Patents Examined by Matthew Buck
  • Patent number: 9022123
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for inspecting and monitoring flexible collection and production lines in real time, rendering possible constant tracking of the condition of the internal structures of a flexible riser, specifically of the tensile armor thereof. The device may be provided at any point along the riser ensuring the establishment of an area of physical and visual contact directly over the surface of the tensile armor of the riser for the installation of equipment for analysis, which area permits further accesses without destroying the sealing of the chamber there formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.-Petrobras
    Inventors: George Carneiro Campello, Sergio Ricardo Kokay Morikawa
  • Patent number: 9022125
    Abstract: A marine riser includes a plurality of central pipes assembled end to end to form a main conduit. A plurality of tension members runs the length of the main conduit. The tension members are coupled to the main conduit to support and constrain an axial motion of the main conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: James William Weir, Dean Allen Bennett
  • Patent number: 9022124
    Abstract: A method of well intervention in a subsea well having a wellhead on the sea floor includes extending an intervention hose downwardly through the sea from a hose drum installed on a vessel on the sea surface into the well through a subsea intervention stack installed on the wellhead. The intervention hose is exposed directly to the ambient sea between the vessel and the top of the subsea intervention stack. In a method of well intervention, an intervention hose extends from a hose drum and into a well. The hose is driven out of the well without the use of an injector by pulling the hose out of the well with the hose drum. In a method of well intervention, an intervention hose extends from a hose drum towards a wellhead, with the hose being guided downward from the drum towards the wellhead by a guiding sheave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Quality Intervention AS
    Inventors: Bjorn Bro Sorensen, Bjarne Langeteig, Jostein Alvaern
  • Patent number: 9022126
    Abstract: A system and method for replacing equipment at a wellsite is provided. The wellsite has a subsea stripper installed proximate a subsea borehole. The system has a conveyance for delivering a BHA into the subsea borehole. The system has a subsea stripper having a central bore for passing the conveyance and the BHA therethrough, and at least one actuator connected to the subsea stripper for actuating a packer whereby the wellbore is sealed. The system has at least one replaceable seal assembly for installation within the stripper. The replaceable seal assembly has at least one packer extendable within the subsea stripper to form a seal thereabout and at least one locator sleeve for positioning the seal assembly in an install position within the subsea stripper. The replaceable seal assembly has a frangible member for connecting the seal assembly to the conveyance prior to deployment in the subsea stripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Thomas Melancon, Denzal Wayne Van Winkle, James Allen Douty
  • Patent number: 9016380
    Abstract: A subsea connection assembly has a stab plate a first stab plate which carries a first plurality of couplers and a second stab plate which carries a second plurality of couplers for mating engagement with the couplers in the first plurality as the stab plates are moved together. The assembly includes a mounting plate, a support which is disposed for lateral movement in at least one direction relative to the mounting plate, and a pivot which allows tilting movement of the first stab plate relative to the support. The tilting and translational features accommodate many different possible trajectories of a pulling unit. In particular, the assembly tolerates a separating action which is oblique to the normal mating and demating direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: M.S.C.M. Limited
    Inventors: Terence Burgon, Terry Rackham
  • Patent number: 9016382
    Abstract: A fingerboard latch assembly includes a latch configured for operational engagement with a fingerboard for lockingly retaining at least one tubular to the fingerboard. The latch is movable within a range of motion extending from at least a locked position to an unlocked position. A positioner operatively engaged with the latch is communicably couplable to a process control network (PCN), and is sized and shaped for receipt within a latch channel of the fingerboard. The positioner is configured to move the latch within the range of motion in response to signals received from the PCN, to capture position data for the latch, including the position of the latch at a plurality of points within the range of motion, and to communicate the captured position data to the PCN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Braxton
  • Patent number: 9010438
    Abstract: A fluid treatment system comprises a fluid treatment module having a fluid inlet and first and second fluid outlets. A pump is provided to establish a first pressure differential between the fluid inlet and one of the first and second fluid outlets of the fluid treatment module, and an eductor is provided to establish a second pressure differential between the fluid inlet and the other of the first and second fluid outlets of the fluid treatment module. The pump is adapted to deliver a motive fluid to the eductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: VWS Westgarth Limited
    Inventors: Wayne Evans, Neville Ernest Lange
  • Patent number: 9010431
    Abstract: A tool for subsea installation and testing of wellhead modules such as Xmas trees and similar equipment, from a ship using a ship crane. The tool includes a subsea unit that includes a connector for releasable connection to subsea wellhead modules or equipment, means for positioning and means for testing, and a connector for electric power and electric and/or optical control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Aker Subsea AS
    Inventors: Anders Billington, Are Synnes, Christen Sovik
  • Patent number: 9010437
    Abstract: A riser tensioner assembly for supporting risers on an offshore drilling platform includes a frame assembly and a plurality of riser centralizers circumferentially spaced about the frame assembly. The riser centralizers each include a clevis supporting roller for bearing on a riser to limit lateral movement of the riser with respect to the frame assembly. The clevis includes an elongated channel along which the roller is movable to accommodate angular movement of the riser with respect to the frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: The Technologies Alliance, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward M. Galle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9010432
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for remotely running a subsea production tree (12) and desuspending a well is described. The apparatus comprises a tree running tool (16) adapted to be connected to a production tree, at least one downhole tool, at least one of the tools being a plug retrieval tool (22) and a tool deployment device (18) in hydraulic communication with at least the plug retrieval tool to hydraulically operate the plug retrieval tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Enovate Systems Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey Charles Edwards
  • Patent number: 9010435
