Patents by Inventor Knut Arild Maråk

Knut Arild Maråk 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: 11702915
    Abstract: Methods of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) from an oil reservoir by CO2 flooding are disclosed. One method comprises producing a well stream from the reservoir; separating the well stream into a liquid phase and a gas phase with a first gas/liquid separator, wherein the gas phase comprises both CO2 gas and hydrocarbon gas; cooling the gas phase with a first cooler; compressing the gas phase using a first compressor into a compressed stream; mixing the compressed stream with an external source of CO2 to form an injection stream; and injecting the injection stream into the reservoir. Systems for EOR from an oil reservoir by CO2 flooding are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Equinor Energy AS
    Inventors: Michael Drescher, Torbjørn Fiveland, Olav Kristiansen, Thomas Levy, Knut Arild Maråk, Bengt Olav Neeraas, Per Ivar Karstad
  • Publication number: 20220025747
    Abstract: Methods of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) from an oil reservoir by CO2 flooding are disclosed. One method comprises producing a well stream from the reservoir; separating the well stream into a liquid phase and a gas phase with a first gas/liquid separator, wherein the gas phase comprises both CO2 gas and hydrocarbon gas; cooling the gas phase with a first cooler; compressing the gas phase using a first compressor into a compressed stream; mixing the compressed stream with an external source of CO2 to form an injection stream; and injecting the injection stream into the reservoir. Systems for EOR from an oil reservoir by CO2 flooding are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Drescher, Torbjørn Fiveland, Olav Kristiansen, Thomas Levy, Knut Arild Maråk, Bengt Olav Neeraas, Per Ivar Karstad
  • Patent number: 11162342
    Abstract: Methods of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) from an oil reservoir by CO2 flooding are disclosed. One method comprises producing a well stream from the reservoir; separating the well stream into a liquid phase and a gas phase with a first gas/liquid separator, wherein the gas phase comprises both CO2 gas and hydrocarbon gas; cooling the gas phase with a first cooler; compressing the gas phase using a first compressor into a compressed stream; mixing the compressed stream with an external source of CO2 to form an injection stream; and injecting the injection stream into the reservoir. Systems for EOR from an oil reservoir by CO2 flooding are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Equinor Energy AS
    Inventors: Michael Drescher, Torbjørn Fiveland, Olav Kristiansen, Thomas Levy, Knut Arild Maråk, Bengt Olav Neeraas, Per Ivar Karstad
  • Patent number: 10821398
    Abstract: A method and system for dehydration of a gas phase and hydrate inhibition of a liquid hydrocarbon phase in a multiphase hydrocarbon fluid stream containing water. The method may include (i) separating the hydrocarbon fluid stream into a liquid phase and a first gas phase, (ii) adding hydrate inhibitor to the first gas phase, and (iii) separating off condensed liquids and a second gas phase. The first gas phase has a water dew point that is lower than the initial multiphase hydrocarbon fluid stream and the second gas phase has a lower water dew point than the first gas phase. The hydrate inhibitor has a water content that is low enough to enable it to dry the first gas phase, the hydrate inhibitor being separated off with the condensed liquids and mixed with a part or all of the liquid phase from the separation to inhibit the liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: EQUINOR ENERGY AS
    Inventors: Knut Arild Maråk, Arne Olav Fredheim, Bernt Henning Rusten, Lars Henrik Gjertsen, Baard Kaasa
  • Patent number: 10576415
    Abstract: A method and system for dehydration of a gas phase and hydrate inhibition of a liquid hydrocarbon phase in a multiphase hydrocarbon fluid stream containing water. The method may include (i) separating the hydrocarbon fluid stream into a liquid phase and a first gas phase, (ii) adding hydrate inhibitor to the first gas phase, and (iii) separating off condensed liquids and a second gas phase. The first gas phase has a water dew point that is lower than the initial multiphase hydrocarbon fluid stream and the second gas phase has a lower water dew point than the first gas phase. The hydrate inhibitor has a water content that is low enough to enable it to dry the first gas phase, the hydrate inhibitor being separated off with the condensed liquids and mixed with a part or all of the liquid phase from the separation to inhibit the liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: EQUINOR ENERGY AS
    Inventors: Knut Arild Maråk, Arne Olav Fredheim, Bernt Henning Rusten, Lars Henrik Gjertsen, Baard Kaasa
  • Patent number: 10563496
