With Means To Compensate For Vessel Movement Patents (Class 166/355)
  • Patent number: 11920426
    Abstract: A payload deployment tool is provided. The tool includes a housing having a coupler configured to couple to a fluid delivery conduit; a pressure chamber in communication with the coupler; a plurality of payload chambers in communication with the pressure chamber, each of the payload chambers having an upstream opening and a downstream opening; and a plurality of upstream pressure-rupturable seals respectively covering the upstream openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventor: John Tyler Thomason
  • Patent number: 11492893
    Abstract: An apparatus for predicting a deformed shape of a structure, and method of operating and forming the same. In an embodiment, the apparatus is formed with a riser with ends coupled respectively to an upper location and a lower location. The apparatus includes sensors configured to sense an inclination of the riser at riser nodes positioned on the riser between the upper location and the lower location. The apparatus further includes a data processing system configured to produce an estimate of a deformed shape of the riser employing deformed shaped functions to represent, respectively, the estimate of the deformed shape of the riser above and below the riser nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
    Inventors: Junho Choi, Moo-Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 11384607
    Abstract: A motion compensating system is usable on a vessel during well intervention operations through a riser. The system includes a first floor; a second floor; a plurality of hydraulic cylinders connecting the first floor to the second floor; a bearing retainer attachable to the second floor; a spherical bearing provided between the second floor and the bearing retainer, wherein the spherical bearing includes a central opening therethrough for the riser to allow angular movement of the riser relative to the first and second floors; an insert bearing sleeve at least partially located inside the central opening of the spherical bearing; and a slip bowl attachable to the insert bearing sleeve. Each of the first floor, the second floor, the bearing retainer, the insert bearing sleeve and the slip bowl have an opening therethrough for the riser, and each opening is aligned with the central opening of the spherical bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: David C. Wright
  • Patent number: 11299938
    Abstract: Provided is a method for connecting coiled tubing strings, as well as a flexible stabbing snake. In one aspect, the method for connecting coiled tubing strings includes lowering a downhole end of a first coiled tubing string within a wellbore, and coupling an uphole end of the first coiled tubing string to a downhole end of a second coiled tubing string at a location between a coiled tubing injector and the wellbore to form a combined coiled tubing string. In at least one aspect, the method further includes lowering the combined coiled tubing string within the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Quero, Eric Bivens, Robert Gordon Howard, Harley Jones, II, Peter Gainey, Malcolm Richard
  • Patent number: 11268359
    Abstract: The invention relates to the fluid treatment, such as acid stimulation, of a subsea hydrocarbon well via a subsea wellhead/Christmas tree. Fluid is delivered directly to the subsea wellhead from a pumping vessel. Control of the delivery of fluid is from the pumping vessel via a fail-safe close valve in the delivery line. The Christmas tree subsea module is controlled directly from a host platform via a subsea cable, whilst a radio data link between the vessel and host platform provides communication of downhole data to the pumping vessel during the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Lars Christian Tronstad Bahr, John P. Spence, Svein Kristian Furre
  • Patent number: 11248421
    Abstract: An offloading system for conveying hydrocarbons from a buoyancy-supported subsea riser to a surface tanker vessel comprises a flexible hose that hangs from the riser structure in a U-shape having first and second limbs. An upper end of the first limb communicates with the riser and an upper end of the second limb terminates in a pulling head for connecting the hose to the tanker. A clump weight acts on a lowermost bend of the hose between the limbs to maintain tension in the limbs. A subsurface holder fixed to the riser structure is arranged to hold the pulling head against the tension in the second limb of the hose when the system is in a standby state. The holder is offset laterally from a central longitudinal axis of the riser structure and a counterweight is positioned to a side of that axis opposed to the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Subsea 7 Norway AS
    Inventor: Morten Saeterdal
  • Patent number: 11208180
    Abstract: A system is provided to compensate for heave of a vessel in which the compensation system has a first panel with a first magnetic field having magnetic flux disposed in a first direction and a second panel parallel to the first panel. The second panel has a second magnetic field having magnetic flux disposed in a second direction with the first magnetic field parallel to the second magnetic field. A conducting loop is located between the first panel and the second panel. The conducting loop is attachable to a cable connected to a load suspended in water. Compensating force generated by the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field transfers to the cable to compensate for heaving motion of the vessel and stabilize the cable-connected load in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventor: Anthony A Ruffa
  • Patent number: 11198597
