Patents by Inventor Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis
Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9663193Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for protecting subsea pipeline from damage caused by excessive stress or fatigue loading caused by geo-hazards, and environmental and operating loads. The systems and methods utilize lifting buoyancy modules capable of being attached to a section of subsea pipeline to lift the subsea pipeline off the seabed to a predetermined height over a predetermined length upon being activated by a planned or unplanned triggering event.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis, Hugh Miller Thompson, Sid Ahmed Mebarkia, Edward Shintaro Nakajima, Estela Gonzalez
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Patent number: 9541220Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus, systems and methods for reducing displacement of a subsea conduit such as offshore hydrocarbon production pipeline, also referred to as pipeline walking or buckling, thus reducing the need for expensive pipeline anchoring or other mitigation solutions. A movement resistor adapted to be installed on a subsea conduit is provided having an inner portion adapted to receive and securely attach to a subsea conduit and at least one resistor portion adapted to resist induced forces. The at least one resistor portion includes a spring element therein. At least one movement resistor can be installed along the length of a subsea conduit.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis, Sid Ahmed Mebarkia, Daniel Christopher Kefford, Daria Igorevna Bougai, Dane Ryne Drew
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Publication number: 20160275208Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and computer readable storage media which facilitate the design of cables and pipes, including umbilicals, flexible pipes, optical cables, power cables, composite pipes, bundled pipes and combinations thereof. In one aspect, a computer implemented method includes, in response to input from a user in a plug-in interface in a graphical user interface within a computer-assisted design program, in a processor, executing instructions for receiving design information from a computer-assisted design program as well as receiving loading and deformation information from a global analysis software package for a cable or pipe having multiple components. A model is created using the design, loading and deformation information. The model is readable by a cable or pipe analysis software package. Thus the user is not required to manually generate the model of the cable or pipe readable by the cable or pipe analysis software package to be input into the cable or pipe analysis software package.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2015Publication date: September 22, 2016Inventors: Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis, Christopher Allen Kassner, Farzan Parsinejad, Michael Joseph Knudsen, Carsten Arnholm
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Patent number: 9291287Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus, systems and methods for reducing displacement of a subsea conduit such as offshore hydrocarbon production pipeline, also referred to as pipeline walking or buckling, thus reducing the need for expensive pipeline anchoring or other mitigation solutions. A movement resistor adapted to be installed on a subsea conduit is provided having an inner portion adapted to receive and securely attach to a subsea conduit and at least one resistor portion adapted to resist induced forces. The at least one resistor portion includes a mesh layer therein that allows the passage of water but does not allow the passage of soil there through. At least one movement resistor can be installed along the length of a subsea conduit.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis, Sid Ahmed Mebarkia, Daniel Christopher Kefford, Daria Igorevna Bougai, Dane Ryne Drew
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Publication number: 20150198266Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus, systems and methods for reducing displacement of a subsea conduit such as offshore hydrocarbon production pipeline, also referred to as pipeline walking or buckling, thus reducing the need for expensive pipeline anchoring or other mitigation solutions. A movement resistor adapted to be installed on a subsea conduit is provided having an inner portion adapted to receive and securely attach to a subsea conduit and at least one resistor portion adapted to resist induced forces. The at least one resistor portion includes a mesh layer therein that allows the passage of water but does not allow the passage of soil there through. At least one movement resistor can be installed along the length of a subsea conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis, Sid Ahmed Mebarkia, Daniel Christopher Kefford, Daria Igorevna Bougai, Dane Ryne Drew
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Publication number: 20150198265Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus, systems and methods for reducing displacement of a subsea conduit such as offshore hydrocarbon production pipeline, also referred to as pipeline walking or buckling, thus reducing the need for expensive pipeline anchoring or other mitigation solutions. A movement resistor adapted to be installed on a subsea conduit is provided having an inner portion adapted to receive and securely attach to a subsea conduit and at least one resistor portion adapted to resist induced forces. The at least one resistor portion includes a spring element therein. At least one movement resistor can be installed along the length of a subsea conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis, Sid Ahmed Mebarkia, Daniel Christopher Kefford, Daria Igorevna Bougai, Dane Ryne Drew
