Patents Assigned to Technip France
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Patent number: 7096958Abstract: A floating offshore platform, of the type having a buoyancy can disposed within a support structure, includes a can guide assembly that has at least two compliant compression pads that are configured and arranged to provide a non-linear load-versus-deflection characteristic in response to impact loads generated by the impact of the can against the guide assembly. At least one of the compression pads is substantially stiffer (less compliant) than the other pad. The pads are arranged so that the relatively soft pad absorbs the impact load before the relatively stiff pad is engaged. In one embodiment, first, second, and third compression pads are arranged vertically, the upper and lower pads being softer (more compliant) than the middle pad. In another embodiment, a first, relatively soft, compression pad coaxially surrounds a second, relatively stiff compression pad.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2004Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Technip FranceInventors: Metin Karayaka, John Montague
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Patent number: 7096688Abstract: The invention concerns a method comprising: (a) a first step whereby natural gas (1) is subjected to a first refrigerating cycle to obtain cooled natural gas (4), and brought to a temperature less than 20° C. by a first coolant (201); a second step whereby the cooled natural gas (4) is subjected to a second refrigerating cycle wherein the cooled natural gas (4) is cooled and condensed by a second coolant (103) comprising methane, ethane, propane, and nitrogen. The second coolant (103) further contains ethylene, the total ethane and ethylene content being close to 50 mole %.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2002Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Technip FranceInventor: Henri Paradowski
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Patent number: 7097387Abstract: There is provided a buoyancy system for a structure having at least one component being substantially stationary with respect to the bottom of a water covered area. The system comprises a set of buoyancy modules of engineered materials to apply an identified amount of buoyancy. The set of buoyancy modules is attached to the structure at a set of buoyancy load transfer locations. The set of buoyancy modules comprises layers of the engineered materials. The engineered materials comprise a substantially reinforced axial layer, a substantially reinforced hoop layer; and a leak prevention layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2005Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Technip FranceInventors: Metin Karayaka, Paul N. Stanton
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Patent number: 7090827Abstract: A process for immobilizing metallic sodium in glass form. The process comprises: (A) introducing in a dispersed state, into a reactor, an amount of a vitrified matrix precursor, metallic sodium and iron oxide (Fe2O3) sufficient to ensure oxidation of the metallic sodium; (B) producing a homogeneous mixture of these constituents; (C) heating the mixture to a temperature between 1000–1600° C. to form a molten homogeneous mixture in which the sodium introduced in (A) is converted to sodium oxide; and (D) recovering and cooling the molten mixture to obtain a vitrified matrix having a homogeneous composition, which matrix incorporates the sodium introduced in (A) as a constituent oxide. In a particular embodiment, the process may be used for the containment of metallic sodium containing radioactive elements.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2003Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Technip FranceInventors: Philippe Mulcey, Jean-Yves Frayer
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Patent number: 7059262Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for offshore mooring, a clamping apparatus includes a clamping mechanism and a pulley. A mooring line connected to an anchor or a pendant line connected to a vessel to be moored extends through the clamping mechanism and around the pulley of the clamping apparatus. The distal end of the line extending through the clamping apparatus is connected to an anchor handling vessel. The anchor handling vessel is employed to apply a predetermined tension to the pendant line and the preset mooring line. A remote operated vehicle is then employed to actuate the clamping apparatus and to disengage the anchor handling vessel.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Technip FranceInventors: Peter G. S. Dove, Johannes J. Treu
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Patent number: 7059416Abstract: A buoyancy can for supporting an offshore oil and gas riser includes an axial bore through which the riser extends coaxially, and a radio-axial slot extending through a side of the can and into the axial bore. A pair of spaced-apart support features are disposed coaxially on the riser, and the can includes a pair of corresponding sockets in the axial bore thereof. The sockets are adapted to receive and vertically support respective ones of the support features in a complementary, axial engagement. The can is placed in the water and moved laterally relative to a fully assembled, vertically supported riser such that the riser passes through the radio-axial slot of the can and into the axial bore thereof without the need for disassembly of the upper portion of the riser. The relative vertical positions of the can and riser are then adjusted such that the support features engage and seat within respective ones of their complementary sockets.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2003Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Technip FranceInventors: James Elvin Dailey, Metin Karayaka
