Submerged, Buoyant Wellhead Or Riser Patents (Class 166/350)
  • Patent number: 6848863
    Abstract: There is provided a buoyancy system for a structure having at least one component being substantially stationary with respect to the bottom of a water covered area. The system comprises a set of buoyancy modules of engineered materials to apply an identified amount of buoyancy. The set of buoyancy modules is attached to the structure at a set of buoyancy load transfer locations. The set of buoyancy modules comprises layers of the engineered materials. The engineered materials comprise a substantially reinforced axial layer, a substantially reinforced hoop layer; and a leak prevention layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: CSO Aker Maritime, Inc.
    Inventors: Metin Karayaka, Paul N. Stanton
  • Patent number: 6837311
    Abstract: Hybrid riser configuration comprising a plurality of steel riser pipes substantially inserted in aluminium guide conduits, with buoyancy means and tethering tension means, the guide conduits and riser pipes being rigidly connected to a base anchored to the ocean floor. The guide conduits serve as the tethering tension means and as radial constraint for the respective riser pipe therein to allow the riser pipe to buckle in elastic deformation (Euler) to form a spiral when expanding due to service pressure and temperature. A method for installing the riser configuration is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Aker Riser Systems AS
    Inventors: Arne Sele, Magne Nygard
  • Publication number: 20040231851
    Abstract: Well data and production control commands are transmitted from a remote central data store to wells at a remote location with a well hopping system and method, preferably through a radio frequency (RF) network. Request packets are sent through a field station to one or more well units until it reaches the destination well unit. The destination well unit executes the data request or the command and sends a response data packet back to the central data store through the RF network using the same well hopping system and through the field station. The central data store reads and stores the data. One or more satellite offices are connected to the central data store and can download data from the central data store or send/receive data packets to/from the well units. Oxygen content in production gas can be detected and transmitted to the central store for monitoring and reporting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: SilverSmith, Inc.
    Inventor: David Silvers
  • Patent number: 6821055
    Abstract: A cylindrical buoyancy unit is composed of separate sections which are held together to surround a marine object such as a riser or pipe with additional conduits. The sections combine to define an internal cavity which is shaped to conform with the marine object. Each unit section is a thermosetting resin composite with a bulk interior of syntactic foam and an outer layer of different characteristics and an intermediate reinforcement layer. The intermediate layer is disposed close to the outer layer and is mechanically embedded but not tightly bonded into the structure. The intermediate layer is made as a mesh of high strength polymer fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: CRP Group Limited
    Inventor: Robert Kenneth Oram
  • Patent number: 6817809
    Abstract: An offshore oil storage and offtake system is disclosed. The system includes a storage tank attachable to the seabed and adapted to store hydrocarbons. At least one fluid channel is included which has a first end positioned inside of the tank proximal a bottom of the tank and a second end in fluid communication with seawater outside of the tank. The system also includes at least one offload line having a first end coupled to and in fluid communication with the tank proximal a top of the tank and a second end adapted to be fluid coupled to the tanker and accessible from a water surface. The system further includes at least one hawser having a first end operatively coupled to the tank and a second end adapted to be accessible from the water surface and attachable to a tanker to anchor the tanker during tanker offtake operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Choi, Jack H-C. Chan, David P. Tuturea
  • Patent number: 6811355
    Abstract: A loading arrangement includes a riser that extends from a subsea structure to a coupling element for coupling the riser to a vessel. The coupling element includes a buoy body which is connected to a retention member via a flexible connection part. The retention member, such as a submerged buoy, is attached to anchor lines which at or near their end parts are provided with buoy. The connection part, which can be a cable or a frame structure has a relatively high tensile strength to anchor the vessel to the sea bed and to prevent drift of the vessel when tension is exerted on the connection part and the anchor line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Single Buoy Moorings Inc.
