Patents Assigned to Atwood Oceanics, Inc.
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Publication number: 20160305204Abstract: A system and method for building and handling oilfield tubular stands while drilling operations are simultaneously and independently occurring with one drilling deck, one derrick, and one rotary system. An offline guided path horizontal to vertical arm lifts and moves in the same plane tubulars stored horizontally on the catwalk and positions the tubulars vertically directly into a preparation hole for assembling and disassembling tubular stands while online drilling operations are simultaneously being conducted. A stand arm lifts and lowers the tubulars into and out of the adjustable preparation hole, and transports the tubulars for storage to an auxiliary tubular racking station in the upper part of the derrick. A bridge racker crane moves tubular stands from the auxiliary tubular racking station to the top drive or another tubular racking station.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Applicants: Atwood Oceanics, Inc., Friede Goldman United, Ltd.Inventors: Mark Alan Childers, Harvey Mark Rich, Barry M. Smith, Brendan William Larkin
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Patent number: 9410385Abstract: A system and method for building and handling oilfield tubular stands while drilling operations are simultaneously and independently occurring with one drilling deck, one derrick, and one rotary system. An offline guided path horizontal to vertical arm lifts and moves in the same plane tubulars stored horizontally on the catwalk and positions the tubulars vertically directly into a preparation hole for assembling and disassembling tubular stands while online drilling operations are simultaneously being conducted. A stand arm lifts and lowers the tubulars into and out of the adjustable preparation hole, and transports the tubulars for storage to an auxiliary tubular racking station in the upper part of the derrick. A bridge racker crane moves tubular stands from the auxiliary tubular racking station to the top drive or another tubular racking station.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2013Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignees: Friede Goldman United, Ltd., Atwood Oceanics, Inc.Inventors: Mark Alan Childers, Harvey Mark Rich, Barry M. Smith, Brendan William Larkin
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Publication number: 20140110174Abstract: A system and method for building and handling oilfield tubular stands while drilling operations are simultaneously and independently occurring with one drilling deck, one derrick, and one rotary system. An offline guided path horizontal to vertical arm lifts and moves in the same plane tubulars stored horizontally on the catwalk and positions the tubulars vertically directly into a preparation hole for assembling and disassembling tubular stands while online drilling operations are simultaneously being conducted. A stand arm lifts and lowers the tubulars into and out of the adjustable preparation hole, and transports the tubulars for storage to an auxiliary tubular racking station in the upper part of the derrick. A bridge racker crane moves tubular stands from the auxiliary tubular racking station to the top drive or another tubular racking station.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2013Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicants: Friede Goldman United, Ltd., Atwood Oceanics, Inc.Inventors: Mark Alan Childers, Harvey Mark Rich, Barry M. Smith, Brendan William Larkin
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Patent number: 8584773Abstract: A system and method for building and handling oilfield tubular stands while drilling operations are simultaneously and independently occurring with one drilling deck, one derrick, and one rotary system. An offline guided path horizontal to vertical arm lifts and moves in the same plane tubulars stored horizontally on the catwalk and positions the tubulars vertically directly into a preparation hole for assembling and disassembling tubular stands while online drilling operations are simultaneously being conducted. A stand arm lifts and lowers the tubulars into and out of the adjustable preparation hole, and transports the tubulars for storage to an auxiliary tubular racking station in the upper part of the derrick. A bridge racker crane moves tubular stands from the auxiliary tubular racking station to the top drive or another tubular racking station.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2012Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignees: Atwood Oceanics, Inc., Friede Goldman United, Ltd.Inventors: Mark Alan Childers, Brendan William Larkin, Harvey Mark Rich, Barry M. Smith
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Publication number: 20120217024Abstract: A system and method for building and handling oilfield tubular stands while drilling operations are simultaneously and independently occurring with one drilling deck, one derrick, and one rotary system. An offline guided path horizontal to vertical arm lifts and moves in the same plane tubulars stored horizontally on the catwalk and positions the tubulars vertically directly into a preparation hole for assembling and disassembling tubular stands while online drilling operations are simultaneously being conducted. A stand arm lifts and lowers the tubulars into and out of the adjustable preparation hole, and transports the tubulars for storage to an auxiliary tubular racking station in the upper part of the derrick. A bridge racker crane moves tubular stands from the auxiliary tubular racking station to the top drive or another tubular racking station.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicants: Friede Goldman United, Ltd., Atwood Oceanics, Inc.Inventors: Mark Alan Childers, Brendan William Larkin, Harvey Mark Rich, Barry M. Smith