    Abstract: Provided is an offshore wind turbine installation arrangement, including a lifting assembly realized to hoist a suspended load between a floating installation vessel and a wind turbine assembly, the lifting assembly including a crane supported by the floating installation vessel; a sensor arrangement realized to sense at least a motion of the floating installation vessel; and a controller realized to control elements of the lifting assembly on the basis of the sensed installation vessel motion to adjust the position of the suspended load relative to the wind turbine assembly. Also provided is a method of hoisting a load between a floating installation vessel and an offshore wind turbine assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/S
    Inventor: Jesper Moeller
  • Patent number: 11111113
    Abstract: The publication describes a mobile active heave compensator provided with an attachment device for suspending the compensator from a load bearing device and an attachment device for carrying a payload. The compensator comprises a passive heave compensation part and an active heave compensation part and is associated with a sensor arrangement producing input signals for a control unit and a power source. The compensator incorporates a hydraulic fluid pump and/or motor device, affecting the active heave compensating part, producing output signal(s) to the hydraulic fluid and/or motor device to transport the hydraulic fluid as required, based on input signals received from the sensor arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: SAFELINK AS
    Inventor: Tord B Martinsen
  • Patent number: 11105171
    Abstract: This disclosure includes auxiliary-line riser segment assemblies (e.g., with isolation units) that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) and that can be lowered (e.g., when connected to other riser segment assemblies) through a rotary of a drilling rig. Some embodiments are configured to have portions of the auxiliary lines connected (e.g., without welding) below the rotary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: AMERIFORGE GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Justin Fraczek, Roland Kennedy, Randy Arthion, Alex Gidman
  • Patent number: 10975632
    Abstract: The publication relates to a depth compensated actuator, for a transportable inline depth compensated heave com-pensator for subsea lifting operations. The actuator comprises a cylinder shaped body and a piston with a piston rod, the piston rod being intended for exposure to external water pressure, a first and second connection means associated with the actuator. Further, the actuator comprises a depth compensator comprising a cylinder, a piston and a piston rod, the end of which being exposed to surrounding water; and conduit means between at least one volume in the actuator and one volume in the depth compensator. The pistons and piston rods are shaped as any of: hollow piston rod, ring shaped piston, ring piston rod. The depth compensated actuator solves the problem if improving depth compensation performance regarding size, weight, required fluid consumption, internal/inherent friction and adaptability. Further, use of a depth compensated actuator is claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: SAFELINK AS
    Inventors: Tord B Martinsen, Andre Skare Berg
  • Patent number: 10967949
    Abstract: A slide-in structural interface between a Sea Water Intake Riser (SWIR) and a floating unit hull or sump tank bottom plate permits a pull-in, diver-less installation of the SWIR. Certain embodiments include an integrated, easily maintainable strainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SINGLE BUOY MOORINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Julien Odorico, Jack Pollack
  • Patent number: 10865608
    Abstract: A mobile offshore drilling unit is converted to provide drilling, completion and workover access to multiple dry tree wells from a drilling derrick to allow production and export of oil and gas from high pressure, high temperature reservoirs in deep offshore waters. Existing practice has been for the drilling derrick on a production platform supporting dry tree wells to be moved over a fixed well slot. The present invention provides a movable wellbay that supports multiple top-tensioned subsea well tieback risers, which may be positioned directly below the derrick's rotary table and/or beneath another operating device. The use of top-tensioned subsea well tieback risers supported by the movable wellbay allows the converted facility to drill, complete, maintain, improve and produce from subsea wells through dry trees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: FRONTIER DEEPWATER APPRAISAL SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventors: Roy B. Shilling, III, Charles N. White, Howard Day
  • Patent number: 10767331
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining curvature for subsea riser system, including but not limited to drilling risers, steel catenary risers, lazy-wave catenary risers and riser jumpers, comprising the steps of: periodically measuring acceleration in a first lateral direction at said vertical position to obtain a first acceleration timetrace processing said first acceleration timetrace to obtain a first acceleration spectra; applying a transfer function to said first acceleration spectra to obtain a first curvature spectra; and processing said first curvature spectra to obtain a first curvature timetrace. Preferably the transfer function is determined by a method comprising the step of modelling the riser as a Tensioned Timoshenko Beam. The curvature may be used to determine stress and fatigue damage in a structure from motions measured at a single location or a combination of motions measured at a single location with or without tension measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: BP Exploration and Production, Inc.