    Inventor: Leendert Poldervaart
  • Patent number: 6805201
    Abstract: A buoyancy system to buoy a riser of an offshore oil platform includes buoyancy compartments coupled around an elongated internal beam. The internal beam can withstand loads between the oil platform and the buoyancy system, while the buoyancy compartments provide buoyancy. The internal beam includes an elongated stem, a plurality of webs extending radially outwardly from the stem, and a plurality of transverse flanges attached to the outer edges of the webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: EDO Corporation, Fiber Science Division
    Inventors: Randall W. Nish, Daniel C. Kennedy, II, Randy A. Jones
  • Publication number: 20040163818
    Abstract: A plug retrieval and installation tool is used with a subsea well having a production tree, a tubing hanger, a passage that extends vertically through the tubing hanger and the tree, and a plug located within a plug profile in the passage within the tubing hanger. The plug retrieval device has a housing and connector that is lowered on a lift line onto the upper end of the tree. An axially extendible stem in the housing is moved with hydraulic fluid controlled by an ROV into the production passage of the tubing hanger. An installation and retrieval member mounted to the stem engages the plug and pulls it upwardly in the passage while the stem is being moved upward, and pushes the plug downward to install the plug while the stem is being moved downward. The connector, drive mechanism and retrieval member are powered by an ROV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen P. Fenton, Jon E. Hed
  • Publication number: 20040156684
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bed to surface connection for an underwater pipeline (11), resting on the seabed, in particular at great depth, of the hybrid tower type, comprising a static base (151-152) resting on the bed. According to the invention said pipeline (11), resting on the seabed is connected by means of a flexible pipeline element (12) with an elbow bend, to a vertical riser (5), the bottom end of which is fixed with relation to said base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Francois-Regis Pionetti
  • Publication number: 20040126192
    Abstract: A buoyancy system to buoy a riser of an offshore oil platform includes buoyancy compartments coupled around an elongated internal beam. The internal beam can withstand loads between the oil platform and the buoyancy system, while the buoyancy compartments provide buoyancy. The internal beam includes an elongated stem, a plurality of webs extending radially outwardly from the stem, and a plurality of transverse flanges attached to the outer edges of the webs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: EDO Corporation, Fiber Science Division
    Inventors: Randall W. Nish, Daniel C. Kennedy, Randy A. Jones
  • Patent number: 6746182
    Abstract: Keel joint assemblies are described that permit a degree of rotational movement of a riser within the keel of a floating vessel and greatly reduce the amount of stress and strain that is placed upon the riser, as well. Keel joint assemblies described provide a limiting joint between the riser and the keel opening that permits some angular rotation of the riser with respect to the floating vessel. Additionally, the limiting joint permits the riser to move upwardly and downwardly within the keel opening, but centralizes the riser with respect to the keel opening so that the riser cannot move horizontally with respect to the keel opening. In described embodiments, the limiting joint is provided by a single annular joint that allows that riser to move angularly with respect to the can. In some embodiments, the keel joint assembly incorporates a cylindrical stiffening can that radially surrounds a portion of the riser and is disposed within the keel opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Brian N. Munk, Joseph W. Pallini, Gary R. Stonesifer
  • Patent number: 6746761
    Abstract: The invention is an insulation material which comprises a silicon based matrix and a plurality of non-metallic beads supported in the matrix. In one embodiment of the invention, the matrix comprises a platinum cured, addition cured silicon material and the beads comprise a mean diameter of less than about 60 microns and an isostatic strength of at least about 10,000 psi. The insulation material may be used in conjunction with subsea oil and gas production equipment, such as pipelines, wellheads and christmas trees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dwight D. Janoff
  • Patent number: 6742594
    Abstract: A subsea well system has a flowline jumper that extends between components on the sea floor. The jumper has connectors on each end for connecting to the two components. At least a portion of the jumper is buoyant and sufficiently flexible to cause it to assume a vertical arcuate configuration when installed. One end of the jumper has a connector that has a mandrel that guides into a mating socket formed on the end of an arm. The arm is mounted to a ring that can be rotated to various orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignees: ABB Vetco Gray Inc., ABB Offshore Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gawain Langford, Francisco Dezen, Lars-Petter Sollie, Stephen P. Fenton
  • Publication number: 20040086341
