Patents by Inventor Ian Donald

Ian Donald 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: 20210002986
    Abstract: The invention provides a jumper termination apparatus for a subsea jumper flowline, a flow system for a subsea hydrocarbon production or injection installation incorporating such a jumper termination apparatus, and a method of use. The jumper termination apparatus comprises a body, a jumper coupling means configured to couple the body to a jumper flowline, and a connector coupling means configured to couple the body to a subsea manifold connector. An access interface is disposed on the body. The body defines a first flow path from a coupled jumper flowline to a coupled subsea manifold connector, and a second flow path from the access interface to the first flow path or the subsea manifold connector. The access interface is configured to be connected to a second jumper flowline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid, Craig McDonald
  • Publication number: 20200407645
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for pelletizing oil liquids by inducing endogenous asphaltenes in the liquid to form a resilient external layer on an aliquot of the bituminous liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: SOLIDEUM INC.
    Inventors: Ian Donald GATES, Jingyi WANG
  • Publication number: 20200408072
    Abstract: The invention provides an access apparatus for accessing a flow system in a subsea oil and gas production installation, a method of installation and a subsea horizontal connection installation. In one aspect, the access apparatus comprises a body, a plurality of connectors configured to connect the apparatus to the flow system and an access interface providing an access point to the flow system. The body defines at least one bore which fluidly connects at least one of the plurality of connectors to the access interface to provide a path between the access interface and the flow system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Ian DONALD, John REID, Craig MCDONALD
  • Patent number: 10871424
    Abstract: The invention provides a sampling apparatus for sampling fluid from a pipeline system during a pigging operation and a method of use. The sampling apparatus comprises an inlet configured to be coupled to the pipeline system, for receiving a fluid carried by a pigging operation from the pipeline system, and an outlet for discharging fluid from the sampling apparatus. A flow control valve is disposed between the inlet and the outlet. A first flow line is in communication with a sampling circuit and is disposed between the inlet and the flow control valve. A second flow line is in communication with a sampling circuit, and is disposed between the outlet and the flow control valve. The flow control valve is operable to be partially closed to create a pressure differential between the first and second flow lines, and drive a fluid passing through the sampling apparatus into the sampling circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Enpro Subsea Limited
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Publication number: 20200355038
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for accessing a flow system (such as a subsea tree) in a subsea oil and gas production system, and method of use. The apparatus comprises a body defining a conduit therethrough and a first connector for connecting the body to the flow system. A second connector is configured for connecting the body to an intervention apparatus, such as an injection or sampling equipment. In use, the conduit provides an intervention path from the intervention apparatus to the flow system. Aspects of the invention relate to combined injection and sampling units, and have particular application to well scale squeeze operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: ENPRO SUBSEA LIMITED
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Patent number: 10815763
    Abstract: A Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) method for recovering hydrocarbons from a reservoir can include generating steam and CO2 from feedwater, fuel and oxygen; transferring a steam-CO2 mixture comprising at least a portion of the steam and at least a portion of the CO2, to a proximate SAGD injection well; injecting the steam-CO2 mixture into the SAGD injection well; obtaining produced fluids from a SAGD production well underlying the SAGD injection well; transferring the produced fluids for separation proximate to the SAGD production well; separating the produced fluids into a produced gas and a produced emulsion; transferring the produced emulsion for separation proximate to the SAGD production well; separating the produced emulsion to obtain a produced hydrocarbon-containing component and produced water; supplying at least a portion of the produced water as at least part of the feedwater; and supplying the produced hydrocarbon-containing component to a central processing facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Donald, Todd Stewart Pugsley, Gary L. Bunio, Ian Donald Gates
  • Patent number: 10738557
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for accessing a flow system (such as a subsea tree) in a subsea oil and gas production system, and method of use. The apparatus comprises a body defining a conduit therethrough and a first connector for connecting the body to the flow system. A second connector is configured for connecting the body to an intervention apparatus, such as an injection or sampling equipment. In use, the conduit provides an intervention path from the intervention apparatus to the flow system. Aspects of the invention relate to combined injection and sampling units, and have particular application to well scale squeeze operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Enpro Subsea Limited
