Patents Examined by Aaron Lembo
  • Patent number: 9470082
    Abstract: A blowout-preventer-stack one-trip test tool and method providing a solid test pin for sealing the test plug in the wellhead, a running tool for securely placing, separating from, reattaching, and removing the solid test pin, testing all fixed and variable rams and annulars and testing all blind and shear rams without damage to pipe, in one trip, and a fail-safe secondary provision for removing the solid test plug on a second trip with an emergency retrieval tool if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: BACKOFF, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Williams, Gregory LaFleur
  • Patent number: 9470350
    Abstract: The invention relates to improved metal/composite interfaces, particularly for risers used in offshore oil and gas production to connect a subsea oil well to a surface drilling/production facility. The invention provides a composite hoop structure configured to a bearing surface of a metal groove of metal liner over which axial fibers are laid. The composite hoop structure provides for improved transition of axial, torsional and compressive forces between composite fibers and metal surfaces of the metal liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Spencer Composites Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Spencer, Richard Grover
  • Patent number: 9470069
    Abstract: Subsea well assembly having a Xmas tree (107, 207) and wellhead (103). From a tubing hanger (113) a tubing extends into the well. A part of a production flow passage extends vertically from the tubing hanger (113) in a vertical bore (111) of the Xmas tree. A fail close production master valve (PMV) (117) is arranged in the production flow passage. The tubing hanger (113) is arranged below the Xmas tree (107), such as in the wellhead (103). The Xmas tree (107) exhibits a branch (115) that deviates from the vertical bore (111), which branch constitutes part of the production flow passage. The fail close type production master valve (PMV) (117) is arranged in the branch (115).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Aker Subsea AS
    Inventor: Robert Stubbeman
  • Patent number: 9458689
    Abstract: A system for controlling a blowout preventer stack and subsea test tree connected to a subsea wellhead assembly, the system comprising: a marine riser engageable with the subsea wellhead assembly; a lower marine riser package configured to be attached to the marine riser in the subsea environment, wherein the blowout preventer is configured to be removably attached to the lower marine riser package; an umbilical located outside of the marine riser adapted to communicate control fluids, electrical signals and/or fiber optic communications to a subsea controller, wherein the subsea controller is configured to receive control fluids and/or signals from the umbilical and to provide functions to the blowout preventer stack and subsea test tree, further wherein the subsea controller stabs into the system above the subsea wellhead assembly. This out-of-marine riser design provides for simplification in design criteria associated with the subsea controller and umbilical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Michael Mancuso, Chris Kocurek
  • Patent number: 9459366
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for storing and handling a plurality of autonomous seismic nodes are presented. The node handling and storage system may be coupled to a node deployment system that deploys and/or retrieves nodes from water from the back deck of a marine vessel. One embodiment of the node handling and storage system includes a plurality of portable containers that may be assembled in a variety of configurations based on the vessel and survey requirements. The containers are coupled to an autonomous or semi-autonomous node conveyor and/or transport system that moves the nodes between and within the containers for node cleaning, downloading, charging, servicing, and storage. The conveyor system may include a plurality of different transport devices and/or systems, such as rotatable conveyors, lateral conveyors, lift mechanisms, and elevators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: SEABED GEOSOLUTIONS B.V.
    Inventors: Richard Edward Henman, Arne Henning Rokkan, Johan Fredrik Naes, Mariann Ervik, Leif Johan Larsen, Arve Jaatun, Ole-Fredrik Semb
  • Patent number: 9440829
    Abstract: In some aspects, an in-line passive heave compensator system includes a damper actuator, a fluid vessel, and a hydraulic manifold. The damper actuator extends and retracts in response to an external dynamic load, and the fluid vessel transfers hydraulic fluid between itself and the damper actuator (e.g., back and forth) as the damper actuator extends and retracts. The hydraulic manifold provides the channel of fluid transfer between the damper actuator and the fluid vessel. The hydraulic manifold includes an extension flow control device in an extension fluid path between the damper actuator and the fluid vessel. The extension fluid path receives fluid flow only during extension of the damper actuator. The hydraulic manifold includes a retraction flow control device in a retraction flow path between the damper actuator and the fluid vessel. The retraction flow path receives fluid flow only during the retraction of the damper actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: MHD Offshore Group SDN. BHD.