    Abstract: The present invention provides a metal lined composite riser section for use in offshore applications featuring a traplock metal-to-composite interface to secure a plurality of structural composite overwrap layers about a metal liner assembly. Each traplock is formed with at least one annular groove or channel which has been made in the exterior surface of the metal liner assembly. The annular trap grooves may be of various geometries and may be arranged adjacent to each other to form a traplock having 2 to 8 or any number of grooves required to ensure proper adhesion between the composite overwrap layers and the metal liner assembly. A number of structural composite overwrap layers are secured about the assembly by building up alternating combinations of helical and hoop fiber windings to form a composite material. The present invention also provides a method of making composite riser sections using either a mandrel or counterweights to facilitate the composite fiber winding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Mamdouh M. Salama, Brian E. Spencer
  • Publication number: 20040076478
    Abstract: The invention relates to a marine riser tower (112, 114) having a plurality of rigid metallic conduits bundled together with a metallic tubular core. The conduits may include production lines for hydrocarbons (P), water injection lines (W), and/or gas lift lines (G). A production line or gas lift line is located within the core, while the water injection line is located outside the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Bernard Legras, Gregoire Francois Christian De Roux, Tegwen Bertrand Marie Miorcec De Kerdanet
  • Patent number: 6712559
    Abstract: A bottom-to-surface link with at least one underwater pipe having a portion with a substantially constant diameter and one or more floats in a string, the floats constituting cans surrounding the pipe and being located in a float zone around the top underwater portion of the pipe. The pipe is held at the surface by a guide device, preferably on a floating float support. The link includes at least one stabilizer situated in the top portion of the pipe. The link is arranged so that the bottom portion of the float zone, is preferably on or level with the lowest float and a transition zone is between the floats and the substantially constant diameter portion of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Saipem SA
    Inventors: Olivier Lenormand, Michel Gassert, Stephane Couprie
  • Patent number: 6712560
    Abstract: A floating offshore platform configuration is provided, which decouples pitch, roll, and heave motions from acting on tensioned risers and accommodates the angular displacement induced by floating offshore platform surge and/or sway excursion without inducing bending in the riser at its entrance to the floating offshore platform. The risers are guided by an inner structure that is tethered from the sea floor and centered inside an outer hull structure. Outer hull structure heave, pitch and roll motions are substantially isolated from acting on the inner structure through a connection mechanism, and each riser is allowed to individually expand or contract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy H. Cottrell
  • Patent number: 6708765
    Abstract: To maintain a riser under tension, the riser can be connected to a gripper (5, 12) which is connected to vertical toothed racks (4) that are in constant engagement with gear wheels (22) which are driven with constant torque, preferably by hydraulic motors (9) at constant pressure. An apparatus is also described for putting the riser under tension. The apparatus includes vertical guides (7) in a derrick, toothed racks (4) in the vertical guides (7), a gripper (5, 12) designed for interaction with a riser connected to the racks (4), and drive units (9) arranged in the derrick for drive-actuation of the racks (4) in the vertical guides (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: Bjørn Eilertsen
  • Patent number: 6691784
    Abstract: In a substructure (10) for a floating oil or gas production platform, an arrangement to tension a plurality of risers (16) extending from the sea bed up to the substructure, the arrangement comprising: a conventional hydraulic tensioner/heave compensator (17) for each riser, in which there is a soft spring formed by a piston cylinder combination acting against an accumulator, the heave compensators for the risers being disposed to compensate for vertical oscillations of relatively short period (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Kvaerner Oil & Gas A.S.
    Inventor: Leiv Wanvik
  • Publication number: 20040026082
    Abstract: A frame and system for adding buoyancy to a riser used in connection with floating platforms is provided which, in some example embodiments, includes a stem attached to multiple supports which include flanges arranged to take impact and abrasion loads off an internal buoyancy module. An air management system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Randall Williams Nish, Metin Karayaka
  • Patent number: 6682266
    Abstract: A tendon which is divided into compartments enclosing therein pressurized gas. A method for transporting a fluid containing tubular body or assembly of bodies above a sea/river bed floor and within a body of water. In addition to the method for transporting the tendon a method of installing and removing an internal pressurized tendon or assembly of tendons in a vertical position in a body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Anchor Contracting AS
    Inventors: Karel Karal, Jørgen Høgmoe, Sigurd Ramslie, Johan Lassen-Urdahl
