Patents by Inventor Harold Brian Skeels

Harold Brian Skeels 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).

  • Publication number: 20240110464
    Abstract: A method includes choosing a well site for Carbon Capture and Sequestration, preparing the well site for Carbon Capture and Sequestration, and hydraulic fracturing a target area in a formation using fracturing fluid containing a reactant proppant to form fractures in the target formation and to trap the reactant proppant in the fractures. The target formation is in communication with a well in the well site. Such methods also include injecting a volume of carbon dioxide into the fractures in the target formation, chemically reacting the volume of carbon dioxide with the reactant proppant, converting the volume of carbon dioxide into a carbonate, and storing the carbonate in the fractures in the target formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold Brian Skeels
  • Publication number: 20240084789
    Abstract: An actuation device (100) includes a plurality of actuation units (101) disposed about an axis (Ar). Each actuation unit of the plurality of actuation units (101) includes a shape memory alloy component (104a-104n), an auxetic material component (105a-105n) operationally coupled to the shape memory alloy component (104a-104n), and a power source (107a-107n) operationally coupled to the shape memory alloy component (104a-104n). Additionally, the actuation device (100) includes a control system (108) operationally coupled to the power source (107a-107n), the control system (108) is configured to actuate the shape memory alloy component (104a-104n) through the power source (108). Further, when actuated, the shape memory alloy component (104a-104n) moves in a direction outward from the axis (Ar) to pull the auxetic material component (105a-105n), and the auxetic material component expands in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the shape memory alloy component (104a-104n).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc
    Inventor: Harold Brian Skeels
  • Patent number: 10954744
    Abstract: A system for forming an upper plug in a well, the system, comprising lower tool segment that is adapted to land within a wellhead housing under open water conditions, a well control package that is adapted to be positioned above the lower segment and coupled to the wellhead housing, the well control package comprising at least one seal ram, an upper tool segment that is adapted to be positioned through the well control package (i.e., after the well control package has been attached to the wellhead) and operatively coupled to the lower tool segment, wherein at least one seal ram of the well control package is adapted to engage an outer surface of the upper tool segment, and at least one cutting means that is coupled to the lower segment and adapted to be actuated to cut at least one opening in at least one section of casing within the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Brian Skeels, Ole Eddie Karlsen, Luis Felipe de Barros Mendes, Vidar Sten-Halvorsen
  • Publication number: 20200165896
    Abstract: A system for forming an upper plug in a well, the system, comprising lower tool segment that is adapted to land within a wellhead housing under open water conditions, a well control package that is adapted to be positioned above the lower segment and coupled to the wellhead housing, the well control package comprising at least one seal ram, an upper tool segment that is adapted to be positioned through the well control package (i.e., after the well control package has been attached to the wellhead) and operatively coupled to the lower tool segment, wherein at least one seal ram of the well control package is adapted to engage an outer surface of the upper tool segment, and at least one cutting means that is coupled to the lower segment and adapted to be actuated to cut at least one opening in at least one section of casing within the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Harold Brian Skeels, Ole Eddie Karlsen, Luis Felipe de Barros Mendes, Vidar Sten-Halvorsen
  • Patent number: 10344550
    Abstract: Disclosed is flow reversal system (100) that comprises a single direction flow device (101) adapted for receiving a fluid and first (120), second (122), third (124) and fourth (126) binary valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold Brian Skeels
  • Patent number: 10344549
    Abstract: Disclosed are various to blockage remediation systems for removing blockages, e.g., hydrate plugs, debris plugs, etc., from subsea flowlines and subsea equipment. In one illustrative embodiment, the system includes, among other things, an ROV (102) deployed into a body of water from a surface vessel (10) and a blockage remediation skid (104) that is operatively coupled to the ROV (102), wherein the skid (104) includes at least a skid fluid inlet (108A) and a skid fluid outlet (106A). The system also includes a returns downline (106) and a pressurized lift-gas supply downline (108) that extends into the body of from the vessel (10). The returns downline (106) is operatively coupled to the skid fluid outlet (106A), while the pressurized lift-gas supply downline (108) is adapted to be operatively and directly coupled to the blockage remediation skid (104) or operatively and directly coupled to the returns downline (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Brian Skeels, Mark Alan Johnson, Kevin Roy Knight
  • Publication number: 20180313181
    Abstract: Disclosed is flow reversal system (100) that comprises a single direction flow device (101) adapted for receiving a fluid and first (120), second (122), third (124) and fourth (126) binary valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventor: Harold Brian SKEELS
  • Publication number: 20180298711
