Patents by Inventor Pierre-Armand Thomas

Pierre-Armand Thomas 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: 7544013
    Abstract: An installation for manufacturing a wound rigid tubular pipe intended to be installed by a laying ship. An assembly unit for assembling a plurality of rigid tubes end to end to obtain lengths and for assembling the lengths to form the rigid tubular pipe which is intended to be wound onto a storage reel situated on the laying ship. An intermediate winding and deforming apparatus arranged on a first float distinct from the laying ship in order to plastically deform the rigid tubular pipe and wind it onto the intermediate winding apparatus after the rigid tubular pipe has been formed. A connector connecting together the first float and the assembly unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventors: Philippe Hoffmann, Pierre-Armand Thomas
  • Publication number: 20090123235
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved system and method for increasing an anchoring force on a pile. The concepts regarding the pile can apply whether the pile is degraded and no longer able to support its intended load, or a load on the pile has increased to a level that may overstress the pile. A sleeve can be installed even in subsea conditions over the pile and can be used to provide an additional securing force to the existing pile. The sleeve may include its own padeye for coupling an anchor line or other coupling member to a structure to be secured. The sleeve may also include an assembly of rings coupled together with at least one longitudinal member. The assembly with the rings spaced a distance away from each other may help reduce an installation friction on the sleeve, as it is installed into the sea floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: TECHNIP FRANCE
    Inventors: Alasdair MACONOCHIE, John OLIPHANT, Pierre-Armand THOMAS
  • Patent number: 7513713
    Abstract: A structure for the transport, installation and dismantlement of a deck (2) of a fixed oil platform (1) for maritime use, the structure including a floating U-shaped hull (11) fitted with at least three lifting legs (12) adapted so as to rest upon the bottom of the sea, each lifting leg (12) being associated with mechanical displacement units (20), and a shuttle (30) which can be displaced along the lifting legs (12) by the hull (11) and which is applied to the lower surface of the deck (2) in a support position for the deck, the shuttle (30) being provided with locks (36, 37) for locking on the lifting legs (12). A method for the transport, installation and dismantlement of a deck of a fixed oil platform is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventors: Pierre-Armand Thomas, Pal Teien
  • Publication number: 20080279637
    Abstract: The invention relates to a complementary locking system for locking legs to the deck of a jack-up offshore drilling platform. The inventive system comprises the following elements at each leg, namely: at least one assembly comprising plates forming two counter-racks which are intended to be engaged with a leg rack and, on one side of the plates, at least one internal element for connecting the internal edges of the plates, at least one external element for connecting the external edges of the plates and at least one intermediate member for connecting said at least one internal element to said at least one external element. The invention also relates to methods of installing said complementary locking system on the legs of a jack-up offshore drilling platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Pierre-Armand Thomas, Christian Perol, Marc Cahay
  • Patent number: 7406767
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making a section of a support strut member of an offshore oil-drilling rig comprising steps which consist in: a) machining each longitudinal edge of a semi-cylindrical stiffener (13) to provide along the longitudinal edge, a lip (18) for support on a main surface (12A) of a main plate (12), by producing along the longitudinal edge an outer bevel (20) on the side opposite the conduit (17) defined by the stiffener (13); b) applying a base plate (22) of the support lip (18) to weld it with main surface (12A) of the plate (12); heating the support lip (18) to weld it with the plate (12) and constitute a support weld joint; and d) forming a weld bead with filler metal from outside the conduit (17) in the space delimited between the support weld joint, the outer bevel (20) and the main surface (12A) of the main plate (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventors: Louis Primot, Pierre-Armand Thomas
  • Publication number: 20080131209
    Abstract: The invention relates to a structure for transporting, installing and dismantling a fixed oil platform provided with framework elements which are substantially formed by a bridge and at least one supporting pillar. The inventive structure comprises a floating U-shaped shell provided with at least three lifting legs adapted for resting upon the bottom of the sea and a shuttle movable along the lifting legs for displacing a platform element. Said shuttle consists of at least three elements each of which is associated with the lifting leg and is provided with mechanical means for driving on the corresponding lifting leg in a manner independent of the shell of the structure and with means for connecting to displaceable framework element. Methods for transporting, installing and dismantling the bridge or the supporting pillar of a fixed offshore oil platform are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Pierre-Armand Thomas
