Patents by Inventor Jimmie Dean Adkins

Jimmie Dean Adkins 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: 9926758
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for removing components of a subsea well having a wellhead located on a seabed and multiple well casings connected to the wellhead and penetrating the seabed. A cutting tool is lowered from a floating vessel to a predetermined cut location in the subsea well. The cutting tool is at the end of a utility line connected to an actuator located on the floating vessel. The cutting tool is used to sever the multiple well casings at the predetermined cut location such that the multiple well casings are completely severed concurrently. The wellhead and the severed multiple well casings are raised together from the seabed to the floating vessel as a single assembly. Various forms of the cutting tool are disclosed. The methods disclosed can include an integrated procedure for dispensing cement to plug the well at the seabed as the well components are being removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Jimmie Dean Adkins, Dana Earl Witt
  • Patent number: 8656939
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for sealing and severing a subsea pipe adapted to convey fluids, e.g., hydrocarbons, and systems and methods using such apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing adapted to attach to the pipe, a piercing tool for providing an opening in the pipe at a predetermined location and a mechanism for establishing fluid communication between a source of sealant material and space within the pipe adjacent the opening in the pipe, and a cutting mechanism for cutting the pipe. Methods disclosed include piercing the pipe to form an opening, injecting sealant material through the opening into the pipe to form a fluid-tight seal, and cutting the pipe through the seal to form sealed cut ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Jarred Christopher Sharp, Scott Oren Crook, Jimmie Dean Adkins, Daniel Christopher Kefford, Edward Shintaro Nakajima, Jean Michael Thibodeaux
  • Publication number: 20130220436
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for sealing and severing a subsea pipe adapted to convey fluids, e.g., hydrocarbons, and systems and methods using such apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing adapted to attach to the pipe, a piercing tool for providing an opening in the pipe at a predetermined location and a mechanism for establishing fluid communication between a source of sealant material and space within the pipe adjacent the opening in the pipe, and a cutting mechanism for cutting the pipe. Methods disclosed include piercing the pipe to form an opening, injecting sealant material through the opening into the pipe to form a fluid-tight seal, and cutting the pipe through the seal to form sealed cut ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Jarred Christopher Sharp, Scott Oren Crook, Jimmie Dean Adkins, Daniel Christopher Kefford, Edward Shintaro Nakajima, Jean Michael Thibodeaux
  • Patent number: 8286678
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for transferring fluids such as, for example, liquefied natural gas between a source structure such as a floating storage vessel and a receiving structure such as a floating transport vessel utilizing a controllable deployment system to deploy a fluid conduit. The fluid conduit end is supported by a mooring device which is positioned by the controllable deployment system. A transfer vessel is also provided which utilizes the controllable deployment system to position and support a fluid conduit for connection with a manifold on a receiving vessel. The deployment system operates in active mode during positioning and in passive mode during fluid transfer. The fluid transfer system disclosed allows safe, controlled operation and fluid transfer in open sea conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmie Dean Adkins, Donald Gregory Danmeier, John S. Hartono
  • Publication number: 20120037240
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for transferring fluids such as, for example, liquefied natural gas between a source structure such as a floating storage vessel and a receiving structure such as a floating transport vessel utilizing a controllable deployment system to deploy a fluid conduit. The fluid conduit end is supported by a mooring device which is positioned by the controllable deployment system. A transfer vessel is also provided which utilizes the controllable deployment system to position and support a fluid conduit for connection with a manifold on a receiving vessel. The deployment system operates in active mode during positioning and in passive mode during fluid transfer. The fluid transfer system disclosed allows safe, controlled operation and fluid transfer in open sea conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Jimmie Dean Adkins, Donald G. Danmeier, John S. Hartono
  • Publication number: 20090266087
    Abstract: A system and a process are provided for transferring a cryogenic fluid such as liquefied natural gas between a floating transport vessel and a storage vessel. The fluid is transferred through at least one submerged/subsea/subsurface catenary flexible conduit, the conduits being configured to avoid damage from waves and abrasion or contact with the other conduits, the vessels, or other objects. A conduit transfer vessel is provided for storing the conduit in the water, delivering the conduit to each transport vessel, but standing off from the transport vessel during cryogenic fluid transfer, and then retrieving the conduit from the transport vessel, which greatly improves the safety of the cryogenic fluid transfer operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Jimmie Dean Adkins, David T. McDonald
  • Patent number: 7543613
    Abstract: A system and a process are provided for transferring a cryogenic fluid such as liquefied natural gas between a floating transport vessel and a storage vessel. The fluid is transferred through at least one submerged/subsea/subsurface catenary flexible conduit, the conduits being configured to avoid damage from waves and abrasion or contact with the other conduits, the vessels, or other objects. A conduit transfer vessel is provided for storing the conduit in the water, delivering the conduit to each transport vessel, but standing off from the transport vessel during cryogenic fluid transfer, and then retrieving the conduit from the transport vessel, which greatly improves the safety of the cryogenic fluid transfer operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmie Dean Adkins, David T. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20080242165
    Abstract: A system is provided for transferring fluids such as liquefied natural gas between a floating transport vessel and a floating storage vessel utilizing a transfer vessel to deploy, operate and return a fluid conduit to the storage vessel. The fluid is transferred through at least one submerged-subsea catenary flexible conduit, at least one floating flexible conduit, or any combination thereof. A transfer vessel, including a releasable mooring system, is provided for deploying the conduit from the storage vessel to the transport vessel, mooring with a transport vessel, maintaining a unified connection during fluid transfer, releasing the mooring once fluid transfer is completed, returning to and parking on the storage vessel, and storing the conduit between fluid transfers. The transfer vessel and releasable mooring system allows safe, controlled operation and fluid transfer in open sea conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmie Dean Adkins, John S. Hartono, David T. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20080236703
    Abstract: A system is provided for transferring fluids such as liquefied natural gas between a floating transport vessel and a floating storage vessel utilizing a transfer vessel to deploy, operate and return a fluid conduit to the storage vessel. The fluid is transferred through at least one submerged-subsea catenary flexible conduit, at least one floating flexible conduit, or any combination thereof. A transfer vessel, including a releasable mooring system, is provided for deploying the conduit from the storage vessel to the transport vessel, mooring with a transport vessel, maintaining a unified connection during fluid transfer, releasing the mooring once fluid transfer is completed, returning to and parking on the storage vessel, and storing the conduit between fluid transfers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Jimmie Dean Adkins, John S. Hartono, David T. McDonald