With Orienting Or Aligning Of Member For Connection Patents (Class 166/341)
  • Patent number: 11945693
    Abstract: A multi-functional clamp for the installation of a wind turbine on an offshore substructure by a crane vessel equipped with a lifting crane, the multi-functional clamp having: a main body configured to selectively clamp and unclamp the lower part of the tower of a wind turbine and is shaped so as to couple with the crane vessel so as to define a given position for the tower with respect to the crane vessel; and a plurality of hooking members extending from the main body and configured to secure and release the free ends of a rigging assembly of the lifting crane to the main body so as to lift the multi-functional clamp by the lifting crane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: SAIPEM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Christopher Sexton, Benjamin Stokes, Vincent McCarthy
  • Patent number: 11927066
    Abstract: A suspension head (11) is provided for connection between a high pressure riser (8) and a subsea wellhead (9), for use in drilling and completion operations in which a jack-up rig (1) is employed and a blowout preventer (7) is installed on the jack-up rather than on the wellhead. The use of the suspension head (11) offers improved safety and convenience, allowing the riser (8) to be isolated from the wellhead (9) in emergencies or for carrying out certain operations which would otherwise require the installation of a temporary plug. (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Eivind Christoffer Eike Halvorsen, Leif Arne Kvarme
  • Patent number: 11867001
    Abstract: A system has a riser and a termination body, the termination body being arranged to connect at least one first conduit arranged along the riser and at least one second conduit extending from the riser to a drilling rig, where the termination body has a first clamp body and a second clamp body arranged for mutual joining and radial enclosure of a portion of the riser, and at least one receptacle block for connecting the at least first conduit, where the portion of the riser is unsplit. A method for connecting the termination body to the riser is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Future Production AS
    Inventor: Øystein Christensen
  • Patent number: 11859464
    Abstract: What is described is a system and method for offline cementing of a casing hanger and a casing placed in a wellbore of a well. The system includes an isolation sleeve/cementing spool that is configured for engaging the casing hanger, where the isolation sleeve has at least one access port in fluid communication with an annulus formed by the casing in the wellbore. A dummy hanger is housed within the isolation sleeve and is configured for coupling with the casing hanger and is further in fluid communication with the casing. A valve is configured for coupling to the isolation sleeve and is configured to be in fluid communication with the dummy hanger. A quick connector is coupled to the valve and enables quick coupling of a cementing head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SPM Oil & Gas PC LLC
    Inventors: Ray Dicksang Pang, Phu Duc Sy Dong, Moises Nava, Russell Hamilton
  • Patent number: 11834918
    Abstract: Systems and methods for proper orientation of the connections of a tubing hanger and a subsea assembly in a wellhead or tree are provided. The alignment is accomplished with the use of an orientation spool adaptor equipped with positional sensors and an orientation helix. Calibration of the positional sensors at the surface allows for orientation with simple vertical deployment. Positional sensors may provide real time data such as location, speed of installation and orientation back to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. McLaughlin, Gregory D. Williams, Eleazar Herrera, Morris B. Wade, Todd Scaggs
  • Patent number: 11828113
    Abstract: An end fitting for a subsea riser comprises an engagement head to be engaged with a subsea foundation in a vertically downward longitudinal direction. A structure of the end fitting surrounds a longitudinally extending flow axis and is arranged to bear a tensile load on a load path extending longitudinally from the engagement head parallel to the flow axis. The structure includes a pivot joint assembly having a first part attached to or integral with the engagement head and a second part pivotable relative to the first part about a centre of rotation substantially aligned with the flow axis. The structure can be fixed to the engagement head or removably attached to the engagement head. The engagement head supports an upwardly facing connector hub that is offset laterally from the flow axis. A connector pipe in fluid communication with the connector hub extends from the flow axis to the connector hub. A counterweight is opposed to the connector hub and the connector pipe about the flow axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Subsea 7 do Brasil Servicos LTDA
    Inventors: Luiz Carlos De Lemos Junior, Andre Ramiro Amorim, Gustavo Queiroz Hepner, Frederico Nicoletti de Fraga, Joao Carlos Carvalho Gouveia, Ivan Carlos Pimentel da Cruz, Yann Brouard, Daniel Karunakaran
  • Patent number: 11753895
