providing each subsea well with data transfer and electrical power services. The use of direct current ensures that the electrical power and data network can provide power over much greater distances than currently available, and the use of separate networks for conveying fluids and for providing electrical power and data transfer allows for a much more flexible system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventor: Karl-Atle Stenevik
  • Patent number: 9115543
    Abstract: A bottom-to-surface connection installation having a floating support and a turret and having: a plurality of risers having their top ends secured to a carrier structure a plurality of flexible pipes extending from the turret to the top ends of the risers; the flexible pipes including at least two first flexible pipes with positive buoyancy positioned at different heights; and guide modules secured to a tension leg and suitable for sliding along floats of the risers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Saipem S.A.
    Inventor: Francois Regis Pionetti
  • Patent number: 9115563
    Abstract: Systems for accessing a well bore including a BOP stack with a universal intervention interface are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a BOP stack and a valve assembly. The BOP stack has a throughbore and is installable on a well such that the throughbore is in fluid communication with the well bore. The valve assembly is coupled to the BOP stack and includes a fluid flowpath in fluid communication with the BOP stack throughbore, two valves connected in series and disposed along the fluid flowpath, the valves operable to control flow through the fluid flowpath, and a ROV panel including ports accessible by a ROV for operation of the two valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Johnnie E. Kotrla, Ross Stevenson
  • Patent number: 9109405
    Abstract: Method, riser assembly and gas handler for diverting gas from a riser. The riser assembly includes a riser having a first end and a second end and a conduit extending from the first end to the second end; a gas handler connected to the riser and provided between the first end and the second end, the gas handler having an external casing; plural pipes attached to an outside of the riser such that at least one pipe of the plural pipes enters through the external casing; and a gas vent pipe configured to start at the gas handler and extend towards the second end of the riser and the gas vent pipe is further configured to divert a gas from the gas handler through the outside of the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Hydril USA Distribution LLC
    Inventors: William L. Carbaugh, Leonard G. Childers, John R. LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 9109725
    Abstract: An offshore system for drilling or production includes a buoyant hull. In addition, the offshore system includes a topside mounted to the hull and positioned above the surface of the water. Further, the offshore system includes a conductor having a lower end disposed in the sea bed below the sea floor and an upper end coupled to the topside. Still further, the offshore system includes a bend restrictor disposed about the conductor. The bend restrictor has a lower end positioned in the sea bed below the sea floor and an upper end positioned above the sea floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: HORTON WISON DEEPWATER, INC.
    Inventors: James V. Maher, IV, Lyle David Finn
  • Patent number: 9109420
    Abstract: A fluid handling system comprising an annular sealing device and a flow control system to divert fluid flow from an annulus of a riser package to a control system located on a rig. A method of installing a fluid handling system on a riser package from a rig comprises connecting the fluid handling system to an upper end of a riser string, supporting the fluid handling system and the riser string using a first tubular handling device, and lowering the fluid handling system and the riser string to an operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: ROWAN DEEPWATER DRILLING (GIBRALTAR) LTD.
    Inventors: Martin Tindle, Brian Patrick Garrett, Nicholas Blake Scholz
  • Patent number: 9109406
    Abstract: A method for removing a hydrocarbon production platform at sea, the production platform being connected to a hydrocarbon well, and including a support structure and an upper part being supported by the support structure, where the method includes the steps of; temporarily closing the well, removing at least part of the upper part from the support structure, positioning a well abandonment module on the support structure, which well abandonment module is constructed and arranged to perform well abandonment operations, performing abandonment operations from the well abandonment module to abandon the well, removing the well abandonment module from the support structure after the well abandonment operations are completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: HEEREMA MARINE CONTRACTORS NEDERLAND SE
    Inventor: Marinus Christiaan Lammertink
  • Patent number: 9109404
    Abstract: A hang-off assembly for supporting a riser string from an off-shore drilling rig. The hang-off assembly includes a housing with a passage through the housing and an open section allowing access to the entire length of the passage from outside the housing. The assembly also includes a gate member movable relative to the housing from an open position to a closed position, the gate member preventing access to the passage through the open section when in the closed position. A motor moves the gate member between the open and closed positions. An adapter attachable to the riser string includes a profile landable in the housing to support the riser string when connected to the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Gilmore, William F. Puccio
  • Patent number: 9109419
    Abstract: A system for maneuvering a plug in and out of a tubing hanger mounts to a subsea wellhead assembly. The system includes a tractor and an end effector that are sheltered in a housing. A control cable spools from a reel mounted on the housing and attaches to the tractor. The control cable provides communication from a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to the tractor and end effector so that commands from the ROV via the control cable control the tractor and end effector. After the housing connects to the wellhead assembly, control signals from the ROV activate the tractor to drive the end effector into the wellhead assembly and command the end effector to set the plug in the tubing hanger, or to remove the plug from the tubing hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Vetco Gray U.K. Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Paul Fenton
