Patents by Inventor Sid Mebarkia
Sid Mebarkia 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).
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Publication number: 20250283854Abstract: A pipe inspection device includes a magnetometer for detecting magnetic field measurements associated with a characteristic of a wall of an subsea pipe. The magnetometer can detect environmental magnetic fields as well as magnetic fields generated in response to a magnetic field applied to the pipe. The magnetic field measurements can indicate defects and changes in defects over time in the wall of the pipe caused by erosion or corrosion. Changes in magnetic field measurements over time can provide an indication of changes in pipe wall characteristics. After detecting and storing the magnetic field measurements, the pipe inspection device can be moved to another location on the pipe to gather additional measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2023Publication date: September 11, 2025Inventors: Antonio C.F. Critsinelis, Baha Tulu Tanju, Menno van der Horst, Richard McNealy, Sid Mebarkia, Yiannis Constantinides, Austin Harbison
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Patent number: 12338712Abstract: Systems and methods for thermal management of subsea conduits such as jumpers provide the ability to alternate between cooling and heat retention of production fluids within the conduit as needed depending on the phase of operation. Adjustable insulation elements are provided on the conduits so that convective heat transfer between surrounding seawater and the conduit can be allowed or reduced. A control system can activate an alarm indicating the need to adjust the insulation depending on the temperature and/or flow rate of fluids in the conduit. Conventional conduits can be retrofitted by adding adjustable insulation elements to enable thermal management.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2023Date of Patent: June 24, 2025Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: Antonio C. F. Critsinelis, Sid Mebarkia, Michelle A. Wise, Yesudas J. Manimala, William C. Hughes, Steven W. Cochran, Edgar Uribe, Jason D. Garcia
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Patent number: 12297948Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for thermal management of subsea interconnecting conduit such as jumpers that provide cooling and heat retention of production fluids within the jumpers. In a jumper circuit, parallel sections of jumper are provided having differing amounts of heat transfer between surrounding seawater and production fluids flowing within. Valving is provided to control fluid flow between the parallel sections of jumper, thus controlling the amount of heat transfer between the surrounding seawater and the jumper circuit. A control system can be used to generate an alarm based on fluid temperature and/or fluid flow rate within the jumper circuit indicating the need to adjust the valving to manage the temperature of fluids within the jumper circuit. Changes may be needed particularly depending on the phase of production, e.g., early life, normal operation, shut down and late life operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2023Date of Patent: May 13, 2025Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: Antonio C.F Critsinelis, Sid Mebarkia, Michelle A. Wise, Yesudas J. Manimala, William C. Hughes, Steven W. Cochran, Edgar Uribe, Jason D. Garcia
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Patent number: 12228463Abstract: A device (10) for monitoring strain of an elongate member (12) is deployed underwater. The device (10) comprises a first clamp (14) configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member (12) at a first axial location, a second clamp (16) configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member at a second axial location separated from the first axial location, and a sensor which is responsive to an angle between the first clamp and the second clamp.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2021Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignees: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC., ADVANCED INNERGY LIMITEDInventors: Antonio Critsinelis, Yiannis Constantinides, Will Twelvetrees, Sid Mebarkia, Austin Harbison
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Publication number: 20240052724Abstract: Systems and methods for thermal management of subsea conduits such as jumpers provide the ability to alternate between cooling and heat retention of production fluids within the conduit as needed depending on the phase of operation. Adjustable insulation elements are provided on the conduits so that convective heat transfer between surrounding seawater and the conduit can be allowed or reduced. A control system can activate an alarm indicating the need to adjust the insulation depending on the temperature and/or flow rate of fluids in the conduit. Conventional conduits can be retrofitted by adding adjustable insulation elements to enable thermal management.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2023Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Antonio C. F. Critsinelis, Sid Mebarkia, Michelle A. Wise, Yesudas J. Manimala, William C. Hughes, Steven W. Cochran, Edgar Uribe, Jason D. Garcia