    Inventors: Songcheng Li, Michael Campbell, Michael Long Ge
  • Patent number: 10676999
    Abstract: A vessel adapted to perform subsea wellbore related operations involving a riser string that is assembled from releasably interconnected riser sections and extends between a subsea wellbore and the vessel. The riser string vertical handling system of the vessel comprises a controlled motion device that is adapted to displace the riser string lifting tool in at least one horizontal direction relative to the riser spider device at least whilst travelling between said elevated and lowered position thereof loaded by the riser string suspended from the riser string lifting tool, thereby allowing to establish an inclined travel path with selectively variable inclination of the riser string lifting tool relative to an imaginary vertical line through the riser string passage of the riser spider device, e.g. said inclined travel path having an inclination selected to correspond to an actual water current induced inclination of an upper portion of the riser string during the riser string assembly process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Diederick Bernardus Wijning
  • Patent number: 10544630
    Abstract: A system for mitigating slugging in the conveyance of a subterranean resource can include at least one first pipe disposed proximate to a subterranean formation, where the at least one first pipe has a first cavity through which the subterranean resource traverses from the subterranean formation. The system can also include at least one second pipe disposed proximate to field equipment at an operating platform, where the at least one second pipe has a second cavity through which the subterranean resource traverses, where the field equipment is used to extract the subterranean resource. The system can also include a first slug mitigation assembly disposed between the at least one first pipe and the at least one second pipe, where the first slug mitigation assembly includes a first plurality of non-linear segments for reducing accumulation of gas or liquid pockets in the subterranean resource as the subterranean resource flows therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignees: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC., CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Carlos Avila, Yi Cao, Henry Kwaw Ayisi Tandoh
  • Patent number: 10479641
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for adjusting and repositioning a coiled tubing tensioning device while deployed. The system comprises a tubing guide for receiving a coiled tubing, a tensioning device for maintaining the coiled tubing in tension, and a tower frame having a moveable platform supporting the weight of the tensioning device. The moveable platform is adjustable vertically to raise and lower the tensioning device with respect to the tower frame, and the tower frame permits the tensioning device to move horizontally with respect to a fixed ground point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: George Stewart Cooper, Alan Charles John Turner, Richard Ian Gillings
  • Patent number: 10323474
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, system and methods for controlling borehole pressure in a MPD system to compensate for heave effects on a drilling rig are provided. The systems and method described herein involve calculating and implementing set points for two or more MPD system components in real time. These MPD components that are controlled via the dynamic set points may include a choke, a backpressure pump (BPP), a rig pump diverter (RPD), a continuous circulation device, one or more mud pumps, a pressure relief system, or some combination thereof. By calculating and providing these set points in real-time during various well and drilling operations, non-productive time, well control events, and costs to remedy issues resulting from improper pressure levels within the borehole may be mitigated or avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Kristian Olsen, Tim Rohne Tonnessen
  • Patent number: 10323467
    Abstract: An offshore drilling rig comprising a drill deck, at least one primary well center and a diverter system arranged below the primary well center, a drilling support structure extending upwardly from the drill deck and above the primary well center and the other work center and a first and a second hoisting system supported by the drilling support structure and being adapted for raising or lowering a first and a second load carrier, respectively, and where the offshore drilling rig comprises a positioning system adapted for selectively positioning at least the first load carrier in at least a first or a second horizontal position different from the first horizontal position, where the first load carrier in the first horizontal position is positioned above the primary well center, and in the second horizontal position is positioned above the other work center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Maersk Drilling A/S
    Inventors: Michael Kannegaard, Allan McColl, Jesper Holck
