Submerged Well Patents (Class 166/335)
  • Patent number: 8096365
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for controlling an external device (4) at a well installation includes a control module (2) for generating electrical and/or optical control signals. A control pod (8) receives the control signals, the control pod controlling the external device. A hydraulic line (10) links the control pod to the external device (4) for controlling it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Controls Limited
    Inventor: Christopher David Baggs
  • Publication number: 20110315391
    Abstract: Control lines on the outer surface of a tubular disposed within a drilling riser casing may be encapsulated to facilitate formation of a seal in an annular space defined by an inner surface of the drilling riser casing and an outer surface of the tubular. More specifically, an encapsulation body may be configured to at least partially encase control lines. The encapsulation body may include a first surface and a second surface. The first surface may have an arcuate shape that corresponds to the outer surface of the tubular to facilitate formation of a seal between the first surface of the encapsulation body and the outer surface of the tubular when the first surface of the encapsulation body abuts the outer surface of the tubular. The second surface may be shaped to provide a geometrically continuous periphery about the tubular and the encapsulation body when the first surface of the encapsulation body abuts the outer surface of the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: John A. McD. Cameron
  • Publication number: 20110308807
    Abstract: A method for controlling a subsea valve assembly includes connecting a subsea riser between a wellhead and a surface vessel. An in-riser control unit is attached to a wired pipe string and disposed within the subsea riser, resulting in the in-riser control unit being deployed in-riser. The wired pipe string is connected to a surface control unit and a communication signal is transmitted through the wired pipe string between the surface control unit and the in-riser control unit to control the subsea valve assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ronald Spencer
  • Publication number: 20110297386
    Abstract: A system for controlling a blowout location at an offshore oilfield comprises: a support construction that is movable next to a blowout location in an offshore oilfield and that can be set to rest in seabed, the support construction comprising: a) a first foundation part and a second foundation part that are located at a distance from each other; b) support members that are located at a distance from each other; and a funnel structure that is movable along the support members, the funnel structure comprising connecting members that are form-locking with the support members. The first foundation part, the second foundation part and the support members are so configured that the blowout location can be restricted a) between the first foundation part and the second foundation part and b) between the support members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Iisakki Huotari
  • Publication number: 20110290494
    Abstract: A method for removing a fluid influx from a subsea wellbore drilled using a pump to return fluid from the wellbore to the surface. The method includes detecting the influx when a rate of the return pump increases. Flow from the wellbore is diverted from the return pump to a choke line when the influx reaches the wellhead. A choke in the choke line is operated so that a rate of fluid pumped into the wellbore is substantially equal to a flow rate through the choke line. Fluid flow from the wellbore is redirected to the return pump inlet when the influx has substantially left the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventor: John Cohen
  • Publication number: 20110290495
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus to construct subsea wells with redundant parallel fluid flow control systems to allow new methods to stop subsea blow outs. More specifically, this invention provides methods and apparatus to construct subsea wells with a plurality of redundant parallel paths allowing for the first time drill pipe and other intervention conduits, wire line, and fluids to be deployed below a damaged drilling riser and or a damaged blow out preventer through a separate blow out preventer and riser system presented in this invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventor: David R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110290499
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for installing deepwater completions and performing well intervention from a vessel that can perform other duties while not running completions or performing interventions. The system for installing deepwater completions and performing well intervention may comprise a surface pipe handling and deployment package including a horizontally operated rig that may also be operated in a slanted mode. Deepwater completions may be deployed from the vessel via a buoyant horizontal riser (BHR), which may be supported by a submerged buoyant tensioning system (BTS). In this manner, the cost of performing completion or intervention operations may be significantly reduced compared to such operations run from a drilling rig.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Ronald Van Petegem, Kevin Quick, Egill Abrahamsen, Brian Michael Carline, Karsten Heidecke, Doyle Frederick Boutwell, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110278014
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a jet pump assembly affixed to a riser string and to a blowout preventer. The jet pump assembly comprises a conduit and a sealing assembly configured to accelerate a drilling fluid's return flow by a power fluid delivered by an umbilical connected to the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Jack Everett Miller