    Abstract: A system for offshore hydrocarbon processing may include a host at surface level, a subsea processing plant, and an umbilical connecting the host and the subsea processing plant. The subsea processing plant may be adapted to receive a multi-phase hydrocarbon stream from a wellhead and to output at least a hydrocarbon gas-phase stream satisfying a rich gas pipeline transportation specification to a pipeline. The umbilical provides a desiccant for drying the hydrocarbon gas, as well as power and control, from the host to the subsea processing plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: EQUINOR ENERGY AS
    Inventors: Gry Pedersen Kojen, Lars Henrik Gjertsen, Andrea Carolina Machado Miguens, Arne Olav Fredheim, Cecille Gotaas Johnsen, Knut Arild Maråk
  • Publication number: 20190368326
    Abstract: Methods of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) from an oil reservoir by CO2 flooding are disclosed. One method comprises producing a well stream from the reservoir; separating the well stream into a liquid phase and a gas phase with a first gas/liquid separator, wherein the gas phase comprises both CO2 gas and hydrocarbon gas; cooling the gas phase with a first cooler; compressing the gas phase using a first compressor into a compressed stream; mixing the compressed stream with an external source of CO2 to form an injection stream; and injecting the injection stream into the reservoir. Systems for EOR from an oil reservoir by CO2 flooding are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: Equinor Energy AS
    Inventors: Michael Drescher, Torbjørn Fiveland, Olav Kristiansen, Thomas Levy, Knut Arild Maråk, Bengt Olav Neeraas, Per Ivar Karstad
  • Patent number: 10317109
    Abstract: A subsea heat exchanger for cooling or heating a hydrocarbon-containing fluid includes a convection section enclosed by a shell or enclosure comprising, one or more heat exchanging fluid inlet(s) and outlet(s), one or more hydrocarbon-containing fluid inlet(s) and outlet(s), and one or more fluid carrying convection tube(s) adapted for heat transfer between the hydrocarbon-containing fluid on the inside of the tube(s) and a surrounding heat exchanging fluid on the opposite side of the tube(s). The heat exchanger also includes one or more flow regulating device(s) for controlling the hydrocarbon-containing fluid outlet temperature. The heat exchanging fluid circulates in a closed circuit for heat transfer both with said hydrocarbon-containing fluid and with surrounding sea water on the outside of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Baard Kaasa, Bernt Henning Rusten, Arne Olav Fredheim, Knut Arild Maråk, Gunleiv Skofteland
  • Publication number: 20190093039
    Abstract: A method and system for dehydration of a gas phase and hydrate inhibition of a liquid hydrocarbon phase in a multiphase hydrocarbon fluid stream containing water. The method may include (i) separating the hydrocarbon fluid stream into a liquid phase and a first gas phase, (ii) adding hydrate inhibitor to the first gas phase, and (iii) separating off condensed liquids and a second gas phase. The first gas phase has a water dew point that is lower than the initial multiphase hydrocarbon fluid stream and the second gas phase has a lower water dew point than the first gas phase. The hydrate inhibitor has a water content that is low enough to enable it to dry the first gas phase, the hydrate inhibitor being separated off with the condensed liquids and mixed with a part or all of the liquid phase from the separation to inhibit the liquid phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Knut Arild Maråk, Arne Olav Fredheim, Bernt Henning Rusten, Lars Henrik Gjertsen, Baard Kaasa
  • Patent number: 10184090
    Abstract: A method and system for dehydration of a gas phase and hydrate inhibition of a liquid hydrocarbon phase in a multiphase hydrocarbon fluid stream containing water. The method may include (i) separating the hydrocarbon fluid stream into a liquid phase and a first gas phase, (ii) adding hydrate inhibitor to the first gas phase, and (iii) separating off condensed liquids and a second gas phase. The first gas phase has a water dew point that is lower than the initial multiphase hydrocarbon fluid stream and the second gas phase has a lower water dew point than the first gas phase. The hydrate inhibitor has a water content that is low enough to enable it to dry the first gas phase, the hydrate inhibitor being separated off with the condensed liquids and mixed with a part or all of the liquid phase from the separation to inhibit the liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Statoil Petroleum AS
    Inventors: Knut Arild Maråk, Arne Olav Fredheim, Bernt Henning Rusten, Lars Henrik Gjertsen, Baard Kaasa
  • Patent number: 10113120
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing fluid from a well are described. A first wall portion may define a first region and a second wall portion may define a second region, fluid from said well being let through those regions. Heating of said first wall portion may be performed to release wax from said first wall portion into said fluid at said first flow region. During said heating, cooling of said fluid at said second flow region may be performed to cause wax from said fluid to deposit on said second wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Hroar Andreas Nes, Rainer Josef Hoffmann, Knut Arild Maråk, Stig Goplen