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Patent number: 8186455Abstract: A system and method for building and handling oilfield tubular stands while drilling operations are simultaneously and independently occurring with one drilling deck, one derrick, and one rotary system. An offline guided path horizontal to vertical arm lifts and moves in the same plane tubulars stored horizontally on the catwalk and positions the tubulars vertically directly into a preparation hole for assembling and disassembling tubular stands while online drilling operations are simultaneously being conducted. A stand arm lifts and lowers the tubulars into and out of the adjustable preparation hole, and transports the tubulars for storage to an auxiliary tubular racking station in the upper part of the derrick. A bridge racker crane moves tubular stands from the auxiliary tubular racking station to the top drive or another tubular racking station.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2010Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignees: Atwood Oceanics, Inc., Friede Goldman United, Ltd.Inventors: Mark Alan Childers, Brendan William Larkin, Harvey Mark Rich, Barry M. Smith
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Publication number: 20100326672Abstract: A system and method for building and handling oilfield tubular stands while drilling operations are simultaneously and independently occurring with one drilling deck, one derrick, and one rotary system. An offline guided path horizontal to vertical arm lifts and moves in the same plane tubulars stored horizontally on the catwalk and positions the tubulars vertically directly into a preparation hole for assembling and disassembling tubular stands while online drilling operations are simultaneously being conducted. A stand arm lifts and lowers the tubulars into and out of the adjustable preparation hole, and transports the tubulars for storage to an auxiliary tubular racking station in the upper part of the derrick. A bridge racker crane moves tubular stands from the auxiliary tubular racking station to the top drive or another tubular racking station.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicants: ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC., FRIEDE GOLDMAN UNITED, LTD.Inventors: Mark Alan Childers, Brendan William Larkin, Harvey Mark Rich, Barry M. Smith
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Patent number: 7802636Abstract: A system and method for building and handling oilfield tubular stands while drilling operations are simultaneously and independently occurring with one drilling deck, one derrick, and one rotary system. An offline guided path horizontal to vertical arm lifts and moves in the same plane tubulars stored horizontally on the catwalk and positions the tubulars vertically directly into a preparation hole for assembling and disassembling tubular stands while online drilling operations are simultaneously being conducted. A stand arm lifts and lowers the tubulars into and out of the adjustable preparation hole, and transports the tubulars for storage to an auxiliary tubular racking station in the upper part of the derrick. A bridge racker crane moves tubular stands from the auxiliary tubular racking station to the top drive or another tubular racking station.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2007Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignees: Atwood Oceanics, Inc., Friede Goldman United, Ltd.Inventors: Mark Alan Childers, Brendan William Larkin, Harvey Mark Rich, Barry M. Smith
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Publication number: 20080202812Abstract: A system and method for building and handling oilfield tubular stands while drilling operations are simultaneously and independently occurring with one drilling deck, one derrick, and one rotary system. An offline guided path horizontal to vertical arm lifts and moves in the same plane tubulars stored horizontally on the catwalk and positions the tubulars vertically directly into a preparation hole for assembling and disassembling tubular stands while online drilling operations are simultaneously being conducted. A stand arm lifts and lowers the tubulars into and out of the adjustable preparation hole, and transports the tubulars for storage to an auxiliary tubular racking station in the upper part of the derrick. A bridge racker crane moves tubular stands from the auxiliary tubular racking station to the top drive or another tubular racking station.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicants: Atwood Oceanics, Inc., OHS Group Limited, Friede & Goldman, LLCInventors: Mark Alan Childers, Brendan William Larkin, Harvey Mark Rich, Barry M. Smith
