Patents Examined by Patrick Lambe
  • Patent number: 9869137
    Abstract: A penetrator for enabling an electrical cable transition into an underground well. The well has a well casing for containing fluids and pressures from reaching the environment external to the well. The well casing has a wellhead, multiple electrical conductors passing through the penetrator at the wellhead to supply electrical power to down-hole equipment. The wellhead penetrator device provides a reliable sealing solution and which may be quickly installed within wellhead. The penetrator device provides a design which increases the pressure upon the critical sealing surfaces with the electrical conductors as pressure increases within the well casing. The service life of the penetrator seal is maximized to avoid costly downtime to the well operation. The penetrator device is readily installed by maintenance crews and a minimum number of components are utilized. No adhesives or sealants are required in the installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Inventor: Hector Guillermo Ahow
  • Patent number: 9828838
    Abstract: An assembly for restricting fluid flow into a completion string of a well and restricting fluids based on one or more fluid characteristics is presented. The assembly includes an adjustable inflow control device. The adjustable inflow control device is for restricting flow of production fluids into the completion string. The assembly also includes a first autonomous inflow control device fluidly coupled to the inflow control device for restricting fluids based on one or more fluid characteristics. Others systems and methods are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Lopez, Stephen Michael Greci, James Jun Kang
  • Patent number: 9790758
    Abstract: Apparatus useful for providing a liquid-tight seal around cellar formed around a hydrocarbon exploration or production well includes a reusable load-supporting surface having at least two mats surrounding and spaced-away from the borehole opening. At least one spanner is configured to extend between the cellar wall and mats. At least one elongated spanner support is used to mechanically couple one or more spanners to the cellar wall. At least one elongated lip support is used to mechanically couple one or more spanners to the mats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Newpark Mats & Integrated Services LLC
    Inventors: Aaron William Dugas, Kenneth Edward Durio, James Kerwin McDowell, Randy Paul Bordelon, Richard Lamar Edwards, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9784042
    Abstract: A clamp assembly for coupling an auxiliary line to a marine riser includes a clamp body having a central axis and an interface radially spaced from the central axis and a clamp cap having an interface configured to be inserted axially into the interface of the clamp body, wherein the clamp body is configured to clamp to the marine riser, and the clamp body and clamp cap are configured to retain the auxiliary line in an aperture formed between the interface of the clamp body and the interface of the clamp cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Whitefield Plastics Corp.
    Inventors: William H. Whitefield, Brandon Carringer
  • Patent number: 9784063
    Abstract: A subsea production system for a well including a subsea production tree, a tubing hanger, and a production tubing extending into the well and supported by the tubing hanger. A downhole equipment suspension system includes a suspension head supported directly or indirectly by the production tree above and separately from the tubing hanger. The suspension system also includes downhole equipment inside the production tubing below the tubing hanger and a suspension line extending through the tubing hanger vertical production bore and the production tree vertical bore. The suspension line suspends the downhole equipment from the suspension head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: David R. June, David H. Theiss, Paul S. Tetley, Scott D. Ward, Jack H. Vincent
  • Patent number: 9758941
    Abstract: An offshore structure comprises a hull having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. In addition, the structure comprises an anchor coupled to the lower end of the hull and configured to secure the hull to the sea floor. The anchor has an aspect ratio less than 3:1. The hull includes a variable ballast chamber positioned axially between the first end and the second end of the hull and a first buoyant chamber positioned between the variable ballast chamber and the first end of the hull. The first buoyant chamber is filled with a gas and sealed from the surrounding environment. Further, the structure comprises a ballast control conduit in fluid communication with the variable ballast chamber and configured to supply a gas to the variable ballast chamber. The structure also comprises a topside mounted to the first end of the hull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: HORTON WISON DEEPWATER, INC.
    Inventors: Lyle David Finn, III, Edward E. Horton, III, James V. Maher
  • Patent number: 9759351
    Abstract: A method for installing an accessory onto a pipeline to be laid on the seabed, includes launching the pipeline from a first position of a tower in which the tower is at an angle ? with respect to the vertical; stopping the launch of the pipeline, and hanging off the launched pipeline in a hang off module; positioning an accessory in a tower firing line; attaching the accessory to the launched pipeline in the hang off module and to at least one A&R cable; suspending the accessory and the launched pipeline from an A&R system; disengaging the hang off module from the launched pipeline; pivoting the pipeline launch tower to an accessory launch position in which the tower is at an angle ? that differs substantially from angle ?, such that a pipeline launch trajectory is created which is large enough to launch the accessory and the launched pipeline with the A&R system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Arnoud Laurens Feijen, Ronny Lambertus Waltherus Nouwens, Terence Willem August Vehmeijer, Joop Roodenburg
  • Patent number: 9752404
    Abstract: A pressure compensator for a subsea device is provided. The pressure compensator provides pressure balancing between a chamber of the subsea device and the surrounding environment when the subsea device is installed at a subsea location. The pressure compensator includes an intermediate compensation chamber that is provided by a compensator enclosure. The compensator enclosure is sealed against the subsea environment. The compensator enclosure includes a bellows portion that is deformable to change the volume of the intermediate compensation chamber. The pressure compensator further includes a flexible hose disposed inside the intermediate compensation chamber. A volume inside the flexible hose provides a main compensation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Fredrik Gundersen Aarskog
  • Patent number: 9752413
    Abstract: A lifting bale is mounted on top of an injector head for handling the injector head. The lifting bale includes a lifting arm attached to the injector head, an articulated member attached between the injector head and the lifting arm, the articulated member having a knee joint, and a cylinder, having an extendable and retractable arm, attached between the injector head and the knee joint. The cylinder arm is configured to be moved to raise the lifting arm, and is further configured to be extended and retracted to provide load balancing of the injector head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Premier Coil Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Dean Behrens, Shawn Shivers
