Patents by Inventor Borre Fossli

Borre Fossli has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11085255
    Abstract: A subsea drilling method for controlling the bottom hole annular pressure and downward injection rate during mud cap drilling operations from a mobile offshore drilling unit with a low pressure marine riser and subsea blowout preventer. The method called controlled mud cap drilling uses the hydrostatic head of a heavy annular mud (fluid) managed or observed in order to balance the highest pore pressure in the well and to control the injection rate, by using a subsea mud lift pump and a control system to regulate the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Enhanced Drilling A.S.
    Inventor: Børre Fossli
  • Publication number: 20200399965
    Abstract: A subsea drilling method for controlling the bottom hole annular pressure and downward injection rate during mud cap drilling operations from a mobile offshore drilling unit with a low pressure marine riser and subsea blowout preventer. The method called controlled mud cap drilling uses the hydrostatic head of a heavy annular mud (fluid) managed or observed in order to balance the highest pore pressure in the well and to control the injection rate, by using a subsea mud lift pump and a control system to regulate the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Børre Fossli
  • Patent number: 10787871
    Abstract: A subsea drilling method for controlling the bottom hole annular pressure and downward injection rate during mud cap drilling operations from a mobile offshore drilling unit with a low pressure marine riser and subsea blowout preventer. The method called controlled mud cap drilling uses the hydrostatic head of a heavy annular mud (fluid) managed or observed in order to balance the highest pore pressure in the well and to control the injection rate, by using a subsea mud lift pump and a control system to regulate the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Enhanced Drilling, AS
    Inventor: Børre Fossli
  • Publication number: 20190145198
    Abstract: A subsea drilling method for controlling the bottom hole annular pressure and downward injection rate during mud cap drilling operations from a mobile offshore drilling unit with a low pressure marine riser and subsea blowout preventer. The method called controlled mud cap drilling uses the hydrostatic head of a heavy annular mud (fluid) managed or observed in order to balance the highest pore pressure in the well and to control the injection rate, by using a subsea mud lift pump and a control system to regulate the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventor: Børre Fossli
  • Patent number: 9816323
    Abstract: A subsea drilling method and system controls drilling fluid pressure in the borehole of a subsea well, and separates gas from the drilling fluid. Drilling fluid is pumped into the borehole through a drill string and returned through an annulus between the drill string and the well bore and between the drill string and a riser. Drilling fluid pressure is controlled by draining fluid out of the riser or a BOP at a level between the seabed and the surface in order to adjust the hydrostatic head of drilling fluid in the riser. The drained drilling fluid and gas is separated in a subsea separator, where the gas is vented to the surface through a vent line, and the fluid is pumped to the surface via a subsea pump. A closing device and a choke line and valve can release pressure after a gas kick in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: ENHANCED DRILLING AS
    Inventor: Borre Fossli
  • Publication number: 20160076306
    Abstract: A subsea drilling method and system controls drilling fluid pressure in the borehole of a subsea well, and separates gas from the drilling fluid. Drilling fluid is pumped into the borehole through a drill string and returned through an annulus between the drill string and the well bore and between the drill string and a riser. Drilling fluid pressure is controlled by draining fluid out of the riser or a BOP at a level between the seabed and the surface in order to adjust the hydrostatic head of drilling fluid in the riser. The drained drilling fluid and gas is separated in a subsea separator, where the gas is vented to the surface through a vent line, and the fluid is pumped to the surface via a subsea pump. A closing device and a choke line and valve can release pressure after a gas kick in the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventor: Borre Fossli
  • Patent number: 9222311
    Abstract: A subsea drilling method and system controls drilling fluid pressure in the borehole of a subsea well, and separates gas from the drilling fluid. Drilling fluid is pumped into the borehole through a drill string and returned through an annulus between the drill string and the well bore and between the drill string and a riser. Drilling fluid pressure is controlled by draining fluid out of the riser or a BOP at a level between the seabed and the surface in order to adjust the hydrostatic head of drilling fluid in the riser. The drained drilling fluid and gas is separated in a subsea separator, where the gas is vented to the surface through a vent line, and the fluid is pumped to the surface via a subsea pump. A closing device and a choke line and valve can release pressure after a gas kick in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Ocean Riser Systems AS Lilleakerveien 2B
