Patents by Inventor Robert P. Herrmann

Robert P. Herrmann 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).

  • Publication number: 20150122504
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed that uses a gas lift tubing arrangement to produce synthetic hydrocarbon related products. Using the Fischer Tropsch process as an example, the tubing is packed with a suitable catalyst and then hydrogen and carbon monoxide are injected into the top of the tubing in a fashion similar to a gas lift process. As the gases travel past the catalyst, synthetic hydrocarbons are formed and heat is rejected. The synthetic hydrocarbons and water flow out of the bottom of the tubing and travel up the annulus to the surface. In some embodiments, this process is carried out in a producing well or a in producing riser. In a producing well or a producing riser, the production from the well which flows up the annulus cools the synthetic hydrocarbon derived products. In additional and alternate embodiments, this process can be used in non-flowing wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Robert P. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 9005554
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed that uses a gas lift tubing arrangement to produce synthetic hydrocarbon related products. Using the Fischer Tropsch process as an example, the tubing is packed with a suitable catalyst and then hydrogen and carbon monoxide are injected into the top of the tubing in a fashion similar to a gas lift process. As the gases travel past the catalyst, synthetic hydrocarbons are formed and heat is rejected. The synthetic hydrocarbons and water flow out of the bottom of the tubing and travel up the annulus to the surface. In some embodiments, this process is carried out in a producing well or a in producing riser. In a producing well or a producing riser, the production from the well which flows up the annulus cools the synthetic hydrocarbon derived products. In additional and alternate embodiments, this process can be used in non-flowing wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Robert P. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 9006297
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed that uses a gas lift tubing arrangement to produce synthetic hydrocarbon related products. Using the Fischer Tropsch process as an example, the tubing is packed with a suitable catalyst and then hydrogen and carbon monoxide are injected into the top of the tubing in a fashion similar to a gas lift process. As the gases travel past the catalyst, synthetic hydrocarbons are formed and heat is rejected. The synthetic hydrocarbons and water flow out of the bottom of the tubing and travel up the annulus to the surface. In some embodiments, this process is carried out in a producing well or a in producing riser. In a producing well or a producing riser, the production from the well which flows up the annulus cools the synthetic hydrocarbon derived products. In additional and alternate embodiments, this process can be used in non-flowing wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Robert P. Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20140213669
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed that uses a gas lift tubing arrangement to produce synthetic hydrocarbon related products. Using the Fischer Tropsch process as an example, the tubing is packed with a suitable catalyst and then hydrogen and carbon monoxide are injected into the top of the tubing in a fashion similar to a gas lift process. As the gases travel past the catalyst, synthetic hydrocarbons are formed and heat is rejected. The synthetic hydrocarbons and water flow out of the bottom of the tubing and travel up the annulus to the surface. In some embodiments, this process is carried out in a producing well or a in producing riser. In a producing well or a producing riser, the production from the well which flows up the annulus cools the synthetic hydrocarbon derived products. In additional and alternate embodiments, this process can be used in non-flowing wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: Robert P. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 6085851
    Abstract: A multi-activity driliship, or the like, method and apparatus having a single derrick and multiple tubular activity stations within the derrick wherein primary drilling activity may be conducted from the derrick and simultaneously auxiliary drilling activity may be conducted from the same derrick to reduce the length of the primary drilling activity critical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Transocean Offshore Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Scott, Robert P. Herrmann, Donald R. Ray
  • Patent number: 6068069
    Abstract: A multi-activity drillship, or the like, method and apparatus having a single derrick and multiple tubular activity stations within the derrick wherein primary drilling activity may be conducted from the derrick and simultaneously auxiliary drilling activity may be conducted from the same derrick to reduce the length of the primary drilling activity critical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Transocean Offshore Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Scott, Robert P. Herrmann, Donald R. Ray
  • Patent number: 6056071
    Abstract: A multi-activity drillship, or the like, method and apparatus having a single derrick and multiple tubular activity stations within the derrick wherein primary drilling activity may be conducted from the derrick and simultaneously auxiliary drilling activity may be conducted from the same derrick to reduce the length of the primary drilling activity critical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Transocean Offshore Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Scott, Robert P. Herrmann, Donald R. Ray
  • Patent number: 6047781
    Abstract: A multi-activity drillship, or the like, method and apparatus having a single derrick and multiple tubular activity stations within the derrick wherein primary drilling activity may be conducted from the derrick and simultaneously auxiliary drilling activity may be conducted from the same derrick to reduce the length of the primary drilling activity critical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Transocean Offshore Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Scott, Robert P. Herrmann, Donald R. Ray
  • Patent number: 4265568
    Abstract: The invention relates to an offshore, gravity base, jack-up platform comprising a deck, a gravity base and one or more legs interconnecting the deck and base. The gravity base comprises a generally polygonal shaped, monolithic hull structure with reaction members extending downwardly from the hull to penetrate the waterbed and react to vertical and lateral loads imposed upon the platform while maintaining the gravity hull in a posture elevated above the surface of the waterbed.A method aspect of the invention includes the steps of towing a gravity base, jack-up platform, as a unit, to a preselected offshore site floating upon the gravity hull. During the towing operation, the deck is mounted adjacent the gravity base with a leg or legs projecting through the deck. At a preselected offshore station ballast is added to the gravity base and the platform descends slightly to a posture where the platform is buoyantly supported by the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Assignee: The Offshore Company
    Inventors: Robert P. Herrmann, Floyd T. Pease, Donald R. Ray