    Inventor: Muhammad Sadiq
  • Patent number: 9441443
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a seal assembly for a ram of a blowout preventer for sealing a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The wellbore has a tubular to pass fluid therefrom. The rams are positionable about the tubular. The seal assembly includes a compound seal carried by the ram. The compound seal includes a face seal having a sealing surface sealingly engageable about the tubular and a support seal positionable adjacent to the face seal a distance from the sealing surface. The sealing surface extends along a front face thereof engageable with at least one of the tubular and the face seal of another ram. The support seal is non-engageable with the tubular during sealing and is more deformable than the face seal whereby the compound seal is supported during sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Kyle Brett Cantlon, Joseph James Liotta
  • Patent number: 9428876
    Abstract: A multi-suction pile anchor and a plate anchor for mooring a marine structure, comprises a plurality of suction piles connected in parallel with the same capacity penetrates into the sea floor, wherein a pullout resistance required for mooring the marine structure is applied by changing the number of suction piles, and wherein a plurality of suction piles is connected each other with a connecting plate to increase a lateral resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF OCEAN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: O Soon Kwon, Myoung Hak Oh, In Sung Jang
  • Patent number: 9429007
    Abstract: A method for maintaining pressure in a wellbore drilled from a drilling platform floating on a body of water includes pumping fluid at a determined flow rate into a drill string disposed in a wellbore and measuring fluid pressure within a fluid discharge line of fluid returning from the wellbore. The fluid discharge line has a variable length corresponding to an elevation of the floating platform above the bottom of the body of water. The wellbore pressure is determined at a selected depth in the wellbore or at a selected position along a drilling riser or variable length portion of the fluid discharge line using known parameters/methods. The determined wellbore pressure is adjusted for changes in length of the fluid discharge line corresponding to changes in the elevation of the floating platform relative to the bottom of the body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Donald G. Reitsma, Ossama R. Sehsah, Yawan Couturier
  • Patent number: 9422789
    Abstract: A diverter system having stabbing dogs is provided. In one embodiment, such a system includes a diverter, a housing, and a plurality of stabbing dogs coupled to the housing. The stabbing dogs are positioned to enable locking elements of the stabbing dogs to be extended into recesses in the diverter to secure the diverter within the housing. At least one of the recesses in the diverter is connected to a fluid conduit within the diverter, and at least one stabbing dog includes a fluid passage that enables fluid to be routed into the fluid conduit within the diverter through the at least one stabbing dog. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Jerod C. Bushman, John B. Hankins, John A. Hoefler, Harold A. Tenorio
  • Patent number: 9416511
    Abstract: Working platform (6) and offshore wind energy plant (2) comprising a working platform (6), wherein the working platform (6) is configured to be mounted to an outside wall (16) of the tower (4) of the offshore wind energy plant (2) by help of welded joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: AREVA Wind GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Kramer, Michael Gennrich
  • Patent number: 9410300
    Abstract: The present invention relates to submergible modular breakwaters for lowering the kinetic energy of water waves. In particular, the present invention is directed toward a physical embodiment that, when in its floating position, will provide resistance to the movement of water waves in the direction of the waves for a large range of wave periods. The invention is a submergible modular breakwater that can be kept underwater on the sea or lake floor as not to provide any barrier to navigation until it is needed to lower the kinetic energy of waves, when it is quickly raised afloat to provide protection, especially for coastal erosion control during storms or rough waters. Once the lowering of the kinetic energy of water waves is not longer needed, the modular breakwater can be quickly sunk to the sea or lake floor in order to remove any barrier to navigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Alvaro Atilano, Victor Blanco, Jose Rodriguez, Leonella Rodriguez Dotti
  • Patent number: 9410396
    Abstract: The invention provides a gate valve for control of production of petroleum, distinctive in that the valve comprises a coating or hard facing on the internal bore surface exposed to flow of petroleum and associated fluids and solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Aker Subsea AS
    Inventor: Øystein Møgedal
  • Patent number: 9410416
    Abstract: A subsea system and an oil/gas outlet arrangement for splitting of oil and gas. The subsea system comprising a separator (1), the separator (1) comprising; at least one well flow inlet (13) for a multiphase flow mixture of at least oil and gas, an oil/gas outlet arrangement (15) arranged in a distance from the well flow inlet (13) over which distance the multiphase flow mixture separates in at least an oil phase (O) and a gas phase (G), the oil/gas outlet arrangement (15) comprising; at least one conical crown device (2), the conical crown device (2) having an outer wall with at least one cutout (4) extending through said outer wall, through which cutouts (4) the oil and gas flow into the crown device (2), each crown device (2) is in fluid connection with at least one fluid outlet (5, 6), and wherein the oil/gas outlet arrangement (15) comprises at least two fluid outlets (5, 6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: FMC Kongsberg Subsea AS