  • Publication number: 20110247825
    Abstract: An integrated power distribution system utilizes a subsea power distribution hub that receives high voltage electricity through an umbilical from a host surface facility. The subsea power distribution hub steps down the high voltage electricity and distributes the appropriate electrical power supply to multiple components of a subsea production system (e.g., in-well pumps, subsea booster pumps, subsea processing units, subsea valves, and subsea sensors) via jumpers. The integrated subsea power distribution system can be utilize to supply electrical power to all of the required process components of the subsea production system from the in-well completion to the surface host facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Peter Batho, Jan Elde, Audun Magne Askeland, Jean-Luc Monnac, Dinesh R. Patel
  • Publication number: 20110240308
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a guide frame (10) for location at one or more points along the length of a riser tower structure (112,114). The riser tower structure is of a type that has an upper end supported at a depth below the sea surface and has a central core (200) with one or more conduits (220) arranged therearound extending from the seabed toward the surface. In use, the guide frame guides the conduit (s) relative to the central core, said guide frame (10) being attachable to said riser tower structure non-continuously (40,50), thereby not becoming an integral part of said riser tower structure. Also disclosed is a riser tower comprising such guide frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Bernard Legras
  • Publication number: 20110232912
    Abstract: A system and method for hydraulically powering a seafloor pump and thereby delivering produced fluid from a subsea well are provided. The system includes a power fluid source, such as a seawater source, which is located at a seasurface location of a sea, and a hydraulically-driven pump, which is located at a seafloor location. The pump is configured to receive a flow of produced fluid from a subsea well and deliver the produced fluid through a riser to a receiver at a seasurface location. One or more conduits that define a feed passage connect the source and the pump, and the source is configured to receive power fluid and provide a flow of the power fluid via the feed passage of the conduit to the pump. The pump is hydraulically operated by the flow of power fluid and delivers the produced fluid from the pump to the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: FRANK CLOSE
  • Publication number: 20110203802
    Abstract: A method of maintaining a substantially fixed orientation of a pressure control device relative to a movable rig can include rotating a body of the pressure control device while the rig rotates. A method of remotely controlling an orientation of a pressure control device relative to a movable rig can include rotating a body of the pressure control device, and controlling the rotation of the body from a location on the rig remote from the body. A pressure control device for use in conjunction with a rig can include a body, a flange, an orientation device which changes a rotational orientation of the body relative to the flange, and an orientation control system which remotely controls the orientation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Fredrick D. CURTIS, Derrick W. Lewis, Leyb Ginzburg
  • Patent number: 8003573
    Abstract: A method to remove hydrate plugs in a production system by passing a non-hydrate-forming or a hydrate-forming gas, which forms hydrates at a higher pressure than the existing hydrate, through the flow-restricting hydrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Adam L. Ballard, Norman D. McMullen, George J. Shoup
  • Patent number: 7997335
    Abstract: A seafloor pump assembly is installed within a caisson that has an upper end for receiving a flow of fluid containing gas and liquid. The pump assembly is enclosed within a shroud that has an upper end that seals around the pump assembly and a lower end that is below the motor and is open. An extraction tube has an upper end above the shroud within the upper portion of the caisson and a lower end connected to a jet pump. The extraction tube causes gas that separates from the liquid and collects in the upper portion of the caisson to be drawn into the jet pump and mixed with the liquid as the liquid is being pumped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Donn J. Brown, Brown Lyle Wilson
  • Publication number: 20110176874
    Abstract: A tubing sheave apparatus is disclosed. A circular member has a grooved circumference. A hub is coupled to the circular member via one or more radial support members. The circular member and the hub have a rotational axis. A roller is disposed near the grooved circumference. An actuator is coupled to the roller and configured to move the roller at least toward the grooved circumference. The roller and the grooved circumference are configured to contact tubing disposed therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventor: Galen Hebert
  • Publication number: 20110168402
    Abstract: An offshore unit includes a hull and/or a deck frame, a mat attached to at least one connecting leg or a spud can attached to each of at least one connecting leg or lower hull attached to at least one connecting means. A wellhead deck is removably attached to the hull and/or deck frame and a sub-sea clamp in conjunction with a caisson or a sub-sea conductor frame is removably attached to the mat or to the at least one connecting leg, where a spud can is attached to each of the at least one connecting leg, or to the lower hull. The offshore unit is relocatable and is a platform or a rig capable of performing drilling, production, construction, accommodation, hook-up and commissioning or a combination of any of these functions thereof. The offshore unit is a self-elevating mobile platform or submersible platform or semi-submersible platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Nagendran C. Nadarajah, De Raj Renata Anita, Mahendran Suppiah
