Fmc Technologies, Inc.

Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As

Advanced Micro Devices Corporation

Kongsberg Offshore As

John A Johansen

Michael R Williams

Vidar Sten Halvorsen

Hans-Paul Carlsen

Heyn Halfdan Magnus

Olav Inderberg

Vidar Sten-Halvorsen

Tor-Øystein Carlsen

Sigurd Moe

Stanley Rogala

Sylvester A Joan

Hans Paul Carlsen

Christina A Ross

David E Wendt

Morten Sivertsen

Lars Fretland

Andreas Mohr

Christina M Johansen

Veronique Prevault

Roy Almedal

A method of operating a subsea production system (), the system comprising a subsea tree () connected to a subsea well (), a production tubing () in the well (), and an electrically operable electric downhole safety valve (), wherein the method comprises, in case of malfunction in operation of the electric downhole safety valve (), the steps of installing a hydraulically operable insert hydraulic downhole safety valve () within the production tubing (); connecting the insert hydraulic downhole safety valve () to the fluid line () at a point of setting () in the subsea well (); operating the insert hydraulic downhole safety valve () by using the fluid line () which extends from an input port () at a position outside of the subsea tree ().

Method of operating a subsea production system, a subsea tree and an electric downhole safety valve

The present invention regards a joint for use in a riser () extending between a floating installation () and a subsea installation (). The joint comprises an inner pipe segment () and an outer pipe segments (), arranged moveable relative each other in an axial direction and connectable to respective riser segments, forming a chamber () between them with a radially extending piston (), dividing the chamber () in a first chamber part () and a second chamber part (), wherein on of said chamber parts () in an initial position of the joint is adapted to contain a mainly incompressible fluid, this chamber part () decreasing in volume as the inner pipe segment () is moved relatively out of the outer pipe segment (). According to the invention the joint is configured with a fluid line connection () from said one chamber part () to the other chamber part (), configured such that the relative movement of the pipe segments () is controlled by the allowed flow rate of a fluid flowing out of the chamber part () through the fluid line connection () to the other chamber part ().

Trigger joint

The invention relates to a control system for a subsea installation based on CAN bus technology. A single cable forms a backbone for transmitting signals and/or power from a central control unit to a number of devices or sensors on the installation. Terminals are attached to the cable at intervals, allowing devices to be plugged in while the system is operable. A termination may also include repeaters or amplifiers for transmitting signals over longer distances.

Control system for a subsea installation

A method of reducing a pressure within a first cavity of a subsea device is disclosed which includes transferring fluid within the first cavity to an accumulator, increasing a pressure of the fluid within the accumulator and, after increasing the pressure of the fluid within the accumulator, transferring at least some of the fluid in the accumulator into a second cavity, wherein the second cavity is at a higher pressure than said first cavity. A device for reducing a pressure within a first cavity of a subsea device is also disclosed which includes a transfer accumulator comprising a piston, the transfer accumulator being in fluid communication with the first cavity and a second cavity, at least one first valve positioned between the first cavity and the transfer accumulator, the at least one first valve adapted to permit fluid flow only from the first cavity to the second cavity, and at least one second valve positioned between the transfer accumulator and the second cavity, the at least one second valve adapted to permit fluid flow only from the transfer accumulator to the second cavity.

Control system

The present invention is directed to an electric-hydraulic power unit. In one illustrative embodiment, the power unit comprises a body having a movable pressure barrier positioned therein, the movable pressure barrier defining first and second chambers therein, a configurable flow path in fluid communication with the first and second chambers, and at least one valve for configuring the flow path in a first state wherein fluid may flow within the flow path only in a direction from the first chamber toward the second chamber, and a second state wherein fluid within the flow path may flow in both directions between the first and second chambers.

Electric-hydraulic power unit

A system is described for monitoring a subsea formation, which is under development. Instruments located in a completed but unconnected well are employed for providing information by a provisional monitoring unit being lowered downhole and connected to the well. Changes in the reservoir as a result of operations in other adjacent wells are intercepted by the instruments in the well and transmitted via an acoustic link to the surface.

Monitoring of a reservoir

The present invention is directed to a system for controlling a hydraulic actuator, and various methods of using same. In one illustrative embodiment, the system comprises a first hydraulic cylinder, an isolated supply of fluid provided to the first hydraulic cylinder, the isolated supply of fluid positioned in an environment that is at a pressure other than atmospheric pressure, an actuator device coupled to the first hydraulic cylinder, the actuator device adapted to drive the first hydraulic cylinder to create the sufficient pressure in the fluid, and at least one hydraulic line operatively intermediate the first hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic actuator, the hydraulic line supplying the sufficient pressure in the fluid to the hydraulic actuator in the remote locale.

System for controlling a hydraulic actuator, and methods of using same

A system for generating an electrical power output from a subsea installation that includes at least one flowline, wherein the system includes a turbine that is operatively connected to the flowline, the turbine being rotatable by fluid flowing through the flowline, and the turbine generating the electrical power output when the turbine is rotated.

Power generation system

A downhole subsurface safety valve device, where an actuator is mounted on the outside of the well on the Christmas tree and the valve is operated by a mechanical transmission which may be linear (an hydraulic actuator) or rotary (an electric motor).

Downhole subsurface safety valve device

An actuator system for actuating a valve in a subsea environment comprises a valve spindle that is arranged to be coupled to an electric motor. To provide for power to the motor, at least one local electrical storage unit is provided. The system also includes a control unit comprising switching means for controlling the power to the motor. The control unit includes an intelligent processor and is arranged to receive signals from external sensors measuring a number of external and internal parameters, The actuator is preferable housed in a modular cage for easy replacement.

Electric actuator

A load limiting break away arrangement for a subsea umbilical includes telescoping inner and outer bodies. The inner body includes multiple cross-bored holes; the outer body has slotted openings on its top and bottom sides. A shearing blade is positioned at one end of a top slot of the outer body. Individual umbilical tubes pass through a bottom slot of the outer body, through individual holes in the inner body and out a top slot of the outer body for attachment to multiple quick connect couplers on an umbilical termination head of an Umbilical Termination Assembly (UTA) and of an Electro-Hydraulic Distribution Module (EHDM). Tension resistant actuation members run between the UTA and EHDM so that when a snag of an umbilical occurs, the inner and outer bodies are pulled apart and the tubes are severed one by one by the blade of the outer body.

Growing community of inventors

Kongsberg, Norway

John A Johansen