  • Patent number: 9732575
    Abstract: A subsea arrangement comprising a first subsea structure, a second subsea structure, and a clamp connector. The first subsea structure is provided with at least one coupling member which is designed to mate with a corresponding coupling member on a first side of the clamp connector so as to allow the clamp connector to be releasably connected and secured to the first subsea structure through these coupling members. The second subsea structure is provided with at least one coupling member which is designed to mate with a corresponding coupling member on an opposite second side of the clamp connector so as to allow the clamp connector to be releasably connected and secured to the second subsea structure through these coupling members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventor: Steinar Hestetun
  • Patent number: 9727054
    Abstract: To enable any measurement through the galvanic isolation of a subsea transformer, a topside system is used apply an AC voltage thereby generating a flux is the transformer core. The test is preferably done prior to any rotation in a subsea motor installed “behind” the transformer. Therefore, the voltage and frequency combination is be selected such that the torque produced is insufficient to rotate the motor. Impedance amplitude and phase are measured and then comparing the results of modeled fault scenarios. Faults such as, open circuits, short circuits, and loss of phase(s) can be detected prior to startup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: ONESUBSEA IP UK LIMITED
    Inventor: Audun Magne Askeland
  • Patent number: 9708807
    Abstract: An underground water collection and transfer system using a primary and secondary water storage chambers. At least one of the water transfer inlets is angled and positioned lower than the outlet into the secondary storage chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventor: Joseph S. Miskovich
  • Patent number: 9695674
    Abstract: A system is described for injecting small controlled amounts of fluid, such as de-emulsifier, into a flowing line at high pressure, in a high-pressure environment such as a subsea environment. The system is connected to the flowing line by tubing lines. It is enclosed either in a high-pressure vessel able to withstand high external pressure or in a vessel that is pressure-matched with the environment. The system is able to inject a controlled volume of fluid into the flowing line at relatively low injection rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: ONESUBSEA IP UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Bernard E. Theron, Malcolm Atkinson
  • Patent number: 9689406
    Abstract: A gas generator driven hydraulic pressure supply device for supplying hydraulic pressure to an operational device that may be associated with a well system and/or an operational device that is located subsea includes an elongated body having an internal bore extending axially from a first end to a discharge end having a discharge port, a gas generator connected at the first end and a hydraulic fluid disposed in the internal bore between a piston and the discharge end so that a portion of the hydraulic fluid is exhausted under pressure through the discharge port in response to activation of the gas generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Bastion Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Don Coppedge, Dewey James Louvier, Anna Azzolari Ronalds, Hildebrand A Rumann
  • Patent number: 9631440
    Abstract: A packer assembly for sealing about a subsea riser is provided. The subsea riser is operatively connectable between a surface platform and subsea equipment. The packer assembly includes a packer housing and at least one packer. The packer housing is positionable about a telescoping assembly. The telescoping assembly operatively connects the subsea riser to the surface platform. The packer(s) are positionable along an inner surface of the packer housing to form a seal with the telescoping assembly and include a plurality of packer segments. Each of the packer segments has male and female connectors on each end thereof matably connectable to the male and female connectors of another of the segments to form a seal connection therebetween. The seal connection defines a non-linear leak path whereby leakage of fluid between the plurality of segments is resisted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Seyffert, Voltaire O. Sonnier, Hoang Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9617825
    Abstract: A tool equalizes a packer or bridge plug before it can release the slips and sealing element of the packer or bridge plug with a reconfigurable grip tool. In one configuration the grip tool is latched only into the equalizing mechanism for the packer or bridge plug. Having equalized the pressure and while still latched to the equalization mechanism the tool is reconfigured with a force and locked into a second configuration. From that position the grip tool can latch and move the release mechanism for total release and retrieval to the surface. Release force undermines a ratchet lock for the slips to allow extension as the sealing element extends axially and radially retracts. If the slips fail to release with undermining of the ratchet lock then a set down force can be applied to re-engage the lower slip cone to push it from the lower slips for a release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffery S. Pray, Antonio C. Ruffo, David S. Bishop
  • Patent number: 9611708
    Abstract: Linear movement via a sliding mandrel configured to translate axially is converted into radial movement to compress a packer. The packer is configured to seal an item of oilfield equipment typically in a subsea environment. The packer may also be used to return or reverse the radial movement and/or the linear movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Aristeo Rios, III
  • Patent number: 9611739
    Abstract: A tunnel seal including a body, inflatable from a folded position to an inflated position, multiple positioning straps coupled to the body, an inflow port fluidly connected to the body, a pressure relief valve fluidly connected to the body, and a hot stab receptacle fluidly connected to the inflow port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventor: Philip L. Lundman
  • Patent number: 9610620
    Abstract: A manufactured composite comprising synthetic turf and impermeable geomembrane is used in a single-layer capping system as the single layer to provide permanent, impermeable and functional aesthetic cover for land reclamation. During installation of composite pieces at a job site, an edge portion of a tufted section of a second composite piece is overlaid onto an edge untufted section of the first composite piece already laid and anchored over foundation soil to form a reinforced overlapping seam, through which the two composite pieces are physically and permanently joined together. As composite pieces are joined together, the continuity of synthetic grass and the continuity of impermeability are extended and realized over the entire site to form permanent, impermeable and functional aesthetic cover for land reclamation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Lite Earth LLC
    Inventors: Charles Doyle Fleishman, John Thomas Baize
  • Patent number: 9598912
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to riser joint connection are described. For example, some embodiments may contain a central coupler, a plurality of reaction collars, collar stoppers, collar caps, and C-rings, for connecting riser joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: DMAR Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiming Huang, Dagang Zhang