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Publication number: 20200095842
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and system for accessing a flow system (such as a subsea tree) in a subsea oil and gas production installation, and method of use. The apparatus comprises a body and a plurality of connectors configured to connect the apparatus to the flow system. A flow access interface is provided on the body for connecting the apparatus to a subsea process apparatus, and the body defines a plurality of flow paths. Each flow path fluidly connects one of the plurality of connectors to the flow access interface to provide an intervention path from a connected subsea process apparatus to the flow system in use. Aspects of the invention have particular application to flow metering, fluid sampling, and well scale squeeze operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Patent number: 10508518
    Abstract: A system for connecting flow interface equipment to a subsea tree or manifold is disclosed. The system relates to an apparatus adapted to inject fluids into a well having a flow bore. The system includes a connection apparatus adapted to land a conduit on a subsea tree or manifold and to connect the conduit of the connection apparatus to an access port or choke body of the tree or manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid, Alan Crawford, Paul W. White
  • Patent number: 10480274
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and system for accessing a flow system (such as a subsea tree) in a subsea oil and gas production installation, and method of use. The apparatus comprises a body and a plurality of connectors configured to connect the apparatus to the flow system. A flow access interface is provided on the body for connecting the apparatus to a subsea process apparatus, and the body defines a plurality of flow paths. Each flow path fluidly connects one of the plurality of connectors to the flow access interface to provide an intervention path from a connected subsea process apparatus to the flow system in use. Aspects of the invention have particular application to flow metering, fluid sampling, and well scale squeeze operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Enpro Subsea Limited
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Patent number: 10415346
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for diverting fluids either into or from a well are described. Some embodiments include a diverter conduit that is located in a bore of a tree. The invention relates especially but not exclusively to a diverter assembly connected to a wing branch of a tree. Some embodiments allow diversion of fluids out of a tree to a subsea processing apparatus followed by the return of at least some of these fluids to the tree for recovery. Alternative embodiments provide only one flowpath and do not include the return of any fluids to the tree. Some embodiments can be retro-fitted to existing trees, which can allow the performance of a new function without having to replacing the tree. Multiple diverter assembly embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Publication number: 20190218881
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for accessing a flow system (such as a subsea tree) in a subsea oil and gas production system, and method of use. The apparatus comprises a body defining a conduit therethrough and a first connector for connecting the body to the flow system. A second connector is configured for connecting the body to an intervention apparatus, such as an injection or sampling equipment. In use, the conduit provides an intervention path from the intervention apparatus to the flow system. Aspects of the invention relate to combined injection and sampling units, and have particular application to well scale squeeze operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Publication number: 20190186227
    Abstract: The invention in one of its aspects provides a connection apparatus for a subsea hydraulic circuit and method of use in a sampling application. The apparatus comprises a longitudinal body configured to be removably docked with a subsea hydraulic circuit receptacle. The body comprises a plurality of radial ports axially displaced along the body, and an axial bore accommodating a spool having at least one fluid barrie. The spool and fluid barrier are actuable to be axially moved in the bore to control axial flow paths along the bore between the plurality of radial ports. The apparatus may be configured as a sampling hot stab in an application to sampling a production fluid from a subsea hydrocarbon production system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Publication number: 20190169970
    Abstract: A Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) method for recovering hydrocarbons from a reservoir can include generating steam and CO2 from feedwater, fuel and oxygen; transferring a steam-CO2 mixture comprising at least a portion of the steam and at least a portion of the CO2, to a proximate SAGD injection well; injecting the steam-CO2 mixture into the SAGD injection well; obtaining produced fluids from a SAGD production well underlying the SAGD injection well; transferring the produced fluids for separation proximate to the SAGD production well; separating the produced fluids into a produced gas and a produced emulsion; transferring the produced emulsion for separation proximate to the SAGD production well; separating the produced emulsion to obtain a produced hydrocarbon-containing component and produced water; supplying at least a portion of the produced water as at least part of the feedwater; and supplying the produced hydrocarbon-containing component to a central processing facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Applicant: Suncor Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Donald, Todd Stewart Pugsley, Gary L. Bunio, Ian Donald Gates
