Patents Represented by Attorney M. A. Smith
  • Patent number: 4646839
    Abstract: Methods of gravel packing a subterranean well located subsea utilizing through-the-flowline techniques are disclosed in which a sand slurry is pumped downwardly through one pipe of a dual pipe string and outwardly through an H-type crossover member (14, 15) into a perforated casing area (20) until the area is fully packed. In one method, the H-type crossover member (14) is provided with a flangible plug (14h) to allow bypass of the sand slurry once the perforated casing area is filled with aggregate. In another method, the gravel packing of the perforated casing area is accomplished utilizing a special TFL tool (25) which provides for injection of the sand slurry through an H-type crossover member (15) into the perforated casing area (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co.
    Inventor: Wynn P. Rickey
  • Patent number: 4620728
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flowline swivel. The swivel is configured so that the product seals are easily replaceable, the included bearing are not exposes to contamination either during use or during replacement of the product seals, and the seal surfaces may be cleaned without disturbing the bearings. The swivel incorporates removable product and environmental seal surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: James R. Barth, Thomas G. A. Choate
  • Patent number: 4616706
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for introducing and removing TFL tools from a subsea wellhead assembly. The apparatus includes an elongate member adapted to hold at least one TFL tool, docking hubs for aligning the elongate member with the wellhead, a clamping mechanism or the like for engaging the elongate member with the wellhead and a circulation for circulating fluid within the elongate member and the wellhead to transport the TFL tool between the elongate member and the wellhead. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes at least two elongate members and a diverter located between the elongate members and the clamping mechanism. The diverter permits alternate fluid communication between each elongate member and the wellhead assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co.
    Inventors: Roger W. Huffaker, Paul N. Stanton