  • Patent number: 7963335
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing energy to sub-sea support equipment. Energy can be provided by diverting at least a portion of a fluid from a well producing system to sub-sea support equipment units that can be disposed in the vicinity of the sea-floor, sea-bed, or mud-line. The well producing system can include, but is not limited to, a water injection system, a gas lift system, or combinations thereof. A water injection system designed to provide pressure support to one or more wells can be modified to provide an operational power source to one or more sub-sea support equipment units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Drew Krehbiel, Richard D'Souza
  • Publication number: 20110036587
    Abstract: A system and method for optimal placement of a riserless casing in a subsea drilling environment having the steps of: receiving input of pore pressure data for a well site; receiving input of fracture gradient for said well site; receiving input of the anticipated true vertical depth of said well site; integrating pore pressure data, fracture gradient data with said true vertical depth values; computing a pore pressure and fracture gradient verses true vertical depth graph; determining the true vertical depth at which the pore pressure begins to exceed the normal gradient of salt water; and determining the placement of a conductor casing string by corresponding the gradient true vertical depth to the true vertical depth of where the pore pressure beings to exceed the normal gradient of salt water. The method improves upon conventional placement of the riserless casing by optimizing the placement to achieve larger diameters in the wellbore, increased well depth, and mitigation of shallow hazards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: David M. Pritchard, Kenneth J. Kotow
  • Patent number: 7886848
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for disposing of drill cuttings 500 from an oil and/or gas well drilling platform 510, comprising (a) transporting the drill cuttings 520 to a cuttings collection area 530 on the platform 510; (b) providing a barge 10, the barge 10 having at least one storage area 30, a cover 100 operably connected to the at least one storage area 30, and covering the at least one storage area 30; (c) placing the cover 100 in a first open state so that cuttings 500 can be placed in the at least one storage area 30; (d) transporting the drill cuttings 500 from the cuttings collection area 530 to the at least one storage area of the barge 10; (e) placing the cover 100 in a closed state so that the cuttings 520 in the storage area 30 of the barge 10 are contained; (f) transporting the barge 10 from the drilling platform 510 to a collection site 540; (g) placing the cover 100 in a second open state so that the cuttings 520 in the storage area 30 can be removed; and (h) removing the cuttings 520 from the sto
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Central Boat Rentals, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Patterson, Edward L. Shearer
  • Publication number: 20110030966
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the subsea deployment system may be used to install flying leads with integral buoyancy. In another embodiment, the subsea deployment system may be used to install flying leads with separate buoyancy modules. The installation sling assembly may be used with the subsea deployment system or with other systems to deploy flying leads subsea. The universal removable cartridge may be interchanged for use on a horizontal drive unit and a mud mat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: DEEP DOWN, INC.
    Inventor: Ronald E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100307759
    Abstract: A system for producing oil and/or gas from an underground formation comprising a first array of wells dispersed above the formation; a second array of wells dispersed above the formation; wherein the first array of wells comprises a mechanism to inject a miscible enhanced oil recovery formulation into the formation while the second array of wells comprises a mechanism to produce oil and/or gas from the formation for a first time period; and a means to convert at least a portion of the miscible enhanced oil recovery formulation within the formation into another compound during a second time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Steffen BERG, Carolus Matthias Anna Maria Mesters, Dean Chien Wang
  • Publication number: 20100294503
    Abstract: A subsea cementing system that includes a first wiper plug having a central bore releasably connected to a launching mandrel, and a second wiper plug having a central bore releasably connected to the first wiper plug. The system includes a first dart that is adapted to seal the central bore of the second wiper plug. A first increase in pressure releases the second wiper plug from the first wiper plug and a second increase in pressure breaks a burst disc of the first dart allowing cement to flow past the second wiper plug. A second wiper dart is adapted to seal the central bore of the first wiper plug. A third increase in pressure releases the first wiper plug from the launching mandrel. A fourth increase in pressure releases a sealing member from the second dart, which is adapted to seal the central bore of the second wiper plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: David Fernando Laurel, Kurt Randall Koenlg
  • Patent number: 7806186