    Abstract: Disclosed are various to blockage remediation systems for removing blockages, e.g., hydrate plugs, debris plugs, etc., from subsea flowlines and subsea equipment. In one illustrative embodiment, the system includes, among other things, an ROV (102) deployed into a body of water from a surface vessel (10) and a blockage remediation skid (104) that is operatively coupled to the ROV (102), wherein the skid (104) includes at least a skid fluid inlet (108A) and a skid fluid outlet (106A). The system also includes a returns downline (106) and a pressurized lift-gas supply downline (108) that extends into the body of from the vessel (10). The returns downline (106) is operatively coupled to the skid fluid outlet (106A), while the pressurized lift-gas supply downline (108) is adapted to be operatively and directly coupled to the blockage remediation skid (104) or operatively and directly coupled to the returns downline (106).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Harold Brian SKEELS, Mark Alan JOHNSON, Kevin Roy KNIGHT
  • Patent number: 9556713
    Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure is directed to systems that may be used to facilitate the retrieval and/or replacement of production and/or processing equipment that may be used for subsea oil and gas operations. In one illustrative embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes, among other things, removing at least a portion of trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) from subsea equipment (100) while the subsea equipment (100) is connected to a subsea equipment installation (185) in a subsea environment (180), and storing at least the removed portion of the trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) in a subsea containment structure (120, 120a, 120b, 132) that is positioned in the subsea environment (180). Additionally, the disclosed method also includes disconnecting the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea equipment installation (185) and retrieving the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea environment (180).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Williams, Thomas L. Hergarden, Howard J. Hartley, Andrei Strikovski, Eric Randall Smedstad, Harold Brian Skeels, John D. Dafler, Jr., Jimmy D. Andrews
  • Patent number: 9441461
    Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure is directed to systems that may be used to facilitate the retrieval and/or replacement of production and/or processing equipment that may be used for subsea oil and gas operations. In one illustrative embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes, among other things, removing at least a portion of trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) from subsea equipment (100) while the subsea equipment (100) is connected to a subsea equipment installation (185) in a subsea environment (180), and storing at least the removed portion of the trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) in a subsea containment structure (120, 120a, 120b, 132) that is positioned in the subsea environment (180). Additionally, the disclosed method also includes disconnecting the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea equipment installation (185) and retrieving the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea environment (180).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Williams, Thomas L. Hergarden, Howard J. Hartley, Andrei Strikovski, Eric Randall Smedstad, Harold Brian Skeels, John D. Dafler, Jr., Jimmy D. Andrews
  • Publication number: 20160060995
    Abstract: A gate valve assembly for shearing an elongated member and controlling a fluid flow through a through bore of the gate valve assembly. The through bore Is adapted for fluid communication with a well bore and is prepared for receiving the elongated member. The gate valve assembly comprises a gate element movably arranged transverse to the through bore between an open position in which a gate bore of the gate element communicates with the through bore and a closed position in which the through bore of the valve assembly is closed off. A shear gate is arranged in a recess in the gate element, the recess has an opening into the gate bore and is oriented transverse to the through bore, and the shear gate is movably arranged in the recess between a shear gate open position in which the gate bore is open and a shear gate closed position in which a cutting portion of the shear gate occupies the gate bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Harold Brian Skeels, Bob Houlgrave
  • Publication number: 20160032676
    Abstract: A gate valve assembly having a through bore adapted for fluid communication with a well bore and prepared for receiving an elongated member. The gate valve assembly comprises a gate element which is movably arranged in a gate valve housing, wherein the gate element has a gate bore arranged for receiving the elongated member, wherein a cutting tool is arranged in the gate bore first and second seats, wherein at least one of the first or second seat is arranged to provide sealing contact with a sealing surface of the gate element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Steve Malone, Harold Brian Skeels, Bob Houlgrave, John Lawson
  • Publication number: 20150361769
    Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure is directed to systems that may be used to facilitate the retrieval and/or replacement of production and/or processing equipment that may be used for subsea oil and gas operations. In one illustrative embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes, among other things, removing at least a portion of trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) from subsea equipment (100) while the subsea equipment (100) is connected to a subsea equipment installation (185) in a subsea environment (180), and storing at least the removed portion of the trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) in a subsea containment structure (120, 120a, 120b, 132) that is positioned in the subsea environment (180). Additionally, the disclosed method also includes disconnecting the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea equipment installation (185) and retrieving the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea environment (180).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. WILLIAMS, Thomas L. HERGARDEN, Howard J. HARTLEY, Andrei STRIKOVSKI, Eric Randall SMEDSTAD, Harold Brian SKEELS, John D. DAFLER, JR., Jimmy D. ANDREWS
