Surface Vessel Patents (Class 166/352)
  • Patent number: 8899333
    Abstract: The invention discloses a subsea device comprising a can, a string of risers, a blowout preventer and a string of tie-back pipes. The blowout preventer is installed on the can. The top of risers is connected to a rig and its bottom is mounted on the blowout preventer. The upper of tie-back pipes is fixed to the can. The lower of tie-back pipes is mounted to a wellhead in the seabed by a subsea wellhead apparatus and connected to the casings for collecting oil/gas stored in formations by the subsea wellhead apparatus. A passage communicating the blowout preventer with tie-back pipe is jointed on the can. A pipeline, transporting oil/gas, mud and cuttings in drilling process, is divided into two sections, both tie-back pipes and casings, by the wellhead apparatus settled on seabed, thereby ensuring security of the rig in the drilling process and stronger operability of entire production system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignees: China National Offshore Oil Corporation, China Oilfield Services Limited
    Inventors: Yongfeng Guo, Shaojun Ji, Changquan Tang
  • Publication number: 20140338919
    Abstract: A bottom-to-surface connection installation between a common floating support and the sea bottom, having a plurality of flexible lines such as flexible pipes extending between said floating support and the sea bottom. The flexible lines are supported by respective ones of a plurality of troughs each trough lying between two pipe portions defining a first flexible line portion in a hanging double catenary configuration between the floating support and the trough, and a second flexible line portion in a single catenary configuration between the trough and the point of contact of the flexible pipe with the sea bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: François Régis Pionetti
  • Patent number: 8881830
    Abstract: A riser pipe section (4) is disclose for offshore well drilling operations comprising a main tube element (6) having as an extension a male connector element (10) and a female connector element (9) comprising a first series of tenons. At least one auxiliary tube element (7) is secured to the male connector element (10) and to the female connector element (9) so that the main tube element (6) and the auxiliary tube element (7) jointly transmit tensile stresses between the male connector element (10) and the female connector element (9). A locking ring is mounted on the male connector element and the ring comprises a second series of tenons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Gérard Papon, Emmanuel Persent
  • Patent number: 8875794
    Abstract: The present invention regards a joint for use in a riser (1) extending between a floating installation (3) and a subsea installation (2). The joint comprises an inner pipe segment (21) and an outer pipe segments (22), arranged moveable relative each other in an axial direction and connectable to respective riser segments, forming a chamber (23) between them with a radially extending piston (24), dividing the chamber (23) in a first chamber part (25) and a second chamber part (26), wherein on of said chamber parts (25) in an initial position of the joint is adapted to contain a mainly incompressible fluid, this chamber part (25) decreasing in volume as the inner pipe segment (21) is moved relatively out of the outer pipe segment (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: FMC Kongsberg Subsea AS
    Inventors: Hans-Paul Carlsen, Tor-Øystein Carlsen, John A. Johansen
  • Patent number: 8875793
    Abstract: A connector device for kill- and choke lines between a riser and a floating drilling platform includes a slip joint on top of the riser including an outer barrel, a kill- and choke manifold arranged on the platform and provided with flexible kill- and choke hoses to the slip joint's outer barrel, and wherein the slip joint's outer barrel is provided with a horizontally directed kill- and choke-manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Øystein Christensen, Atle Korsmo
  • Patent number: 8857521
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method are disclosed for venting gas from an annulus region of a flexible pipe. The method includes the steps of depressurising a bore region of a flexible pipe and via at least one vent flow fluid communication path, venting gas from an annulus region of the flexible pipe into the bore region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Wellstream International Limited
    Inventor: Richard Alasdair Clements
  • Patent number: 8857523
    Abstract: An offshore oil production system, comprising a structure in a body of water, having a portion extending above a surface of the body of water; a wellhead located at a boom of the body of water; a riser extending from the wellhead to the portion extending above the surface; a primary wellbore extending into a subsea formation beneath the body of water; and at least two secondary wellbores extending further into the subsea formation beneath the body of water and beneath the primary wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Hon Chung Lau
  • Patent number: 8833462