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Patent number: 8961071Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for protecting subsea pipeline from damage caused by excessive stress or fatigue loading caused by geo-hazards, and environmental and operating loads. The systems and methods utilize lifting buoyancy modules capable of being attached to a section of subsea pipeline to lift the subsea pipeline off the seabed to a predetermined height over a predetermined length upon being activated by a planned or unplanned triggering event.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis, Hugh Miller Thompson, Sid Ahmed Mebarkia, Edward Shintaro Nakajima, Estela Gonzalez
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Patent number: 8950497Abstract: Disclosed are methods for installing at least two subsea functional lines having differing functions, such as a subsea umbilical and a subsea flowline, and integrated termination assemblies for use in the methods. The integrated termination assemblies combine terminations of the at least two subsea functional lines, simplifying the layout of a subsea production field, reducing the number of connections necessary and simplifying the installation of subsea functional lines used in offshore hydrocarbon production.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2012Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis, Selvakumar Subramaniam, Leo George Caffrey, David Jonathan Knight, Brian Robert Ferrier
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Patent number: 8950498Abstract: Disclosed are pipeline systems, methods and apparatus for handling fluids in offshore oil and gas production. The systems disclosed allow subsea functional lines having diameters which differ by more than 2 standard API 5L pipeline diameters to be placed in fluid communication in such a way that the systems are piggable. Pipeline connection terminations are installed to facilitate connection of such functional lines. Such systems offer solutions to problems related to installing subsea pipeline in rough terrain, over subsea canyons and subsea scarps, installing marine risers, and long tiebacks.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2013Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Farzan Parsinejad, Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis, Sid A. Mebarkia, Christopher Allen Kassner, Brooks Gerard Johnson
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Publication number: 20140270967Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for protecting subsea pipeline from damage caused by excessive stress or fatigue loading caused by geo-hazards, and environmental and operating loads. The systems and methods utilize lifting buoyancy modules capable of being attached to a section of subsea pipeline to lift the subsea pipeline off the seabed to a predetermined height over a predetermined length upon being activated by a planned or unplanned triggering event.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis, Hugh Miller Thompson, Sid Ahmed Mebarkia, Edward Shintaro Nakajima, Estela Gonzalez
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Publication number: 20140273677Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for protecting subsea pipeline from damage caused by excessive stress or fatigue loading caused by geo-hazards, and environmental and operating loads. The systems and methods utilize lifting buoyancy modules capable of being attached to a section of subsea pipeline to lift the subsea pipeline off the seabed to a predetermined height over a predetermined length upon being activated by a planned or unplanned triggering event.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis, Hugh Miller Thompson, Sid Ahmed Mebarkia, Edward Shintaro Nakajima, Estela Gonzalez
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Patent number: 8813770Abstract: Disclosed is a pig assembly for maintaining a functional line for conveying fluid. In one aspect, the pig assembly includes a larger diameter pig having an internal compartment and at least one smaller diameter pig adapted to fit therein. The larger diameter pig is capable of passing through a larger diameter functional line and the smaller diameter pig is capable of passing through a smaller diameter functional line. In another aspect, a method for maintaining a functional line for conveying fluid is provided which includes pigging a subsea line having at least a larger diameter functional line and a smaller diameter functional line in fluid communication with one another using a pig assembly as described herein.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2013Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Farzan Parsinejad, Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis, Sid A. Mebarkia, Christopher Allen Kassner
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Publication number: 20140190574Abstract: Disclosed is a pig assembly for maintaining a functional line for conveying fluid. In one aspect, the pig assembly includes a larger diameter pig having an internal compartment and at least one smaller diameter pig adapted to fit therein. The larger diameter pig is capable of passing through a larger diameter functional line and the smaller diameter pig is capable of passing through a smaller diameter functional line. In another aspect, a method for maintaining a functional line for conveying fluid is provided which includes pigging a subsea line having at least a larger diameter functional line and a smaller diameter functional line in fluid communication with one another using a pig assembly as described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Farzan Parsinejad, Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis, Sid A. Mebarkia, Christopher Allen Kassner