  • Patent number: 6679331
    Abstract: A guide for a buoyancy can on a floating offshore platform. The platform includes at least one support structure adjacent the buoyancy can. The guide comprises at least one compression pad supported by the support structure and adjacent the exterior surface of the buoyancy can. Lateral movement of the buoyancy can toward the support structure compresses the compression pad so as to absorb the force generated by the buoyancy can movement, and so as to protect the buoyancy can and components of the floating offshore platform from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: CSO Aker Maritime, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Cordy, James V. Maher, Richard L. Davies, W. Wade Mallard, John Montague, Pierre Beynett
  • Patent number: 6659690
    Abstract: A stress joint for a subsea riser has a reduced diameter intermediate section to reduce bending stresses on the connection between the stress joint and the riser as well as the subsea equipment. The stress joint having a riser joint with a threaded upper end for connection to a riser string. Attached to a lower end of the riser joint is an upper transition section that tapers from the diameter of the riser joint to a reduced diameter. An intermediate section below the upper transition section has a reduced outer diameter. A lower transition section connects the lower end of the intermediate section to the subsea equipment. The lower transition section is tapered from a reduced diameter to a larger diameter to ensure a firm connection with the subsea equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: ABB Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Parviz Abadi
  • Patent number: 6648074
    Abstract: For a spar type floating platform having risers passing vertically through the center well of a spar hull, there is provided apparatus for supporting the risers from a gimbaled table supported above the top of the spar hull. The table flexibly is supported by a plurality of non-linear springs attached to the top of the spar hull. The non-linear springs compliantly constrain the table rotationally so that the table is allowed a limited degree of rotational movement with respect to the spar hull in response to wind and current induced environmental loads. Larger capacity non-linear springs are located near the center of the table for supporting the majority of the riser tension, and smaller capacity non-linear springs are located near the perimeter of the table for controlling the rotational stiffness of the table. The riser support table comprises a grid of interconnected beams having openings therebetween through which the risers pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Coflexip S.A.
    Inventors: Lyle D. Finn, Himanshu Gupta
  • Publication number: 20030206773
    Abstract: A riser guide is for use on a floating offshore platform, the platform comprises a topsides and a substructure having a lower pontoon, and at least one riser extends from a subsea location to the topsides. A number of riser guides are located in a guide housing which is secured to the platform. Each riser guide comprises a support arm rotatably mounted in the guide housing. A roller for laterally guiding the riser is rotatably mounted in an end of the support arm. A vertically movable wedge which is used for lifting the guide housing is connected to the support arm. During lifting of the guide housing the wedge lifts the support arm and the roller to an inactive position. When installing the riser guides, the guide housing and the riser guides are placed around the riser at the topsides, and lowered down in place by lifting gear connected to the wedges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Hakon Stromberg, Tom Strandbakken
  • Publication number: 20030205382
    Abstract: A riser recoil control system (10) adjusts tension forces (F1, F2) applied to a marine riser (60), which is attached to an anchored, floating vessel (30) and a wellhead (80). The riser (60) is attached to the vessel (30) using tension forces (F1, F2) asserted by riser tensioners (20). Each tensioner (20) has an air shutoff valve (110), and an orifice-controlled fluid valve (120). A disconnection sensing means (200) provides a disconnect signal when the riser (60) is disconnected from the wellhead (80), which closes the valves (110, 120) and adjusts the tension forces (F1, F2) applied by the tensioners (20). The invention includes a method for adjusting the tension forces (F1, F2) applied to the riser (60), including sensing the disconnect signal and adjusting the tension forces (F1, F2) supplied to the riser (60) by closing the air shutoff valves (110) and partially closing the orifice-controlled fluid valves (120).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventor: Larry Russell Jordon
  • Patent number: 6637513
    Abstract: A riser pipe construction for a drilling connection from a drilling vessel to a valve previously provided on a sea floor comprises a riser pipe through which drilling means can be passed by means of which an oil well can be drilled as well as pressure pipes extending along the riser pipe to operate the valve, and floating elements disposed around the riser pipe and the pressure pipes to limit the load on the drilling vessel. The riser pipe and the pressure pipes are built up from modules capable of being coupled together, the floating elements are formed by steel tubular chambers closed so as to be gastight, disposed around the relevant modules and firmly connected thereto. The invention also relates to a riser pipe module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignees: Adviesbureau H. Van Der Poel, Buitendijk Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Hans van der Poel
