| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 166336000 | Testing | 36 |
| 20130056218 | RISERLESS SINGLE TRIP HANGER AND PACKOFF RUNNING TOOL - A running tool for landing a tubular hanger in a subsea wellhead housing or the like, installing an annulus seal assembly into a sealing annulus between the tubular hanger and the wellhead housing, and then pressure testing the seal assembly. The running tool includes an inner mandrel which comprises an upper end that is connectable to a running string, a generally cylindrical inner body which is movably connected to the inner mandrel and releasably connectable to the tubular hanger, a generally cylindrical lower body which is positioned around the inner body above the tubular hanger and connectable to the seal assembly, a generally cylindrical upper body which is positioned above the lower body and is connected to the inner body, an outer mandrel which is slidably supported on the upper body and is connected to the lower body, and a first pressure chamber. | 03-07-2013 |
| 20130092383 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SUBSEA WELL INTERVENTION AND SUBSEA WELLHEAD RETRIEVAL - The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for subsea well intervention operations, including retrieval of a wellhead from a subsea well. In one aspect, a method of performing an operation in a subsea well is provided. The method comprising the step of positioning a tool proximate a subsea wellhead. The tool has at least one grip member and the tool is attached to a downhole assembly. The method also comprising the step of clamping the tool to the subsea wellhead by moving the at least one grip member into engagement with a profile on the subsea wellhead. The method further comprising the step of applying an upward force to the tool thereby enhancing the grip between the grip member and the profile on the subsea wellhead. Additionally, the method comprising the step of performing the operation in the subsea well by utilizing the downhole assembly. | 04-18-2013 |
| 20130092384 | SUBSEA TREE SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM - 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. | 04-18-2013 |
| 20130092385 | HYDRAULIC CONTROL SYSTEM MONITORING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A hydraulic control system for operating a subsea blowout preventer includes a surface manifold configured to convey hydraulic power to the blowout preventer, a surface actuation valve hydraulically connected to subsea valves and configured to operate the blowout preventer, and a control system monitoring apparatus. The control system monitoring apparatus includes a surface manifold pressure transducer hydraulically connected to the surface manifold, an electronic readback system, and a surface control line pressure transducer hydraulically connected to the surface end of at least one control hose and the surface actuation valve. The control system monitoring apparatus is configured to read, record, and process pressure data supplied by the surface manifold and surface control line pressure transducers. | 04-18-2013 |
| 20130118752 | MANAGED PRESSURE CEMENTING - A method of cementing a tubular string in a wellbore includes: deploying the tubular string into the wellbore; pumping cement slurry into the tubular string; launching a cementing plug after pumping the cement slurry; propelling the cementing plug through the tubular string, thereby pumping the cement slurry through the tubular string and into an annulus formed between the tubular string and the wellbore; and controlling flow of fluid displaced from the wellbore by the cement slurry to control pressure of the annulus. | 05-16-2013 |
| 20090260829 | SUBSEA TREE SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM - 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. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20100116504 | CASING ANNULUS TESTER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND TESTING OF A WELLBORE - Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a casing tester for plugging and abandoning a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method of testing an annulus defined between a first tubular string and a second tubular string includes engaging a first annular packer with an outer surface of the first tubular string and engaging a second annular packer with an outer surface of the second tubular string. The tubular strings extend into a wellbore. The method further includes injecting a test fluid between the packers until a predetermined pressure is exerted on the annulus. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20080236837 | COMMUNICATING MEASUREMENT DATA FROM A WELL - To communicate measurement data from a well, data corresponding to measurement data collected by multiple sensors in a well is transformed downhole and passed to an intermediate communications device, which device in turn passes a subset of that data to a destination communications device. The destination communications device applies a second transformation to the data received from the intermediate communications device. The first and second transformations are designed such that meaningful data can be recovered at the destination communications device even though only a subset of the original transformed data has been received. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080236836 | Apparatus, System, and Method for Determining Injected Fluid Vertical Placement - An apparatus, system, and method are provided for determining injected fluid vertical placement in a formation. The apparatus includes a borehole drilled through a formation, and an injection conduit within the borehole. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a fiber optic cable within the borehole wrapped helically around the injection conduit such that the fiber optic cable reads temperatures at specific depths and radial angles throughout the borehole. The apparatus includes a thermal insulation layer interposed between the injection conduit and the fiber optic cable such that the fiber optic cable detects the formation temperature rather than the injection conduit temperature. The apparatus includes a computer programmed to determine the vertical placement of the injected fluid within the formation based on the temperature readings. The apparatus detects an induced hydraulic fracture height, and detects whether an induced hydraulic fracture has deviated from the plane of the borehole. