Patents by Inventor Gregory Dale Williams

Gregory Dale Williams 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: 10697264
    Abstract: A subsea production system and method for installing the same are provided. The subsea production system includes a high pressure subsea wellhead, a tubing hanger landed proximate the wellhead, a production tree disposed above the wellhead downstream of the tubing hanger, a riser, a subsea flowline system coupled between the production tree and the riser, at least one barrier located downstream of the tubing hanger, and a secondary barrier valve disposed within the tubing hanger or in line with and upstream of the tubing hanger. The at least one barrier provides a pressure barrier that controls pressure of fluid flowing from components of the subsea production system located upstream of the barrier to components of the subsea production system located downstream of the barrier, and the secondary barrier valve is remotely actuable between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Dril-Quip Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Joseph Witwer, Justin Edward Morse, Daniel J. McLaughlin, Gregory Dale Williams, James R. Bower
  • Publication number: 20190368298
    Abstract: A subsea production system and method for installing the same are provided. The subsea production system includes a high pressure subsea wellhead, a tubing hanger landed proximate the wellhead, a production tree disposed above the wellhead downstream of the tubing hanger, a riser, a subsea flowline system coupled between the production tree and the riser, at least one barrier located downstream of the tubing hanger, and a secondary barrier valve disposed within the tubing hanger or in line with and upstream of the tubing hanger. The at least one barrier provides a pressure barrier that controls pressure of fluid flowing from components of the subsea production system located upstream of the barrier to components of the subsea production system located downstream of the barrier, and the secondary barrier valve is remotely actuable between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Bruce Joseph Witwer, Justin Edward Morse, Daniel J. McLaughlin, Gregory Dale Williams, James R. Bower
  • Patent number: 10392907
    Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a full top-to-bottom subsea system and method used to drill, complete, produce, and perform interventions on HPHT subsea wells is provided. The disclosed systems and methods involve the use of a controlled multiple barrier system, such as a high integrity pipeline protection system (HIPPS), incorporated into the subsea system to divide the system into two sections. The sections on either side of the barrier may be rated for different pressures, temperatures, and/or flow rates. For example, the first section (upstream of the barrier) is rated for operating at pressures/temperatures/flow rates up to a first (higher) threshold. The second section (downstream of the barrier) is rated for operating at pressures/temperatures/flow rates up to a second (lower) threshold. The disclosed subsea production system methodology, which uses barriers to divide the system components between two pressure ratings, may allow for enhanced development of HPHT reservoirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Joseph Witwer, Justin Edward Morse, Daniel J. McLaughlin, Gregory Dale Williams, James R. Bower
  • Publication number: 20170089182
    Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a full top-to-bottom subsea system and method used to drill, complete, produce, and perform interventions on HPHT subsea wells is provided. The disclosed systems and methods involve the use of a controlled multiple barrier system, such as a high integrity pipeline protection system (HIPPS), incorporated into the subsea system to divide the system into two sections. The sections on either side of the barrier may be rated for different pressures, temperatures, and/or flow rates. For example, the first section (upstream of the barrier) is rated for operating at pressures/temperatures/flow rates up to a first (higher) threshold. The second section (downstream of the barrier) is rated for operating at pressures/temperatures/flow rates up to a second (lower) threshold. The disclosed subsea production system methodology, which uses barriers to divide the system components between two pressure ratings, may allow for enhanced development of HPHT reservoirs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Bruce Joseph Witwer, Justin Edward Morse, Daniel J. McLaughlin, Gregory Dale Williams, James R. Bower
  • Patent number: 9303480
    Abstract: A method and system for coupling a riser to a subsea wellhead are disclosed. A first terminal end of a riser comprised of an inner riser and an outer riser is coupled to the platform and a second terminal end of the riser is coupled to a wellhead. The second terminal end of the inner riser is coupled to an inner drilling riser tie-back connector (“ITBC”) having a main body. The ITBC is landed on a landing shoulder disposed within the subsea wellhead. A downward weight is applied to the main body. The application of the downward weight to the main body couples the ITBC and the subsea wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Dale Williams
  • Publication number: 20150176358
    Abstract: A method and system for coupling a riser to a subsea wellhead are disclosed. A first terminal end of a riser comprised of an inner riser and an outer riser is coupled to the platform and a second terminal end of the riser is coupled to a wellhead. The second terminal end of the inner riser is coupled to an inner drilling riser tie-back connector (“ITBC”) having a main body. The ITBC is landed on a landing shoulder disposed within the subsea wellhead. A downward weight is applied to the main body. The application of the downward weight to the main body couples the ITBC and the subsea wellhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Dale Williams