Valkyrie Commissioning Services Inc.

Sonsub Inc.

Sonsub International, Inc.

Other

The Standard Oil Company

Exxon Production Research Company

Diverless Systems, Inc.

My Technologies, LLC

Yemington, Charles R.

Charles R Yemington

William R Bath

David M Tucker

Walter E Gray, Jr

Bill George Louis

David A Gray

Frank Sayle

John H Skaggs

Norman H Wood

Gary L Holtz

David A Moles

The present invention is directed to novel methods and apparatus for the design, installation, use, recovery, and reuse of a Self Supporting Riser (SSR) for wells that are not under a platform. The SSR of the present invention uses standardized joints that can be recovered, potentially warehoused, and recombined in different configurations for different purposes or locations. Emphasis is on methods and apparatus that use relatively small vessels subject to high motions in the installation, use and recovery of the SSR. The SSR is adapted for high current and/or deep water applications for purposes of downhole well intervention and subsea equipment installation. In contrast to the apparatus and processes of the prior art, this invention addresses a comprehensive system design.

Riser technology

The present invention is directed to a method for completing the commissioning of a subsea pipeline by purging with a compressed gas to dewater and dry the line wherein the operation is done on the seabed. More specifically, the method is carried out with a subsea vechicle (hereinafter 'SV') that powers pumps located on the seabed or are carried by the SV to inject/remove chemical, dewater, and dry, the pipeline. The present invention may be part of the commissioning of a new or old pipeline or a new portion of a pipeline in which a purging of the line with a compressed gas and drying of the line is required. After commissioning, product flows through the pipeline.

Subsea vehicle assisted pipeline commissioning method

The present invention is directed to a pig receiver used in a dewatering method for subsea pipelines. In the dewatering method a pig is placed in one end of the pipeline filled with water and a compressed gas is introduced behind the pig; in addition the water and pig are drawn by a subsea pump operated by a submersible vehicle (SV) operating near the sea floor to a pig receiver of the present invention. A feature of the pig receiver is a gas sensor that shuts the pump off when gas enters the receiver to prevent a gas (vapor) lock of the pump.

Subsea vehicle assisted pipeline dewatering method

Methods and apparatus for producing methane gas from a hydrate formation. A column of modified material substantially filling a wellbore extending into the hydrate formation. The column of modified material is permeable to gases. A heat source extends into the column of modified material and is operable to provide heat to the hydrate formation so as to release methane gas from the hydrate formation. Methane gas flow through the column of modified material to a gas collector, which regulates the flow of gas to a production system.

Production of natural gas from hydrates

The present invention is directed to a pumping skid that may comprise a skid structure, a high volume pump, a battery of high-pressure pumps, a chemical water treating tank, a docking plate and a bouyancy compensator. More specifically, the skid is carried by a subsea vechicle (hereinafter 'SV') that provides the power to the pumps located on the skid to inject water/chemical, pressurize the water, dewater, and dry, the pipeline. The present invention may be part of the commissioning of a new or old pipeline or a new portion of a pipeline in which a purging of the line with a compressed gas and drying of the line is required. After commissioning, product flows through the pipeline.

Subsea vehicle assisted pumping skid packages

The present invention is directed to a method for completing the commissioning of a subsea pipeline by purging with a compressed gas to dewater and dry the line wherein the operation is done on the seabed. More specifically, the method is carried out with a subsea vechicle (hereinafter &ldquo;SV&rdquo;) that powers pumps located on the seabed or are carried by the SV to inject/remove chemical, dewater, and dry, the pipeline. The present invention may be part of the commissioning of a new or old pipeline or a new portion of a pipeline in which a purging of the line with a compressed gas and drying of the line is required. After commissioning, product flows through the pipeline.

A cable deployment system and method for laying a cable on the sea floor. The cable deployment system includes a cable having a first cable section connected to a riser cable section. The riser cable section includes an armor that is connected to a drum capable of containing a required length of the first cable section. A stinger is attached to the drum and shaped to allow the first cable section to exit the drum. The cable deployment system also includes a tensioning device attached to the drum. The tensioning device is capable of maintaining a tension in the first cable section during deployment of the first cable section from the drum. The method of deploying the cable in deep water from a surface vessel includes the steps of containing the first cable section within the drum and lowering the drum from the surface vessel. An end of the first cable section is secured to the sea floor and the first cable section is deployed from the drum onto the sea floor.

