Patents Assigned to Aker Marine Contractors AS
  • Patent number: 8235228
    Abstract: A method of deploying an object (14) onto the seabed in very deep water from a vessel having a heave compensated deck crane (12), comprises lowering the object a distance into the sea while being suspended in the crane wire (16). In an initial step, a first fibre rope section (4a) of a first length is connected to the object (14) via a first connector (3a) on the object before the lowering is started and is freely run out supporting from a storage reel (13) during the descent. Subsequently, the first rope section is the object via a second connector (3b) located at the upper end of the first rope section (4a), the second connector being supported by a support mechanism (1) on the vessel deck (8), followed by off-loading the crane wire (16) and disconnecting it from the object and heaving it up said first length for connection to the second connector (3b) at the vessel deck and taking over the load of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Aker Marine Contractors AS
    Inventor: Knut Vasstrand
  • Patent number: 7958836
    Abstract: A stabilizing chamber to be used with a mobile offshore unit and a method of manufacturing and stabilizing therewith are disclosed. The stabilizing chamber includes a housing configured to removably receive and retain fluid therein, a first support, and a second support. The first and second supports are attached to the same side of the housing, and at least one of the supports is configured to support the weight of the stabilizing chamber. These supports are then configured to removably connect with the mobile offshore unit. The housing of the stabilizing chamber may be filled with fluid to at least partially submerge the stabilizing chamber. After fluid is received within the stabilizing chamber, the stabilizing chamber may be disconnected from the mobile offshore unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Aker Marine Contractors Inc.
    Inventor: Sven Borgund
  • Publication number: 20090272308
    Abstract: A stabilizing chamber to be used with a mobile offshore unit and a method of manufacturing and stabilizing therewith are disclosed. The stabilizing chamber includes a housing configured to removably receive and retain fluid therein, a first support, and a second support. The first and second supports are attached to the same side of the housing, and at least one of the supports is configured to support the weight of the stabilizing chamber. These supports are then configured to removably connect with the mobile offshore unit. The housing of the stabilizing chamber may be filled with fluid to at least partially submerge the stabilizing chamber. After fluid is received within the stabilizing chamber, the stabilizing chamber may be disconnected from the mobile offshore unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: Aker Marine Contractors Inc.
    Inventor: Sven Borgund
  • Publication number: 20080199257
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for installation of an elongate process unit (4)on the seabed, said process unit (4) to be handled comprising a first process unit end and a second process unit end. A method of retrieving an elongate process unit (4) from the seabed is also provided. Further, this invention relates to a receptor apparatus for use in a process unit handling operation, such as a process unit installation or retrieval operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicants: AKER KVAERNERSUBSEA AS, AKER MARINE CONTRACTORS AS
    Inventors: Michael Hilditch, Knut Vasstrand
  • Patent number: 7011473
    Abstract: Method for transport and installation of objects at sea, particularly relating to transport and installation of obs jects that are part of the infrastructure in oil and gas fields offshore, the object (4) is put in the sea at a suitable location near the shore or in sheltered waters, then towed to the installation site while being suspended in a slender buoyancy unit (5) acting much like a heave compensating unit. Upon arrival at the installation site, the suspension of the object (4) is transferred from the buoyancy unit (5) to a heave compensated winch (3) on a surface vessel (2), preferably the same vessel as used for the preceding towing operation. The winch is used to lower is the object (4) to its destination on the sea bottom or a predetermined location above the sea bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Aker Marine Contractors AS
    Inventors: Gunnar Tangen, Lars Hvam
  • Patent number: 6981823
    Abstract: A method and a suitable arrangement for installation of a deck structure at an offshore location, where the deck structure is put on a vessel at a location inshore, then transported on the vessel to the offshore location and positioned relative to legs (13) of a jacket or gravity base type support structure standing on the sea bottom, or the legs or columns of a floating substructure, the deck structure having deck legs (5) corresponding to support legs (13) on the support structure, the deck legs (5) each being provided with a jack type of mechanism with an associated piston (1) which is extended into contact with and supported by the top part (3) of the corresponding support leg (13) at the beginning of a procedure for transferring the weight of the deck structure from the vessel to the support legs (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Aker Marine Contractors AS
    Inventors: Helge Roraas, Knut Vasstrand
  • Publication number: 20040218983
    Abstract: A method and a suitable arrangement for installation of a deck structure at an offshore location, where the deck structure is put on a vessel at a location inshore, then transported on the vessel to the offshore location and positioned relative to legs (13) of a jacket or gravity base type support structure standing on the sea bottom, or the legs or columns of a floating substructure, the deck structure having deck legs (5) corresponding to support legs (13) on the support structure, the deck legs (5) each being provided with a jack type of mechanism with an associated piston (1) which is extended into contact with and supported by the top part (3) of the corresponding support leg (13) at the beginning of a procedure for transferring the weight of the deck structure from the vessel to the support legs (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: Aker Marine Contractors AS
    Inventors: Helge Roraas, Knut Vasstrand
  • Patent number: 6122847
    Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for anchor installation, a plate anchor is mounted at the bottom of a suction follower comprising a hollow cylinder having an open lower insertion end and a closable upper suspension end. The suction follower and the anchor secured thereto are engaged with the sea floor, whereupon water is pumped out of the suction follower causing the suction follower and the anchor to penetrate into the sea floor to a predetermined depth. The anchor is then disengaged from the suction follower, whereupon water is pumped into the suction follower to disengage the suction follower from the sea floor for recovery to the surface, leaving the anchor embedded in the sea floor. The plate anchor may comprise first and second plate members, the second plate member pivoting relative to the first plate member to prevent upward movement of the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Aker Marine Contractors, Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes J. Treu, Gordon R. Wilde, Peter Dove
  • Patent number: 6003466
    Abstract: An anchor installation vessel transports anchors and mooring lines to an installation site and installs the anchors at diametrically opposed points in an anchor array. Following installation the mooring lines are directed to the vessel from opposite sides and are preloaded using winches mounted on the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Aker Marine Contractors, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter George Scott Dove, Johannes Jacobus Treu