  • Patent number: 10266242
    Abstract: An enhanced system and various methods for detangling and positioning of automatic fender positioning systems, comprising a system for stowing a boat fender in a fender receptacle, the receptacle having an opening for threading through a line, the line being attached to the fender, the line operable to pull up the fender into the receptacle through a second opening at the bottom of the receptacle, where upon while retracting the fender, the motor is configured to detect changes in current, and is configured to shut down if an overcurrent state is detected, the overcurrent state detection being based at least in part on a configured current limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Inventor: Shmuel Sam Arditi
  • Patent number: 10233701
    Abstract: A connection assembly for engaging a tubular member underwater to restrain the tubular member from radial movement relative to the connection assembly includes a plurality of pads for engaging the tubular member at circumferentially spaced positions; and a plurality of biasing arrangements, each for biasing a respective pad radially inwardly into engagement with the tubular member; wherein each biasing arrangement includes a pre-loadable, mechanical, compressed spring arrangement for resiliently pressing its respective pad against the tubular member. The assembly need not employ any hydraulic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: SAIPEM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Serena, Diego Lazzarin, Gabriele Cadeddu
  • Patent number: 10196865
    Abstract: A fluid containment system for a riser slip joint includes a fluid container sealingly engaged to a fixed part of the slip joint. A movable part of the slip joint is axially movably engaged with the fixed part. An annular seal is disposed between the fixed part and the movable part. A body of fluid disposed in the fluid container has a level selected to submerge the annular seal and at least a portion of the movable part. The system includes means for maintaining a level of the body of fluid substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Noble Drilling Services Inc.
    Inventors: Hans H. J. Deul, Patrick O'Neill
  • Patent number: 10107069
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for diverting fluids either into or from a well are described. Some embodiments include a diverter conduit that is located in a bore of a tree. The invention relates especially but not exclusively to a diverter assembly connected to a wing branch of a tree. Some embodiments allow diversion of fluids out of a tree to a subsea processing apparatus followed by the return of at least some of these fluids to the tree for recovery. Alternative embodiments provide only one flowpath and do not include the return of any fluids to the tree. Some embodiments can be retro-fitted to existing trees, which can allow the performance of a new function without having to replacing the tree. Multiple diverter assembly embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Patent number: 10024121
    Abstract: Flexible riser hang-off for rigid risers deployed offshore is provided and called a spoolflex hang-off. The spoolflex hang-off utilizes combined torsional and bending flexibilities of a rigid tubular jumper deployed between a top of the riser and a floater piping. The rigid jumper transports fluids, contains the fluid pressure and accommodates angular deflections of the riser. The riser top is suspended from a pivoting arrangement that transfers the riser tension to the floater structure. The rigid jumper can be made of titanium or of other metallic or nonmetallic materials. The flexible riser hang-off provided has rotational stiffness independent on riser tension. Low static and fatigue bending loads on the riser and on the floater structure result. The hang-off allows large riser deflection angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Krzysztof Jan Wajnikonis
  • Patent number: 10018001
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a centralizing device and a method for using the centralizing device to immovably centralize a conductor casing within an aperture of a supporting framework. The centralizing device has one or more body portions, each having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface(s) are arranged for abutting the conductor casing and the outer surface(s) are arranged for abutting the framework. The body portion(s) are located within the aperture between the conductor casing and the framework for limiting movement of the conductor casing relative to the framework. Each body portion includes a first member providing the outer surface and a second member providing the inner surface. The first member and second member are movable relative to each other, to thereby permit adjusting the position of the inner surface relative to the position of the outer surface, so as to centralize the conductor casing within the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Matrix Composites & Engineering Ltd.