    Inventor: Borre Fossli
  • Patent number: 8978774
    Abstract: A subsea mud pump can be used to return heavy drilling fluid to the surface. In order to provide a less stringent requirement for such a pump and to better manage the bottom hole pressure in the case of a gas kick or well control event, the gas should be separated from the drilling fluid before the drilling fluid enters the subsea mud pump and the pressure within the separating chamber. The mud pump suction should be controlled and kept equal or lower than the ambient seawater pressure. This can be achieved within the cavities of the subsea BOP by a system arrangement and methods explained. This function can be used with or without a drilling riser connecting the subsea BOP to a drilling unit above the body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ocean Riser Systems AS
    Inventors: Borre Fossli, Sigbjorn Sangesland
  • Publication number: 20140144703
    Abstract: A subsea drilling method and system controls drilling fluid pressure in the borehole of a subsea well, and separates gas from the drilling fluid. Drilling fluid is pumped into the borehole through a drill string and returned through an annulus between the drill string and the well bore and between the drill string and a riser. Drilling fluid pressure is controlled by draining fluid out of the riser or a BOP at a level between the seabed and the surface in order to adjust the hydrostatic head of drilling fluid in the riser. The drained drilling fluid and gas is separated in a subsea separator, where the gas is vented to the surface through a vent line, and the fluid is pumped to the surface via a subsea pump. A closing device and a choke line and valve can release pressure after a gas kick in the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Ocean Riser Systems AS
    Inventor: Borre Fossli
  • Patent number: 8678352
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling tension in a wireline (4), the apparatus comprising a reel (3) mounted on a vessel or surface platform for controlling a wire in a wireline operation, a primary drive means (5) between the reel and a subsea installation around which the wireline is wound and control means for synchronizing the operation of the driver with the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignees: Ocean Riser System AS, Lewis Limited
    Inventors: Drummond Lawson, Borre Fossli
  • Patent number: 8640778
    Abstract: A subsea drilling method and system for controlling the drilling fluid pressure, where drilling fluid is pumped down into the borehole through a drill string and returned back through the annulus between the drill string and the well bore. The drilling fluid pressure is controlled by draining drilling fluid out of the drilling riser (8) or BOP (6) at a level between the seabed and the sea water in order to adjust the hydrostatic head of drilling fluid. The drained drilling fluid and gas is separated in a subsea separator (28) where the gas is vented to surface through a vent line (39), and the fluid is pumped to surface via pump (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ocean Riser Systems AS
    Inventor: Børre Fossli
  • Patent number: 8322439
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method to control and regulate the bottom hole pressure in a well during subsea drilling at deep waters: The method involves adjustment of a liquid/gas interface level in a drilling riser up or down. The arrangement comprises a high pressure drilling riser and a surface BOP at the upper end of the drilling riser. The surface BOP has a gas bleeding outlet. The riser also comprises a BOP, with a by-pass line. The drilling riser has an outlet at a depth below the water surface, and the outlet is connected to a pumping system with a flow return conduit running back to a drilling vessel/platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Ocean Riser Systems AS
    Inventor: Borre Fossli
  • Publication number: 20120227978
    Abstract: A subsea mud pump can be used to return heavy drilling fluid to the surface. In order to provide a less stringent requirement for such a pump and to better manage the bottom hole pressure in the case of a gas kick or well control event, the gas should be separated from the drilling fluid before the drilling fluid enters the subsea mud pump and the pressure within the separating chamber. The mud pump suction should be controlled and kept equal or lower than the ambient seawater pressure. This can be achieved within the cavities of the subsea BOP by a system arrangement and methods explained. This function can be used with or without a drilling riser connecting the subsea BOP to a drilling unit above the body of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: OCEAN RISER SYSTEMS AS
    Inventors: Børre Fossli, Sigbjørn Sangesland
  • Publication number: 20120067590
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method to control and regulate the bottom hole pressure in a well during subsea drilling at deep waters: The method involves adjustment of a liquid/gas interface level in a drilling riser up or down. The arrangement comprises a high pressure drilling riser and a surface BOP at the upper end of the drilling riser. The surface BOP has a gas bleeding outlet. The riser also comprises a BOP, with a by-pass line. The drilling riser has an outlet at a depth below the water surface, and the outlet is connected to a pumping system with a flow return conduit running back to a drilling vessel/platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: OCEAN RISER SYSTEMS AS