    Abstract: The invention relates to oil-and-gas industry and can be used in emergency killing of wells. The method of emergency killing of a well of underwater head position comprises a cementing composition squeezing, wherein depth of the well section to be cemented is defined basing on the well condition and pressure in it, an injector, fixed on the tank with cementing composition and placed inside a bag made of some flexible material, is bottomed and inserted into the wellhead, the bag being filled with cementing composition which is squeezed into the bag through the injector from the tank, and providing for a firm contact of outer surface of the bag with inner surface of the well, the injector being kept at a target depth by means of the weight of the whole structure filled with the cementing composition, pressure in the bag being maintained till the cementing composition hardening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Igor Yurievich Matsur
  • Patent number: 9010434
    Abstract: A method for connecting coupling parts of a subsea coupling arrangement, the coupling parts having at least one sealing surface, in which the coupling parts are connected by displacing the coupling parts towards each other, wherein a watertight seal is formed when the coupling parts are connected, feeding filtered sea water through a channel into a space between the coupling parts during the displacement, flowing the filtered sea water over the sealing surfaces to prevent particles and dirt from being trapped between the sealing surfaces, and discharging the filtered sea water from the space into surroundings of the subsea coupling arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventor: Svend Erik Rocke
  • Patent number: 9010436
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Kubichek, Rockford D. Lyle, Jesus J. Garcia, Steven M. Wong
  • Patent number: 9010439
    Abstract: An umbilical for use in the offshore production of hydrocarbons, and in particular to a power umbilical for use in deep water applications is described, comprising a plurality of longitudinal strength members, wherein at least one longitudinal strength member comprises rope enclosed within a tube. In this way, the or each longitudinal strength member being a rope and tube combination achieves the synergistic benefit of favorable mechanical properties in the axial direction, with favorable mechanical properties in the radial direction during tensioning or the like of the umbilical, especially during installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventors: David Fogg, Xiaoxue An, Dave Bromfield, Alan Dobson
  • Patent number: 9004174
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are provided for monitoring a subsea flow device such as a subsea flowline. The apparatus generally includes a thermoelectric device that is adapted to generate electric power from a thermal potential between the subsea flow device and the surrounding seawater. A sensor that is powered by the thermoelectric device is adapted to monitor one or more characteristics of the flow device, such as temperature or strain, and provide a radiation output that is indicative of the characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Sid Mebarkia, Ryan Lang
  • Patent number: 9004178
    Abstract: A blowout preventer assembly comprising a blowout preventer and control apparatus, the blowout preventer comprising a housing a sealing element and a fluid pressure operated actuator mounted in the housing, the actuator 18 dividing the interior of the housing into two chambers, namely an open chamber and a close chamber, substantially preventing flow of fluid between the two chambers, and being movable, by means of the supply of pressurized fluid to the close chamber, to urge the sealing element into sealing engagement with a drill pipe extending through the blow out preventer, the control apparatus including a close line which extends from the exterior of the housing to the close chamber, and a source of pressurized fluid which is connected to the close line, wherein the source of pressurized fluid is located adjacent to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Managed Pressure Operations PTE Ltd.
    Inventor: Christian Leuchtenberg
  • Patent number: 9004177
    Abstract: A subsea production system, comprising a plurality of wells located on a sea floor, the wells producing a fluid comprising hydrocarbons; a cold flow center on the sea floor, the cold flow center fluidly connected to the plurality of wells; and a production facility on land or on a floating structure, the production facility fluidly connected to the cold flow center; wherein the cold flow center lowers a temperature of the fluid and produces a slurry of the fluid and suspended solids for transportation to the production facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Gregory John Hatton
  • Patent number: 8997873
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an in-situ system and method for transferring a load from a tensioned flexible link between at least two bodies, such as between a buoyancy can and a subsea riser or between a moored offshore platform and a pile. The system and method provides a tether assembly having a hydraulic cylinder and/or a transfer assembly, where the hydraulic cylinder is configured upon actuation to decrease a distance between the two bodies; and the transfer assembly includes a mechanical interlock configured upon actuation to maintain the decreased distance between the two bodies independent of the hydraulic cylinder. The mechanical interlock can include various embodiments that can be selectively activated and deactivated position to allow the hydraulic cylinder to operate at various times in the transfer process. A support assembly can provide additional support to the flexible link independent of or in addition to the transfer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventors: Brian Riordan, Mathieu Boisne, Tobias G. Selcer, Jacy Lee Robbins, Ange Luppi
  • Patent number: 8997874
    Abstract: A method of evacuating hydrocarbons from a plurality of nested tubulars of a well pipe, extending from an underwater well tree, includes attaching a fluid transmission line to the underwater well tree, the fluid transmission line having one end portion forming the attachment to the tree and the other end portion attached to a pump that forces fluid under pressure to the tree and attached nested tubulars. Openings are formed through one or more tubulars at a selected location. A specially configured fitting is attached to the tubulars. The fitting seals the openings. The fitting has an expandable seal that is expandable responsive to rotation of a rotating member that rotates upon a saddle, pulling a tapered mandrel against the seal. The saddle surrounds the mandrel and bears against an outer tubular of the nested tubulars. The fitting mandrel has a bore through which hydrocarbons escape from the tubulars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Gulfstream Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mire, Joey Naquin
  • Patent number: 8997876
    Abstract: A retrievable flow module (RFM) apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the RFM apparatus is a standalone assembly configured to mate with a subsea device, such as a production tree. The RFM apparatus may include a frame within which various flow control and monitoring elements are disposed. The frame may have an alignment system that enables the RFM apparatus to horizontally mate with the tree. Because the RFM apparatus provides for the collocation of flow control and monitoring elements within a standalone assembly, deployment or retrieval of the flow control and monitoring elements may be accomplished in single operation. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Edmund McHugh, Finbarr Evans, Tobias Voelkel