    Inventor: Paul Riordan
  • Patent number: 10012037
    Abstract: A method of heave compensation between a floating installation, which has a drilling floor, and at least a riser or a pipe extending down towards, possibly through, a blowout preventer, the method including the steps of—installing an electromechanical actuator with attachment points, in the form of an end cap and an anchoring point, between the floating installation and a suspension device for the riser or the pipe; connecting the electromechanical actuator to a power supply and a control system; and heave-compensating for the relative displacement between the floating installation and the riser or the pipe by letting the control system adjust the length and power output of the electromechanical actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ELECTRICAL SUBSEA & DRILLING AS
    Inventor: Egil Eriksen
  • Patent number: 9995093
    Abstract: A wireline riser tensioner system includes a set of tensioning units arranged about a first well with at least one tensioning cable connected to a first and a second tension ring of the first and second wells, respectively. Both wells can be serviced using the same set of tensioning units. The at least one tensioning cable is routed through a plurality of sheaves. If not being serviced, the first or the second well might serve as an anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Harald Langenes, Alv Repstad, Jean Philippe Huchon, Lasse Hammersland
  • Patent number: 9975632
    Abstract: A system is provided for maneuvering a payload in an air space constrained by one or more obstacles, and may include first and second aerial vehicles coupled by a tether to a ground station. Sensor systems and processors in the ground station and aerial vehicles may track obstacles and the tether's and the vehicles' positions and attitude to maneuver the payload and the tether to carry out a mission. The sensor system may include airborne cameras providing data for a scene reconstruction process and simultaneous mapping of obstacles and localization of aerial vehicles relative to the obstacles. The aerial vehicles may include a frame formed substantially of a composite material for preventing contact of the rotors with the tether segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Drona, LLC
    Inventor: Loren Alegria
  • Patent number: 9937985
    Abstract: A system for planning and predetermination of boat fender heights and dock location information, comprising a boat fender controller configured to calculate a required fender deployment height prior to arrival at a predetermined dock location, based on real-time information, and to raise or lower a plurality of boat fenders based on the calculated fender deployment height on final approach to the predetermined dock location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Inventor: Shmuel Sam Arditi
  • Patent number: 9926751
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a ram-style riser tensioner system includes a plurality of cylinders for applying a desired tension to a riser, a support structure coupled to the riser, and a plurality of gas accumulators. Each of the cylinders is coupled to the support structure, and each of the gas accumulators is configured to provide pressurized gas to a corresponding one of the cylinders. The ram-style riser tensioner also includes a plurality of support rods coupled to the support structure for reducing bending moments on the plurality of cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Hafernik, Fife B. Ellis
  • Patent number: 9896160
    Abstract: A moon pool control device (5) for a marine vessel (1) comprises one or more closure members (8a,b) arranged for movement in the moon pool, between a moon pool closing position in a region of the moon pool opening (7), a moon pool open position, and a retracted position, and guiding means (14a,b; 15a,b; 17a,b; 18a,b) and motive means (9a,b; 10a,b; 22) configured for moving the closure member between said positions. In a particular embodiment, a pair of closure members (8a,b) and corresponding guiding means (14a,b; 15a,b; 17a,b; 18a,b) and motive means (9a,b; 10a,b; 22) are arranged on opposite lateral sides of the moon pool and configured to cooperate to close the opening (7) when both closure member s are in the closing position. The closure members comprise a continuous surface that forms a fluid barrier. The closure members may be retrieved onto the deck of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Seastate 7 AS
    Inventors: Thomas Øvrevoll Pedersen, Lars Reidar Eschen Brekke
  • Patent number: 9874060
    Abstract: Offshore drilling system for performing subsea wellbore related activities including a drilling vessel, with a floating hull subjected to heave motion. A main cable heave compensation sheave is provided for heave compensation of a travelling block. A connection cable heave compensation sheave is provided between a connection cable winch and a top sheave assembly supported on the hull of the vessel in or above the moonpool. The main cable heave compensation cable sheave and the connection cable heave compensation sheave are mechanically interconnected so as to allow for synchronous motion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Diederick Bernardus Wijning
  • Patent number: 9869158
    Abstract: A deep water drilling riser pressure relief system includes a drilling riser extending from a surface down to a BOP stack arranged subsea. The drilling riser comprises a drilling riser slip joint, an annular preventer arranged below the drilling riser slip joint, and at least one pressure relief device arranged in a lower part of the drilling riser. The at least one pressure relief device is configured to open so as to discharge a fluid from the drilling riser to the sea if a pressure difference between an inside and an outside of the drilling riser exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: MHWIRTH AS