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a method and system of installing subsea well trees, comprising: creating a glory hole having a depth below a seabed at a well location of a hydrocarbon reservoir; moving a floating offshore platform coupled with a foundation, the platform having a topsides and a caisson with downwardly extending walls defining an inner volume between the walls, the foundation coupled to the caisson walls, and the caisson walls having adjustable buoyancy; lowering the offshore platform with the foundation into the glory hole; drilling from the topsides into the hydrocarbon reservoir below the foundation to create a well; installing a well tree on the well, the well tree being disposed in the glory hole below the height of the seabed; coupling the well tree to a flow line; releasing the offshore platform from the foundation; and reusing the offshore platform to install other foundations at other predetermined well locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventors: Jason Muise, Andrew J. Blundon
  • Patent number: 8833459
    Abstract: A system and method for channeling fluids from underwater to the surface. Including a channel system for channeling the fluids from an oil leak through the channel system starting from an underwater pipe leak to a containment reservoir at a sea surface. In one aspect, the channel system is made up of interchange parts, where some are flexible, attachable, and/or can influence the flow of the fluids inside the channel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Matthew Carl O'Malley
  • Patent number: 8833458
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an installation (10) that includes a floating top structure (20) and a fully submerged bottom structure (22). The top structure is mobile between a production position and an evacuation position. The installation (10) retains the top structure (20) in its production position which includes at least one rigid rod (90) carried by the top structure (20), at least one rod abutment (92) carried by the rigid rod (90) in the vicinity of its lower end and at least one complementary abutment (94) secured to a base (60) of the bottom structure (22). Each rod abutment (92) and each complementary abutment (94) are mobile in rotation relative to one another between an engaged configuration in which urging of the rigid rod (90) towards its top position (20) retains the top structure in its production position, and a disengaged configuration releasing the top structure (20) from the bottom structure (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventor: Sami Malek
  • Patent number: 8813854
    Abstract: A mobile water injection system and method for performing waterflooding in offshore reservoirs, and more particularly to enhance oil recovery in marginal offshore reservoirs is disclosed. The mobile water injection system and method include portable equipment, including a submersible pump to recover water from a body of water, a water storage tank, filtration and chemical treatment equipment to treat the recovered water, and an injection pump to pump the treated water at high pressure into the reservoir such that the residual oil is driven to adjacent production wells to increase oil recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Akshay Sahni, Jarrad Rexilius
  • Patent number: 8807225
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method of deploying a cable into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation comprises providing a cable, wherein the cable comprises at least one insulated conductor, at least one armor wire layer surrounding the insulated conductor, a polymeric material disposed in interstitial spaces formed between armor wires forming the at least one armor wire layer, and interstitial spaces formed between the at least one armor wire layer and insulated conductor, the polymeric material forming a continuously bonded layer which separates and encapsulates the armor wires forming the at least one armor wire layer, and whereby the polymeric material is extended to form a smooth polymeric jacket around the at least one armor wire layer, introducing the cable into a wellbore and performing at least one operation in the wellbore utilizing the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Varkey, Byong Jun Kim, Garud Sridhar, Wayne Fulin, Noor F. Sait, Matthew Billingham, Andrea Sbordone
  • Publication number: 20140216752
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus useful for providing tubing into an underwater well includes at least one surface injector and at least one underwater injector. The surface injector is adapted and arranged to control the movement of the tubing into and out of the underground well below the sea floor during normal operations. At least one surface injector and/or underwater injector is arranged and adapted to maintain the tubing in substantial tension between the surface and underwater injectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Lance Nigel Portman
  • Publication number: 20140183145
    Abstract: An oil spill cleanup system has a vessel, a separator within the vessel for separating oil and water, a pump for pumping an oil/water mixture into the separator, and one or more probes and submersibles having hoses connected to the pump, for collecting the oil/water mixture. The separator has two or more adjacent tanks, for containing the oil/water mixture. Gravity separates the oil from water in the first tank and the water is evacuated from the bottom, while the oil overflows in the second tank, having an increased oil concentration, and so on, until the pure oil is evacuated. A mobile oil platform is also disclosed, having a subsea well connected to a hose, the hose carrying oil to a vessel, wherein the vessel receives the oil and is exchangeable with an empty vessel when full. When the vessel drops the hose, floats maintain the location thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventor: Franck Derenoncourt
  • Patent number: 8757270