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Publication number: 20240044435Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for thermal management of subsea interconnecting conduit such as jumpers that provide cooling and heat retention of production fluids within the jumpers. In a jumper circuit, parallel sections of jumper are provided having differing amounts of heat transfer between surrounding seawater and production fluids flowing within. Valving is provided to control fluid flow between the parallel sections of jumper, thus controlling the amount of heat transfer between the surrounding seawater and the jumper circuit. A control system can be used to generate an alarm based on fluid temperature and/or fluid flow rate within the jumper circuit indicating the need to adjust the valving to manage the temperature of fluids within the jumper circuit. Changes may be needed particularly depending on the phase of production, e.g., early life, normal operation, shut down and late life operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Antonio C.F CRITSINELIS, Sid MEBARKIA, Michelle A. Wise, Yesudas J. MANIMALA, William C. HUGHES, Steven W. COCHRAN, Edgar URIBE, Jason D. GARCIA
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Patent number: 11634970Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for thermal management of subsea conduits such as jumpers that provide the ability to alternate between cooling and heat retention of production fluids within the conduit as needed depending on the phase of operation. Adjustable insulation elements are provided on the conduits so that convective heat transfer between surrounding seawater and the conduit can be allowed or reduced. A control system can activate an alarm indicating the need to adjust the insulation depending on the temperature and/or flow rate of fluids in the conduit. Conventional conduits can be retrofitted by adding adjustable insulation elements to enable thermal management.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2020Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Antonio C. F. Critsinelis, Sid Mebarkia, Michelle A. Wise, Yesudas J. Manimala, William C. Hughes, Steven W. Cochran, Edgar Uribe, Jason D. Garcia
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Publication number: 20230089102Abstract: A device (10) for monitoring strain of an elongate member (12) is deployed underwater. The device (10) comprises a first clamp (14) configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member (12) at a first axial location, a second clamp (16) configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member at a second axial location separated from the first axial location, and a sensor which is responsive to an angle between the first clamp and the second clamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2021Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Antonio Critsinelis, Yiannis Constantinides, Will Twelvetrees, Sid Mebarkia, Austin Harbison
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Publication number: 20210230976Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for thermal management of subsea jumpers that provide the ability to cool and/or retain heat in production fluids within the jumpers. The jumpers are provided with an annular pipe section surrounding the jumper circumferentially. The flow of a liquid cooling medium into an inlet and out an outlet of the annular pipe section can be controlled to provide cooling or heat retention as needed. A control system can be used to generate an alarm based on fluid temperature and/or fluid flow rate within the jumper indicating the need to adjust the flow of the cooling medium to manage the temperature of fluids within the jumper. Changes may be needed particularly depending on the phase of production, e.g., early life, normal operation, shut down and late life operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2020Publication date: July 29, 2021Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Antonio C.F. CRITSINELIS, Sid MEBARKIA, Michelle A. WISE, Yesudas J. MANIMALA, William C. HUGHES, Steven W. COCHRAN, Edgar URIBE, Jason D. GARCIA
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Publication number: 20210231249Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for thermal management of subsea interconnecting conduit such as jumpers that provide cooling and heat retention of production fluids within the jumpers. In a jumper circuit, parallel sections of jumper are provided having differing amounts of heat transfer between surrounding seawater and production fluids flowing within. Valving is provided to control fluid flow between the parallel sections of jumper, thus controlling the amount of heat transfer between the surrounding seawater and the jumper circuit. A control system can be used to generate an alarm based on fluid temperature and/or fluid flow rate within the jumper circuit indicating the need to adjust the valving to manage the temperature of fluids within the jumper circuit. Changes may be needed particularly depending on the phase of production, e.g., early life, normal operation, shut down and late life operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2020Publication date: July 29, 2021Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Antonio C.F. CRITSINELIS, Sid MEBARKIA, Michelle A. WISE, Yesudas J. MANIMALA, William C. HUGHES, Steven W. COCHRAN, Edgar URIBE, Jason D. GARCIA