    Abstract: A submersible pumping system for use downhole that includes a housing, a pump and gas separator within the housing, a motor for driving the pump and separator, and a foaming agent injection system. The foaming agent injection system injects a foaming agent upstream of the pump and optionally upstream of the separator. The foaming agent injection system comprises a foaming agent supply, an injection pump, and foaming agent injection line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Donn J. Brown, Brown Lyle Wilson, David H. Neuroth
  • Publication number: 20100238762
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating submarine formations, such as geological formations located generally under a body of water. Multiple hydrofoils (130), responding to moving water, hydrodynamic, or Bernoulli forces, provide controllable orientation and separation for multiple receivers (135) as they are towed (125) through water (110) in the course of a geophysical survey such as a controlled source electromagnetic survey. The inventive method can be used to provide mutual orthogonality for three antennas in a multiple component electromagnetic receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventor: Scott C. Hornbostel
  • Publication number: 20100206573
    Abstract: A method of cooling a gaseous hydrocarbon stream (10) such as natural gas comprising at least the steps of: (a) sourcing the gaseous hydrocarbon stream (10) in an underwater pipeline (12) to a hydrocarbon facility at sea (18); (b) cooling the gaseous hydrocarbon stream (10) against one or more cooling streams (40) to remove heat from the gaseous hydrocarbon stream (10), and so provide a cooler hydrocarbon stream (20) and one or more warmer cooling streams (30); (c) using the heat of at least one warmer cooling stream (30) to heat the gaseous hydrocarbon stream (10) being sourced in the pipeline (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Peter Marie Paulus, David Bertil Runbalk
  • Publication number: 20100193194
    Abstract: A method for managing hydrates in a subsea production system is provided. The production system includes a host production facility, a control umbilical, at least one subsea production well, and a single production line. The method generally comprises producing hydrocarbon fluids from the at least one subsea production well and through the production line, and then shutting in the production line. In addition, the method includes the steps of depressurizing the production line to substantially reduce a solution gas concentration in the produced hydrocarbon fluids, and then repressurizing the production line to urge any remaining gas in the free gas phase within the production line back into solution. The method also includes displacing production fluids within the production line by moving displacement fluids from a service line within the umbilical line and into the production line. The displacement fluids preferably comprise a hydrocarbon-based fluid having a low dosage hydrate inhibitor (LDHI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Richard F. Stoisits, David C. Lucas, Larry D. Talley, Donald P. Shatto, Jiyong Cai
  • Patent number: 7759827
    Abstract: A DC voltage converting device is on the output side connected to a DC voltage source and, on the output side, supplies a converted DC voltage to at least one electrical consumer via a cable connection. To improve such a DC voltage converting device in that also with high DC voltages on the input side, a conversion into another DC voltage is possible without any special constructional efforts and high costs while complicated cooling means or the like, are avoided at the same time, the Dc voltage converting device comprises a plurality of DC voltage converting units of which each is serially connected to the DC voltage source on the input side and connected in parallel with the cable connection on the output side for supplying the converted DC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Kunow, Klaus Biester
  • Publication number: 20100175883
    Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method of use extracts, cools, and transports effluents from subterranean, sub-sea oil formations to distant shore based processing facilities. The effluents, mostly crude oil, are conveyed rapidly to a cold flow generator near the oil wellhead on the sea bottom using the cold seawater to chill the effluents to a dispersed mixture including generated solids. The mixture is transported close to sea bottom temperatures, slowly, with small pressure drops, in low-cost submerged bare pipes over long distances to on or near shore processing facilities that can produce useful hydrocarbon products more cost effectively than at sea processing facilities. The apparatus eliminates or minimizes the need for heated or insulated pipe, the need for large floating processing structures, the need for sub-sea processing equipment, and/or the need for chemical additions to production flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventor: Robert A. BENSON
  • Publication number: 20100175882
    Abstract: An RCD is used to provide a system and method for sealing a marine riser having a rotatable tubular. A bypass internal channel or external line may be used to allow fluid to bypass the RCD seal. An RCD seal assembly seal could be a mechanically extrudable seal or a hydraulically expanded seal to seal the RCD with the riser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, Danny W. Wagoner, Wayboum J. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20100163242