    Abstract: A multipurpose latch assembly (MPLA) for installation above the bore of a blowout preventer includes an annular sidewall extending between a top flange and a bottom flange and having an interior bore surface defining an interior bore. A plurality of latching slots extend through the sidewall and a latching dog is slidably positioned in each latching slot. Actuators are connected to the latching dogs to extend and retract them through the latching slots. A tool having an external slot can be inserted into the bore of the MPLA and selectively engaged by the latching dogs to secure the tool in the bore of above the blowout preventer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: ADS Services, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Orbell, Christian Leuchtenberg, Sean Austin Alley
  • Patent number: 11708727
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a connection system 1 for a marine drilling riser 10 having one or more auxiliary lines 20, the connection system comprising: a moveable coupling member 30 having at least one first connector and at least one second connector coupled to the at least one first connector, wherein the at least one second connector is adapted for engaging with at least one connector of an auxiliary line of the marine drilling riser The connection system further comprising a control line support 18 for fixing at or adjacent an outer surface of the marine drilling riser; a control line supported by the control line support and for attachment to the moveable coupling member; and a tailing line for attachment to the moveable coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: OIL STATES INDUSTRIES (UK) LIMITED
    Inventors: Garry Stephen, Richard Johnston, David Symonds, Gordon Wallace
  • Patent number: 11661811
    Abstract: An underwater robotic system includes a frame adapted to be deployed in a body of water and having guide rails and at least one movable rail movably coupled to the guide rails. An actuator module is movably coupled to the at least one movable rail. A control panel disposed proximate the frame and has a plurality of controls thereon. The plurality of controls is operable by an actuator on the actuator module. A position of each of the plurality of controls is known such that motion of the actuator module and the at least one movable rail is remotely controllable to actuate any chosen one of the plurality of controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Kinetic Pressure Control Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven Angstmann, Bobby Gallagher
  • Patent number: 11598160
    Abstract: Downhole cutting tool positioning assemblies and methods to cut a tubular are presented. The assembly includes a drive screw, a drive nut coupled to the drive screw and configured to shift from a first position to a second position as the drive screw rotates in a first drive screw direction, a pressure piston configured to shift from a first position to a second position in response to force applied to the pressure piston, a chamber having a pressure fluid that is pressurized by the pressure piston as the pressure piston shifts from the first position towards the second position, a sleeve configured to slide from a first position towards a second position in response to pressure from the pressure fluid, and a latch key having a profile configured to shift radially to engage a tubular groove as the sleeve shifts from the first position towards the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Simon Whye Kwong Wai
  • Patent number: 11466533
    Abstract: A connection device has a first connection body and a second connection body movable with respect to the first connection body. The connection device is configured for connecting a plurality of control lines terminating in connectors forming part of the first connection body, to corresponding control lines terminating in connectors forming part of the second connection body. The connection device is provided with a first alignment means for rough alignment of the connection bodies. The connection device further has a second alignment means for aligning the rigid holding means of one of the bodies with respect to the connectors of the other one of the bodies, at least one of the rigid holding means movable in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first alignment means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: FUTURE PRODUCTION AS
    Inventors: Øystein Christensen, Edvin Andersen
  • Patent number: 11384609
    Abstract: An offshore platform slot recovery tool system and method. Here, the slot recovery tool system can include a body, wherein the body comprises a plurality of supports extending therefrom, wherein the plurality of supports are configured to engage an interior surface of a conductor pipe, and an articulating arm extending from the body, wherein the articulating arm is configured in either a stowed configuration or a deployed configuration. In addition, the articulating arm is further configured to couple to a seafloor oil well casing, such that the conductor pipe is moved in a direction away from the seafloor oil well casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Osman Yusuf
  • Patent number: 11333284
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for centring a first elongate tubular element and a second elongate tubular element, such as an underwater pile accommodated within a noise mitigation screen, at a common central longitudinal axis along which axis both the first and second element extend, and wherein the centre system is provided with first coupling element for fixedly coupling the centre system with one of the first and second tubular elements, and second coupling element for engaging the other tubular element for centring the other tubular element at the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: IHC Holland IE B.V.