Cable deployment system and method of using same

A method and apparatus for repairing a submerged pipeline. The method comprises installing a pair of hot tap tees on either side of the damaged section of pipeline, cutting a hole in the pipeline through each hot tap tee, inserting and securing plugging pigs into the pipeline, cutting and removing the damaged section of pipeline, and installing a new section of pipeline. The apparatus includes a plugging pig for use during repair of a damaged pipeline comprising a body shaft, a cup seal secured to the body shaft for engaging an interior wall of the pipeline, a cam attached to the exterior of the body shaft, a slip assembly for sliding on the cam and engaging a slip against the pipeline wall, and a control mechanism for engaging and releasing the slip from the wall.

Method and apparatus for replacing damaged section of a subsea pipeline without loss of product or entry of seawater

A method for sensing and launching pipeline pigs into a pipeline. The method includes pressurizing a pressure accumulator in a pig launching system that includes a pig chamber, a plurality of pigs, a launch tube, and the pressure accumulator. The method further includes sensing a pressure within the pipeline and applying pressure from the pressure accumulator to force a pig through the launch tube and into the pipeline.

Method for remotely launching subsea pigs in response to wellhead

An apparatus for removing soil and other debris from around buried objects. The apparatus comprises a movable frame which supports plurality of rotatable and independently mounted brushes which are used to gently sweep across the soil to remove soil and other debris from the covered objects. The soil is then transferred to a collection box within the movable frame for subsequent removal. The frame is capable of horizontal, vertical and rotational movement.

Apparatus for excavating soil using a plurality of independenity

A removal apparatus which includes a container adapted to store removed soil, which is supported from the end of a crane, which applies a downward load on the container to keep it against the contaminated soil and advancing forward. The removal apparatus features a replaceable blade which is attached at the forward end of the container at a predetermined level to define the depth of the cut. Vertical cheek plates are attached at either side of the container to cut the end of the soil at the outer edges of the blade and to provide vertical side wall support to confine the soil within the container. Front and rear dust control chambers are provided which restrict the movement of airborne contaminants. The container includes a sensor to monitor the level of contaminated soil remaining after a cut. Prior to removal, an initial survey is made of the area is made using a sensor capable of determining the level of the contaminants in the soil. Contamination levels are recorded for a number of the positions, resulting in a map of the area. A display of the contamination levels is provided to the operator of the removal apparatus, which has its position monitored and shown on the display. The sensor on the container provides a sensor reading of the contamination level in the soil remaining after the cut. This sensor reading updates the contamination level value previously obtained, with the updated level being provided on the display.

Method and apparatus for removing contaminated surface soil

An apparatus for removing a predetermined amount of contaminated overburdened soil. The apparatus comprises a container adapted to move along the soil. It is advanced forward and controlled by a backhoe or other crane configuration. A blade is attached at the front end of the container to cut a predetermined layer of overburdened soil. Vertical plates are included to cut the edge of the soil at the outer ends of the blades and confine the soil within the container. An air control device is also provided for controlling the flow of airborne particulates resulting from the cutting operation.

Apparatus for removing contaminated overburdened soil

A method for severing and recovering a submerged pipeline is disclosed. The severing and recovering operation may be performed with divers or with a remotely operated vehicle. The deflated lift bag is lowered to the submerged pipeline. The deflated lift bag is positioned under the submerged pipeline and then inflated until a section of the pipeline has been raised off of the sea floor. A cutoff saw is next lowered to the raised section of the pipeline. The cutoff saw is clamped to the pipeline prior to severing the pipeline. The cutoff saw is then removed from the severed pipeline. A recovery head is lowered to the raised end of the severed pipeline. The recovery head is aligned and placed in the raised end of the severed pipeline. The recovery head is activated to establish a gripping relationship with the pipeline. A recovery cable is lowered and connected to the recovery head. The recovery cable is retrieved to recover the recovery head and the pipeline to the water surface.

Method for recovering wet buckled pipe

Method and apparatus for remotely connecting an offshore structure to an underwater pipeline using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The structure has a bell-mouthed bending guide at its base through which a winch line from the surface passes and is temporarily looped back and attached to an accessible place on the structure. Using the ROV and a surface tended messenger line the pull-in line is attached to a terminal assembly at the end of flexible pipe attached to the pipeline. The terminal assembly is pulled in horizontally to the guide, arcuately through the guide and then from the guide in general vertical alignment with a pipe end receiver assembly on the structure above the bending guide. At a location near the receiver assembly a towing head is removed from the terminal assembly and a second pull-in line is attached to the terminal assembly. The two pull-in lines are attached to opposite sides of the terminal for balanced pulling of the terminal assembly to connection with the receiver assembly. Alignment fixtures are provided for final alignment of respective connector halves in the assemblies prior to their connection.

Growing community of inventors

Arlington, TX, United States of America

Charles R Yemington