Patents by Inventor Kjell Einar Ellingsen

Kjell Einar Ellingsen 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: 11867322
    Abstract: A method of connecting a conduit to a subsea structure is provided. In the disclosed method, a tensioning member is provided on the conduit and attached to the conduit at two locations proximate a first end of the conduit. The tensioning member is used to maintain a curvature formed in the conduit between the two locations e.g. by deflecting a portion of the conduit. A first end of the conduit is engaged with a guide assembly provided adjacent to the subsea structure, and tension in the tensioning member is released to adjust the axial position of the first end of the conduit to enable direct connection between the conduit and the subsea structure. A method of disconnecting a conduit from a subsea structure, and a system for connecting a conduit to a subsea structure are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Equinor Energy AS
    Inventors: Håvar Ilstad, Erik Levold, Geir Endal, Kjell Einar Ellingsen, Bjørgulf Haukelidsæter Eidesen
  • Publication number: 20230407728
    Abstract: A method of installing a header pipe joint 1 at a subsea structure 5 is provided, comprising providing a header pipe joint 1 having at least one valve 2 installed therein and connecting the header pipe joint 1 inline of a spool 15 or pipeline 18 prior to lowering the header pipe joint 1 to the subsea structure 5. The header pipe joint 1 is then lowered to the subsea structure 5, and the valve 2 is connected to the subsea structure (e.g. a subsea production system of the subsea structure such as a xmas tree) with a connection bridge e.g. a choke bridge 14. This provides a fluidic connection between the subsea structure and the header pipe joint. The subsea structure 5 comprises a foundation, e.g. suction anchors 11, which provide support for both a wellhead and the header pipe joint. A subsea assembly comprising a subsea structure 5, header pipe joint 1 and connection bridge 14 is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Kjell Einar Ellingsen, Bjørgulf Haukelidsæter Eidesen, Kristoffer Dahl
  • Patent number: 11781401
    Abstract: A method of installing a header pipe joint 1 at a subsea structure 5 is provided, comprising providing a header pipe joint 1 having at least one valve 2 installed therein and connecting the header pipe joint 1 inline of a spool 15 or pipeline 18 prior to lowering the header pipe joint 1 to the subsea structure 5. The header pipe joint 1 is then lowered to the subsea structure 5, and the valve 2 is connected to the subsea structure (e.g. a subsea production system of the subsea structure such as a xmas tree) with a connection bridge e.g. a choke bridge 14. This provides a fluidic connection between the subsea structure and the header pipe joint. The subsea structure 5 comprises a foundation, e.g. suction anchors 11, which provide support for both a wellhead and the header pipe joint. A subsea assembly comprising a subsea structure 5, header pipe joint 1 and connection bridge 14 is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Equinor Energy AS
    Inventors: Kjell Einar Ellingsen, Bjørgulf Haukelidsæter Eidesen, Kristoffer Dahl
  • Patent number: 11542677
    Abstract: A foundation for a subsea assembly is provided. The foundation includes connection points. The connection points permit other components to be connected to the foundation and permit loads to transfer from the other components into the foundation. The foundation may be a suction anchor. A method of converting an exploration well using the foundation to a production well is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: EQUINOR ENERGY AS
    Inventors: Asle Eide, Morten Sæther, Harald Sigurd Nesse, Lorents Reinås, Kjell Einar Ellingsen, Bjørgulf Haukelidsæter Eidesen
  • Publication number: 20220412037
    Abstract: A foundation for a subsea assembly is provided. The foundation includes connection points. The connection points permit other components to be connected to the foundation and permit loads to transfer from the other components into the foundation. The foundation may be a suction anchor. A method of converting an exploration well using the foundation to a production well is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Asle EIDE, Morten SÆTHER, Harald Sigurd NESSE, Lorents REINÅS, Kjell Einar ELLINGSEN, Bjørgulf Haukelidsæter EIDESEN
  • Publication number: 20220412038
    Abstract: A foundation for a subsea assembly is provided. The foundation includes connection points. The connection points permit other components to be connected to the foundation and permit loads to transfer from the other components into the foundation. The foundation may be a suction anchor. A method of converting an exploration well using the foundation to a production well is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Asle EIDE, Morten SÆTHER, Harald Sigurd NESSE, Lorents REINÅS, Kjell Einar ELLINGSEN, Bjørgulf Haukelidsæter EIDESEN
  • Publication number: 20220333334
    Abstract: A method of connecting a lower pipe portion to a subsea foundation is provided. The method comprises: providing the subsea foundation, wherein the subsea foundation comprises an upper pipe portion connected to the subsea foundation, deploying the subsea foundation subsea; and connecting the lower pipe portion to the upper pipe portion. A subsea foundation system is also provided. The subsea foundation system comprises: a subsea foundation; an upper pipe portion connected to the subsea foundation, and a lower pipe portion, wherein the subsea foundation system is arranged such that subsea the lower pipe portion can be connected to the upper pipe portion. The lower pipe portion may be connected to the subsea foundation in a stowed position before deployment subsea. The lower pipe portion may be connected to a pull-in arrangement before deployment subsea.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Kjell Einar ELLINGSEN, Jone STANGELAND