  • Patent number: 7316192
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for mounting a heavy equipment on a floating ship's hull comprising the following steps: (A) securing the equipment to lifting units adapted to be supported on the sea floor, said lifting units being arranged on either side of the equipment; (B) pressing the lifting units on the sea floor; (C) lifting the equipment to shift the ship's hull beneath the equipment; (D) cause the ship's hull to be engaged beneath the equipment in the space defined between the lifting units; (E) lowering the equipment to set it in supported position on the ship's hull; (F) dismantling the units for lifting the equipment; and (G) connecting the equipment to the ship's hull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventor: Pierre-Armand Thomas
  • Publication number: 20070253797
    Abstract: A method and an installation for loading and unloading compressed natural gas on ships, said ships being suitable for sea navigation and the ships having receivers. The compressed natural gas is storable in tubes, installed on the receivers. The installation comprises fixed containers for housing tubes, supports for holding a container supported above the sea surface at a given height, devices operable for lowering the receivers, such as to carry each receiver below a fixed container and to lift the receivers so as to lift the fixed container above the given height to support the containers on the receivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventor: Pierre-Armand Thomas
  • Publication number: 20070231075
    Abstract: An offshore oil-drilling rig comprising a deck mounted mobile on legs, each leg including a support base on the sea floor and a caisson open at its base and designed to penetrate into the sea floor. Each caisson is arranged inside the leg and is mobile along the axis of the leg between a retracted upper position and a projecting lower position at which it is anchored on the sea floor. The invention also concerns methods for installing such a rig on an oil-drilling site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Pierre-Armand Thomas, Nicolas Tcherniguin
  • Publication number: 20050281620
    Abstract: An installation for manufacturing a wound rigid tubular pipe intended to be installed by a laying ship. An assembly unit for assembling a plurality of rigid tubes end to end to obtain lengths and for assembling the lengths to form the rigid tubular pipe which is intended to be wound onto a storage reel situated on the laying ship. An intermediate winding and deforming apparatus arranged on a first float distinct from the laying ship in order to plastically deform the rigid tubular pipe and wind it onto the intermediate winding apparatus after the rigid tubular pipe has been formed. A connector connecting together the first float and the assembly unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Philippe Hoffmann, Pierre-Armand Thomas
  • Publication number: 20050226689
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making a section of a support strut member of an offshore oil-drilling rig comprising steps which consist in: a) machining each longitudinal edge of a semi-cylindrical stiffener (13) to provide along the longitudinal edge, a lip (18) for support on a main surface (12A) of a main plate (12), by producing along the longitudinal edge an outer bevel (20) on the side opposite the conduit (17) defined by the stiffener (13); b) applying a base plate (22) of the support lip (18) to weld it with main surface (12A) of the plate (12); heating the support lip (18) to weld it with the plate (12) and constitute a support weld joint; and d) forming a weld bead with filler metal from outside the conduit (17) in the space delimited between the support weld joint, the outer bevel (20) and the main surface (12A) of the main plate (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventors: Louis Primot, Pierre-Armand Thomas
  • Publication number: 20050158125
    Abstract: The invention relates to a structure for the transport, installation and dismantlement of a bridge (2) of a fixed oil platform (1) for maritime use, characterized in that it comprises a floating U-shaped shell (11) fitted with at least three shell (11) lifting legs (12) adapted so as to rest upon the bottom of the sea, each lifting leg (12) being associated with mechanical displacement means (20), and a shuttle (30) which can be displaced along the lifting legs (12) by the shell (11) and which is applied to the lower surface of the bridge (2) in a support position for said bridge, said shuttle (30) being provided with means (36, 37) for locking on the lifting legs (12). The invention also relates to a method for the transport, installation and dismantlement of a bridge of a fixed oil platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: Pierre-Armand Thomas, Pal Teien
  • Publication number: 20050013667
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for mounting a heavy equipment on a floating ship's hull comprising the following steps: (A) securing the equipment to lifting units adapted to be supported on the sea floor, said lifting units being arranged on either side of the equipment; (B) pressing the lifting units on the sea floor; (C) lifting the equipment to shift the ship's hull beneath the equipment; (D) cause the ship's hull to be engaged beneath the equipment in the space defined between the lifting units; (E) lowering the equipment to set it in supported position on the ship's hull; (F) dismantling the units for lifting the equipment; and (G) connecting the equipment to the ship's hull.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventor: Pierre-Armand Thomas