    Inventor: Dag Vavik
  • Patent number: 9759021
    Abstract: An offshore drilling rig including a drill floor deck having one or more holes, each defining a well center; one or more masts upwardly extending relative to the drill floor deck, and one or more hoisting systems, each supported by at least one of the one or more masts and configured for hoisting and lowering tubular equipment through at least one of the one or more well centers; a storage area for accommodating marine riser joints in upright orientation side by side in respective upright storage positions; a riser handling apparatus, different from the hoisting systems, adapted to move at least one of said marine riser joints along a movement path between its upright storage position and a prostrate maintenance/transfer position on a maintenance/transfer area, which movement path does not intersect any of the well centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: MAERSK DRILLING A/S
    Inventors: Jesper Holck, Frederik Smidth, Michael Kannegaard
  • Patent number: 9759018
    Abstract: A system for aligning an auxiliary line connection in a termination assembly of a marine riser assembly includes a terminal block secured to an outer diameter of a termination ring. The terminal block has a piston housing that extends through a sidewall of the termination ring. A ring adapter has an outer diameter sized to engage an inner diameter of the termination ring when a shoulder of the ring adapter is landed on a load shoulder of the termination ring. A moveable floating ring assembly is retained within the piston pocket of the ring adapter. A piston housed within piston housing is moveable between a retracted position where an outer end of the piston is spaced apart from the floating ring assembly, and an extended position for forming a sealed auxiliary path from the terminal block to the ring adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Hydril USA Distribution LLC
    Inventors: Alex David Stibich, Eric Dale Larson, Jamie Clay Gamble
  • Patent number: 9611704
    Abstract: A gooseneck assembly having a body disposed circumferentially about a portion of a riser string. A stab member is inwardly radially extendable relative to the body and engages a receptacle disposed on the riser string. A cartridge assembly engages the stab member and has a flexible hose coupling that is rotatable relative to a central axis of the stab member. The coupling is in fluid communication with the receptacle via the stab member. The assembly includes an actuator that is operable to rotate the flexible hose coupling relative to the central axis of the stab member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Frank Springett, George Tisdale, John Cannell, Stephen B. Gauntt, Matthew Taylor
  • Patent number: 9528328
    Abstract: A tensions compensator assembly for a slip type joint in an offshore work string. The assembly includes a chamber at the joint which is constructed in a manner to offset or minimize a pressure differential in a production channel that runs through the work string. Thus, potentially very high pressures running through the string are less apt to prematurely force actuation and expansiveness of the slip joint. Rather, the expansive movement of the joint is more properly responsive to heave, changes in offshore platform elevation and other outside forces of structural concern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary L. Rytlewski, Laure Mandrou, Peter Nellessen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9441426
    Abstract: A telescopic joint for a marine drilling riser has an outer barrel and an inner barrel defining a central lumen for passage of a drill pipe string. The inner barrel is received within the outer barrel, and there is a clearance fit between the barrels for sliding of the inner barrel with respect to the outer barrel while maintaining a coaxial relationship between the barrels. A tubular rolling elastomeric membrane is disposed within the outer barrel and has one end secured to an outer circumference of the inner barrel and another end secured to an inner circumference of the outer barrel for sealing drilling fluid within the central lumen. As the inner barrel slides with respect to the outer barrel, the elastomeric membrane rolls with respect to the inner barrel and the outer barrel so that wear of the seal due to abrasion is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: OIL STATES INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Danton Gutierrez-Lemini, Eric Luke
  • Patent number: 9440829
    Abstract: In some aspects, an in-line passive heave compensator system includes a damper actuator, a fluid vessel, and a hydraulic manifold. The damper actuator extends and retracts in response to an external dynamic load, and the fluid vessel transfers hydraulic fluid between itself and the damper actuator (e.g., back and forth) as the damper actuator extends and retracts. The hydraulic manifold provides the channel of fluid transfer between the damper actuator and the fluid vessel. The hydraulic manifold includes an extension flow control device in an extension fluid path between the damper actuator and the fluid vessel. The extension fluid path receives fluid flow only during extension of the damper actuator. The hydraulic manifold includes a retraction flow control device in a retraction flow path between the damper actuator and the fluid vessel. The retraction flow path receives fluid flow only during the retraction of the damper actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: MHD Offshore Group SDN. BHD.