  • Publication number: 20220282576
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing soil from a conduit for a subsea well that is forced or placed into a seabed is provided. The apparatus comprises a soil disturbance device to displace soil within the conduit before drilling is performed. A method of removing soil from a conduit for a subsea well that is forced or placed into a seabed is also provided. The method comprises using a soil disturbance device to displace soil within the conduit before drilling is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Lorents REINÅS, Morten SÆTHER, Harald Sigurd NESSE, Kjell Einar ELLINGSEN, Jone STANGELAND, Geir Gundersen FUHR
  • Publication number: 20220221083
    Abstract: A method of connecting a conduit to a subsea structure is provided. In the disclosed method, a tensioning member is provided on the conduit and attached to the conduit at two locations proximate a first end of the conduit. The tensioning member is used to maintain a curvature formed in the conduit between the two locations e.g. by deflecting a portion of the conduit. A first end of the conduit is engaged with a guide assembly provided adjacent to the subsea structure, and tension in the tensioning member is released to adjust the axial position of the first end of the conduit to enable direct connection between the conduit and the subsea structure. A method of disconnecting a conduit from a subsea structure, and a system for connecting a conduit to a subsea structure are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Håvar Ilstad, Erik Levold, Geir Endal, Kjell Einar Ellingsen, Bjørgulf Haukelidsæter Eidesen
  • Patent number: 11352857
    Abstract: A subsea well installation is provided, comprising a first pipeline comprising a first valve arrangement and a second pipeline comprising a second valve arrangement. The first valve arrangement is connected to a first subsea well and the second valve arrangement is connected to a second subsea well. The first valve arrangement is connected to the second valve arrangement. The installation is arranged such that fluid can be routed from the first well to any of the first pipeline and second pipeline. Each valve arrangement may comprise three two-way ball valves. Also provided is a method of installing the subsea well installation and a method of operating the subsea well installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: EQUINOR ENERGY AS
    Inventors: Ragnar Stokke, Kjell Einar Ellingsen
  • Publication number: 20210262322
    Abstract: A method of installing a header pipe joint 1 at a subsea structure 5 is provided, comprising providing a header pipe joint 1 having at least one valve 2 installed therein and connecting the header pipe joint 1 inline of a spool 15 or pipeline 18 prior to lowering the header pipe joint 1 to the subsea structure 5. The header pipe joint 1 is then lowered to the subsea structure 5, and the valve 2 is connected to the subsea structure (e.g. a subsea production system of the subsea structure such as a xmas tree) with a connection bridge e.g. a choke bridge 14. This provides a fluidic connection between the subsea structure and the header pipe joint. The subsea structure 5 comprises a foundation, e.g. suction anchors 11, which provide support for both a wellhead and the header pipe joint. A subsea assembly comprising a subsea structure 5, header pipe joint 1 and connection bridge 14 is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Kjell Einar Ellingsen, Bjørgulf Haukelidsæter Eidesen, Kristoffer Dahl
  • Patent number: 11041372
    Abstract: A method of installing a header pipe joint at a subsea structure is provided, comprising providing a header pipe joint having at least one valve installed therein and connecting the header pipe joint inline of a spool or pipeline prior to lowering the header pipe joint to the subsea structure. The header pipe joint is then lowered to the subsea structure, and the valve is connected to the subsea structure (e.g. a subsea production system of the subsea structure such as a xmas tree) with a connection bridge e.g. a choke bridge. This provides a fluidic connection between the subsea structure and the header pipe joint. The subsea structure comprises a foundation, e.g. suction anchors, which provide support for both a wellhead and the header pipe joint. A subsea assembly comprising a subsea structure, header pipe joint and connection bridge is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Equinor Energy AS
    Inventors: Kjell Einar Ellingsen, Bjørgulf Haukelidsæter Eidesen, Kristoffer Dahl
  • Publication number: 20210010352
    Abstract: A subsea well installation is provided, comprising a first pipeline comprising a first valve arrangement and a second pipeline comprising a second valve arrangement. The first valve arrangement is connected to a first subsea well and the second valve arrangement is connected to a second subsea well. The first valve arrangement is connected to the second valve arrangement. The installation is arranged such that fluid can be routed from the first well to any of the first pipeline and second pipeline. Each valve arrangement may comprise three two-way ball valves. Also provided is a method of installing the subsea well installation and a method of operating the subsea well installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Ragnar STOKKE, Kjell Einar ELLINGSEN
  • Publication number: 20200385949