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Publication number: 20140193205Abstract: Disclosed are pipeline systems, methods and apparatus for handling fluids in offshore oil and gas production. The systems disclosed allow subsea functional lines having diameters which differ by more than 2 standard API 5L pipeline diameters to be placed in fluid communication in such a way that the systems are piggable. Pipeline connection terminations are installed to facilitate connection of such functional lines. Such systems offer solutions to problems related to installing subsea pipeline in rough terrain, over subsea canyons and subsea scarps, installing marine risers, and long tiebacks.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Farzan Parsinejad, Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis, Sid A. Mebarkia, Christopher Allen Kassner, Brooks Gerard Johnson
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Patent number: 8708602Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlling axial, lateral and/or vertical movements of subsea pipelines which reduce the need for expensive pipeline anchoring or other mitigation solutions. The pipeline is connected to a stabilizing structure generally adjacent to the pipeline using a plurality of load-bearing members attached to the pipeline and the stabilizing structure at a plurality of predetermined locations. Also described are systems and methods for monitoring operating parameters of the pipeline over time.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis, Sid A. Mebarkia, Robert L. Foster, Jr., Michael J. Quinney
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Publication number: 20140044488Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus, systems and methods for reducing displacement of a subsea conduit such as offshore hydrocarbon production pipeline, also referred to as pipeline walking or buckling, thus reducing the need for expensive pipeline anchoring or other mitigation solutions. A movement resistor adapted to be installed on a subsea conduit is provided having an inner portion adapted to receive and securely attach to a subsea conduit and at least one resistor portion adapted to resist induced forces. At least one movement resistor can be installed along the length of a subsea conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2012Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis, Sid Ahmed Mebarkia, Daniel Christopher Kefford, Daria Igorevna Bougai, Dane Ryne Drew
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Publication number: 20140044489Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus, systems and methods for reducing displacement of a subsea conduit such as offshore hydrocarbon production pipeline, also referred to as pipeline walking or buckling, thus reducing the need for expensive pipeline anchoring or other mitigation solutions. A movement resistor adapted to be installed on a subsea conduit is provided having an inner portion adapted to receive and securely attach to a subsea conduit and at least one resistor portion adapted to resist induced forces. At least one movement resistor can be installed along the length of a subsea conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2012Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis, Sid Ahmed Mebarkia, Daniel Christopher Kefford, Daria Igorevna Bougai, Dane Ryne Drew
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Publication number: 20130277060Abstract: Disclosed are methods for installing at least two subsea functional lines having differing functions, such as a subsea umbilical and a subsea flowline, and integrated termination assemblies for use in the methods. The integrated termination assemblies combine terminations of the at least two subsea functional lines, simplifying the layout of a subsea production field, reducing the number of connections necessary and simplifying the installation of subsea functional lines used in offshore hydrocarbon production.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2012Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis, Selvakumar Subramaniam, Leo George Caffrey, David Jonathan Knight, Brian Robert Ferrier
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Publication number: 20130216314Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for reel laying of subsea pipe in such a way that mitigates buckling and axial displacement of the pipe in use for conveying produced hydrocarbon fluids. The systems and methods include adjusting the settings of the pipe straightener and/or the pipe aligner during the reel laying process to provide non-straightened sections of pipe at predetermined locations along the length of the pipe. The non-straightened sections allow for thermal expansion of the pipe during use.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2012Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis, Sid Ahmed Mebarkia, Edward Shintaro Nakajima
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Publication number: 20130170914Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for stabilizing a subsea pipeline such that movements of the pipeline in the axial, lateral and/or vertical directions are restrained. The pipeline is connected to a stabilizing structure generally adjacent to the pipeline using one or more load-bearing members attached to the pipeline and the stabilizing structure at one or more predetermined locations. Also disclosed are systems and methods for monitoring operating parameters of the pipeline over time.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2011Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: CHEVRON U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis, Sid A. Mebarkia, Robert L. Foster, JR., Michael J. Quinney