Adam Lee Ballard

US Patent:

20090111715, Apr 30, 2009

Filed:

Apr 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/082742

Inventors:

Adam L. Ballard - Katy TX, US
Norman D. McMullen - Cypress TX, US
George J. Shoup - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

E21B 43/00

US Classification:

507 90

Abstract:

A method to remove hydrate plugs in a production system by passing a non-hydrate-forming or a hydrate-forming gas, which forms hydrates at a higher pressure than the existing hydrate, through the flow-restricting hydrate.

US Patent:

20120085544, Apr 12, 2012

Filed:

Jun 8, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/156224

Inventors:

Roy Shilling - Houston TX, US
Philip D. Maule - Leatherhead, GB
Kevin Kennelley - Kemah TX, US
Walter Greene - Houston TX, US
Robert W. Franklin - Katy TX, US
Vicki Corso - Richmond TX, US
Tony Oldfield - Surrey, GB
Adam L. Ballard - Katy TX, US
Graeme Steele - Houston TX, US
David Wilkinson - Cleethorpes, GB
Ricky Thethi - Houston TX, US
Chau Nguyen - Houston TX, US
Steve Hatton - Surrey, GB

Assignee:

BP Exploration Operating Company Limited - Sunbury-On-Thames
BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 17/01
E21B 43/00

US Classification:

166345, 166369

Abstract:

A free-standing riser system connects a subsea source to a surface structure. The system includes a concentric free-standing riser comprising inner and outer risers defining an annulus there between. A lower end of the riser is fluidly coupled to the subsea source through a lower riser assembly (LRA) and one or more subsea flexible conduits. An upper end of the riser is connected to a buoyancy assembly and the surface structure through an upper riser assembly (URA) and one or more upper flexible conduits, the riser also mechanically connected to a buoyancy assembly that applies upward tension to the riser. The riser may be insulated for flow assurance, either by a flow assurance fluid in the annulus, insulation of the outside of the outer riser, or both. The system may include a hydrate inhibition system and/or a subsea dispersant system. The surface structure may be dynamically positioned.

US Patent:

20120305262, Dec 6, 2012

Filed:

May 14, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/470793

Inventors:

Adam Lee Ballard - Katy TX, US
Robert Winfield Franklin - Katy TX, US
Tony Oldfield - Surrey, GB
Martin Julio Pabon - Katy TX, US

Assignee:

BP INTERNATIONAL LIMITED - Sunbury-on-Thames
BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 33/00

US Classification:

166363

Abstract:

A device for relieving pressure in a subsea component comprises a housing including an inner cavity, an open end in fluid communication with the inner cavity, and a through bore extending from the inner cavity to an outer surface of the housing. In addition, the device comprises a connector coupled to the open end. The connector is configured to releasably engage a mating connector coupled to the subsea component. Further, the device comprises a burst disc assembly mounted to the housing within the through bore. The burst disc assembly is configured to rupture at a predetermined differential pressure between the inner cavity and the environment outside the housing.

US Patent:

20130269947, Oct 17, 2013

Filed:

Oct 11, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/878698

Inventors:

Roy Shilling - Houston TX, US
Kevin Kennelley - Kemah TX, US
Robert W. Franklin - Katy TX, US
Vicki Corso - Richmond TX, US
Adam L. Ballard - Katy TX, US
Ricky Thethi - Houston TX, US
Chau Nguyen - Houston TX, US
Steve Hatton - Surrey IL, US

Assignee:

BP Corporation North America, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 43/013

US Classification:

166345

Abstract:

A lower riser assembly connects a riser to a seabed mooring and to a subsea hydrocarbon fluid source. The assembly includes sufficient intake ports to accommodate flow of hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon fluid source, as well as optional flow assurance fluid. The upper end of the member has a profile suitable for fluidly connecting to the riser. The lower end of the member includes a connector suitable for connecting to the seabed mooring. An upper riser assembly connects the riser to a near-surface subsea buoyancy device and to a surface structure. The assembly includes sufficient outtake ports to accommodate flow of hydrocarbons from the riser through a subsea flexible conduit to the surface structure. The upper end of the member includes a connector for connecting to a subsea buoyancy device. The lower end of the member comprises a profile suitable for fluidly connecting to the riser.

US Patent:

20150122503, May 7, 2015

Filed:

Jan 7, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/591545

Inventors:

Roy Shilling - Houston TX, US
Philip D. Maule - Leatherhead, GB
Kevin Kennelley - Keman TX, US
Walter Greene - Houston TX, US
Robert W. Franklin - Katy TX, US
Vicki Corso - Richmond TX, US
Tony Oldfield - Surrey, GB
Adam L. Ballard - Katy TX, US
Graeme Steele - Houston TX, US
David E. Wilkinson - Houston TX, US
Ricky Thethi - Houston TX, US
Chau Nguyen - Houston TX, US
Steve Hatton - Surrey, GB

International Classification:

E21B 17/01
F04B 17/05
F04B 17/02
E21B 43/01

US Classification:

166367, 166335

Abstract:

A free-standing riser system connects a subsea source to a surface structure. The system includes a concentric free-standing riser comprising inner and outer risers defining an annulus there between. A lower end of the riser is fluidly coupled to the subsea source through a lower riser assembly (LRA) and one or more subsea flexible conduits. An upper end of the riser is connected to a buoyancy assembly and the surface structure through an upper riser assembly (URA) and one or more upper flexible conduits, the riser also mechanically connected to a buoyancy assembly that applies upward tension to the riser. The riser may be insulated for flow assurance, either by a flow assurance fluid in the annulus, insulation of the outside of the outer riser, or both. The system may include a hydrate inhibition system and/or a subsea dispersant system. The surface structure may be dynamically positioned.