    Abstract: Method for removing air wave noise from shallow water controlled source electromagnetic survey data, using only the measured data and conductivity values for sea water (140) and air. The method is a calculation performed numerically on CSEM data and resulting in an estimate of those data that would have been acquired had the water layer extended infinitely upward from the seafloor. No properties of the sub-sea sediments are used. Synthetic electromagnetic field data are generated for (a) an all water model (141) and (b) an air-water model (146-147) of the survey region. These simulated results are then used to calculate (148-150) electromagnetic field values corresponding to a water-sediment model with water replacing the air half space, which represent measured data adjusted to remove air wave noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: Willen E. Dennis
  • Publication number: 20100155072
    Abstract: Method and device to be used for resetting a pressure in a low pressure recipient connected to a subsea pressure control device. The device includes the low pressure recipient configured to have first and second chambers separated by a first piston; a reset recipient configured to have third and fourth chambers separated by a piston assembly, and the piston assembly includes a second piston having first and second extension elements that extend along a direction of movement of the piston assembly. The third chamber has an inlet configured to allow the hydraulic liquid to enter the third chamber and an outlet configured to allow the hydraulic liquid to exit the third chamber, and the fourth chamber has an inlet configured to allow the hydraulic liquid to enter the fourth chamber and an outlet configured to allow the hydraulic liquid to exit the fourth chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Ryan Gustafson
  • Publication number: 20100155071
    Abstract: Method and water submerged device for generating a force under water. The device includes a low pressure recipient configured to contain a volume of a first fluid at a low pressure volume, an inlet connected to the low pressure recipient and configured to exchange a second fluid with an external enclosure, and a valve connected to the external enclosure and the inlet and configured to separate a pressure source in the external enclosure from the low pressure recipient. When the valve is open, such that there is a flow communication between the external enclosure and the low pressure recipient, a pressure imbalance occurs in the external enclosure which generates the force and the second fluid from the external enclosure enters the low pressure recipient and compresses the first fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Ryan Gustafson
  • Publication number: 20100147530
    Abstract: A tieback connection between an offshore production platform and a wellhead on the sea floor has a riser and a tubular expandable and contractable member within the riser. The expandable and contractable member compensates for axial movement within the riser while maintaining axial tension in the riser. The expandable and contractable member is of uni-body construction having a wall configured to correspondingly expand and contract to compensate for the riser movement. In cross section, the member wall comprises folds formable by alternating slots formed into the inner and outer wall surface or an undulating surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Frank C. Adamek, James R. M. Allison
  • Publication number: 20100139924
    Abstract: A method of servicing subsea equipment comprising positioning a reaction chamber about the subsea equipment having a plug therein, wherein positioning the reaction chamber substantially isolates an area about the subsea equipment from an environment external to the reaction chamber, providing one or more reactants to the reaction chamber, and allowing a reaction to proceed between the reactants, wherein the reaction produces sufficient heat to eliminate the plug. A system for removing plugs from subsea equipment comprising a support vessel, a reaction chamber supported by the support vessel and positioned adjacent the subsea equipment having a plug therein, wherein the reaction chamber is configured to substantially isolate an area about the subsea equipment having a plug therein from an environment external to the reaction chamber, and one or more exothermically-reacting chemical reactants present within the reaction chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Laurence James Abney
  • Publication number: 20100116505
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein comprise an apparatus and method for transporting a control package for a lower marine riser package (LMRP) to an offshore platform. The apparatus may include a lifting cage and a base. The lifting cage may be configured to lock to the base. The base may be configured to secure a control package in the interior of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher Scott Clark
  • Publication number: 20100108321
    Abstract: An apparatus for venting an annular space between a liner and a pipeline of a subsea riser used for conveying hydrocarbons, the apparatus comprising a permeate recovery device for recovering permeate passing through the liner into the annular space. The permeate recovery device includes a first vent port in a wall of the pipeline at or adjacent a lower region of the pipeline and communicating with a permeate recovery line defining a flow path between the annular space and a permeate collection vessel. A one-way valve is associated with the permeate recovery line for preventing flow from the permeate recovery line into the annular space. A gaseous permeate recovery line connected to a second vent port at an upper region of the pipeline defining a flow of gaseous permeate from the annular space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Scott Hall, Sylvain Denniel, Jeroen Remery
  • Publication number: 20100101800