    Inventors: Boudewijn Casper Jung, Johannes Louis Leonardus Hessels
  • Patent number: 11286739
    Abstract: A technique is provided for properly orienting a subsea tree with respect to a tubing hanger landed in a subsea wellhead. An alignment ring is rotationally positioned on the subsea wellhead such that a coarse alignment feature of the alignment ring is at a desired angular orientation with respect to a fine alignment feature on the tubing hanger. The alignment ring is then secured to the subsea wellhead. Subsequently, a subsea tree may be rotationally oriented with respect to the tubing hanger as the subsea tree is landed on the subsea wellhead. As the subsea tree engages the coarse alignment feature, the coarse alignment feature guides the subsea tree into engagement with the fine alignment feature of the tubing hanger to ensure proper rotational orientation as landing of the subsea tree is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: ONESUBSEA IP UK LIMITED
    Inventors: David June, Guy Mosscrop
  • Patent number: 11015412
    Abstract: A system that includes a hanger orientation system that orients a tubing hanger within a wellhead. The hanger orientation system includes a conduit defining a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A sleeve couples to the conduit. The sleeve defines a spiral groove that engages a pin to rotate the tubing hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Gavin Robottom, Edward Thornton
  • Patent number: 10833449
    Abstract: High voltage, subsea connection assembly having a male part (101) comprising a male housing (103) with a liquid chamber (110), and a male housing aperture (107). A male pin (106) is positioned within the male housing aperture. A female part (1) has a female housing (5) with a liquid chamber (10) with a dielectric liquid, and a male pin receiving aperture (7). The male pin is axially movable into and out of the female housing (5). An aperture channel (8) has a rear section (12), the radial inwardly directed face of which together with an outer radial face of the male pin (106) defines a flushing gap (14) when the male pin (106) is positioned in the rear section (12). An exit channel (16) is arranged in the aperture channel, between the rear section, and the male pin receiving aperture or the male housing aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Benestad Solutions AS
    Inventor: Johannes Arngrim Vassgård
  • Patent number: 10794156
    Abstract: A vertical multi-bore jumper. The jumper is outfitted with interfaces that include rotatable hubs accommodating perimeter bore terminations that may be rotated about a central production bore. In this manner, the multiple bores may be flexibly aligned with corresponding couplers at equipment located on the seabed. As a result, undue torque is not placed on the jumper in attempting to align multiple bores at the interfaces which may be frequently misaligned at the outset of such installations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Marcus Lara, Akshay Kalia, Brian Bibighaus
  • Patent number: 10711578
    Abstract: An umbilical end termination for a subsea umbilical comprising a plurality of functional elements and including at least one fluid line, wherein the umbilical end termination includes a pressure boosting system in line with the at least one fluid line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: TECHNIP FRANCE
    Inventors: Alan Rutherford, James Fletcher-Wood
  • Patent number: 10669784
    Abstract: Techniques and systems to remove a portion of a drill floor from an offshore vessel. The drill floor may include an immovable section comprising a first portion of a surface area of the drill floor. The drill floor may also include a moveable section comprising a second portion of the surface area of the drill floor. Additionally, the drill floor may include an actuator configured to retract the moveable section from a first position to a second position to remove the second portion of the surface area of the drill floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Ensco International Incorporated
    Inventor: Van Van Vu
  • Patent number: 10415350
    Abstract: An underwater hydrocarbon processing facility has at least one fluid processing clusters provided with modules having, each, one fluid processing device and a plurality of first connection members configured to define the inlet and the outlet of the process fluids; and an interconnection unit having a plurality of second connection members defining inlet and outlet for the process fluids and configured to be operatively coupled to corresponding first connection members configured to operatively interconnect the modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: SAIPEM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro Radicioni, Fabrizio Gardini, Massimo Fontolan
  • Patent number: 10400528
    Abstract: A technique facilitates controlling fluid flows with a modular manifold. The modular manifold has a manifold base which is positioned at a desired surface or subsea location. Various types of modular units may be deployed to and/or retrieved from the manifold base according to the desired control of fluid flows with respect to a well or a plurality of wells. Each modular unit may be selectively coupled or decoupled along the manifold base to adjust the configuration of the manifold for a given job or over time to accommodate changing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Akshay Kalia, Tyler Skowronek, Fernando Saenz, Adriano Pinho
  • Patent number: 10267103