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Publication number: 20210230975Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for thermal management of subsea conduits such as jumpers that provide the ability to alternate between cooling and heat retention of production fluids within the conduit as needed depending on the phase of operation. Adjustable insulation elements are provided on the conduits so that convective heat transfer between surrounding seawater and the conduit can be allowed or reduced. A control system can activate an alarm indicating the need to adjust the insulation depending on the temperature and/or flow rate of fluids in the conduit. Conventional conduits can be retrofitted by adding adjustable insulation elements to enable thermal management.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2020Publication date: July 29, 2021Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Antonio C.F. CRITSINELIS, Sid MEBARKIA, Michelle A. WISE, Yesudas J. MANIMALA, William C. HUGHES, Steven W. COCHRAN, Edgar URIBE, Jason D. GARCIA
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Publication number: 20210231250Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for thermal management of subsea conduits. A jumper that carries oil and/or gas produced from a subsea well in a subsea production facility located on a seabed has a first end for connecting to a first subsea component and a second end for connecting to a second subsea component. The jumper includes a jumper segment that is sloped relative to the horizontal, such that gravity assists with drainage of fluid from the second end of the jumper independent from fluid pressure in the jumper. At least a portion of the jumper is uninsulated to allow exchange of heat with seawater surrounding the jumper as produced fluid travels through the jumper. The amount of insulation on the jumper can be varied such that heat transfer from the production fluids to seawater surrounding the jumper circuit is adjusted as desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2020Publication date: July 29, 2021Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Antonio C.F. Critsinelis, Sid MEBARKIA, Michelle A. WISE, Yesudas J. MANIMALA, William C. HUGHES, Steven W. COCHRAN, Edgar URIBE, Jason D. GARCIA
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Patent number: 11035522Abstract: Disclosed are processes, devices and systems for preventing overpressurization of subsea production equipment and flowlines in which fluid passes through a high integrity pressure protection system (HIPPS). In embodiments, a container having a piston seal therein can be attached to the piping. In embodiments, a device having a piston seal therein and connected to a fluid receptacle can be attached to the piping. In the event of a pressure surge, fluid can be diverted to the container or the device, thereby lessening the pressure surge. In embodiments, the container or device includes a resetting force to return the piston seal to its original sealed position. The use of the systems disclosed improve the life of the HIPPS valve, protects subsea equipment and flowlines, and enables a length and/or a wall thickness of a fortified pipeline zone downstream of the HIPPS to be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Antonio Critsinelis, Sid Mebarkia, Baha T. Tanju
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Publication number: 20200191336Abstract: Disclosed are processes, devices and systems for preventing overpressurization of subsea production equipment and flowlines in which fluid passes through a high integrity pressure protection system (HIPPS). In embodiments, a container having a piston seal therein can be attached to the piping. In embodiments, a device having a piston seal therein and connected to a fluid receptacle can be attached to the piping. In the event of a pressure surge, fluid can be diverted to the container or the device, thereby lessening the pressure surge. In embodiments, the container or device includes a resetting force to return the piston seal to its original sealed position. The use of the systems disclosed improve the life of the HIPPS valve, protects subsea equipment and flowlines, and enables a length and/or a wall thickness of a fortified pipeline zone downstream of the HIPPS to be reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2018Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: Antonio CRITSINELIS, Sid MEBARKIA, Baha T. TANJU
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Patent number: 10215321Abstract: Disclosed are processes and systems for preventing overpressurization of piping transporting fluid produced from a pressure source to a receiving facility in which the fluid passes through a high integrity pressure protection system (HIPPS). A relief device is provided in the piping in fluid communication with the HIPPS. In the event that fluid passing through the HIPPS during the valve closure time period has a property exceeding an activation property, the relief device is activated thereby allowing the fluid passing through the HIPPS during the valve closure time period to flow to a fluid containment volume. The fluid containment volume has sufficient volume such that upon the start of the closure of the valve in response to the pressure surge, a portion of the fluid passing through the HIPPS during the valve closure time period is absorbed by the fluid containment volume thereby lessening pressure increase in the piping.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: Antonio Critsinelis, Sid Mebarkia, Meirong Huang, Brady Lee Kirchof, Lauren E. Reiners, Baha T. Tanju