    Abstract: A subsea oil and/or gas production system comprises a host production facility and a plurality of subsea wells. A fluid conveying network is provided that connects each subsea well to the host production facility. A separate electrical power and data network is provided for conveying direct current electrical power and data, operatively connected to each subsea well for providing each subsea well with data transfer and electrical power services. The use of direct current ensures that the electrical power and data network can provide power over much greater distances than currently available, and the use of separate networks for conveying fluids and for providing electrical power and data transfer allows for a much more flexible system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Statoil Petroleum AS
    Inventor: Karl-Atle Stenevik
  • Publication number: 20140151057
    Abstract: A drilling vessel with a drilling deck includes a drilling vessel floor structure defining the drilling deck and a tubular support assembly that is recessed in the drilling floor structure. The assembly includes a support frame and at least two support tables, wherein the tables have a top surface that forms part of the drilling deck. The tables are each guided by the support frame to allow displacement along a line between an active position for supporting a tubular and a retracted position for passing an object. The tables and the adapters segments supported thereby are coupled, for example via a clamp or a shape-coupling, such that when the tables move from their active position into their retracted position each segment moves with the respective table it is coupled with and the bushing is opened up for passing through an object through the opening between the at least two support tables and the adapter segments they support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Diederick Bernardus Wijning, Olaf Van Der Meij, Joop Roodenburg
  • Patent number: 8708054
    Abstract: A technique enables protection of subsea wells. The technique employs a subsea test tree and associated control system to ensure control over the well in a variety of situations. The subsea test tree may be formed with an upper portion releasably coupled to a lower portion. The upper portion employs at least one upper shut-off valve, and the lower portion employs at least one lower shut-off valve to protect against unwanted release of fluids from either above or below the subsea test tree. The subsea test tree also is coupled with the control system in a manner which allows control to be exercised over the at least one upper shut-often valve and the at least one lower shut-off valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Terrell Eugene Dailey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8708052
    Abstract: Systems, computer readable medium, program code, and methods for monitoring and managing a plurality of marine riser assets are provided. An example of a system includes a computer and a computer readable medium containing a program code of instructions that when executed by the computer, cause the computer to perform operations for tracking the subsea deployment and retrieval of each of a plurality of riser joints. The operations can include receiving riser joint identification data from a riser joint identification indicator connected to the respective riser joint during the operational deployment thereof, and identifying the respective riser joint being operationally deployed to thereby track the deployment thereof. The operations can also include receiving riser joint identification data from the riser identification indicator of the respective riser joint during retrieval thereof, and identifying the respective one or more riser joints being retrieved to thereby track the retrieval thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Amin Radi
  • Patent number: 8689881
    Abstract: An offshore unit includes a hull and/or a deck frame, a mat attached to at least one connecting leg or a spud can attached to each of at least one connecting leg or lower hull attached to at least one connecting means. A wellhead deck is removably attached to the hull and/or deck frame and a sub-sea clamp in conjunction with a caisson or a sub-sea conductor frame is removably attached to the mat or to the at least one connecting leg, where a spud can is attached to each of the at least one connecting leg, or to the lower hull. The offshore unit is relocatable and is a platform or a rig capable of performing drilling, production, construction, accommodation, hook-up and commissioning or a combination of any of these functions thereof. The offshore unit is a self-elevating mobile platform or submersible platform or semi-submersible platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kingtime International Limited
    Inventors: Nagendran C. Nadarajah, Renata Anita De Raj, Mahendran Sippiah
  • Patent number: 8678094
    Abstract: An offshore platform may include a pair of trolleys. One trolley may be mounted on top of the platform and the other trolley may be suspended below the platform. Each trolley may be positioned on opposed sides of a moon pool in one embodiment of the present invention. The lower trolley may be used to hang off a riser and blowout preventer. The upper trolley may be utilized to hang off smaller diameter casing while larger diameter casing is being made up and positioned within the hole. As a result of the parallel operations made possible by the trolleys, drilling time may be reduced in some embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Stena Drilling Ltd.