  • Publication number: 20030180097
    Abstract: Expandable and contractible buoyancy modules are assembled to the risers of a deepwater exploration spar or other offshore structure to provide an upwardly directed buoyancy force to offset at least a portion of the weight of the riser. The buoyancy modules have a fabricated pressure tight expandable and contractible envelope composed of rubber or rubber-like material which is mounted onto a tubular member having a central passage for receiving the riser to be supported. The tubular member projects beyond the respective upper and lower ends of the envelope and defines upper and lower riser joint connectors and buoyancy module travel stops which secure the buoyancy module to the riser and provide for force transmission from the buoyancy module to selected locations along the length of the riser or to the upper end of the riser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: John A. Fitzgerald, Marcus A. Smedley, Harold B. Skeels, Christopher E. Cunninham
  • Publication number: 20030170077
    Abstract: Systems are described for raising production fluid from a source (1) on the seabed comprising a riser (4) having a first, lower, end for connection or connected to the source; a top end support for supporting the riser at or in the vicinity of the sea surface; and an operating device (11) mounted inside the riser (4) for displacement within the riser so that the pump is accessible to an operator for replacement or repair. The operating device (11) may be displaced on a pipe (12) which extends within the riser (4) and to a lower end of which the device (11) is attached. The device (11) may be inter alia an electric pump, a hydraulic pump, a gas injector, a heater or a cleaning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Brendan Paul Herd, Ben Seymour, William Eric Abraham
  • Patent number: 6609572
    Abstract: A system for connecting and disconnecting a lower end of a marine riser (25) to and from a blow out preventer stack on a subsea Wellhead comprises gripping members (26) for the marine riser and a lock element (27) for locking the gripping members (26). The system comprises first primary actuators (28), second primary actuators (29) and secondary actuators (30) for moving the lock element (27) to an unlock position, and hydraulic circuitry for actuating the actuators. The system further comprises a hydraulic backup unlock circuit (9, 11, 16) comprising a triple flow divider (8) for dividing fluid flow from a source (16) into one flow for actuating the first primary actuators (28), one flow for actuating the second primary actuators (29) and one flow for actuating the secondary actuators (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Smedvig Offshore AS
    Inventors: Jan Oddvar Andersen, Vidar Larsen
  • Publication number: 20030155126
    Abstract: A subsea wellhead assembly allows communication between a production tubing annulus and a conduit in fluid communication with a platform above. The wellhead assembly has a tubing hanger that is held relative to a tubular wellhead member of a subsea well by a tubing hanger support. A string of tubing extends from the tubing hanger into the well, defining an annulus around the tubing. The conduit communicates with the tubing annulus through a tubing annulus passage. The tubing annulus passage has a portion extending through the tubing hanger support. The wellhead member supports a valve block located between the tubing hanger support and the riser. The tubing annulus passage has another portion that registers with the portion of the passage in the tubing hanger support. The conduit stabs into valve block portion of the tubing annulus passage when the riser connects to the upper end of the valve block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Amin Radi, Michael E. Capesius, Fife B. Ellis, Robert K. Voss
  • Publication number: 20030150618
    Abstract: A buoyancy system to buoy a riser of an offshore oil platform includes buoyancy compartments coupled around an elongated internal beam. The internal beam can withstand loads between the oil platform and the buoyancy system, while the buoyancy compartments provide buoyancy. The internal beam includes an elongated stem, a plurality of webs extending radially outwardly from the stem, and a plurality of transverse flanges attached to the outer edges of the webs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: EDO Corporation, Fiber Science Division
    Inventors: Randall W. Nish, Daniel C. Kennedy, Randy A. Jones
  • Publication number: 20030145998
    Abstract: A subsea well system has a flowline jumper that extends between components on the sea floor. The jumper has connectors on each end for connecting to the two components and has a curved portion. At least a portion of the jumper is buoyant to cause it to assume a vertical arcuate configuration when installed. One end of the jumper has a connector that has a mandrel that guides into a mating socket formed on the end of an arm. The arm is mounted to a ring that can be rotated to various orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Gawain Langford, Francisco Dezen, Lars-Petter Sollie, Stephen P. Fenton
  • Publication number: 20030145997