  • Patent number: 6718901
    Abstract: Deploying an offshore oil and gas production platform comprises placing a buoyant equipment deck on a buoyant pontoon so that elongated legs on the pontoon, each comprising a buoyant float, extend movably through respective openings in the deck. Chains extending from winches on the deck are reeved through fairleads on the pontoon and connected back to the deck. The chains are tightened to secure the deck to the pontoon for conjoint movement to an offshore location. The chains are loosened and the pontoon and leg floats ballasted so that the pontoon and leg floats sink below the floating deck. The chains are then re-tightened until pawls on the leg floats engage the deck. The buoyancy of at least one of the pontoon and leg floats is increased so that the deck is thereby raised above the surface of the water. The chains are connected to mooring lines around an offshore well site, and the raised deck and submerged pontoon are maintained in a selected position over the site with the winches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventors: Phillip A. Abbott, Colin Hough, Stephane Alain Le Guennec, Jerome Q. Burns, Pierre-Armand Thomas
  • Patent number: 6406223
    Abstract: An installation for producing oil from an off-shore deposit has a semi-submersible platform, at least one riser connecting the platform to the sea bed, and devices for tensioning the riser. The tensioning devices include, for each riser, at least one submerged float connected to a point on the main run of the riser for hauling it towards the surface, and a mechanism for hauling the riser. The mechanism is installed on the platform and applied to the top end of the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventor: Pierre-Armand Thomas
  • Publication number: 20020048492
    Abstract: An installation for producing oil from an off-shore deposit has a semi-submersible platform, at least one riser connecting the platform to the sea bed, and devices for tensioning the riser. The tensioning devices include, for each riser, at least one submerged float connected to a point on the main run of the riser for hauling it towards the surface, and a mechanism for hauling the riser. The mechanism is installed on the platform and applied to the top end of the riser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Pierre-Armand Thomas
  • Patent number: 6363873
    Abstract: A subject of the invention is a ship (20) for recovering petroleum products floating at the surface of the sea, characterized in that it comprises an open front part equipped with a rotary collecting drum (24) which is partially submerged and comprises longitudinal elements (32) that can be moved with respect to the external surface of this drum (24) between two positions, one projecting, one retracted, a hopper (40) situated behind the said drum (24) for recovering the said petroleum products removed by this drum (24), and means (45) for transferring these products from the hopper (40) to at least one settling and storage tank (46). Another subject of the invention is a mobile installation for storing and transporting petroleum products recovered by recovery ships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventor: Pierre-Armand Thomas
  • Patent number: 6347912
    Abstract: An installation for producing oil from an off-shore deposit has a semi-submersible platform, at least one riser connecting the platform to the sea bed, and devices for tensioning the riser. The tensioning devices include, for each riser, at least one submerged float connected to a point on the main run of the riser for hauling it towards the surface, and a mechanism for hauling the riser. The mechanism is installed on the platform and applied to the top end of the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventor: Pierre-Armand Thomas
  • Patent number: 6343655
    Abstract: A method of intervention on the seabed (F) using a free end of one riser (24) originating from a semi-submersible platform (10) designed for producing oil from a deposit, at a number of distinct intervention points (30, 32), includes the following successive steps: tethering the platform (10) to immobilize it in a position floating over the deposit; installing the riser (24) connecting the floating platform (10) to the seabed (F) for intervention at a first intervention point (30); carrying out an intervention at the first intervention point (30); disengaging the free end of the riser (24) from the first intervention point (30), while keeping this end submerged; moving the free end of the riser (24) with respect to the seabed (F) towards a second intervention point (32), while keeping the floating platform (10) in place; and carrying out an intervention at the second intervention point (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventor: Pierre Armand Thomas
  • Patent number: 6293734
    Abstract: Apparatus for transporting and installing a deck of an offshore oil production comprises a floating barge (10) adapted to support the deck (1) and provided with devices for moving the deck (1). The apparatus includes a support framework (11) for the deck (1) adapted to be placed on the barge (10) and including the devices for moving the deck (1) in the form of at least one rack (21) that can be moved vertically by drive mechanisms (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventors: Pierre-Armand Thomas, Jean-Christophe Oudin