    Inventors: Lachlan McKenzie, Steinar Eriksen, Marit Storvik
  • Patent number: 9404358
    Abstract: A system for determining the orientation of a casing string in a wellbore. The system includes a downhole tool disposed interiorly of the casing string in a known orientation relative to at least one feature of the casing string. A sensor module is operably associated with the downhole tool and is configured to obtain data relating to the orientation of the casing string. A communication module is operably associated with the sensor module. The communication module is configured to transmit information to a surface location, wherein, the information corresponds to the data obtained by the sensor module relating to the orientation of the casing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: David Joe Steele
  • Patent number: 9388659
    Abstract: A backup wellhead adapter for a subsea wellhead that is positioned between an existing blowout preventer system and the wellhead. The adapter is a dual housing assembly that includes a primary housing longitudinally aligned over a secondary housing. The primary and secondary housings include lower bodies and upper necks that have identical diameters. During assembly, the existing primary blowout preventing system is initially connected to the neck on the primary housing. The lower body of the secondary housing is connected to a ram assembly connected to the wellhead connector or connected directly to the wellhead connector. When a blowout occurs, the primary housing is disconnected from the secondary housing to expose the upper neck of the secondary housing upon which a replacement primary blowout preventing system or cap may be attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Inventors: David B. Redden, Frank McCormack, Larry E Huskins
  • Patent number: 9382772
    Abstract: A riser intervention system for use with a subsea test tree includes a lower riser package spool, an intermediate spool, and a riser stress joint. The lower riser package spool may include a bore and a shoulder projecting into the bore such that the subsea test tree is landable on the shoulder within the lower riser package spool. The intermediate spool is connectable to the lower riser package spool to secure the subsea test tree within the bore of the lower riser package spool such that the lower riser package spool is in fluid communication with the intermediate spool. The riser stress joint is releasably connectable to the intermediate spool using such that the intermediate spool is in fluid communication with the riser stress joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventor: Brian Hart
  • Patent number: 9366103
    Abstract: An isolation tool and related methods for protecting a wellhead to which a casing string is operably coupled. In an exemplary embodiment, the isolation tool includes an anchor assembly adapted to be connected to the wellhead; a mandrel adapted to sealingly engage an interior portion of at least one of the wellhead and the casing string; and a lock assembly including a mandrel head connected to the mandrel and adapted to be displaced, relative to the anchor assembly and the wellhead, to sealingly engage the mandrel with the interior portion; a landing sleeve connected to the mandrel head and adapted to be displaced, relative to the mandrel head, the mandrel, the anchor assembly, and the wellhead, to engage the anchor assembly; and a connector adapted to secure the landing sleeve to the anchor assembly when the mandrel sealingly engages the interior portion and the landing sleeve engages the anchor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: TECH ENERGY PRODUCTS, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Barton Hickie
  • Patent number: 9364877
    Abstract: Simple flow path with minimum turns for the vapor extraction flow paths can provide maximum air flow with minimal head loss, leading to higher efficiency in a thermal desorption process. Hot air vapor extraction arrangement can include large diameter vertical or horizontal trunk line or curved plate with continuous wire wrap well screens. The vapor extraction trunk can draw all vapors to the center of the soil box, which can reduce the treatment time by substantially removing condensation zone. The interior of the vapor extraction well screen and trunk can include porous material, which can reduce dust within the vapor stream, eliminate potential short circuiting in the event of a screen rupture and reduce potential explosion hazards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: RETERRO INC.
    Inventor: Patrick Richard Brady
  • Patent number: 9359853
    Abstract: An acoustic control system wirelessly operates a subsea latching assembly or other subsea device, such as an active seal. The acoustic control system may control a subsea first accumulator to release its stored hydraulic fluid to operate the latch assembly or other subsea device, such as an active seal. An RCD or other oilfield device may be unlatched or latched with the latching assembly. The acoustic control system may have a surface control unit, a subsea control unit, and two or more acoustic signal devices. A valve may allow switching from an umbilical line system to the acoustic control system accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Stephanus Wilhelmus Maria Nas, Waybourn “Bo” J. Anderson, Jr., Kevin L. Gray, Thomas F. Bailey