    Abstract: A subsea well system has a flowline jumper that extends between components on the sea floor. The jumper has connectors on each end for connecting to the two components. At least a portion of the jumper is buoyant and sufficiently flexible to cause it to assume a vertical arcuate configuration when installed. One end of the jumper has a connector that has a mandrel that guides into a mating socket formed on the end of an arm. The arm is mounted to a ring that can be rotated to various orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Gawain Langford, Francisco Dezen, Lars-Petter Sollie, Stephen P. Fenton
  • Publication number: 20030141069
    Abstract: A frame and system for adding buoyancy to a riser used in connection with floating platforms is provided which, in some example embodiments, includes a stem attached to multiple supports which include flanges arranged to take impact and abrasion loads off an internal buoyancy module. An air management system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Richard Lloyd Davies, Randall Williams Nish, Randy Arthur Jones, Lyle D. Finn, Metin Karayaka
  • Publication number: 20030141071
    Abstract: A subsea wellhead assembly has a wellhead housing at the upper end of the well. The wellhead housing supports one or more strings of casing, each having a casing hanger. A tubing spool connects to the upper end of the wellhead housing. The tubing spool has a landing shoulder with a plurality of auxiliary passages extending from the shoulder to the exterior of the tubing spool. The auxiliary passages are spaced circumferentially around the tubing spool. A receptacle on the exterior of the tubing spool communicates with these auxiliary passages. A tubing hanger lands in the tubing spool, the tubing hanger having auxiliary ports spaced circumferentially around it. These ports mate with the auxiliary passages to communicate with auxiliary lines extending alongside the tubing. A production tree mounts to the upper end of the tubing spool. A control unit mounted to the production tree assembly has a flexible lead that extend from it and plugs into the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Stanley Hosie
  • Publication number: 20030143035
    Abstract: There is provided a buoyancy system for a structure having at least one component being substantially stationary with respect to the bottom of a water covered area. The system comprises a set of buoyancy modules of engineered materials to apply an identified amount of buoyancy. The set of buoyancy modules is attached to the structure at a set of buoyancy load transfer locations. The set of buoyancy modules comprises layers of the engineered materials. The engineered materials comprise a substantially reinforced axial layer, a substantially reinforced hoop layer; and a leak prevention layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Metin Karayaka, Paul N. Stanton
  • Publication number: 20030141070
    Abstract: A frame and system for adding buoyancy to a riser used in connection with floating platforms is provided which, in some example embodiments, includes a stem attached to multiple supports which include flanges arranged to take impact and abrasion loads off an internal buoyancy module. An air management system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Richard Lloyd Davies, Lyle D. Finn, Metin Karayaka
  • Patent number: 6595293
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting riser between a floating vessel and a subsea structure that reduces the size of the air tanks used and thereby allow closer positioning of the well slots and overall reduction in size of the floating vessel is disclosed. The apparatus includes an inverted hydraulically actuated connector positioned on the subsea structure and oriented to receive and sealingly attach to a complementary end connection member on the lower end of the riser string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Cooper Cameron Corporation
    Inventor: Mark L. Carter
  • Patent number: 6578637
    Abstract: Gas storage is provided for a subsea gas-lifted riser during offshore drilling and/or production operations. One or more gas storage chambers positioned along and about the subsea riser are connected to a gas conduit. Each chamber has at least one valve for controlling passage of gas out of the chamber and into the gas conduit. The valves serve to allow the gas from the storage chambers to be injected as lift gas as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: L. Donald Maus, Mark E. Ehrhardt
  • Patent number: 6579040
    Abstract: An air-can riser tensioning device for use in the production of oil and gas at offshore locations includes at least one air-can used to place a vertical force on the riser. The air-can includes an open port that extends into the water toward the sea floor to a depth sufficient to prevent water from entering or air from leaving the air-can during its upward and downward vertical movements while in use. A manufacturing method includes fabricating the air-cans out of one material and fabricating the open port out of another material, and in particular making the open port from a material that is more corrosion resistant than the material the air-can is fabricated from. The manufacturing method further includes fabricating a passage in one soft tank for fluid communication with a second soft tank, and connecting the second soft tank with the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: CSO Aker Maritime, Inc.
