Patents by Inventor Kerry G. Kirkland

Kerry G. Kirkland 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: 4289206
    Abstract: In a remotely installed underwater well apparatus, a tubular body, typically a multiple string tubing hanger, is landed in a position oriented rotationally with respect to a reference point on the apparatus and a seal device is then energized by the same tool employed to land and orient the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1981
    Assignee: Armco Inc.
    Inventor: Kerry G. Kirkland
  • Patent number: 4284142
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for remote installation and retrieval of underwater well apparatus and servicing of underwater wells without diver assistance by use of a remotely operated tool carried by a handling string including a composite lower joint which contains both smaller flow passages for conveying pressure fluid to the tool and larger passages for communicating with pipe in the well, the composite joint being of sufficient length to extend completely through the blowout preventers when the tool is in operative position and having a right cylindrical outer surface against which the blowout preventers can seal regardless of the rotational position of the composite joint. The invention is especially useful in connection with wells having multiple strings of tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1981
    Assignee: Armco Inc.
    Inventor: Kerry G. Kirkland
  • Patent number: 4262748
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for multiple string well completions by remote operations in underwater installations, by which the tubing strings are installed independently rather than simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1981
    Assignee: Armco Inc.
    Inventor: Kerry G. Kirkland
  • Patent number: 4192383
    Abstract: A modular multiple well drilling and production template structure is combined with a production riser base module to provide an underwater apparatus which allows a plurality of wells to be drilled, completed and produced by operations carried out from a single vessel or platform without remote installation of flowlines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1980
    Assignee: Armco Inc.
    Inventors: Kerry G. Kirkland, Anthony J. Masciopinto
  • Patent number: 4126336
    Abstract: A multiline fluid swivel comprises a plurality of vertically mounted modules, each module containing a shaft and a housing which circumferentially surrounds the shaft. A conduit within the shaft and a manifold within the housing provide a continuous fluid path through each module. Completing the fluid paths of the modules are fluid lines entering the base of each shaft and entering ports located on each housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1978
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: John E. Ortloff, Anthony J. Masciopinto, Kerry G. Kirkland
  • Patent number: 4036295
    Abstract: A flowline is connected remotely to an underwater installation, typically an underwater wellhead, by remote operations carried out from an operational base at the water surface by connecting an end of the flowline to a swivel which has a flow passage coaxial with the axis of rotation of the swivel, guiding the swivel downwardly to a predetermined position at the underwater installation, then remotely connecting the swivel passage to a flow passage of the underwater installation, and then laying out the flowline while allowing the swivel to turn freely, whereby the end of the flowline connected to the swivel is allowed to assume a normal installed position which is not dependent upon a predetermined rotational disposition of the swivel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1977
    Assignee: Armco Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Kerry G. Kirkland, Anthony J. Masciopinto, James H. Owens