Patents by Inventor Hakon Skofteland

Hakon Skofteland 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: 8771394
    Abstract: A device for separating and collecting liquid in gas from a reservoir, which is attached to processing equipment (14, 15) for gas, said gas being delivered to the processing equipment from the device via an inlet pipe (24) to the processing equipment and the collected liquid is removed periodically from the device via liquid outlet pipe (7). The device is formed of a liquid separator (1) and a liquid collector (2) which are two separate chambers, and which are connected to each other via a valve (3), and that for draining of the collected liquid, the liquid collector (2) is connected to an outlet pipe (19) from the processing equipment via an intermediate valve (6), draining taking place with the aid of compressed gas which via the intermediate valve (6) is supplied from the processing equipment, or alternatively from onshore or a platform, from a gas pipe or a well stream gas pipe on the seabed or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Aker Subsea
    Inventors: Håkon Skofteland, Kjell Olav Stinessen
  • Patent number: 8267676
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing seawater from penetrating into a compressor module during lowering to or retrieval from a compression plant on the seabed, with optional discharge of residual production fluids, as for instance hydrocarbons, from the compressor module prior to retrieval, wherein the compressor module comprises an electric motor (1) and a compressor (2) which are respectively connected via at least one shaft (8) and are arranged in a common pressure shell (3), an inlet pipe (5) and an outlet pipe (6) to and from the compressor module which respectively are provided with an isolation valve (7, 7?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Aker Subsea AS
    Inventors: Håkon Skofteland, Kjell Olav Stinessen, Audun Grynning, Øyvind Rokne
  • Patent number: 8221095
    Abstract: A method for protection of compressor modules against undesirable influx of contaminated gas, comprising a pressure housing (3) which by means of one of more sealing elements (4) is generally divided into a first compartment (8) equipped with a compressor (2) and a second compartment (7) equipped with a gas-filled motor (1), the compressor and the motor being drivably connected to each other by at least one shaft (9), is distinguished by protecting the second compartment (7) with motor (1) against direct influx of contaminated gas from the first compartment (8) with compressor (2) by means of compressed gas that is supplied from a withdrawal point (13) at the first or intermediate stage of the compressor, or from the compressor outlet (16), and by introducing the compressed gas directly into the seal (4) or in between two or more seals so as to flow through the at least one seal (4) back to the first compartment (8). The invention also relates to an apparatus for use in connection with the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Aker Subsea AS
    Inventors: Håkon Skofteland, Kjell Olav Stinessen
  • Publication number: 20110203460
    Abstract: A device for separating and collecting liquid in gas from a reservoir, which is attached to processing equipment (14, 15) for gas, said gas being delivered to the processing equipment from the device via an inlet pipe (24) to the processing equipment and the collected liquid is removed periodically from the device via liquid outlet pipe (7). The device is formed of a liquid separator (1) and a liquid collector (2) which are two separate chambers, and which are connected to each other via a valve (3), and that for draining of the collected liquid, the liquid collector (2) is connected to an outlet pipe (19) from the processing equipment via an intermediate valve (6), draining taking place with the aid of compressed gas which via the intermediate valve (6) is supplied from the processing equipment, or alternatively from onshore or a platform, from a gas pipe or a well stream gas pipe on the seabed or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Hâkon Skofteland, Kjell Olav Stinessen
  • Patent number: 7819950
    Abstract: A subsea compression system and method wherein a wellstream fluid is flowed through a flow line (12) from a reservoir (10) and into a separation vessel (16) for subsequent compression in a compressor (18; 18?, 18?) prior to export of gas. A recycle line (24; 24?, 24?) is fluidly connected at a first end to the compressed wellstream at the outlet side of the compressor (18; 18?, 18?) and at a second end to the wellstream at a location between the separation vessel (16) and the inlet side of the compressor (18; 18?, 18?), the recycle line being capable of controllably (32) feeding fluid due to surge back to the compressor inlet side and avoiding the need to feed the fluid into the separation vessel, because the re-circulated gas is dry both due to having been separated at seawater temperature, and then being heated during recirculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Kvaerner Oilfield Products A.S.