    Inventor: John Banks
  • Patent number: 8657011
    Abstract: A method for providing auxiliary electrical power to an underwater well installation, the installation being linked to a surface location via an umbilical cable, to supplement any electrical power received at the installation from the umbilical cable, comprises the steps of: providing power generation means at the installation; and providing an electrical power output line for transferring electrical power generated by the power generation means to the installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Controls Limited
    Inventors: Parag Vyas, Matthew Alexander Lehar, Ashalatha Devarajan, Peter John Davey, Nicholas Ellson
  • Patent number: 8657013
    Abstract: A riser system for coupling a surface platform to a wellhead. The riser system includes a main tube, flanges and one or more tie rods. The main tube forms an annulus for fluid flow between the wellhead and the platform. A flange extends radially from each end of the main tube. The tie rods are coupled to and extend between the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Kotrla, Stephen J. Walker, William F. Puccio
  • Patent number: 8622137
    Abstract: There is disclosed a system comprising a subsea structure; and a carrier comprising an opening adapted to receive the subsea structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: William Scott Childres, John Joseph Kenney, William Michael Pritchett, Bruce Clinton Volkert
  • Patent number: 8623107
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a gas hydrate conversion system is provided comprising a floating factory, an appendage for harvesting a gas hydrate from an oceanic hydrate deposit, and one or more storage tanks. The floating factory comprises one or more heat exchange assemblies, one or more heat pump assemblies and an engine. In another embodiment, a method for harvesting hydrocarbon hydrate deposits is provided, the method comprising providing a gas hydrate conversion system; inducing release of methane from an oceanic hydrate deposit; capturing the methane from a primary methane capture zone and/or a secondary methane capture zone; and converting the methane to hydrogen and carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy E. McAlister
  • Patent number: 8607877
    Abstract: This invention relates to equipment and a subsea pumping system using a subsea module installed on the sea bed, preferably away from a production well and intended to pump hydrocarbons having a high associated gas fraction produced by one or more subsea production wells to the surface. One object of this invention is achieved by means of the design of a pumping module (PM) which is linked to pumping equipment already present in a production well and which basically comprises: an inlet pipe (2), separator equipment (3), a first pump (4) and a second pump (8). In the subsea pumping system for the production of hydrocarbons with a high gas fraction, the other object of this invention, when oil is pumped from the production well (P) the well pump (13) increases the energy of the fluid in the form of pressure and transmits this increase in energy in the form of an increase in suction pressure in the second pump (8) of the subsea module (PM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.-Petrobras
    Inventor: Roberto Rodrigues
  • Patent number: 8607878
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a subsea well assembly; wherein in an example embodiment the subsea well assembly includes an umbilical attached to a power source. The power source can be on a platform. Also included is a connector for connecting the umbilical to a receptacle included with the subsea well assembly and a subsea control module delivering power and control signals to the subsea well assembly. An impressed current protection module is integrated in the subsea control module that receives power from the umbilical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Knox
  • Patent number: 8602108
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method for limiting the probability of failure on demand of a subsea test tree (“SSTT”) includes the steps of providing a safety shut-in system for actuating a safety valve of the SSTT, the safety shut-in system including a surface control station positioned above a water surface connected via an umbilical to a subsea control system positioned below the water surface to actuate the safety valve; and diagnostically testing the safety shut-in system without actuating the safety valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: David James Mathis
  • Publication number: 20130315677
    Abstract: In order to board a fixed structure, ocean conditions must be within a reasonable state that allows personnel to board in a safe manner. Due to the specific weather conditions, the boarding of fixed structures cannot be conducted. Both oil and gas and wind platforms must be boarded for maintenance and repair purposes. The invention allows boarding of fixed structures employing three buoyant vessels that can be adjusted to always be heading into the wind direction. Landing piles are pre-driven adjacent to the fixed structure and terminate at the ocean bottom. The invention has three deployable legs that extend through the buoyant vessel to the ocean bottom. The placement of the driven supports employs the same dimensions as the spacing of the vessel's extension legs. The vessel operator adjusts the heading of the three buoyant vessels to the wave heading. The legs are extended to the ocean bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventor: Herman Joseph Schellstede
  • Patent number: 8590297
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for processing a process fluid at a remote location, with the apparatus including a pump located at a first location and configured to provide a pressurized working fluid. The apparatus also includes an umbilical coupled to the pump such that the umbilical receives the pressurized working fluid from the pump and transports the pressurized working fluid therefrom. The apparatus further includes a hydraulic turbine disposed at the remote location and coupled to the umbilical such that the hydraulic turbine receives the pressurized working fluid from the umbilical. The apparatus additionally includes one or more shaft energy conversion devices operatively coupled to the hydraulic turbine and disposed at the remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: H. Allan Kidd, William C. Maier
  • Patent number: 8579033
    Abstract: What is provided is a method and apparatus wherein a swivel can be detachably connected to an annular blowout preventer while the drill string is being rotated and/or reciprocated. In one embodiment the sleeve or housing can be rotatably and sealably connected to a mandrel. The swivel can be incorporated into a drill or well string and enabling string sections both above and below the sleeve to be rotated in relation to the sleeve. In one embodiment the drill or well string does not move in a longitudinal direction relative to the swivel. In one embodiment, the drill or well string does move longitudinally relative to the sleeve or housing of the swivel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Mako Rentals, Inc.