  • Patent number: 9103473
    Abstract: A connection appliance for connecting an end section of a first conduit to an end section of a second conduit that is fixed to a holding unit of a subsea support structure. The connection appliance comprises a base structure that is connectable to a base frame of the subsea support structure; a sliding unit, to which the end section of the first conduit is to be fixed and which is slidably mounted to the base structure, and an actuating unit configured to act between the base structure and the sliding unit in order to push the sliding unit and the end section of the first conduit axially forwards in relation to the base structure so as to bring the end sections of the conduits into contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventor: Steinar Hestetun
  • Patent number: 9097098
    Abstract: An offshore well system for a subsea well, including a floating platform, a drilling riser system connected with the well for drilling operations, and a production riser system connected with the well for production operations. The drilling system also includes a riser tension system. The riser tension system is capable of compensating for movement of the platform while adequately tensioning both drilling riser system and the production riser system when each are connected to the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: David Cain, William F. Puccio, Shian J. Chou
  • Patent number: 9097080
    Abstract: A method of separating a riser, comprising providing a riser having an inner and an outer surface, a circumference of said outer surface, a longitudinal axis and a first end and a second end; radially surrounding said riser with an explosive shaped charge material, wherein said shaped charge explosive material is capable of generating a high-velocity plasma jet in response to an activation signal, and wherein said explosive material comprises an electrically conductive layer; transmitting said activation signal to said explosive material; generating said high-velocity plasma jet; and separating said riser into a first portion comprising said first end and a second portion comprising said second end when said high-velocity plasma jet penetrates said outer surface of said riser and exits said inner surface of said riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Curtis Len Wilie
  • Patent number: 9091136
    Abstract: A valve system for ensuring well closure upon exposure to a predetermined condition even where a well access line is disposed through the valve. This system may be configured with a supplemental power supply capable of effectuating a cutting closure of the valve. Thus, any obstructing well access line such as coiled tubing may be cut during closure to ensure sealing off of the well, even if the cutting mechanism is separated from its traditional power supply by shear or parting of a portion of the landing string. Once more, the supplemental power sufficient for a cutting closure is only provided in the event of a predetermined condition such as the emergence of a potentially hazardous tubular separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David Carter Allensworth, Josh Rayner
  • Patent number: 9091137
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for performing well operations from a floating installation comprising a high pressure riser (8) connected to the floating installation through a tension system, and where the riser comprises a housing (18) with an internal diameter larger than an internal diameter of the riser and connected at the top of the riser, where it for performing operations is made an assembly (15) comprising a desired numbers of modules for use in a specific operation, the modules are assembled at the installation, then positioned in the housing and the operation is performed through the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: FMC Kongsberg Subsea AS
    Inventors: Arnt Ove Pettersen, Antony D. Muff
  • Patent number: 9080427
    Abstract: Apparatuses useable in an offshore drilling installation close to the seabed for controlling well influx within a wellbore are provided. An apparatus includes a centralizer and flow constrictor assembly, a sensor and a controller. The centralizer and flow constrictor assembly are configured to centralize a drill string within a drill riser and regulate a return mud flow. The sensor is located close to the centralizer and flow constrictor assembly and configured to acquire values of at least one parameter related to the return mud flow. The controller is coupled to the centralizer and flow constrictor assembly and the sensor. The controller is configured to control the centralizer and flow constrictor assembly to achieve a value of a control parameter close to a predetermined value, based on the values acquired by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Farshad Ghasripoor, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Thomas James Batzinger, Gary Dwayne Mandrusiak, Robert Arnold Judge
  • Patent number: 9080408
    Abstract: A well head system for application in sub sea well exploration comprising a well head (23) having a well head housing secured to a well casing, at least one valve stack, e.g. a BOP (1) located atop said well head (23). The valve stack is removably locked on a well template (15) supporting said well head by a plurality of locking devices (7). Also described is a locking device comprising two opposite clamping arms (19) hingedly attached to a main frame (21). The Main frame is slidable relative to a spindle (17) and can be selectively secured to the spindle (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Aker Subsea AS
    Inventor: Knut Møgedal
  • Patent number: RE45648
    Abstract: A dredge cutterhead has a plurality of helical arms inter-connecting a hub and a ring. Each of the arms has a front leading edge for attachment of cutting teeth. In one aspect, each of the arms has a trough portion, and the arm is shaped such that dredged material is directed toward the ring along the center of the trough portion. In another aspect, the ring of the cutterhead defines an annular channel for receiving loosened material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: ESCO Corporation
    Inventor: Charles George Ollinger, IV