  • Publication number: 20190162635
    Abstract: The invention provides a sampling apparatus for sampling fluid from a pipeline system during a pigging operation and a method of use. The sampling apparatus comprises an inlet configured to be coupled to the pipeline system, for receiving a fluid carried by a pigging operation from the pipeline system, and an outlet for discharging fluid from the sampling apparatus. A flow control valve is disposed between the inlet and the outlet. A first flow line is in communication with a sampling circuit and is disposed between the inlet and the flow control valve. A second flow line is in communication with a sampling circuit, and is disposed between the outlet and the flow control valve. The flow control valve is operable to be partially closed to create a pressure differential between the first and second flow lines, and drive a fluid passing through the sampling apparatus into the sampling circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Patent number: 10246979
    Abstract: A Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) method for recovering hydrocarbons from a reservoir can include generating steam and CO2 from feedwater, fuel and oxygen; transferring a steam-CO2 mixture comprising at least a portion of the steam and at least a portion of the CO2, to a proximate SAGD injection well; injecting the steam-CO2 mixture into the SAGD injection well; obtaining produced fluids from a SAGD production well underlying the SAGD injection well; transferring the produced fluids for separation proximate to the SAGD production well; separating the produced fluids into a produced gas and a produced emulsion; transferring the produced emulsion for separation proximate to the SAGD production well; separating the produced emulsion to obtain a produced hydrocarbon-containing component and produced water; supplying at least a portion of the produced water as at least part of the feedwater; and supplying the produced hydrocarbon-containing component to a central processing facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Donald, Todd Stewart Pugsley, Gary L. Bunio, Ian Donald Gates
  • Patent number: 10174575
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for accessing a flow system (such as a subsea tree) in a subsea oil and gas production system, and method of use. The apparatus comprises a body defining a conduit therethrough and a first connector for connecting the body to the flow system. A second connector is configured for connecting the body to an intervention apparatus, such as an injection or sampling equipment. In use, the conduit provides an intervention path from the intervention apparatus to the flow system. Aspects of the invention relate to combined injection and sampling units, and have particular application to well scale squeeze operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Enpro Subsea Limited
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Patent number: 10107069
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for diverting fluids either into or from a well are described. Some embodiments include a diverter conduit that is located in a bore of a tree. The invention relates especially but not exclusively to a diverter assembly connected to a wing branch of a tree. Some embodiments allow diversion of fluids out of a tree to a subsea processing apparatus followed by the return of at least some of these fluids to the tree for recovery. Alternative embodiments provide only one flowpath and do not include the return of any fluids to the tree. Some embodiments can be retro-fitted to existing trees, which can allow the performance of a new function without having to replacing the tree. Multiple diverter assembly embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Publication number: 20180112527
    Abstract: A valve apparatus (400) for a flow system in a subsea oil and gas production installation and a method of use. The valve apparatus comprises an inlet for production flow from the subsea oil and gas production installation, an outlet for production flow, and a flow control valve (420) disposed between the inlet and the outlet. A first flow line (361) in communication with a sampling circuit is disposed between the inlet and the flow control valve, and a second flow line (362) in communication with a sampling circuit is disposed between the outlet and the flow control valve. The flow control valve is operable to be partially closed to create a pressure differential between the first and second flow lines, and thereby drive a production fluid into the sampling circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Publication number: 20170211354
    Abstract: A system for connecting flow interface equipment to a subsea tree or manifold is disclosed. The system relates to an apparatus adapted to inject fluids into a well having a flow bore. The system includes a connection apparatus adapted to land a conduit on a subsea tree or manifold and to connect the conduit of the connection apparatus to an access port or choke body of the tree or manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid, Alan Crawford, Paul W. White