    Inventors: Kip M. Robichaux, Terry G. Robichaux
  • Publication number: 20130292131
    Abstract: Provided is a damping apparatus for a moonpool, which has a simple driving mechanism. The damping apparatus includes one or more damping plates which cover a moonpool of a hull entirely or partially. The damping plates are pivotally hinged to a sidewall of the moonpool, and one or more conveying units are disposed above the moonpool to convey drilling equipment. Driving wires are coupled between the conveying units and the damping plates, and the conveying force of the conveying units is transferred through the driving wires to the damping plates. Thus, the damping plates are pivoted to open and close the moonpool entirely or partially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicants: TRANSOCEAN SEDCO FOREX VENTURES LIMITED, DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seong Deok Yun, Gurbachan Virk
  • Publication number: 20130284450
    Abstract: A dual firing line drilling installation has a drilling tower main structure with four frameworks that are each over a major portion of their height U-shaped in horizontal cross-section. A four-sided central (11) space is present, and along each side of the central space one framework is arranged with its opened vertical side facing the central space. First and second storage devices (25,27) are provided for vertically storing drilling tubulars. The first storage device is housed in a first framework, the second storage device in a second framework. A first hoisting device is supported by a third framework of the drilling tower main structure, to manipulate a string of drilling tubulars in a first firing line (21). A second hoisting device is supported by a fourth framework to manipulate a string of drilling tubulars in a second firing line (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Diederick Bernardus Wijning
  • Publication number: 20130277062
    Abstract: Provided is a damper structure for an enclosed derrick, which can constantly compensate and maintain a pressure of an inner space of an enclosed derrick structure. The damper structure for the enclosed derrick includes: one or more communication ducts installed in a side of the enclosed derrick; and one or more open/close dampers coupled to the communication ducts to open or close the communication ducts, whereby air is selectively supplied to or exhausted from the enclosed derrick.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicants: TRANSOCEAN SEDCO FOREX VENTURES LIMITED, DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keum Dae Choo, D. Scott Brittin
  • Patent number: 8555976
    Abstract: A rig control interface, system, and method. The rig control interface includes an emergency disconnect sequence button configured to initiate an emergency disconnect sequence signal to be sent to multiplex pods resulting in an emergency disconnect sequence including a plurality of functions being performed by devices in one or both of a lower marine riser package and a blowout preventer stack; and an emergency disconnect sequence timer display triggered by initiation of the emergency disconnect sequence signal, the emergency disconnect sequence timer display configured to indicate one or both of time elapsed after initiation of the emergency disconnect sequence signal and a status of the plurality of functions being performed by the devices in the one or both of the lower marine riser package and the blowout preventer stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hydrill USA Manufacturing LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Prem Ebenezer
  • Patent number: 8555978
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tubing system for transporting a gas-liquid flow from a well to a production platform or processing facility. It includes a dual pathway section between the well and the production point having a first tubing portion and a second tubing portion. The second tubing portion includes a plurality of parallel channels so as to divide the multi-phase flow into a plurality of flows through individual channels. This is done to reduce flow slippage of the lower viscosity portion of the flow, which may lead to inefficiencies in flow characteristics, and often, undesirable cyclical variations in pressure and fluid volume. This is especially useful in inclined portions of the petroleum flow pipe system and along hilly terrain. The first round tubing portion is used for transporting the gas-liquid flow as well as for maintenance purposes, such as for pigging, fishing or coiled tubing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Technology Commercialization Corp.