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Publication number: 20180058620Abstract: Disclosed are processes and systems for preventing overpressurization of piping transporting fluid produced from a pressure source to a receiving facility in which the fluid passes through a high integrity pressure protection system (HIPPS). A relief device is provided in the piping in fluid communication with the HIPPS. In the event that fluid passing through the HIPPS during the valve closure time period has a property exceeding an activation property, the relief device is activated thereby allowing the fluid passing through the HIPPS during the valve closure time period to flow to a fluid containment volume. The fluid containment volume has sufficient volume such that upon the start of the closure of the valve in response to the pressure surge, a portion of the fluid passing through the HIPPS during the valve closure time period is absorbed by the fluid containment volume thereby lessening pressure increase in the piping.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Antonio Critsinelis, Sid Mebarkia, Meirong Huang, Brady Lee Kirchof, Lauren E. Reiners, Baha T. Tanju
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Patent number: 9863571Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus, systems and methods for maintaining desired thermal properties of a flowing hydrocarbon fluid in a subsea pipeline. An insulating layer including a plurality of elongated hollow elements containing an insulation material can surround the pipeline. The apparatus can be located on a seabed and connected to a source of hydrocarbon fluid at one end and to a facility for processing hydrocarbon fluid at another end. One method includes spirally winding an elongated hollow element containing an insulation material around the subsea pipeline. One method includes wrapping the subsea pipeline with a connecting layer which includes surface protrusions protruding radially outwards. An insulating layer having surface features reversibly engageable with the surface protrusions of the connecting layer can be reversibly attached to the connecting layer by engaging the surface features of the at least one elongated hollow element with the surface protrusions of the connecting layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2015Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: Antonio Critsinelis, Sid Mebarkia, Marliee R. Myres, Steven Louis Johnson, Brady Lee Kirchof
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Publication number: 20170175946Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus, systems and methods for maintaining desired thermal properties of a flowing hydrocarbon fluid in a subsea pipeline. An insulating layer including a plurality of elongated hollow elements containing an insulation material can surround the pipeline. The apparatus can be located on a seabed and connected to a source of hydrocarbon fluid at one end and to a facility for processing hydrocarbon fluid at another end. One method includes spirally winding an elongated hollow element containing an insulation material around the subsea pipeline. One method includes wrapping the subsea pipeline with a connecting layer which includes surface protrusions protruding radially outwards. An insulating layer having surface features reversibly engageable with the surface protrusions of the connecting layer can be reversibly attached to the connecting layer by engaging the surface features of the at least one elongated hollow element with the surface protrusions of the connecting layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2015Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Antonio Critsinelis, Sid Mebarkia, Marliee Myres, Stephen Louis Johnson, Brady Lee Kirchof
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Patent number: 9004174Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are provided for monitoring a subsea flow device such as a subsea flowline. The apparatus generally includes a thermoelectric device that is adapted to generate electric power from a thermal potential between the subsea flow device and the surrounding seawater. A sensor that is powered by the thermoelectric device is adapted to monitor one or more characteristics of the flow device, such as temperature or strain, and provide a radiation output that is indicative of the characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2010Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Sid Mebarkia, Ryan Lang
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Publication number: 20120000663Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are provided for monitoring a subsea flow device such as a subsea flowline. The apparatus generally includes a thermoelectric device that is adapted to generate electric power from a thermal potential between the subsea flow device and the surrounding seawater. A sensor that is powered by the thermoelectric device is adapted to monitor one or more characteristics of the flow device, such as temperature or strain, and provide a radiation output that is indicative of the characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2010Publication date: January 5, 2012Inventors: Sid Mebarkia, Ryan Lang