Patents by Inventor Bill Torrance

Bill Torrance 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).

  • Method for hydrate plug removal
    Patent number: 7279052
    Abstract: A method for removal of deposits such as hydrate plugs from a pipeline is provided including inserting a thruster pig connected to a return flow line into the pipeline The pig is then advanced forward into the pipeline by pumping a thrusting fluid into an annulus between the pipeline and the return flow line while removing deposits continuously or intermittently and returning flow as appropriate from ahead of the pig through the return flow line. The return flow line is then disconnected from the pig after sufficient deposit removal and retrieved from the return flow line. Next, the pig may then be transported through the pipeline by the pipeline fluid to a pig receiving location once the pipeline flow is resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignees: Statoil ASA, Crawford Technical Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Keijo Kinnari, Catherine Labes-Carrier, Jim Bob Crawford, Larry J. Kirspel, Bill Torrance
  • Method for hydrate plug removal
    Publication number: 20050284504
    Abstract: A method for removal of deposits such as hydrate plugs from a pipeline is provided including inserting a thruster pig connected to a return flow line into the pipeline The pig is then advanced forward into the pipeline by pumping a thrusting fluid into an annulus between the pipeline and the return flow line while removing deposits continuously or intermittently and returning flow as appropriate from ahead of the pig through the return flow line. The return flow line is then disconnected from the pig after sufficient deposit removal and retrieved from the return flow line. Next, the pig may then be transported through the pipeline by the pipeline fluid to a pig receiving location once the pipeline flow is resumed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: Keijo Kinnari, Catherine Labes-Carrier, Jim Crawford, Larry Kirspel, Bill Torrance