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20090277644 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHRISTMAS TREE CONDITION MONITORING - A method for monitoring a Christmas tree assembly installed on a subsea hydrocarbon well includes receiving a plurality of parameters associated with the Christmas tree assembly. A health metric for the Christmas tree assembly is determined based on the parameters. A problem condition with the Christmas tree assembly is identified based on the determined health metric. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090288836 | Apparatus and Methods for Subsea Control System Testing - Apparatus and methods are described for subsea control system testing including one or more of electrical, optical and fluidic conduit testing, wherein the testing is conducted subsea using a subsea testing skid. In one embodiment of the invention a subsea pipeline service skid is provided that includes at least one skid mounted pump dimensioned to deliver from about 3000 to about 20000 p.s.i. of pressure for pressure testing the fluidic conduits to desired pressures. Modular construction of the skid permits customization for testing service of unique subsea control equipment. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20120292035 | TUBING HANGER SETTING CONFIRMATION SYSTEM - A subsea wellhead assembly provides a positive indication of landing of a wellhead member and locking of a wellhead member to a wellhead. The subsea wellhead assembly includes at least one positive indicator assembly disposed within a wellhead member, and a communication line extending down a running string from a platform to a running tool disposed in a subsea wellhead. The at least one positive indicator assembly provides confirmation of setting of the wellhead member, and the communication line is in communication with the positive indicator assembly to communicate the confirmation of setting with the platform following setting of the wellhead member. | 11-22-2012 |
| 20120292036 | OFFSHORE UNIVERSAL RISER SYSTEM - An offshore universal riser system may include a valve module which selectively permits and prevents fluid flow through a flow passage extending longitudinally through a riser string. An anchoring device may releasably secure the valve module in the passage. A method of constructing a riser system may include the steps of installing the valve module in the passage, and installing at least one annular seal module in the passage. The annular seal module may prevent fluid flow through an annular space between the riser string and a tubular string positioned in the passage. Drilling methods may include injecting relatively low density fluid compositions into the annular space, and selectively varying a restriction to flow through a subsea choke in a drilling fluid return line. The riser string, including housings for the various modules and external control systems, may be dimensioned for installation through a rotary table. | 11-22-2012 |
| 20100051286 | OPTICAL SENSING SYSTEM FOR WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT - A system includes a Christmas tree assembly mounted to a hydrocarbon well, an optical feedthrough module, and a plurality of optical sensors. The optical feedthrough module is operable to communicate through a pressure boundary of the Christmas tree assembly. The plurality of optical sensors is disposed within the Christmas tree assembly for measuring parameters associated with the Christmas tree assembly and is operable to communicate through the optical feedthrough module. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20090229830 | SUBSEA WELL PRODUCTION SYSTEM - A subsea completion testing tree (SCTT) for connection in a tubular string includes a lower tree portion having a control valve; an upper tree portion separably connected to the lower tree portion at a latch; a circulation valve connected with the upper tree portion; and a retainer valve connected with the upper tree portion between the circulation valve and the latch. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20100252269 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING SUBSEA WELLS - A system for subsea wellbore monitoring is disclosed. The system includes: a communication control unit configured to be disposed at a sea floor and connected to a monitoring unit that is disposable in communication with the wellbore; a plurality of control unit connection ports disposed on the control unit and configured to operably connect with the subsea wellbore, the plurality of control unit connection ports including at least one blank control unit connection port; and a switch disposed in the control unit including a plurality of switch connection points, the plurality of switch connection points including at least one blank switch connection point configured to be operably connected to the at least one blank control unit connection port. A method of modifying a subsea wellbore monitoring system is also disclosed. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20090107682 | Monitoring A Solenoid of A Directional Control Valve - A method of monitoring a solenoid ( | 04-30-2009 |
| 20110000677 | SUBSEA TEST APPARATUS, ASSEMBLY AND METHOD - Subsea test apparatus comprises: a connector for mating with a corresponding connector of subsea apparatus to provide at least one of electrical, optical, and fluid connection between the test apparatus and the subsea apparatus; measuring means connected to the test apparatus's connector and operable underwater in a measurement mode; a power supply arranged to power the measuring means; and disconnection means for disconnecting the test apparatus's connector from a mated subsea apparatus's connector. The measuring means, in said measurement mode, is arranged to perform at least one measurement, via the mated connectors, on connected subsea apparatus, and the test apparatus further comprises indicating means operable underwater and arranged to provide an indication of a result of the or each measurement. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110240302 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOGGING CASED WELLBORES - The present invention is directed to methods and systems for obtaining log data on a cased wellbore concurrently with wellbore cleanout operations. In some such embodiments, a combination of at least one cleaning means and at least one logging tool are integrated or otherwise affixed to a common workstring, such that both wellbore cleanout and logging operations can be accomplished without having to remove the workstring from the well between such operations. In some such embodiments, the one or more logging tool(s) transmit information about the cased wellbore to the surface wirelessly. In some or other such embodiments, such information is transmitted via cable, in real-time or in batch mode. In some or still other such embodiments, such information is stored in memory and accessed subsequent to the workstring being extracted from the wellbore. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110253377 | Testing Subsea Umbilicals - An aspect encompasses a method of testing a subsea umbilical where a first portion of testing is performed on the subsea umbilical, the testing comprising hydraulic testing and at least one of electrical or optical testing, and a second portion of the testing is performed independent of a diver or an ROV. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20100300696 | System and Method for Monitoring Subsea Valves - A technique facilitates collection of information on desired production related parameters in a subsea valve system. Collected data can be processed in a manner that enables enhanced production and/or an increased knowledge regarding operation of the entire subsea valve system. Sensors are coupled with a plurality of subsea valves, and those subsea valves are positioned at appropriate locations along a subsea hydrocarbon production system. The sensors also may be coupled with a data processing system to process the collected data for use by a well operator. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20120273211 | SUBSEA SENSORS DISPLAY SYSTEM AND METHOD - Method and subsea sensors display system configured to display data about a blowout preventer (BOP) stack. The subsea sensors display system includes a display panel having plural universal subsea displays, each universal subsea display being configured to display a value measured by a sensor attached to the BOP stack; and a J-box electrically connected to the display panel and configured to provide electrical power to the display panel and to receive data from the display panel. The electrical power is provided from a pod provided on the BOP stack or from a battery when the pod is not available or from a remote operated vehicle (ROV) when connected to the display panel. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20080223583 | FREE STANDING RISER SYSTEM AND METHOD OF INSTALLING SAME - A free standing riser system includes a riser, a subsea intervention unit, and an umbilical line. The riser includes interconnected joints linked to one another, a lower-end of the riser being coupled to a wellhead and an upper-end of the riser enclosed in a buoy assembly, including a terminal, the riser being maintained in an erect, substantially vertical position. The subsea intervention unit is provided above the riser, and includes three connections: one connection to the terminal of the riser, one connection to a flexible jumper that is connected to a FPU, and one connection that provides a vertical conveyance to an intervention rig. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20120031620 | MARINE COMPOSITE RISER FOR STRUCTRUAL HEALTH MONITORING USING PIEZOELECTRICITY - A structural health monitoring system for a marine composite riser string is provided. Each riser pipe section includes a cylindrical form having an axis and also a carbon epoxy matrix. A sensor is associated with (e.g., embedded in) and substantially circumscribes the riser pipe section. The sensor includes a PolyVinyliDene Fluoride laminate and electrodes (e.g., conductive silver ink coating) so that the sensor generates electricity at the electrodes responsive to mechanical stresses and strains of the riser section, including vibrations. The system can also include a data acquisition system and digital signal analyzer to analyze signals responsive to the generated electricity at the electrodes of sensors and to provide health monitoring and damage detection for the marine riser pipe string, including impact damage and fatigue crack initiation. The system can further include a subsurface energy storage device and a plurality subsurface microelectromechanical devices coupled to the subsurface energy storage device. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120000663 | SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A SUBSEA FLOW DEVICE - A system, apparatus, and method are provided for monitoring a subsea flow device such as a subsea flowline. The apparatus generally includes a thermoelectric device that is adapted to generate electric power from a thermal potential between the subsea flow device and the surrounding seawater. A sensor that is powered by the thermoelectric device is adapted to monitor one or more characteristics of the flow device, such as temperature or strain, and provide a radiation output that is indicative of the characteristic. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120111571 | METHOD FOR SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS OF PRODUCTION FROM A SUBSEA WELL FOR MEASURING SALINITY OF PRODUCED WATER AND ALSO VOLUMETRIC RATIO BETWEEN LIQUID FRACTIONS - The invention concerns a permanent subsea sampling and analysis system, which typically is integrated into a replaceable equipment module for a choke valve of a subsea production well. The analysis system separates a sample into liquid fractions consisting of crude oil, condensate and produced water and then measures the salinity of the water as well as the volumetric ratio between the liquid fractions. With this equipment it will be possible to check, at regular intervals, the development in salinity of the produced water from a singular well without disturbing the production from the well. The information from the analysis system may be used to update the calibration set-up of the multiphase flow meter of the well, or to reveal a possible water breakthrough resulting from water injection into a reservoir, or for other reservoir analyses. Due to the analysis equipment becoming permanently installed on the subsea well equipment, costs of taking samples via intervention operations from vessels are avoided, also avoiding temporary shut-down of production from other wells producing to a joint subsea manifold for the purpose of investigating which well may possibly have experienced water breakthrough. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120152555 | Circuit Functional Test System and Method - Method and deadman test circuit for testing a functionality of a shearing blowout preventer. The circuit includes a solenoid valve configured to be electrically controlled and to receive a fluid under a first pressure; a sub plate mounted valve configured to be hydraulically controlled by the solenoid valve and to receive the fluid under a second pressure; and a selector valve fluidly connecting an output of the sub plate mounted valve to a shearing blowout preventer and to a device. The selector valve is configured to be operated by an operator. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20090288835 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DEPTH MEASUREMENT AND CORRECTION DURING SUBSEA INTREVENTION OPERATIONS - 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. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20100326664 | Running Tool That Prevents Seal Test - A running tool sets a casing hanger packoff and ensures that the packoff is not pressure tested unless the proper setting stroke was made by the running tool. The running tool has a stem, an inner body, and a piston. The inner body is connected to the stem so that rotation of the stem relative to the inner body will cause the stem to move longitudinally. The piston is connected to the stem so that the stem and piston rotate and move longitudinally in unison. A test slot is located in the outer surface of the inner body. A limit pin is connected to the piston and is adapted to engage the test slot when the piston moves longitudinally relative to the inner body. The stem has a raised profile on a portion of its exterior surface. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110120720 | Wellhead Test Tool and Method - A method of pressure testing a lower marine riser package includes forming an inflatable packer having exposed slats and an inflatable packer element. The packer is positioned within the lower marine riser package above the cap seal with the exposed slats above the packer element. The packer is inflated and fluid pressure is then applied to test the integrity of the cap seal. The packer may be inverted, then positioned below the BOP/riser connection, the packer inflated, and pressure increased above the inflated packer element to test the fluid integrity of the BOP/riser connection. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20120267115 | SUBSEA SAMPLING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method are provided for collecting fluid samples from a fluid flowline located subsea. The system includes a multiphase sampling apparatus attachable to the flowline, and a vehicle sampling apparatus that is connectable to the multiphase sampling apparatus to allow the transfer of the collected fluid sample thereto. The vehicle sampling apparatus is preferably a subsea remotely operated vehicle (ROV) locatable proximate the fluid flowline and having a fluid sample collector and a fluid pump for transferring the collected fluid sample from the multiphase sampling apparatus to the fluid sample collector. The vehicle sampling apparatus includes a fluid analysis sensor capable of extracting information about the collected fluid sample at a subsea location. Optionally, the vehicle sampling apparatus can transport the collected fluid sample to a location remote from the fluid flowline for analysis. | 10-25-2012 |
| 166337000 | For leak | 5 |
| 20090056949 | FLUORESCENCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM FOR DETECTING LEAKS FROM SUBSEA SYSTEMS AND STRUCTURES - A system for detecting leaks from a subsea system is disclosed which includes at least one subsea structure anchored to a sea floor, a fluorescence detector attached to the subsea structure, the fluorescence detector adapted to generate a light beam having a wavelength that will fluoresce material leaking from the subsea system when the material is irradiated with the light beam, and a camera adapted to observe the fluorescence of the material as it is being irradiated by the light source. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090008100 | Fixed-point packoff element with primary seal test capability - A fixed-point packoff element for a full-bore pressure isolation tool supports a primary seal and a test seal to permit the primary seal to be tested by injecting test fluid through a side port of a tubing head spool before the pressure isolation tool is rigged up for a well stimulation procedure. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20080296025 | CONTROL SYSTEM - 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. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20100018715 | OFFSHORE UNIVERSAL RISER SYSTEM - An offshore universal riser system. A riser system includes a valve module which selectively permits and prevents fluid flow through a flow passage extending longitudinally through a riser string. An anchoring device releasably secures the valve module in the flow passage. A method of constructing a riser system includes the steps of installing the valve module in the flow passage, and installing at least one annular seal module in the flow passage. The annular seal module is operative to prevent fluid flow through an annular space between the riser string and a tubular string positioned in the flow passage. Drilling methods include injecting relatively low density fluid compositions into the annular space, and selectively varying a restriction to flow through a subsea choke in a drilling fluid return line. The riser string, including housings for the various modules and external control systems, is dimensioned for installation through a rotary table. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20110247826 | METHOD, DEVICE, AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING WATER OR LIQUID IN THE ANNULUS OF A FLEXIBLE RISER OR FLOWLINE - A method, device, and system for determining whether liquid enters a subsea system includes a flow line having an inside bore capable of carrying producing fluids from a subsea wellhead to a floating production storage and offloading vessel (FPSO). An annulus is defined between an innermost sheath that surrounds the inside bore and an outermost sheath at an exterior of the flow line. The device further includes a housing element disposed within the annulus and in hydraulic communication with the annulus; a sensor element disposed at a predetermined location within the housing element; and data acquisition equipment capable of: determining environmental characteristics of the annulus based on measurements made by the sensor element, and determining at least one of the presence, location, and rate of collection of liquids in the subsea system based on the environmental characteristics of the annulus. | 10-13-2011 |