  • Publication number: 20150315879
    Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure is directed to systems that may be used to facilitate the retrieval and/or replacement of production and/or processing equipment that may be used for subsea oil and gas operations. In one illustrative embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes, among other things, removing at least a portion of trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) from subsea equipment (100) while the subsea equipment (100) is connected to a subsea equipment installation (185) in a subsea environment (180), and storing at least the removed portion of the trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) in a subsea containment structure (120, 120a, 120b, 132) that is positioned in the subsea environment (180). Additionally, the disclosed method also includes disconnecting the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea equipment installation (185) and retrieving the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea environment (180).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. WILLIAMS, Thomas L. HERGARDEN, Howard J. HARTLEY, Andrei STRIKOVSKI, Eric Randall SMEDSTAD, Harold Brian SKEELS, John D. DAFLER, JR., Jimmy D. ANDREWS
  • Publication number: 20150204167
    Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for interfacing with subsea production equipment during operation. In one illustrative embodiment, a fluid sealing and transfer element is disclosed that includes, among other things, a flow body having a first end and a second end, a first flow groove (656g) proximate the first end, and a second flow groove (656g) proximate the second end. The illustrative fluid sealing and transfer element further includes first and second flow passages passing through the flow body, wherein the first flow passage intersects the first flow groove and the second flow passage intersects the second flow groove. Moreover, the fluid sealing and transfer element disclosed herein also includes and a third flow passage passing through the flow body, wherein the third flow passage intersects the first and second flow passages and facilitates fluid communication between the first and second flow grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Brian Skeels, Tyler Schilling, William Klassen, Scott Fulenwider
  • Publication number: 20100059230
    Abstract: A guide system includes a flexible pipe and a plurality of bend restrictor members disposed along the flexible pipe. The bend restrictor members define a first channel and are operable to limit a degree of bending present in the first channel. An apparatus for interfacing with a subsea well includes a flexible pipe extending from a surface vessel to the subsea well. A plurality of bend restrictor members is disposed along the flexible pipe and defines a first channel. The bend restrictor members are operable to limit a degree of bending present in the first channel. Coil tubing extends from the surface vessel to the subsea well through the first channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Harold Brian SKEELS
  • Patent number: 6964304
    Abstract: A technique for maintaining pressure integrity within a submersible system. The system utilizes a pressure housing with an internal component, such as a valve. The internal component is actuated by an external actuator via an actuator stem. A seal region is positioned to interact with the stem, such that the interior of the pressure housing is sealed and pressure integrity is maintained upon retraction of the stem from engagement with the internal component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Brian Skeels, Michael R. Williams
  • Publication number: 20040118567
    Abstract: A technique for maintaining pressure integrity within a submersible system. The system utilizes a pressure housing with an internal component, such as a valve. The internal component is actuated by an external actuator via an actuator stem. A seal region is positioned to interact with the stem, such that the interior of the pressure housing is sealed and pressure integrity is maintained upon retraction of the stem from engagement with the internal component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: Harold Brian Skeels
  • Patent number: 5730551
    Abstract: A subsea connector system and method utilizing a skid (18) on the sea floor (F) four coupling a subsea conduit (16) carried by the skid (18) to a subsea conduit (12) on a relatively fixed subsea structure (10). A lift line device or structure (24) has an upper lift line (36) connected by a spreader bar (40) to a pair of lower guide lines (38) which are directed from a vertical position to a generally horizontal relation by J-tubes (30). The ends of the guide lines (38) have anchor members (42) thereon which are anchored to guides (46) on the subsea facility (10). Upon raising of the upper lift line (36), the skid (18) moves in a combined pulling and lifting motion to engage a side (52) of the subsea facility (10) for being guided into a docked position with aligned guides (46) on the subsea facility (10). In this position, an ROV (26) secures the skid (18) into a releasably locked position by insertion of retainer pins (not shown) into aligned openings (35, 51) of the skid (18) and subsea facility (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Harold Brian Skeels, Bill George Louis