    Abstract: Methods for monitoring the movement of latch members using wireless sensors include receiving wireless sensor data that indicates the rate of movement of a latch member toward an open or closed position. Based on correspondence between the rate of movement and latch function data that associates movement rates with functionality and life expectancy of latch members, the health and useable life expectancy of the latch member may be estimated. Additionally, if the movement of the latch member does not fall within threshold minimum and maximum values, or if the movement of a latch does not correspond to a command, output indicating a malfunction may be generated or pipe moving operations associated with the latch member may be canceled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: RICE ELECTRONICS, LP
    Inventor: Hubert Lee Rice, II
  • Patent number: 10233722
    Abstract: A moving-rotating linear covering tool, comprising a port, a primary oil cylinder, a piston rod, a rear end cover, a base sleeved on the right end of the primary oil cylinder, and a handle fixedly connected onto the outer cylinder of the base. The port is fixedly connected to the left end of the primary oil cylinder, the center thereof being provided with a circular hole that clearance-fits the piston rod arranged in the primary oil cylinder. A circular flange of the rear end cover is fixedly connected onto the right end face of the primary oil cylinder. The base is connected to a guide supporting sheath sleeved, in a clearance-fitted way, on the outer cylinder of the primary oil cylinder. A bearing seat is provided on the right end wall of the base Two screw holes are symmetrically provided at the right end face of the rear end cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: JIANGSU UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Wenxian Tang, Jian Zhang, Shijie Su, Hua Li, Yuan Li, Yun Chen, Shuyan Wang
  • Patent number: 10202823
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to providing a hub coupled into a production tree, manifold, or other equipment, and a base module that is attachable to and retrievable from the hub. The base module may be reconfigurable. The base module may be configured to receive other modules that are reconfigurable, wherein the other modules are retrievable from the base module. The hub provides a dedicated space or support at or near the production tree or equipment for using the base module. An interface is provided between the base module and the production tree. A fluid conduit provides a fluid path across or through the interface. The hub may be part of the interface such that the module can fluidly couple to the fluid conduit and the production tree across the interface via the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Graham Hall, Graham Shee, Craig McDonald
  • Patent number: 10087752
    Abstract: Collecting temperature data at a plurality of locations along a wellbore, performing thermo-mechanical simulations of a drill string in response to mud circulation wherein the drill string comprises a tool string suspended in the wellbore from a pipe string, determining changes in length of the pipe string due to temperature changes, positionally fixing the tool string at one of the locations, and adjusting the length of the pipe string based on the determined change in length of the pipe string. Positionally fixing the tool string may comprise lowering the drill string a side entry sub of the drill string is proximate a top end of the wellbore wherein the side entry sub is configured to allow a wireline cable to enter a bore of the drill string, positioning the side entry sub above a blow-out-preventer, and closing the blow-out-preventer around the drill string below the side entry sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sylvain Bedouet
  • Patent number: 10072467
    Abstract: A removable riser hang-off connector is equipped with a flexible element that, in one embodiment, comprises rubber-encapsulated steel plates. The connector is designed for attachment to a hang-off collar provided on a steel catenary riser below the tapered stress joint or flex joint. Connection of the removable riser hang-off connector may be made by an ROV. With the removable riser hang-off connector attached, the tapered stress joint and/or flex joint may be raised out of the water (for inspection, maintenance, repair or replacement) by lifting the upper end of the SCR out of its porch receptacle with a chain jack (or other lifting device) and inserting the removable riser hang-off connector into the porch receptacle. This temporarily supports the SCR in an elevated state with the tapered stress joint and/or flex joint above the surface of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Single Buoy Moorings, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Salem, Thomas Prichard
  • Patent number: 10053929
    Abstract: An extension member for coupling a tapered stress joint to a basket coupled to a porch extending from an offshore platform is disclosed. In an embodiment, the extension member includes a central axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. In addition, the extension member includes a radially inner surface extending axially from the first end to the second end. The inner surface includes a first mating profile proximate the first end that is configured to engage a radially outer surface of the tapered stress joint. Further, the extension member includes a radially outer surface extending axially from the first end to the second end. The outer surface includes a second mating profile proximate the second end that is configured to slidingly engage a mating profile within the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: OIL STATES INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Spears, Pierre Albert Beynet