    Inventors: Boris Ganelin, Michael W. Kenworthy
  • Patent number: 8540030
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and program product for monitoring and managing a plurality of marine riser assets are provided. An example of a method includes tracking the subsea deployment and retrieval of each of a plurality of riser joints. This can include deploying the plurality of riser joints from a vessel to form an operationally deployed marine riser string, reading riser joint identification data from a riser joint identification indicator connected to the respective riser joint during the operational deployment thereof, and identifying the respective riser joint being operationally deployed to thereby track the deployment thereof. The method can also include retrieving one or more of the operationally deployed riser joints, reading riser joint identification data from the riser identification indicator of the respective riser joint during retrieval thereof, identifying the respective one or more riser joints being retrieved to thereby track the retrieval thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Amin Radi
  • Patent number: 8528647
    Abstract: The invention relates to a riser pipe section (1) comprising a main tube (2), at least one auxiliary line element (3) arranged substantially parallel to said tube (2), the ends of the main tube comprising connection means allowing longitudinal stresses to be transmitted and the ends of the auxiliary line element comprising linking means allowing longitudinal stresses to be transmitted, said linking means comprising at least one locking pin (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Jean Guesnon, Gérard Papon, Emmanuel Persent
  • Patent number: 8528666
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for disposing of drill cuttings 500 from an oil and/or gas well drilling platform 510, comprising (a) transporting the drill cuttings 520 to a cuttings collection area 530 on the platform 510; (b) providing a barge 10, the barge 10 having at least one storage area 30, a cover 100 operably connected to the at least one storage area 30, and covering the at least one storage area 30; (c) placing the cover 100 in a first open state so that cuttings 500 can be placed in the at least one storage area 30; (d) transporting the drill cuttings 500 from the cuttings collection area 530 to the at least one storage area of the barge 10; (e) placing the cover 100 in a closed state so that the cuttings 520 in the storage area 30 of the barge 10 are contained; (f) transporting the barge 10 from the drilling platform 510 to a collection site 540; (g) placing the cover 100 in a second open state so that the cuttings 520 in the storage area 30 can be removed; and (h) removing the cuttings 520 from the sto
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Central Boar Rentals, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Patterson, Edward L. Shearer
  • Patent number: 8517109
    Abstract: One or more embodiments of a floating vessel for supporting well head surface equipment that has a deck operatively disposed on the floating vessel. The floating vessel can include a ram tensioner system positioned between the well head surface equipment and the deck. The ram tensioner system can include push up ram style tensioner system with a deck mountable frame having an upper portion and a lower portion connected by a plurality of cylinder sleeves and at least one guide post sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Drilling Technological Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: David Trent
  • Patent number: 8517111
    Abstract: Methods and systems for drilling subsea wells bores with dual-gradient mud systems include drilling the subsea well bore while employing a subsea pumping system, a subsea choke manifold and one or more mud return risers to implement the dual gradient mud system. When a well bore influx is detected, the well bore is shut in, and components determine if pressure control may be used to circulate the influx out of the well bore, the size of the influx, and how much the mud system weight will need to be reduced to match the dual gradient hydrostatic head before the influx reaches the subsea pump take point. The subsea pumping system, subsea choke manifold, and mud risers are isolated while the influx is circulated up one or more fluid passages in the drilling riser package using the surface pump, through the wellhead, and out the surface choke manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Edward Mix, Robert L. Myers
  • Patent number: 8517112
    Abstract: A technique operates a valve system in a subsea test tree via a control system of a type suitable for gaining desired industry ratings. A monitoring system is utilized to monitor functions of the control system, but the monitoring system is independent from the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew W. Niemeyer, Jeffrey J. Marabella
  • Patent number: 8517110
    Abstract: A ram tensioner system with a deck mountable frame having an upper portion and a lower portion connected by a plurality of cylinder sleeves and at least one guide post sleeve. A guide post engages the guide post sleeves, and an individually replaceable modular cylinder is in each cylinder sleeve along with at least one individually removable seal gland that is lubricated by a hydraulic power unit, and a slidable rod engaging each of the cylinders. The slidable rods can be attached to the tension deck with a tension ring to engage a riser and provide movable tension to the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Drilling Technology Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: David Trent
  • Patent number: 8511386
    Abstract: A subsea pumping system using a subsea module is installed on the sea bed, preferably away from production wells and intended to pump hydrocarbons having a high associated gas fraction produced by subsea production wells to the surface. The system achieves an advantage by the design of a pumping module (PM) which is linked to pumping equipment already present in a production well and which includes: an inlet pipe (2), separator equipment (3), a first pump (4) and a second pump (8). Another advantage of the subsea pumping system for the production of hydrocarbons with a high gas fraction is that, when oil is pumped from the production well (P), the well pump (13) increases the energy of the fluid in the form of pressure and transmits this increase in energy in the form of an increase in suction pressure in the second pump (8) of the subsea module (PM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.—Petrobras
