Patents Assigned to Offshore Systems Inc.
  • Patent number: 7108069
    Abstract: A system, method, and software for optimizing the commingling of well fluids from a plurality of producing subsea wells. The mixing temperature and water content in each header of a collection manifold are calculated for each subsea well and header combinations, responsive to data from sensors at the collection manifold. Combinations with conditions outside operational limits are then discarded. Remaining combinations are ranked based on predetermined optimization criteria. The ranked combinations are provided for the operator for optimizing flow properties and well fluid production. The calculations can restart with new, real-time sensed values from the subsea collection manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Offshore Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rune Killie, John Allen
  • Patent number: 6938695
    Abstract: A subsea well assembly has a guideframe that receives a control pod. The guideframe is in fluid communication with either a blow-out preventer (BOP), a lower marine riser package (LMRP), or both. The control pod is in communication with a vessel, and is used to control the functions of the BOP, the LMRP, or both. Electrical and hydraulic communications are established between the control pod with little or no assistance from a remote operated vehicle. A piston is used to extend a stab assembly into engagement with control panels that are in communication with the BOP and LMRP. The stab assembly can be locked in its upper position while being lowered and landed in the guideframe, and in its lower position after registering with the control panels. Springs and slideable plates help align electrical connections to the BOP and LMRP upon engagement of stab assemblies and stab receptor assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Offshore Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Grahame Williams
  • Patent number: 6902199
    Abstract: A subsea connector is remotely actuated to connect a subsea flowline to a subsea connector hub. The connector has a frame with a tubular mandrel located within it. The mandrel connects to the flowline and has a forward end that engages the connector end. The mandrel moves axially relative to the frame between retracted and extended positions. A lock member on the forward end of the mandrel will engage the profile of the connector hub. An actuator mounted to the mandrel causes the lock member to move into engagement with the connector hub after the mandrel has been moved into engagement with the connector hub. A portable telescoping jack assembly has an ROV interface for receiving power from the ROV. The jack assembly fits within a first pocket in the frame to move the mandrel to the extended position. The jack assembly is retrievable from the first pocket and fits within a second pocket in the frame to move the actuator and the lock member into locking engagement with the profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Offshore Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Angus N. Colyer, Jon E. Hed
  • Patent number: 6880640
    Abstract: A jumper for transferring fluids from an umbilical to a subsea tree assembly has a plurality of steel tubes. The steel tubes are bent so that the jumper is in a serpentine or w-shape while in a natural state. The steel allows resists damage to the jumper from the fluids and chemicals being transferred to the tree assembly. The w-shape of the jumper allows the jumper to be stretched or contracted so that the distance between the connectors on each end of the jumper can vary. The contracted width jumper is attached to a terminal plate located on the tree assembly as it is landed on a subsea wellhead. An ROV disconnects the jumper and connects the jumper to receptors on the tree assembly and the umbilical, while stretching the jumper to the necessary length to reach the receptors. The jumper can be disconnected from the tree assembly when maintenance is necessary without moving the umbilical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Offshore Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Kenneth Oakley Barratt, Robert Duane Fross
  • Patent number: 6796261
    Abstract: A method of deploying a subsea line utilizes a subsea deployment unit. A drum wrapped with the line is mounted to the unit. The unit is lowered on a cable into the sea from a surface vessel. An ROV is lowered on an umbilical into the sea and brought into engagement with the unit. The ROV provides thrust and guidance to move the unit along a desired path above the sea floor. The ROV also supplies power to the motor of the unit to cause the drum to rotate and deploy the line from the drum. The ROV disengages from the unit and connects the ends of the line to subsea components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Offshore Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Angus Niall Colyer
  • Patent number: 6793019
    Abstract: A tool lands a flowline connector on a base and soft land the connector to a mandrel. After the tool lands on the base, the tool locks to the base and then pushes the connector the mandrel until it abuts locks to the member. The tool has at least one ring assembly with a number of dogs per ring assembly. Each dog moves in unison with a follower relative to a cam ring in a slot. The movement along the slot moves the dogs radially and circumferentially relative to the cam ring. An actuator moves a follower ring that slides relative to the cam ring which moves the follower. Each dog remains in contact with the cam ring after moving radially inward because of protuberances on each dog that slide from a recess as the dog moves circumferentially and radially inward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Offshore Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony Alan Rodgers, Robert Duane Fross
  • Patent number: 6742594
    Abstract: A subsea well system has a flowline jumper that extends between components on the sea floor. The jumper has connectors on each end for connecting to the two components. At least a portion of the jumper is buoyant and sufficiently flexible to cause it to assume a vertical arcuate configuration when installed. One end of the jumper has a connector that has a mandrel that guides into a mating socket formed on the end of an arm. The arm is mounted to a ring that can be rotated to various orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignees: ABB Vetco Gray Inc., ABB Offshore Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gawain Langford, Francisco Dezen, Lars-Petter Sollie, Stephen P. Fenton
  • Patent number: 6672391
    Abstract: A method and system for separating and treating water produced from a subsea well includes separating the water subsea, and then separating the water from residual hydrocarbons on a surface vessel. The water treated at the surface, can be dumped to sea or injected into other subsea wells. The residual hydrocarbons separated on the vessel can be conveyed subsea for transportation to a processing facility along with hydrocarbons from the subsea separator. Also, the residual hydrocarbons from the surface separator can be used to fuel gas powered equipment in order to drive other equipment or to generate electricity for the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Offshore Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Clay F. Anderson, John Allen
  • Patent number: 6394131
    Abstract: A volume compensator has a body with an axial chamber containing a piston assembly that is biased to one side by a spring. The compensator is coaxially mounted with a female coupler to a protective cover for a hydraulic interface plate. The female coupler has an axial bore containing a poppet assembly with an axial bleed port that extends into a receptacle on the end of the female coupler. The receptacle receives a male coupler on the interface plate. The male coupler contains a poppet assembly with a solid poppet that seals in high pressure hydraulic fluid. When the cover is secured to the interface plate, the male coupler is inserted into the receptacle and a small amount of sea water is trapped in between. The trapped sea water is forced through the bleed port and female coupler, and into the compensator where it displaces the piston and spring in the compensator. When the tips of poppets engage, high pressure hydraulic fluid is released into the female coupler and compensator where it is retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: ABB Offshore Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Fross, Richard K. O. Barratt
  • Patent number: 6328070
    Abstract: A valve arrangement for controlling hydraulic fluid flow to a subsea system includes a plurality of docking modules each having a valve element for controlling the flow of a fluid and a docking module port for fluid flow between the valve element. The valve arrangement additionally includes a manifold having manifold ports of uniform cross section. The docking modules can be interchangeably mounted to the manifold ports as desired to tailor the valve arrangement for any selected valve operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Offshore Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh R. Clayton, Grahame M. Williams