    Inventor: Borre Fossli
  • Patent number: 7950463
    Abstract: A method for removing soils, particles or fluids from the seabed or from great sea depths, includes positioning a platform or a vessel above an offshore location, lowering a riser from the vessel or platform to the seabed or great depth, the riser being vented to the atmosphere, sucking soils, particles or fluids with inflow of fluid into the riser and removing them from the riser via an outlet in the riser, the outlet being at a level well below the water surface, by use of a pumping system with a flow return conduit running to a selected location, while keeping the level of the fluid in the riser at a level between the outlet and the surface corresponding with a pressure in the lower end of the riser substantially lower than the sea water pressure at the end of the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Ocean Riser Systems AS
    Inventor: Borre Fossli
  • Publication number: 20110100710
    Abstract: A subsea drilling method and system for controlling the drilling fluid pressure, where drilling fluid is pumped down into the borehole through a drill string and returned back through the annulus between the drill string and the well bore. The drilling fluid pressure is controlled by draining drilling fluid out of the drilling riser (8) or BOP (6) at a level between the seabed and the sea water in order to adjust the hydrostatic head of drilling fluid. The drained drilling fluid and gas is separated in a subsea separator (28) where the gas is vented to surface through a vent line (39), and the fluid is pumped to surface via pump (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: OCEAN RISER SYSTEMS AS
    Inventor: Borre Fossli
  • Publication number: 20100104372
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling tension in a wireline (4), the apparatus comprising a reel (3) mounted on a vessel or surface platform for controlling a wire in a wireline operation, a primary drive means (5) between the reel and a subsea installation around which the wireline is wound and control means for synchronising the operation of the driver with the reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicants: LEWIS LIMITED, OCEAN RISER SYSTEMS AS
    Inventors: Drummond Lawson, Borre Fossli
  • Publication number: 20090200037
    Abstract: A method for removing soils, particles or fluids from the seabed or from great sea depths, includes positioning a platform or a vessel above an offshore location, lowering a riser from the vessel or platform to the seabed or great depth, the riser being vented to the atmosphere, sucking soils, particles or fluids with inflow of fluid into the riser and removing them from the riser via an outlet in the riser, the outlet being at a level well below the water surface, by use of a pumping system with a flow return conduit running to a selected location, while keeping the level of the fluid in the riser at a level between the outlet and the surface corresponding with a pressure in the lower end of the riser substantially lower than the sea water pressure at the end of the riser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: OCEAN RISER SYSTEMS AS
    Inventor: Borre Fossli
  • Patent number: 7513310
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method to control and regulate the bottom hole pressure in a well during subsea drilling at deep waters: The method involves adjustment of a liquid/air interface level in a drilling riser. The arrangement comprises a drilling riser with an outlet at a depth below the water surface. The outlet is connected to a subsea pumping system with a flow return conduit back to a drilling vessel. The intention of the system is to transport the drilling fluid and the formation particles to the surface on the drilling unit prior to setting structural pipe on the seabed and when drilling at least one hole section after the first surface structural casing have been set. The apparatus is used in order to drill all surface hole sections with the riser installed in order to avoid “pump & dump” procedures and to recover all mud and chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Ocean Riser Systems AS
    Inventor: Borre Fossli
  • Patent number: RE43199
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method to control and regulate the bottom hole pressure in a well during subsea drilling at deep waters: The method involves adjustment of a liquid/gas interface level in a drilling riser up or down. The arrangement comprises a high pressure drilling riser and a surface BOP at the upper end of the drilling riser. The surface BOP havs a gas bleeding outlet. The riser also comprises a BOP, with a by-pass line. The drilling riser has an outlet at a depth below the water surface, and the outlet is connected to a pumping system with a flow return conduit running back to a drilling vessel/platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ocean Rider Systems AS
    Inventor: Borre Fossli