  • Patent number: 10018285
    Abstract: A facility and a method for connecting a bottom submarine pipe (14) and a riser submarine pipe. The riser submarine pipe has an upstream end (62) with a fitting (66) on the end thereof, while the bottom submarine pipe (14) has a downstream end (46) provided with a connecting end piece (50). The method includes the following steps: a) an anchoring support (38) is supplied; b) the upstream end (62) and the downstream end (46) are held, while the fitting (66) extends facing the connecting end piece (50); and c) the fitting (66) and the connecting end piece (50) are brought towards each other for connection. The fitting (66) of the upstream end (62) is held still in relation to the anchoring support (38), and the connecting end piece (50) is moved towards the fitting (66).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: TECHNIP FRANCE
    Inventors: Ange Luppi, Cédric Madaschi
  • Patent number: 9976392
    Abstract: A system and method for providing artificial lift to production fluids within a subterranean well includes loading an electrical submersible pump assembly into an interior cavity of a pump launcher. The electrical submersible pump assembly has a motor and a pump and is releasably secured to a piston device. The piston device has an outer diameter profile. The pump launcher is releasably secured to a wellhead so that the interior cavity is in fluid communication with an inner bore of a production tubing that extends a length into the subterranean well. A propulsion system is activated to move the electrical submersible pump assembly from the pump launcher and into the subterranean well. The piston device can be communicated with to control the descent of the electrical submersible pump assembly through the subterranean well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Rafael Adolfo Lastra, Abubaker Saeed
  • Patent number: 9976364
    Abstract: A mobile offshore drilling unit is converted to provide drilling, completion and workover access to multiple dry tree wells from a drilling derrick to allow production and export of oil and gas from high pressure, high temperature reservoirs in deep offshore waters. Existing practice has been for the drilling derrick on a production platform supporting dry tree wells to be moved over a fixed well slot. The present invention provides a movable wellbay that supports multiple top-tensioned subsea well tieback risers, which may be positioned directly below the derrick's rotary table and/or beneath another operating device. The use of top-tensioned subsea well tieback risers supported by the movable wellbay allows the converted facility to drill, complete, maintain, improve and produce from subsea wells through dry trees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: FRONTIER DEEPWATER APPRAISAL SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventors: Roy B. Shilling, III, Charles N. White, Howard W.F. Day
  • Patent number: 9725966
    Abstract: A riser system configured to be secured between a surface vessel and a subsea location comprises a primary conduit and an auxiliary conduit extending adjacent the primary conduit, wherein the primary and auxiliary conduits are connected together at an axial location along the riser system via a connecting portion. The auxiliary conduit comprises a composite material formed of at least a matrix and one or more reinforcing elements embedded within the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Magma Global Limited
    Inventors: Charles Tavner, Martin Peter William Jones
  • Patent number: 9719330
    Abstract: An apparatus for, and method of, reducing a pendulum motion of a piece of subsea equipment during a landing operation includes a frame assembly arranged for connection to the piece of subsea equipment; a sheet of arrestor material disposed within a perimeter of the frame assembly, and a drive mechanism arranged to move the sheet of arrestor material between a first position and a second position, each position providing a different amount of surface area than the other to create a different drag force on the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Jaffrey
  • Patent number: 9702220
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to providing a hub coupled into a production tree, manifold, or other equipment, and a base module that is attachable to and retrievable from the hub. The base module may be reconfigurable. The base module may be configured to receive other modules that are reconfigurable, wherein the other modules are retrievable from the base module. The hub provides a dedicated space or support at or near the production tree or equipment for using the base module. An interface is provided between the base module and the production tree. A fluid conduit provides a fluid path across or through the interface. The hub may be part of the interface such that the module can fluidly couple to the fluid conduit and the production tree across the interface via the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Graham Hall, Graham Shee, Craig McDonald
  • Patent number: 9657525
    Abstract: A subsea wellhead assembly comprising at least a casing housing and a casing extending down inside the well, and a tubing hanger. The tubing hanger comprises first and second valves, each valve being a fail safe valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: TOTAL SA