    Abstract: A subsea completion assembly for a subsea well including installed casing and a wellhead. The assembly includes a production casing forming a B annulus between the outside of the production casing and the installed casing. The assembly also includes an annulus access adapter installed in the wellhead, the adapter including a manipulatable valve controlling fluid communication with the fluid in the B annulus across the annulus access adapter. A property of the fluid in the B annulus can be monitored by fluid communicated across the annulus access adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: David R. June, Scott D. Ward, David R. Gwyn
  • Publication number: 20100059221
    Abstract: Subsea apparatus and a method for sampling and analysing fluid from a subsea fluid flowline proximate a subsea well is provided, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one housing located in close proximity to said subsea fluid flowline; at least one fluid sampling device located in the housing in fluid communication with a said subsea fluid flowline for obtaining a sample of fluid from the subsea fluid flowline; at least one fluid processing apparatus located in the housing in fluid communication with said subsea fluid flowline for receiving and processing a portion of the fluid flowing through said fluid flowline or in fluid communication with the fluid sampling device, for processing the sample of fluid obtained from the subsea fluid flowline for analysis, while keeping the sample of fluid at subsea conditions; a fluid analysis device located in the housing, the fluid analysis device being in fluid communication with the fluid processing device and/or with the fluid sampling device, the fluid analysis de
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephane Vannuffelen, Ricardo Vasques, Tsutomu Yamate, Akira Kamiya, Kentaro Indo, Gary Oddie, Jonathan Machin, Julie Morgan, Morten Stenhaug, Graham Birkett, Oliver C. Mullins, Lars Mangal, Pascal Panetta
  • Patent number: 7669670
    Abstract: A procedure for the installation of horizontal drains for uptake of seawater of the type of those that use horizontal directional drilling (HDD) with widening by means of reamers and use of drilling muds for consolidation of the drilled galleries, and subsequent installation of drains, characterized in that the horizontal directional drilling (HDD), of single or multiple holes, is carried out from behind the coastline and directed towards the sea, crossing predetermined submerged productive strata; in the boreholes drilled, tubular drains are introduced, with grooves or holes only in stretches that correspond to predicted productive areas, remaining closed in the other sections; the space between the hole and the drain is sealed in the non-productive parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Catalana De Perforacions, S.A.
    Inventor: Domenec Pinto Bascompte
  • Publication number: 20100032163
    Abstract: A purge system for use with a well intervention system and apparatus is disclosed. The purge system permits well fluids contained in a subsea intervention system to be purged prior to retrieval of the intervention system to the surface. The system comprises a vessel (44) for storing and deploying wireline tooling, the vessel being exposed to well fluids via the well control package (16) and first fluid communication means (58) connected between a purging fluid supply and the well control package, and second fluid communication means (60) connected between the vessel and the well control package wherein, in use, the purging fluid supply to the vessel via the first fluid communication means displaces fluid from the vessel into a second fluid communication means and into the well control package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Andrew Richards, Mark Davies
  • Patent number: 7650943
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for controlling an external device (4) at a well installation includes a control module (2) for generating electrical and/or optical control signals. A control pod (8) receives the control signals, the control pod controlling the external device. A hydraulic line (10) links the control pod to the external device (4) for controlling it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Controls Limited
    Inventor: Christopher David Baggs
  • Publication number: 20100012325
    Abstract: A technique is provided for producing a slurry of solid particulates and hydrocarbon production fluid for transport via a subsea flow line. The technique utilizes a cold flow system that cools production fluid to a temperature below the temperature at which hydrates and other substances precipitate from the production fluid and form solid particulates. An instrumentation and control system is used to receive and process data from sensors in the system. The instrumentation and control system then provides control signals to one or more components of the cold flow system to produce a slurry having solid particulates with desirable characteristics. In addition, a cooling gas may be used to facilitate sub-cooling of the production fluid. The cooling gas is compressed and cools the production fluid as the gas expands via Joule-Thompson expansion. Furthermore, a discharge pressure controller may be used to control flow through the cold flow system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventor: John Daniel Friedemann
  • Publication number: 20100006291
    Abstract: A method of cooling a multiphase well effluent stream comprises: separating the multiphase well effluent stream (G+L) into gas enriched and liquid enriched fractions in a gas liquid separator (2, 22); cooling the liquid enriched fraction in a heat exchanger (6,26); reinjecting the cooled liquid enriched fraction into the well effluent stream (G+L) at a location upstream of the gas liquid separator (2, 22), thereby cooling the well effluent stream without requiring a gas-liquid heat exchanger to directly cool the multiphase well effluent stream, which may be ten times larger than the liquid-liquid heat exchanger (6, 26) for cooling the recycled liquid enriched fraction (Lcold).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Edwin Poorte