    Inventor: Muhammad Sadiq
  • Patent number: 9435176
    Abstract: A wellbore cleaning tool for removing irregularities along the inner surface of a wellbore tubular may include a top sub, a cutting assembly, and a bottom sub. The tool is operable to remove irregularities, such as debris, burrs, and jagged edges, along the inside of the wellbore tubular, and thereby provide a clean, inner surface finish. The tool may be actuated into a retracted position, an extended position, and/or a deactivated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Ram K. Bansal, Arthur Warren Meeks, Mohammed Aleemul Haq, Bin Xiao, Miroslav Mihalj, David Peter Kippie, Thomas F. Bailey
  • Patent number: 9353579
    Abstract: A buoyancy compensating element for connection to a flexible pipe and method of producing a buoyancy compensating element are disclosed. The buoyancy compensating element includes a first body portion and a further body portion, wherein the first and further body portion are configured to be connectable to each other and in use to encompass a portion of flexible pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas UK Limited
    Inventors: Zhimin Tan, Yucheng Hou, Christopher Bush, John Rosche, Tricia Hill
  • Patent number: 9328569
    Abstract: A gooseneck conduit system for use with a telescoping joint of a subsea riser. In one embodiment, a riser telescoping joint includes a tube and a gooseneck conduit assembly affixed to the tube. The gooseneck conduit assembly includes a gooseneck conduit extending radially from the tube, and a tenon projecting from a rear face of the gooseneck conduit. The width of the tenon increases with distance from the rear face. The riser telescoping joint also includes a mortise channel extending along the length of the tube. The mortise channel is interlocks with the tenon and laterally secures the gooseneck conduit assembly to the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Gilmore, William F. Puccio
  • Patent number: 9284797
    Abstract: A backup heave compensation system and an associated lifting arrangement are for a floating drilling vessel comprising a rig structure with a primary heave compensation system. The backup heave compensation system comprises: a vertically extendable and retractable lifting arrangement; a hydraulic system operatively connected to said lifting arrangement; and a control system operatively connected to said lifting arrangement and hydraulic system for selective control and operation thereof. The lifting arrangement comprises: a rigid frame structure comprised of: at least two vertically extending cylinders; a first transverse element connecting first end portions of said cylinders; and a second transverse element connecting second end portions of said cylinders; and a portal structure comprised of: at least two vertically extending piston rods having first end portions provided each with a piston; and a transverse portal element connecting second end portions of said piston rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: WellPartner AS
    Inventors: Kenneth Skinnes, Havar Sortveit, Harald Wahl Breivik, Jens Skinnes
  • Patent number: 9266700
    Abstract: The present disclosure shows a crane controller for a crane which includes a hoisting gear for lifting a load hanging on a cable, with an active heave compensation which by actuating the hoisting gear at least partly compensates the movement of the cable suspension point and/or a load deposition point due to the heave, wherein the heave compensation takes account of at least one constraint of the hoisting gear when calculating the actuation of the hoisting gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Nenzing GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Schneider, Eckard Arnold, Sebastian Kuechler, Oliver Sawodny
  • Patent number: 9266586
    Abstract: An offshore vessel capable of installing and removing a subsea well control device and a riser string includes a hoisting device having a travelling block for connecting a load. The travelling block is displaceable along a firing line which extends through a moonpool and a heave compensation system. The vessel further includes a working deck supported by the hull of the vessel which covers at least a portion of the moonpool to allow the assembly of a riser string. The working deck is provided with a riser string suspension device that allows to suspend a top end of a string of risers. A heave compensation connection system is adapted to connect the working deck to the travelling block, such that the hoisting device can move the working deck when the working deck is connected to the travelling block between a lowered riser assembly position and a raised heave compensated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Diederick Bernardus Wijning