    Inventor: Roberto Rodrigues
  • Patent number: 8511389
    Abstract: A subsea wellhead assembly having a completion landing string inside a drilling riser is described herein and comprises a power source for generating an alternating electrical current; a connector for connecting the power source to a receptacle in the subsea well assembly; a first inductor electrically connected to the power source through the connector; a subsea control module delivering power and control signals to the subsea well assembly; and a second inductor spaced from the first inductor, and located in the subsea control module, the second inductor positioned so that an EMF is produced on the second inductor when the alternating electrical current is passed through the first inductor to thereby generate an alternating current signal on the second inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen P Fenton
  • Publication number: 20130192844
    Abstract: A tensions compensator assembly for a slip type joint in an offshore work string. The assembly includes a chamber at the joint which is constructed in a manner to offset or minimize a pressure differential in a production channel that runs through the work string. Thus, potentially very high pressures running through the string are less apt to prematurely force actuation and expansiveness of the slip joint. Rather, the expansive movement of the joint is more properly responsive to heave, changes in offshore platform elevation and other outside forces of structural concern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
  • Patent number: 8496063
    Abstract: A method and device for recovering drilling fluid used in connection with the provision of a subsea well, in which the drilling fluid is circulated from a vessel on a sea surface via a drill string and out through a drill bit into an annulus which is defined by a borehole and the drill string. The device includes a filtering device which is connected, in respect of fluid, to an annulus and which is arranged to contain drill cuttings and drilling fluid. A fluid line extends from a portion of the filtering device to the vessel, the fluid line being arranged to carry drilling fluid which has been separated from the drill cuttings back to the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Ott Subsea Bag Technology AS
    Inventor: John Eirik Paulsen
  • Patent number: 8464525
    Abstract: Systems and methods for recovering power fluid used to power a device under water and for pumping the recovered power fluid to a fluid container above a surface of the water, the method in certain aspects including: flowing fluid from a subsurface apparatus to a subsurface recovery system, the fluid initially provided to the subsurface apparatus to power the subsurface apparatus; and the subsurface recovery system including a pump system for selectively pumping recovered power fluid to a fluid container above a surface of the water, the pump system having at least one pump and, in some aspects, a first pump, a second pump, and a valve system; the valve system controlling the first pump and the second pump to allow only one pump of the first pump and the second pump to pump recovered power fluid to the fluid container above the surface of the water; and pumping recovered power fluid to the fluid container with only one pump at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Frank Benjamin Springett, Eric Trevor Ensley
  • Patent number: 8453758
    Abstract: Systems and methods for lifting drilling fluid from a well bore in a subsea formation are disclosed. Some system embodiments include a drill string suspended within a drilling riser to form the well bore, and a drilling fluid source for supplying drilling fluid through the drill string during drilling. A diverter is coupled between the drilling riser and a return line, while a power riser coupled to the return line at an interface. A lift fluid source supplies lift fluid through the power riser into the return line. The lift fluid is intermittently injected from the power riser through the interface into the return line to form one or more slugs of lift fluid positioned between slugs of drilling fluid, such that the combined density of lift fluid and drilling fluid in the return line is less than the density of the drilling fluid alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Horton Wison Deepwater, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward E. Horton, III, Lyle David Finn, James V. Maher, Greg Navarre
  • Patent number: 8439109
    Abstract: A technique enables determination of changes in length of a conveyance deployed between a surface vessel and a subsea installation. The technique allows information to be obtained on the relationship between length of conveyance spooled out or spooled in at a surface location and the depth and/or speed of an intervention well tool deployed in a well. The information can be used to determine the actual depth of the well tool deployed in the well for the intervention operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Andrea Sbordone
  • Patent number: 8434557
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling the flow of hydrocarbons from a structure or conduit are provided. An engagement apparatus having a body with threads disposed on an end is lowered into a position suitable for engagement with the structure or conduit, the threads including a deformable material. Rotation of the apparatus to engage the threads with the structure or conduit deforms the material to form a wedge shape that provides a seal between the apparatus and structure or conduit, and resists removal of the apparatus from the structure or conduit. Additional conduits can be secured to the upper end of the apparatus, in combination with a valve. The valve can direct the flow of hydrocarbons from the structure or conduit to selected additional conduits, enabling vessels and/or containers to be removed and/or replaced without wholly ceasing the flow of hydrocarbons in a manner that could cause a buildup of pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventor: Johnny Chaddick