  • Publication number: 20100006297
    Abstract: A device including a pipe string device anchored to a sea floor. The device is configured to convey a fluid from a well head to a vessel during a drilling phase of a well. The fluid is located in the pipe string and needing, for well-technical reasons, to be given a flow boost. The pipe string that is anchored on the sea floor is provided with at least one injection point for a driving fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Roger Stave
  • Publication number: 20090321079
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon production installation comprising a surface station and an underwater hydrocarbon extraction facility, the surface station and extraction facility being electrically linked via an umbilical cable, the installation further comprising means for transmitting first and second components of a communications signal and power from the surface station to the extraction facility via the umbilical cable. The transmitting means including means for passing the communications components through the umbilical cable in a balanced manner. The transmitting means further comprises means for transmitting the power through the umbilical cable superimposed on the communications components, and the facility comprises means for receiving the communications components and separating the power from the communications components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY CONTRLS LIMITED
    Inventor: Gerald Ian Robinson
  • Publication number: 20090283273
    Abstract: A well sealing system includes a tailipipe set in a wellbore casing, the annular space between the tailpipe and the casing being sealed by a packer comprising at least two annular seals, and the internal diameter of the tailpipe being sealed by at least two internal seals. Disclosed are also an apparatus and a method for providing a casing in a bore hole for a well an offshore location, comprising the steps of: a) fabricating a casing in a location remote from the offshore well location; b) floating the casing to the location; c) orienting the casing to a substantially vertical position; d) lowering in a drilling assembly; e) operating a drill bit included in the drilling assembly to drill a borehole; f) lowering the casing into the bore hole as required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventor: Phillip Head
  • Publication number: 20090266550
    Abstract: A compact, low footprint water separation system for use in subsea well operations. A subsea production tree has a vertical passage and at least one laterally extending branch. A subsea gravity separation device having a hollow toroidal body detachably is mounted around and connected to the production tree. An inlet on a first side portion of the separation device is connected to the at least one laterally extending branch of the production tree and admits production fluid. The production fluid flows through the separation device where it passes through a separation unit. After passing through a separation unit, less dense fluid is discharged through an upper outlet and more dense fluid is discharged through a lower outlet. The upper and lower outlets are positioned opposite the first side portion of the separation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen P. Fenton
  • Publication number: 20090236100
    Abstract: An apparatus adapted for removing a plug (12) from a subsea Christmas tree (10) is disclosed which includes a housing (84), a distal end of the apparatus that is adapted to engage the plug (12) and a fluid passage (83) formed in the housing (84) for use in directing a stream of fluid toward the plug (12) to remove debris (90) from above the plug (12). Also disclosed is a method for removing debris (90) from a subsea Christmas tree (10) including connecting a marine riser and a blowout preventer (BOP) (60) to a subsea Christmas tree (10), lowering a plug removal tool (80) through the marine riser to the Christmas tree (10), the plug removal tool (80) having a fluid passage (83) formed therein, and forcing a fluid down the marine riser and through the fluid passage (83) in the plug removal tool (80) to wash out debris (90) in the Christmas tree (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: John E. Lawson
  • Publication number: 20090212969
    Abstract: A subsea production system adapted for wireless communication so that production tree operation can be controlled locally wirelessly from a workover umbilical or remotely controlled vehicle. The production system includes a wellhead assembly and an umbilical termination connected to an umbilical that extends to above the sea surface. Dedicated wireless communication devices can be attached to one or both of the wellhead assembly and the umbilical termination. The wireless communication devices can include a radio frequency modem, a sonar device, an infrared communication device, a light emitting diode, an optical modem, and combinations thereof; the wireless communication can include radio frequency waves, acoustic waves, and electromagnetic waves. A subsea control module can be included for controlling/actuating devices in or associated with the production system. The subsea control module can be adapted for wireless communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Vecto Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Robert K. Voss
  • Publication number: 20090200035
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an all electric subsea boosting system for well fluid boosting by compressing hydrocarbon gases and/or pumping hydrocarbon liquids where said system comprises one or more subsea boosting stations and one or more long step-out power supplies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Bernt Bjerkreim, Harald Arnt Friisk, Asbjørn Eriksen, Karl Olav Haram, Ola Skrøvseth, Geir Aalvik