  • Patent number: 9163472
    Abstract: An extendable conductor stand allowing for rapid alignment and installation. The conductor stand having capacity to accept a BOP to protect against all blowouts, including behind the casing blowouts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Inventors: Travis Childers, C. J. Childers, Eli Childers, William D. Cameron
  • Patent number: 9133670
    Abstract: The riser system of the present invention includes an external production riser for floating structures with interfaces to the dry and subsea wellheads, internal tieback riser with a special lower overshot/slipping connector for elevated temperatures. The seals can be metallic and/or non-metallic dynamic seals. Special centralizing pipe connectors and a special subsea wellhead tubing hanger are also included. This riser system avoids the penalty of pipe within pipe differential thermal growth and the resulting unwanted effects on the floating structure. This is accomplished by allowing an overshot sealing slipping connector to swallow an expanding polished rod as thermal conditions cause pipe elongation axially. When elevated temperatures fall to ambient the opposite occurs as the pipe shrinks axially. Alternatively, a system is possible where a two pipe drilling riser is needed. The internal pipe in this case would be an inner riser rather than a tubing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: David Cain, William Puccio, Shian Chou
  • Patent number: 9121227
    Abstract: Telescoping riser arrangement forming part of a riser string (1) connecting a subsea well and a floating installation. The riser arrangement is adapted to be switched between a high pressure mode, in which an upper part of the riser assembly will move vertically with respect to the installation when the installation heaves, and a low pressure mode in which the upper part of the riser assembly will move vertically along with the installation when the installation heaves. In the low pressure mode, a low pressure inner sleeve (9) is adapted to reciprocate inside a high pressure outer sleeve (1a), the reciprocating heave path being above the position of the inner sleeve (9) in the high pressure mode. In the high pressure mode, the telescoping section of the low pressure inner sleeve (9) is enclosed within a high pressure compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Aker Oilfield Services Operation AS
    Inventor: Steingrim Thommesen
  • Patent number: 9115543
    Abstract: A bottom-to-surface connection installation having a floating support and a turret and having: a plurality of risers having their top ends secured to a carrier structure a plurality of flexible pipes extending from the turret to the top ends of the risers; the flexible pipes including at least two first flexible pipes with positive buoyancy positioned at different heights; and guide modules secured to a tension leg and suitable for sliding along floats of the risers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Saipem S.A.
    Inventor: Francois Regis Pionetti
  • Patent number: 9068402
    Abstract: A fluid recovery system is provided. In one embodiment, the fluid recovery system includes a telescoping joint of a marine riser having an inner barrel and an outer barrel configured to extend and retract with respect to one another when installed as part of the marine riser. A drip pan is coupled to the outer barrel to enable the drip pan to catch fluid, such as drilling mud, leaking from the telescoping joint between the inner barrel and the outer barrel. In this embodiment, the fluid recovery system also includes a pump and a return conduit that are coupled to enable the pump to pump caught fluid from the drip pan back into the telescoping joint via the return conduit. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Roger D. Boisjolie, Paul L. Tasson, David L. Gilmore, William F. Puccio