Patents by Inventor Joseph W. Blandford

Joseph W. Blandford 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: 6561735
    Abstract: A floating platform system supports one or more decks (14) above the water surface for accommodating equipment to process oil, gas and water recovered from a subsea hydrocarbon formation. The platform is secured to the seabed by one or more tendoms (17). A central column (12) of the platform includes a moonpool (19) extending axially through the central column (12). The moonpool (19) is open at the lower and upper ends thereof. Riser lateral restraint members (32) are supported within the moonpool (19) for laterally restraining risers (16) disposed in the moonpool (19) and minimizing riser spacing and riser deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Seahorse Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph W. Blandford, Kent B. Davies, Stephen E. Kibbee
  • Patent number: 5964550
    Abstract: In a tension-leg mooring system a production platform supporting one or more decks above the water surface for accommodating equipment to process oil, gas, and water recovered from a subsea hydrocarbon formation is mounted on a single water surface piercing column formed by one or more buoyancy tanks located below the water surface. The surface piercing column includes a base structure comprising three or more pontoons extending radially outwardly from the bottom of the surface piercing column. The production platform is secured to the seabed by one or more tendons per pontoon which are secured to the pontoons at one end and anchored to foundation piles embedded in the seabed at the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Seahorse Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph W. Blandford, Kent B. Davies, Stephen E. Kibbee, Steven J. Leverette
  • Patent number: 5775846
    Abstract: An offshore production platform includes one or more decks supported above the water surface for accommodating equipment to process oil, gas, and water recovered from subsea hydrocarbon formations. The decks are supported on surface piercing columns which are mounted on a support platform substructure, secured to the seabed by tubular piles driven below the mudline through skirt pile sleeves located at the respective corners of the substructure and connected to the substructure by grouting or mechanical means. The base of the platform includes an open framework permitting the platform to be placed over a well template, through which one or more wells may be drilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Seahorse Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph W. Blandford, Manit Srivareerat
  • Patent number: 5669735
    Abstract: An offshore production platform includes one or more decks supported above the water surface for accommodating equipment to process oil, gas, and water recovered from subsea hydrocarbon formations. The decks are supported on four surface piercing columns which are mounted on a support platform substructure, secured to the seabed by tubular piles driven below the mudline through skirt pile sleeves located at the respective corners of the substructure and connected to the substructure by grouting or mechanical means. The base of the platform includes an open framework permitting the platform to be placed over a well template, through which one or more wells may be drilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Inventor: Joseph W. Blandford
  • Patent number: 5549164
    Abstract: A well tender system for controlling, separating, storing and offloading well fluids produced from subsea hydrocarbon formations. The system comprises a vertically aligned series of tethered cylindrical tanks which are torsionally stabilized by flexible catenary production riser and export riser bundles, and serviced by separate catenary pipe bundles. Piles are secured to the seabed, each pile assembly being pivotally connected to a lower rigid tendon, which is in turn connected to tendons arranged about the periphery of the interconnected cylindrical tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Seahorse Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph W. Blandford
  • Patent number: 5433273
    Abstract: A well tender system for controlling, separating, storing and offloading well fluids produced from subsea hydrocarbon formations. The system comprises a vertically aligned series of tethered cylindrical tanks which are torsionally stabilized by flexible catenary production riser and export riser bundles, and serviced by separate catenary pipe bundles. Piles are secured to the seabed, each pile assembly being pivotally connected to a lower rigid tendon, which is in turn connected to tendons arranged about the periphery of the interconnected cylindrical tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Seahorse Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph W. Blandford
  • Patent number: 5381865
    Abstract: A system for controlling, separating, processing and exporting well fluids produced from subsea hydrocarbon formations is disclosed. The subsea well tender system includes a surface buoy supporting one or more decks above the water surface for accommodating equipment to process oil, gas and water recovered from the subsea hydrocarbon formation. The surface buoy includes a surface-piercing central flotation column connected to one or more external floatation tanks located below the water surface. The surface buoy is secured to the seabed by one or more tendons which are anchored to a foundation with piles imbedded in the seabed. The system accommodates multiple versions on the surface buoy configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Inventor: Joseph W. Blandford
  • Patent number: 5297632
    Abstract: A well tender system for controlling, separating, storing and offloading well fluids produced from subsea hydrocarbon formations. The system comprises a vertically aligned series of tethered cylindrical tanks which are torsionally stabilized by flexible catenary production riser and export riser bundles, and serviced by separate catenary pipe bundles. Piles are secured to the seabed, each pile assembly being pivotally connected to a lower rigid tendon, which is in turn connected to tendons arranged about the periphery of the interconnected cylindrical tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Inventor: Joseph W. Blandford
  • Patent number: 5117914
    Abstract: A well tender system for controlling, separating, storing and offloading well fluids produced from subsea hydrocarbon formations. The system comprises a vertically aligned series of tethered cylindrical tanks which are torsionally stabilized by flexible catenary production riser and expert riser bundles, and serviced by separate catenary pipe bundles. Piles are secured to the seabed, each pile assembly being pivotally connected to a lower rigid tendon, which is in turn connected to tendons arranged about the periphery of the interconnected cylindrical tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Inventor: Joseph W. Blandford
  • Patent number: 4679964
    Abstract: For use with a subsea well incorporating an external conductor pipe extending upwardly above the seabed, a well support miniplatform is set forth. In the preferred and illustrated embodiments, the preferred embodiment describes a longitudinally split, flange equipped, bolt joined elongate conductor clamp supported on a frame at the bottom thereof and having a plurality of appended upstanding braces. The support frame is adapted to be rested on a seabed and held in place by a number of anchors driven into the seabed at corners. The support frame is selectively installed after completion of a well wherein the conductor pipe extends above the seabed. The support frame may subsequently be removed after installation of a permanent platform. In alternate embodiments, the support frame may be installed as a permanent structure. A boat landing and miniplatform may be mounted on the conductor pipe or the conductor clamp supported by the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: Seahorse Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph W. Blandford
  • Patent number: 4558973
    Abstract: For use with a subsea well incorporating an external conductor pipe extending upwardly above the seabed, a protector apparatus is set forth. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the preferred embodiment describes a longitudinally split, flange equipped, bolt joined elongate conductor clamp supported on a frame at the bottom thereof and having a plurality of appended upstanding braces. The bottom frame is adapted to be rested on a seabed and held in place by a number of anchors driven into the seabed at corners. This apparatus is selectively installed after completion of a well wherein the conductor pipe extends above the bottom, and the apparatus is subsequently removed after protecting the pipe after drilling but before installation of a platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: Seahorse Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph W. Blandford