Patents by Inventor Graeme Steele

Graeme Steele 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).

  • Patent number: 9297214
    Abstract: A free-standing riser system connects a subsea source to a surface structure. The system includes a concentric free-standing riser comprising inner and outer risers defining an annulus there between. A lower end of the riser is fluidly coupled to the subsea source through a lower riser assembly (LRA) and one or more subsea flexible conduits. An upper end of the riser is connected to a buoyancy assembly and the surface structure through an upper riser assembly (URA) and one or more upper flexible conduits, the riser also mechanically connected to a buoyancy assembly that applies upward tension to the riser. The riser may be insulated for flow assurance, either by a flow assurance fluid in the annulus, insulation of the outside of the outer riser, or both. The system may include a hydrate inhibition system and/or a subsea dispersant system. The surface structure may be dynamically positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignees: BP Corporation North America Inc., BP Exploration Operating Company Limited
    Inventors: Roy Shilling, Paul W. Gulgowski, Jr., Philip D. Maule, Kevin Kennelley, Walter Greene, Robert W. Franklin, Vicki Corso, Tony Oldfield, Adam L. Ballard, Graeme Steele, David E. Wilkinson, Ricky Thethi, Chau Nguyen, Steve Hatton
  • Patent number: 9068424
    Abstract: A system for transferring fluids from a free-standing riser to a surface vessel comprises a first valve assembly including a first valve spool and a first isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the first valve spool. In addition, the system comprises a second valve assembly releasably coupled to the first valve assembly with a hydraulically actuated connector. The second valve assembly includes a second valve spool and a second isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the second valve spool. Further, the system comprises a deployment/retrieval rigging coupled to the first valve assembly and configured to suspend the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly from the surface vessel. Each isolation valve has an open position allowing fluid flow therethrough and a closed position restricting fluid flow therethrough, and each isolation valve is biased to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Graeme Steele, Douglas Paul Blalock, Steve Eggert, Chau Nguyen, Paul Sheperd, Trevor Smith, David Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20150122503
    Abstract: A free-standing riser system connects a subsea source to a surface structure. The system includes a concentric free-standing riser comprising inner and outer risers defining an annulus there between. A lower end of the riser is fluidly coupled to the subsea source through a lower riser assembly (LRA) and one or more subsea flexible conduits. An upper end of the riser is connected to a buoyancy assembly and the surface structure through an upper riser assembly (URA) and one or more upper flexible conduits, the riser also mechanically connected to a buoyancy assembly that applies upward tension to the riser. The riser may be insulated for flow assurance, either by a flow assurance fluid in the annulus, insulation of the outside of the outer riser, or both. The system may include a hydrate inhibition system and/or a subsea dispersant system. The surface structure may be dynamically positioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Roy Shilling, Paul W. Gulgowski, Jr., Philip D. Maule, Kevin Kennelley, Walter Greene, Robert W. Franklin, Vicki Corso, Tony Oldfield, Adam L. Ballard, Graeme Steele, David E. Wilkinson, Ricky Thethi, Chau Nguyen, Steve Hatton
  • Patent number: 8960302
    Abstract: A free-standing riser system connects a subsea source to a surface structure. The system includes a concentric free-standing riser comprising inner and outer risers defining an annulus there between. A lower end of the riser is fluidly coupled to the subsea source through a lower riser assembly (LRA) and one or more subsea flexible conduits. An upper end of the riser is connected to a buoyancy assembly and the surface structure through an upper riser assembly (URA) and one or more upper flexible conduits, the riser also mechanically connected to a buoyancy assembly that applies upward tension to the riser. The riser may be insulated for flow assurance, either by a flow assurance fluid in the annulus, insulation of the outside of the outer riser, or both. The system may include a hydrate inhibition system and/or a subsea dispersant system. The surface structure may be dynamically positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignees: BP Corporation North America, Inc., BP Exploration Operating Company Limited
    Inventors: Roy Shilling, Paul W. Gulgowski, Jr., Philip D. Maule, Kevin Kennelley, Walter Greene, Robert W. Franklin, Vicki Corso, Tony Oldfield, Adam L. Ballard, Graeme Steele, David E. Wilkinson, Ricky Thethi, Chau Nguyen, Steve Hatton
  • Publication number: 20120273215
    Abstract: A system for transferring fluids from a free-standing riser to a surface vessel comprises a first valve assembly including a first valve spool and a first isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the first valve spool. In addition, the system comprises a second valve assembly releasably coupled to the first valve assembly with a hydraulically actuated connector. The second valve assembly includes a second valve spool and a second isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the second valve spool. Further, the system comprises a deployment/retrieval rigging coupled to the first valve assembly and configured to suspend the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly from the surface vessel. Each isolation valve has an open position allowing fluid flow therethrough and a closed position restricting fluid flow therethrough, and each isolation valve is biased to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Graeme Steele, Douglas Paul Blalock, Steve Eggert, Chau Nguyen, Paul Shepherd, Trevor Smith, David Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20120085544
    Abstract: A free-standing riser system connects a subsea source to a surface structure. The system includes a concentric free-standing riser comprising inner and outer risers defining an annulus there between. A lower end of the riser is fluidly coupled to the subsea source through a lower riser assembly (LRA) and one or more subsea flexible conduits. An upper end of the riser is connected to a buoyancy assembly and the surface structure through an upper riser assembly (URA) and one or more upper flexible conduits, the riser also mechanically connected to a buoyancy assembly that applies upward tension to the riser. The riser may be insulated for flow assurance, either by a flow assurance fluid in the annulus, insulation of the outside of the outer riser, or both. The system may include a hydrate inhibition system and/or a subsea dispersant system. The surface structure may be dynamically positioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicants: BP Exploration Operating Company Limited, BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Roy Shilling, Paul W. Gulgowski, JR., Philip D. Maule, Kevin Kennelley, Walter Greene, Robert W. Franklin, Vicki Corso, Tony Oldfield, Adam L. Ballard, Graeme Steele, David Wilkinson, Ricky Thethi, Chau Nguyen, Steve Hatton