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Patent number: 7037044Abstract: An extendable draft platform, having a deck and buoyancy columns installed in leg wells in the deck for vertical movement from a raised position to a submerged position, includes a connection arrangement for securing the columns to the deck when the columns are in the submerged position. In the connection arrangement, a plurality of first guide elements near the top of each column is engageable by a plurality of complementary second guide elements secured to the deck around each leg well when the column is lowered to its submerged position. A locking mechanism is operable between the columns and the deck when the first guide elements are engaged with the second guide elements. The first and second guide elements may be configured so that the connection between the deck and the columns may be enhanced by over-ballasting the columns and/or by welding the columns to the deck.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2004Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Technip FranceInventors: Qi Xu, Phillip Andrew Abbott
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Publication number: 20060075953Abstract: A spar-type offshore platform includes a buoyant upper hull structure supporting a deck and having lower end in which is received a buoyant lower mooring module. The upper hull structure is connected to the mooring module by connection lines. The upper hull structure is removed from the mooring module by disconnecting the connection lines from the upper hull structure while leaving the connection lines attached to the mooring module and while the mooring module remains moored to the seabed. The mooring module is lowered relative to the upper hull structure, allowing the latter to be moved away. The upper hull structure may be re-positioned over the mooring module, and the mooring module may be hauled upward into engagement with the lower end of the upper hull structure, so that the connection lines can be recovered and re-attached to the upper hull structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2005Publication date: April 13, 2006Applicant: Technip FranceInventor: John Murray
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Publication number: 20060067793Abstract: In an Extendable Draft Platform including a deck, a plurality of buoyancy columns installed in column wells in the deck for movement from a raised position to a submerged position, and a heave plate on the bottom of the columns, each of the columns has an upper portion and a lower portion. A helical strake having a radial height H is fixed to the lower portion of each column. The maximum width of the lower column portion is less than the maximum width of the upper column portion by at least 2H, so that the strake can pass through a column well having maximum width that is only slightly greater than that of the upper column portion. A plurality of guide rails is fixed to the lower portion of each column, each extending along the outer periphery of the strake from the upper column portion to the heave plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2005Publication date: March 30, 2006Applicant: Technip FranceInventor: John Murray
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Patent number: 6983714Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for offshore mooring, a clamping apparatus includes a clamping mechanism and a pulley. A mooring line connected to an anchor or a pendant line connected to a vessel to be moored extends through the clamping mechanism and around the pulley of the clamping apparatus. The distal end of the line extending through the clamping apparatus is connected to an anchor handling vessel. The anchor handling vessel is employed to apply a predetermined tension to the pendant line and the preset mooring line. A remote operated vehicle is then employed to actuate the clamping apparatus and to disengage the anchor handling vessel.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2001Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: Technip FranceInventors: Peter G. S. Dove, Johannes Jacobus Treu
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Patent number: 6966344Abstract: For limiting the lateral buckling of tensile armor plies of an underwater flexible pipe, that can be used in the offshore oil industry, the plies include from the outside inward, at least one external polymer sheath, a first outward retention layer of a defined thickness K1 wound around an upper outer tensile armor ply, at least one second inward retention layer of a defined stiffness K2 wound around each of at least one lower inner tensile armor ply. Stiffness K2 is preferably less than stiffness K1, i.e., the retention layers outward are less stiff. There is then an internal polymer sheath.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2003Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Technip FranceInventors: Alain Coutarel, Fabrice Bectarte
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Patent number: 6948884Abstract: A mechanism to be applied to an exterior surface of a cylindrical structure for the reduction of the effect of Vortex Induced Vibration (VIV) in the cylindrical structure when immersed in flowing fluid, wherein the mechanism includes a generally cylindrical column having a central axis, an interior surface corresponding in size and shape to the exterior surface of the cylindrical structure to which the mechanism is to be applied and an outer surface defining a wall thickness. A reduced wall thickness is formed into the outer surface in a pattern to produce a discontinuity that interrupts the lengthwise coherence of vortex shedding of moving fluid from the outer surface when the cylindrical column is attached to the exterior of the cylindrical structure in the flowing fluid. The effect of VIV on the cylindrical structure is effectively reduced. The result is a submergible cylindrical assembly for positioning in a flowing body of water and having enhanced resistance to VIV.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2001Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Technip FranceInventors: Qi Xu, Tao Qi, Jeffery C. Measamer