    Abstract: A foundation for a subsea assembly is provided. The foundation comprises connection points. The connection points permit other components to be connected to the suction anchor and permit loads to transfer from the component connected to the connection points into the foundation. The foundation may be a suction anchor. A method of converting an exploration well using such a foundation to a production well is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Asle EIDE, Morten SÆTHER, Harald Sigurd NESSE, Lorents REINÅS, Kjell Einar ELLINGSEN, Bjørgulf Haukelidsæter EIDESEN
  • Publication number: 20200198735
    Abstract: A suction anchor and method of installing the suction anchor. The suction anchor including a suction chamber bounded by: a circumferential outer wall; an upper wall; and an internal housing wall. The internal housing defining a passage for receiving wellhead components that may be secured to the suction anchor. The suction chamber has a minor upper portion and a major lower portion. The minor upper portion having internal reinforcing members extending along the inside of the upper wall from the outer walls to the internal housing. The major portion is adapted to be embedded in a seabed and the minor portion is adapted to project from the seabed when the anchor is installed. The reinforcing members serve to reinforce the upper wall of the chamber against collapse and to rigidly support the internal housing to resist forces arising from bending moments applied to wellhead components received and secured therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Lorents REINÅS, Kjell Einar ELLINGSEN, Asle EIDE, Bjørgulf Haukelidsæter EIDESEN, Harald Sigurd NESSE, Roger VANGSNES, Morten SÆTHER
  • Patent number: 10627011
    Abstract: A subsea structure includes a support in the form of a foundation or a supporting structure mounted to a foundation. A method for installing a pipeline includes: providing the support with a pull-in point at a proximal location at a first side of the support; providing the support with a strong point at a distal location, which is spaced apart from the proximal location, there being a straight clear path between the pull-in point and the strong point bridging some of or all of a width of the support; passing a pull down wire through a guide at the strong point and using the pull down wire to pull in the pipeline; laying down the pipeline and passing the pull down wire along the clear path; and continuing the laying down and/or pulling in until a tie-in head of the pipeline is at a required location at the pull-in point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: EQUINOR ENERGY AS
    Inventors: Geir Endal, Kjell Einar Ellingsen
  • Publication number: 20190360313
    Abstract: A method of installing a header pipe joint at a subsea structure is provided, comprising providing a header pipe joint having at least one valve installed therein and connecting the header pipe joint inline of a spool or pipeline prior to lowering the header pipe joint to the subsea structure. The header pipe joint is then lowered to the subsea structure, and the valve is connected to the subsea structure (e.g. a subsea production system of the subsea structure such as a xmas tree) with a connection bridge e.g. a choke bridge. This provides a fluidic connection between the subsea structure and the header pipe joint. The subsea structure comprises a foundation, e.g. suction anchors, which provide support for both a wellhead and the header pipe joint. A subsea assembly comprising a subsea structure, header pipe joint and connection bridge is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: Equinor Energy AS
    Inventors: Kjell Einar Ellingsen, Bjørgulf Haukelidsæter Eidesen, Kristoffer Dahl
  • Patent number: 10385642
    Abstract: A method of lowering an apparatus (1) through a body of water comprising lowering a guiding element (25) and a weight (27) through the body of water, the lower end of the guiding (element 25) being attached to the weight (27) such that the guiding element (25) is under tension and is maintained in a generally vertical orientation when in its lowered position, and lowering the apparatus (1) through the body of water while being guided by the guiding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventor: Kjell Einar Ellingsen
  • Patent number: 10344551
    Abstract: A subsea equipment-protection apparatus including: a cap (1) and a sleeve (2), wherein the cap and the sleeve are configured to be supportable by a foundation (6) of the subsea equipment (16). The cap and the sleeve are arranged such that at least a portion of the cap may enter an opening of the sleeve and be supported by the sleeve; and thereby the cap and sleeve cover and protect the subsea equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventor: Kjell Einar Ellingsen
  • Publication number: 20190137005
    Abstract: A subsea structure includes a support in the form of a foundation or a supporting structure mounted to a foundation. A method for installing a pipeline includes: providing the support with a pull-in point at a proximal location at a first side of the support; providing the support with a strong point at a distal location, which is spaced apart from the proximal location, there being a straight clear path between the pull-in point and the strong point bridging some of or all of a width of the support; passing a pull down wire through a guide at the strong point and using the pull down wire to pull in the pipeline; laying down the pipeline and passing the pull down wire along the clear path; and continuing the laying down and/or pulling in until a tie-in head of the pipeline is at a required location at the pull-in point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: EQUINOR ENERGY AS
    Inventors: Geir ENDAL, Kjell Einar ELLINGSEN