    Inventor: Metin Karayaka
  • Patent number: 6571878
    Abstract: Smooth buoyancy cylindrical elements having a surface roughness coefficient of K/D less than or equal to 1×10−4, where K is the average peak-to-trough roughness and D is the effective outside diameter of said the cylindrical element are affixed about marine elements to decrease vortex induced vibration, thereby decreasing stress and loading on the marine elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Richard Bruce Mc Daniel, Donald Wayne Allen, David Wayne McMillian, Kenneth Dupal
  • Patent number: 6568875
    Abstract: A connector in particular intended for use with a tension leg platform is disclosed. The connector comprises a male part (1) and a female part (2), which male part (1) is designed to engage in the female part (2) and the parts are able to engage with one another without any of the parts having to rotate in respect of the other. The female part (2) comprises an abutment ring having an internal continuous downward facing abutment shoulder (4) and the male part (1) has a discontinuous segmented ring (5). Each individual ring segment (8) is limitary independantly movable, both axially and radially, which segmented ring (5) lies slidably against a mandrel abutment (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Kvaerner Oilfield Products AS
    Inventors: Bjørn Paulshus, Willy Bjerke, Morten Rengman Mørck
  • Patent number: 6564873
    Abstract: An apparatus for offshore production of hydrocarbon fluids is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a base and a buoyant structure secured to said base and connected or adapted to be connected to a subsea well or wells. The key characteristics of the apparatus are that: (A) the apparatus includes storage facility means for fluid(s) received from the subsea well or wells and/or for processed fluid(s) produced by the apparatus; (B) the buoyant structure is tethered to the base by a plurality of flexible tethers; and (C) the buoyant structure comprises (i) a sub-surface housing containing facilities for processing fluids received from the subsea well or wells via said storage facility in said base; and (ii) a column extending upwardly from the housing to a level above the sea surface. The invention also relates to the buoyant structure per se.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventors: Andrew Peter Tilbrook, David Bone, Paul Christopher Haywood, Nigel Barry Weir
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20030086763
    Abstract: A riser system for use in transporting fluid cargo to a floating vessel from a submerged pipe employs a tensioning mechanism that prevents excess slack in a flexible riser that could potentially damage the riser. The tensioning mechanism includes a tensioning arm or element that is pivotally attached at a first end to a submerged base and at its second end to the flexible riser. The arm is free to rotate about the pivot point in a pendulum manner, but is urged toward an equilibrium position by one or more tension-applying elements disposed on the arm, such as a buoyancy element, a weight or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Alan Gregory Hooper, Geir Eik, Yves De Leeneer
  • Patent number: 6557637
    Abstract: A subsea riser disconnect assembly 10 may be actuated from a drilling rig DR by axial movement of an upper riser 35 relative to a lower riser 28, for disconnecting the upper riser 35 from the lower riser 28. A subsea riser valve assembly 20 may be actuated from the drilling rig DR by axial movement of the upper riser 35 relative to the lower riser 28, for sealing an interior portion of the lower riser 28 and well bore WB below the subsea riser valve assembly 20. A drill pipe disconnect 30 may be actuated from a drilling rig DR, either onshore or offshore, for disconnecting an upper portion of drill pipe 236 from a lower portion of drill pipe 240. The drill pipe disconnect 30 may be actuatable by hydraulic and/or mechanical forces applied to the drill pipe disconnect 30 from the drilling rig DR. The drill pipe disconnect 30 may be compatible for use with or without the subsea riser disconnect assembly 10 and/or the subsea riser valve assembly 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventors: Eddie E. Dore, Britt O. Braddick
  • Publication number: 20030075335
    Abstract: A system for producing hydrocarbons from a subsea well comprises an unmanned floating platform positioned over the well, the platform including equipment for inserting coiled tubing or wireline tools or the like into the well for servicing, controlling, or conducting other operations in or to the well, a vertical access riser connecting the platform to the well, a control umbilical connecting the platform to the well, a host facility adapted to receive the produced hydrocarbons, and a production pipeline connecting the well to the host facility, the production pipeline including at least one access port between the well and the host facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc.
    Inventors: Raj M. Amin, Andrea Mangiavacchi, Nicolaas Vandenworm, James F. O'Sullivan, Clyde E. Nolan
  • Publication number: 20030051879
    Abstract: Systems and methods for time-, and labor-efficient construction and production of subsea wells are disclosed. The systems generally comprise a surface blowout preventer stack, a high pressure riser, and a drill thru Xmas tree. The systems may further comprise a subsea shut off and disconnect device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Azancot
  • Patent number: 6520261
    Abstract: The invention is an insulation material comprising a novolac cured polysulfide polymer resin. The material is used as a thermal insulator for subsea gas and oil production equipment, such as pipes and wellhead equipment. In order to decrease the maximum exothermic temperature generated by the resin during curing, hollow glass beads are added to the resin. The amine content of the hardener in a standard resin was adjusted to further decrease the maximum exothermic temperature. A fumed silica thixotropic material was also added to increase the viscosity of the mixture. These modifications allow the material to be cast in thick sections without cracking, leaking, or excessive expansion during curing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwight D. Janoff, John C. Vicic