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Patent number: 6945737Abstract: An extendable draft offshore oil and gas drilling and production platform (“EDP”) includes a buoyant deck having a central opening, an adjustably buoyant pontoon, and a single, adjustably buoyant column. The column is mounted upright on the pontoon, and is vertically movable through the central opening of the deck. The deck is supported on an upper end of the column above a body of water for offshore operations. The pontoon, and optionally, the column, have compartments with a buoyancy that is adjustable by pumps or sea water ballast and pressurized air. In one embodiment, the compartments can comprise a plurality of tubes. In another embodiment, a lower end of the column may comprise an open truss structure. The platform combines the advantages of a SPAR platform with those of a deep draft extendable draft platform.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2004Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Technip FranceInventor: Qi Xu
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Patent number: 6926039Abstract: A flexible pipe for transporting a fluid comprising an outer sealing polymer sheath, at least a pair of armor wraps helically and long-pitch wound, and a polymer pressure sheath. The pressure sheath consists of an inner tube arranged in an outer tube, and grooves are arranged on at least one of the surfaces opposite the inner and outer tubes.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2002Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Technip FranceInventor: Alain Marion
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Patent number: 6904939Abstract: A flexible tubular pipe for hydrocarbon transport, comprising from inside to outside at least a carcass, an inner sheath, tensile armoring plies and an outer sheath, wherein the carcass is formed by winding of at least an anti-corrosive elongated metal element with large cross-section, with successive windings stapled with a thin anti-corrosive metal strip.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2002Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Technip FranceInventors: Patrice Joël Louis Jung, François Dupoiron
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Patent number: 6898949Abstract: The invention concerns a method for refrigerating liquefied natural gas under pressure (1), comprising a first step wherein the LNG (1) is cooled, expanded and separated (a) in a first base fraction (4) which is collected, and (b) a first top fraction (3) which is heated, compressed in a compressor (K1) and cooled into a first compressed fraction (5) which is collected; a second compressed fraction (6) is drawn from the fuel gas (5), cooled then mixed with the cooled and expanded LNG (1). The invention is characterised in that it comprises a second step wherein the second compressed fraction (6) is compressed and cooled, and a flux is (8) drawn and cooled, expanded and introduced in the compressor (K1). The invention also describes other embodiments.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2001Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Technip FranceInventor: Henri Paradowski
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Patent number: 6889717Abstract: A flexible tubular pipe comprising at least, from the inside outwards, an internal sealing sheath made of a polymer material, a cylindrical pressure vault having an external face and having an internal face placed over the internal sheath. The vault is a winding, in a helix with a short pitch and with a gap between turns, of an interlocked metal profile wire. At least one ply of tensile armour layers is wound with a long pitch. An external protective sealing sheath is made of a polymer. The fastener wire has the same height as the profile wire and is fastened below the neutral fiber of the profile wire. The ratio of the cross section of the profile wire to the cross section of the fastening wire is between 1 and 2 and the ratio of the moment of inertia Iyy of the profile wire to the moment of inertia Iyy of the fastening wire is between 1 and 2.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2002Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Technip FranceInventors: Alain Coutarel, François Dupoiron, Philippe Espinasse, Louis Patrice Joël Jung
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Publication number: 20050084336Abstract: An extendable draft platform, having a deck and buoyancy columns installed in leg wells in the deck for vertical movement from a raised position to a submerged position, includes a connection arrangement for securing the columns to the deck when the columns are in the submerged position. In the connection arrangement, a plurality of first guide elements near the top of each column is engageable by a plurality of complementary second guide elements secured to the deck around each leg well when the column is lowered to its submerged position. A locking mechanism is operable between the columns and the deck when the first guide elements are engaged with the second guide elements. The first and second guide elements may be configured so that the connection between the deck and the columns may be enhanced by over-ballasting the columns and/or by welding the columns to the deck.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2004Publication date: April 21, 2005Applicant: Technip FranceInventors: Qi Xu, Phillip Abbott
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Patent number: 6854516Abstract: A frame and system for adding buoyancy to a riser used in connection with floating platforms is provided which, in some example embodiments, includes a stem attached to multiple supports which include flanges arranged to take impact and abrasion loads off an internal buoyancy module. An air management system is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2003Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Technip FranceInventors: Randall Williams Nish, Metin Karayaka
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Patent number: 6843278Abstract: The invention concerns a flexible duct (1) comprising from inside outwards a carcass (2) produced by a short-pitched metallic helical winding forming butt gaps (12), an overlapping layer (10) acting as a heat shield consisting of helically wound plastic strips (10a, 10b), a sealed inner pressure sheath (3), extruded in plastic on said overlapping layer (10), at least an armouring web (5) and at least an outer sealing sheath (7). The invention is characterised in that the overlapping strips (10a, 10b) are wound at a winding angle less than 35°.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2002Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Technip FranceInventor: Philippe François Espinasse