    Inventors: Anthony Ray, Patrick Marcellin, Gilles Leger
  • Patent number: 9631438
    Abstract: A connector is disclosed for connecting components of a subsea conduit system extending between a wellhead and a surface structure, for example, a riser system. Male and female components are provided, and a latching device to releasably latch the male and female components together when the two are engaged. The male and female components incorporate a main sealing device to seal the male and female components together to contain the high pressure wellbore fluids passing between them when the male and female components are engaged. The latching device also incorporates a second sealing device configured to contain fluids when the male and the female components are disengaged, so that during disconnection, any fluids escaping the inner conduit are contained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Subsea Technologies Group Limited
    Inventor: David Ernest McKay
  • Patent number: 9605490
    Abstract: In a subsea drilling operation, a riser isolation tool may be installed inside a marine riser between the subsea wellhead and the rig floor to provide a conduit having a higher pressure rating than the original riser itself. In some embodiments, the riser isolation tool includes a tubular body and, extending therefrom, a seal stinger sized to be slidably received in a receptacle seated in the wellhead. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe E. Hess, Andrew John Cuthbert, Ronald Wayne Courville
  • Patent number: 9506301
    Abstract: A connection assembly allowing a pipe (12) extending from the seabed (14) to be connected to a flexible pipe (26) leading to the sea surface (22). The assembly includes a turret (32) having an upper end (42) connected to a float (20) and a lower end (40) connected to the pipe (12). The turret (32) has a duct (50) extending towards the upper end (42) and having a free end (66) provided with an end fitting (68). The turret includes retaining members (70, 72, 74, 76) that keep the connector (30) between the turret and the end fitting, facing the end fitting (68). The connector (30) is in a fixed position in relation to the retaining members (70, 72, 74, 76) and a drive device (112) drives the end fitting (68) toward the connector (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: TECHNIP FRANCE
    Inventors: Sylvain Routeau, Yasser Saleh
  • Patent number: 9449737
    Abstract: A cable and flange assembly has at least one cable and at least one flange. The cable has an armor, a jacket and at least one conductor element therein. The flange includes a flange body, an armor retainer and a grommet holder. The armor of the cable is configured to be secured to the flange via the armor retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: NEXANS
    Inventors: David Little, Michael Hammons, Robert White
  • Patent number: 9341039
    Abstract: A seal assembly is inserted within an annulus between inner and outer coaxially disposed annular members having a common axis. The seal assembly includes a seal stack having a compliant element sandwiched between two anti-extrusion elements that contain the flow of the compliant element. The seal assembly also includes a sealing ring and a locking ring coupled to the sealing ring. The seal assembly also includes an energizing ring configured to be moved axially in a first direction by a ring tool to apply an axial force to the locking ring, which in turn acts on the sealing ring to radially deform the sealing ring into sealing engagement with the annular members. Continued axial movement of the locking ring in the first direction radially deforms the locking ring into locking engagement with the annular members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Vetco GrayInc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Galle, Rick C. Hunter
  • Patent number: 9328572
    Abstract: A guide funnel for guiding a subsea infrastructure for connection with a subsea wellhead or mandrel profile is provided. The guide funnel comprises a plurality of sections, wherein the sections are collapsible such that the guide funnel can be in an extended state or a collapsed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Vetco Gray, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew David Hughes
  • Patent number: 9316756
    Abstract: Reservoir monitoring system. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising installing a hydrocarbon reservoir monitoring system in a marine environment. The installing may be by: placing a base unit at the sea floor, the base unit communicatively coupled to a computer system at the surface, the communicative coupling by way of an umbilical cable; mechanically coupling a first termination module to the base unit, the termination module coupled to a first sensor cable; and communicatively coupling the first sensor cable to the umbilical cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: PGS GEOPHYSICAL AS
    Inventors: Aaron B. Smith, D. Richard Metzbower
  • Patent number: 9222327
    Abstract: An independently operable disconnect device remotely disconnectable from an LMRP to reveal a riser profile compatible with a capping device connecter. A capping device including a capping device connector to be coupled to said riser profile. The capping device includes at least one blow-out preventer operable to stop the overflow of petroleum products from a well. Thus, a drilling marine riser may be fully disconnected from an LMRP in an emergency. Then the well may be subsequently capped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: STENA DRILLING LTD.