  • Publication number: 20180187112
    Abstract: A method and system for dehydration of a gas phase and hydrate inhibition of a liquid hydrocarbon phase in a multiphase hydrocarbon fluid stream containing water. The method may include (i) separating the hydrocarbon fluid stream into a liquid phase and a first gas phase, (ii) adding hydrate inhibitor to the first gas phase, and (iii) separating off condensed liquids and a second gas phase. The first gas phase has a water dew point that is lower than the initial multiphase hydrocarbon fluid stream and the second gas phase has a lower water dew point than the first gas phase. The hydrate inhibitor has a water content that is low enough to enable it to dry the first gas phase, the hydrate inhibitor being separated off with the condensed liquids and mixed with a part or all of the liquid phase from the separation to inhibit the liquid phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Knut Arild Maråk, Arne Olav Fredheim, Bernt Henning Rusten, Lars Henrik Gjertsen, Baard Kaasa
  • Patent number: 9636606
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-phase distribution system, a sub sea heat exchanger provided with such a multi-phase distribution system, the use of such a multi-phase distribution system and a method of temperature control for hydrocarbons. The invention provides an improved control over multi-phase mixtures comprising hydrocarbons and improvements in the controlling of heat exchanging processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Statoil Petroleum AS
    Inventors: Baard Kaasa, Bernt Henning Rusten, Knut Arild Maråk, Arne Olav Fredheim
  • Publication number: 20150291901
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for dehydration of a gas phase and hydrate inhibition of a liquid hydrocarbon phase in a produced multiphase hydrocarbon fluid stream containing water, comprising the steps of: i) separating the hydrocarbon fluid stream into a liquid phase and a first gas phase; ii) adding hydrate inhibitor to the first gas phase; and iii) separating off condensed liquids and a second gas phase; wherein the first gas phase has a water dew point which is lower than that of the initial multiphase hydrocarbon fluid stream and the second gas phase has a lower water dew point than the first gas phase; characterised in that the hydrate inhibitor has a water content that is low enough to enable it to dry the first gas phase, said hydrate inhibitor being separated off with the condensed liquids in step iii) and mixed with a part or all of the liquid phase from the separation in step i) to inhibit said liquid phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Knut Arild Maråk, Arne Olav Fredheim, Bernt Henning Rusten, Lars Henrik Gjertsen
  • Publication number: 20150232766
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing fluid from a well are described. A first wall portion may define a first region and a second wall portion may define a second region, fluid from said well being let through those regions. Heating of said first wall portion may be performed to release wax from said first wall portion into said fluid at said first flow region. During said heating, cooling of said fluid at said second flow region may be performed to cause wax from said fluid to deposit on said second wall portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Hroar Andreas Nes, Rainer Josef Hoffmann, Knut Arild Maråk, Stig Goplen
  • Publication number: 20140318737
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-phase distribution system, a sub sea heat exchanger provided with such a multi-phase distribution system, the use of such a multi-phase distribution system and a method of temperature control for hydrocarbons. The invention provides an improved control over multi-phase mixtures comprising hydrocarbons and improvements in the controlling of heat exchanging processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Statoil Petroleum AS
    Inventors: Baard Kaasa, Bernt Henning Rusten, Knut Arild Maråk, Arne Olav Fredheim
  • Publication number: 20140157658
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for lowering the water dew point subsea in a produced multiphase hydrocarbon fluid stream containing water, the method comprising the steps of: separating (10) the hydrocarbon fluid stream (1) into a liquid phase (3) and a first gas phase (2); cooling (20) the first gas phase in a controlled manner to knock out water or condensing water and optionally other condensates while keeping the fluid above a hydrate formation temperature thereof; separating off condensed liquids (6) and a second gas phase; wherein the second gas phase (8) has a water dew point which is lower than that of the initial multiphase hydrocarbon fluid stream. The invention also concerns a system for lowering the water dew point subsea.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Baard Kaasa, Bernt Henning Rusten, Knut Arild Maråk, Arne Olav Fredheim