    Inventors: Kjell Olav Stinessen, Håkon Skofteland
  • Publication number: 20090317265
    Abstract: A method for protection of compressor modules against undesirable influx of contaminated gas, comprising a pressure housing (3) which by means of one of more sealing elements (4) is generally divided into a first compartment (8) equipped with a compressor (2) and a second compartment (7) equipped with a gas-filled motor (1), the compressor and the motor being drivably connected to each other by at least one shaft (9), is distinguished by protecting the second compartment (7) with motor (1) against direct influx of contaminated gas from the first compartment (8) with compressor (2) by means of compressed gas that is supplied from a withdrawal point (13) at the first or intermediate stage of the compressor, or from the compressor outlet (16), and by introducing the compressed gas directly into the seal (4) or in between two or more seals so as to flow through the at least one seal (4) back to the first compartment (8). The invention also relates to an apparatus for use in connection with the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: AKER KVAERNER SUBSEA AS
    Inventors: Håkon Skofteland, Kjell Olav Stinessen
  • Publication number: 20090266553
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing seawater from penetrating into a compressor module during lowering to or retrieval from a compression plant on the seabed, with optional discharge of residual production fluids, as for instance hydrocarbons, from the compressor module prior to retrieval, wherein the compressor module comprises an electric motor (1) and a compressor (2) which are respectively connected via at least one shaft (8) and are arranged in a common pressure shell (3), an inlet pipe (5) and an outlet pipe (6) to and from the compressor module which respectively are provided with an isolation valve (7, 7?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: AKER KVAERNER SUBSEA AS
    Inventors: Hakon Skofteland, Kjell Olav Stinessen, Audun Grynning, Oyvind Rokne
  • Publication number: 20080260539
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the supply of barrier gas to a compressor module includes a pressure housing containing an electric motor which via a shaft is drivably connected to a compressor. The shaft is supported by magnetic bearings and at least one axial seal around the shaft which divides the pressure housing into first and second compartments including the motor and compressor, respectively. The second compartment has fluid inlet and outlet. A line is fluid-connected to the first compartment for barrier gas from a reservoir, with a flow restriction element between the reservoir and first compartment. The apparatus facilitates a method for controlling the supply of barrier gas based on gas velocity through the seal and pressure in the second compartment. An overpressure can be set in the reservoir. A controlled supply of barrier gas to at least the first compartment is effected via flow restriction in the feed pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: AKER KVAERNER SUBSEA AS
    Inventors: Kjell O. Stinessen, Hakon Skofteland, Audun Grynning
  • Publication number: 20070029091
    Abstract: A subsea compression system and method wherein a wellstream fluid is flowed through a flow line (12) from a reservoir (10) and into a separation vessel (16) for subsequent compression in a compressor (18; 18?, 18?) prior to export of gas. A recycle line (24; 24?, 24?) is fluidly connected at a first end to the compressed wellstream at the outlet side of the compressor (18; 18?, 18?) and at a second end to the wellstream at a location between the separation vessel (16) and the inlet side of the compressor (18; 18?, 18?), the recycle line being capable of controllably (32) feeding fluid due to surge back to the compressor inlet side and avoiding the need to feed the fluid into the separation vessel, because the re-circulated gas is dry both due to having been separated at seawater temperature, and then being heated during recirculation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Kjell Stinessen, Håkon Skofteland
  • Publication number: 20060157251
    Abstract: A subsea gas compressor module having a housing comprising a sealing element generally defining within the pressure housing a first compartment holding as compressor and a second compartment holding an electric motor, the compressor and motor being driveably connected by at least one shaft. The first compartment is connected to an inlet line and an outlet line for sealing hydro carbon gas and for discharging gas. The second compartment has magnetic bearings for supporting the at least one shaft, and a pressure and volume regulator is fluidly connected to the second compartment and a gas supply, and includes elements for sensing respective pressures in the inlet and outlet lines whereby, based on the magnitude of sensed pressure, the pressure and volume regulator controls the pressure at which gas is injected into the second compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Applicant: KVAERNER OILFIELD PRODUCTS A.S.
    Inventors: Kjell Stinessen, Hakon Skofteland