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Patent number: 6484806Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a blowout preventer stack. The apparatus comprises a control pod having a plurality of direct operated solenoid valves in electronic communication with a surface controller through one or more dedicated electronic control wires. The solenoids translate electronic control signals from the controller into hydraulic control signals that are in communication with a hydraulically operated pilot valve to cause delivery of hydraulic fluid from a power fluid source to a critical function of the blowout preventer stack (i.e., closing of a blowout preventer). The system also provides a plurality of hydraulically operated pilot valves that deliver hydraulic fluid from a power fluid source to a non-critical function of the blowout preventer stack upon receiving a hydraulic control signal directly from the controller through the umbilical.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2001Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignees: Atwood Oceanics, Inc., OceaneeringInventors: Mark Childers, Michael Cunningham
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Patent number: 6203248Abstract: A bottom-founded offshore structure in relatively shallow waters is protected against sliding. It uses at least one pile and a suction pump inside the pile. The pile has a length-to-diameter ratio such as to achieve sufficient pile imbedment with the selected suction pump. A dedicated pile lowering and lifting device lowers and lifts the pile as needed. Guides allow the pile's vertical motion and limit its rotational motion during imbedment and extraction. A stop device limits the vertical motion of the pile's top rim during pile extraction. The pile is reusable, light weight, easy to install and to extract, self-contained, and economical in relationship to its high holding power when imbedded.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2000Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: Atwood Oceanics, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Childers, David Rowan, Alan Quintero
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Patent number: 4334584Abstract: A sea-floor cellar is installed in substantially in the sea-floor in a shallow water area where the distance between the sea-floor, which has a packed or rock ladened soil formation, and a drill ship is not sufficient to allow for normal positioning of a blowout preventer stack on the surface of the sea-floor. According to the method and apparatus of this invention, a first honeycomb of bore holes is drilled in the designated bottom area; a second honeycomb of bore holes having diameters larger than the first honeycomb of holes is then drilled into the designated bottom area to produce a second honeycomb of bore holes of larger diameter; and, a bar member is then rotated into the bore hole to eliminate soil structures left standing in the second honeycomb to produce a substantially clear recessed area for receiving the implantable sea-floor cellar to house a blowout preventer stack substantially below the surface of the subsea bottom.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1980Date of Patent: June 15, 1982Assignee: Atwood Oceanics, Inc.Inventor: James M. Magill
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Patent number: 4305686Abstract: An offshore drilling platform protection device for use on an offshore oil well drilling vessel including a drilling platform supportable on a plurality of extendable legs wherein each leg is moved by a rack gear assembly, which rack gear assembly includes an otherwise exposed first gear which engages a second gear positioned in a housing having a rectangular corner opening through which the first gear extends, the protection device including first and second protective sections adapted for mounting over the first gear adjacent to the rectangular corner of the housing for the second gear, the first and second protective sections cooperating to provide an L-shaped opening which communicates with the opening at the second gear housing for protecting the first gear while allowing the first gear to mesh with the second gear.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1979Date of Patent: December 15, 1981Assignee: Atwood Oceanics, Inc.Inventor: James M. Magill
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Patent number: 4189255Abstract: An implantable sea-floor shoring cellar is provided for housing drilling equipment such as a blowout preventer stack at least partly below the sea floor in order to allow oil well drilling by drill ships in shallow water areas where the distance between the sea floor and the drill ship is not sufficient to allow for normal positioning of the blowout preventer stack above the sea floor. The implantable sea-floor shoring cellar includes a substantially cylindrical retainer wall assembly with an annular air ejector assembly including ejector nozzles mounted within the retainer wall assembly adjacent to a lower opening; and a plurality of discharge tubes are mounted over the ejector nozzles for removing earth loosened from the sea floor during cutting of an opening below the retainer wall assembly so that the retainer wall assembly may be lowered without interference into place at least partly below the sea floor.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1978Date of Patent: February 19, 1980Assignee: Atwood Oceanics, Inc.Inventors: John J. Macan, James M. Magill