    Inventor: Gavin Humphreys
  • Patent number: 9206933
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connection device for a supply line with a jacket pipe and at least two inner lines arranged therein, wherein a housing with a first connection region for the jacket pipe and a second connection region for the inner lines is provided. According to the invention the first connection region comprises at least one holding element which is mounted, for the purpose of holding or releasing the jacket pipe, so that it can be radially fed thereto or returned therefrom. The second connection region is arranged axially spaced apart from the first connection region and comprises axially actuated plug connection elements for the inner lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Bauer Maschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhard Reich
  • Patent number: 9163486
    Abstract: A subsea structure flowline connector assembly for a subsea structure having a flowline connector assembly adapted to be mountable to the subsea structure, the flowline connector assembly having a junction plate having a flowline connector therein; an receiver affixed to or adjacent to said junction plate, said receiver having an interior exposed to said flowline connector of said junction plate; a fly-in connector assembly adapted to be connectable to the flowline connector, said fly-in connector assembly having a connector thereon, said connector of said fly-in connector assembly adapted to engage said flowline connector of said junction plate to establish fluid communication, said fly-in connector assembly having a conduit in communication with said connector of said fly-in connector assembly, said conduit adapted to connect to a flowline; an actuating device coupled to the connector for actuating the connector to engage the flowline connector, a brace extending from the actuating device to the conduit for
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: TRITON CONNECTOR SOLUTIONS PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: Mario Rene Lugo
  • Patent number: 9033050
    Abstract: A plug plugs into a ROV drive bucket limiting rotation of a drive shaft therein to say 15° and reducing the build-up of marine growth in the bucket. As shown it includes a polyethylene body (which may be made in two parts 12, 13) housing a metal socket 11 mounted for limited angular orientation therein. The socket has a twenty four point aperture or recess (22) which fits over a squared end of a drive shaft 10 at various angles orientation. The socket has external splines (20) which fit loosely in wide internal grooves (21) in the body and self-orientates within the body when the body is plugged into the bucket. The plug has a pair of diametrically opposite dogs (4) which engage in slots (5), included in flanges on conventional buckets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Nicholas Long
  • Publication number: 20150114657
    Abstract: A subsea wireline system for soft landing equipment during installation. The subsea soft landing wireline system includes coarse alignment members that can be part of a tree and interact with a funnel located on the equipment to be installed by the soft landing system. Smaller alignment members can provide fine alignment and also interact with a funnel located on the equipment to be installed. The funnels are used to trap sea water that provides a cushion for the equipment being installed. Once in alignment, trapped water can be released from the funnel via a restricted orifice or a control valve located on an ROV. The system achieves soft landing without the use of a running tool, thus reducing expense.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Ronald Baker, Pradeep Dhuper
  • Patent number: 9016380
    Abstract: A subsea connection assembly has a stab plate a first stab plate which carries a first plurality of couplers and a second stab plate which carries a second plurality of couplers for mating engagement with the couplers in the first plurality as the stab plates are moved together. The assembly includes a mounting plate, a support which is disposed for lateral movement in at least one direction relative to the mounting plate, and a pivot which allows tilting movement of the first stab plate relative to the support. The tilting and translational features accommodate many different possible trajectories of a pulling unit. In particular, the assembly tolerates a separating action which is oblique to the normal mating and demating direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: M.S.C.M. Limited
    Inventors: Terence Burgon, Terry Rackham
  • Patent number: 9010433
    Abstract: A latch and method for use is provided for latching an item of oilfield equipment. The latch has a housing containing a latch member, and the latch member is movable between a radially engaged position in which it is engaged with the item of oilfield equipment, and a radially retracted position in which it is disengaged from the item of oilfield equipment. An actuator is configured to drive the latch member into the radially engaged position. Further, the actuator is configured to drive the latch member toward the radially retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Aristeo Rios, III, James W. Chambers, Thomas F. Bailey, Danny W. Wagoner, Simon J. Harrall
  • Patent number: 9010434
    Abstract: A method for connecting coupling parts of a subsea coupling arrangement, the coupling parts having at least one sealing surface, in which the coupling parts are connected by displacing the coupling parts towards each other, wherein a watertight seal is formed when the coupling parts are connected, feeding filtered sea water through a channel into a space between the coupling parts during the displacement, flowing the filtered sea water over the sealing surfaces to prevent particles and dirt from being trapped between the sealing surfaces, and discharging the filtered sea water from the space into surroundings of the subsea coupling arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventor: Svend Erik Rocke
  • Patent number: 9004175
    Abstract: A method and system for rapid containment and intervention of a subsea well blowout that can be performed in a rapid and efficient manner, where containment will minimize the damage to the environment and assets. The method can include disconnecting a riser from a subsea well after a blowout has occurred and moving the mobile offshore drilling unit away from the subsea well. Connecting a lower marine riser package with a blowout preventer, and diverting the well. The pressure and flow of the well fluid can be observed. At least of portion of the diversion path can be closed off and kill fluid and or cement pumped to the subsea well to kill and control the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Leo William Abel