Dale Marion Gallaher

US Patent:

20010040034, Nov 15, 2001

Filed:

Mar 11, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/266117

Inventors:

PAUL LOUIS DORGANT - HOUSTON TX, US
MARK CHRISTIAN HANSEN - SLIDELL LA, US
DALE MARION GALLAHER - METAIRIE LA, US
CARL GOTTLIEB LANGNER - SPRING TX, US
MICHAEL JOHN COYNE - KINGWOOD TX, US

International Classification:

E21B015/02

US Classification:

166/346000, 166/366000, 166/338000, 405/227000

Abstract:

A flowline system is disclosed installed within a bottom founded offshore platform having a plurality of conductor guides which are vertically aligned within a wellbay interior and structurally connected to a jacket of the platform. A conductor is supported by the jacket in the wellbay at the conductor guides. A plurality of flowlines are each connected to a remote well and run, together, within the conductor which provides lateral support to the flowlines.

US Patent:

55518010, Sep 3, 1996

Filed:

Dec 23, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/370763

Inventors:

Dale M. Gallaher - Metairie LA
Mark A. Smith - Houston TX

Assignee:

Shell Offshore Inc. - New Orleans LA

International Classification:

E02B 1700
E02D 500

US Classification:

405204

Abstract:

An offshore platform structure is disclosed for temporarily using a jack-up rig for well operations in deepwater applications in which a jacket base supports a surface tower and a subsea rig support interface adapted to accept the jack-up rig for well operations. The bottom founded jacket base is designed for dynamic response with the mass of the jack-up engaged and at least one ballastable rig support buoyancy tank connected to the rig support interface whereby the weight of the jack-up rig is substantially offset by buoyant forces supplied by the rig support buoyancy tank when the jack-up rig is deployed on the jacket base and the mass of the jack-up rig is substantially replaced in the offshore platform structure by ballast in the rig support buoyancy tank when the jack-up rig is removed.

US Patent:

54454760, Aug 29, 1995

Filed:

Sep 30, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/129829

Inventors:

George E. Sgouros - New Orleans LA
Dale M. Gallaher - Metairie LA

Assignee:

Shell Oil Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

E02D 2909
E02B 1700

US Classification:

405224

Abstract:

The present invention is a reusable jacket base for an offshore platform having a plurality of jacket legs with an interconnecting framework. Pile sleeves are connected to the jacket legs which have a vertically extended, open-ended cylindrical member having a second stage sleeve which is connected to the jacket leg and a first stage sleeve projecting coaxially from the second stage sleeve. First and second stage locking profiles are presented inside the first and second stage sleeves, respectively. The first stage sleeve is thus accessible for cutting operations, severing both the first stage sleeve with the first pile-to-pile sleeve connection inside and the connected pile section within. This allows retrieval of the platform jacket, but preserves a second stage pile sleeve for re-deployment. Another aspect of the present invention is an improved pile sleeve adapted to facilitate reuse.

US Patent:

55932509, Jan 14, 1997

Filed:

Dec 23, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/370764

Inventors:

Mark A. Smith - Houston TX
Dale M. Gallaher - Metairie LA
George E. Sgouros - New Orleans LA

Assignee:

Shell Offshore Inc. - New Orleans LA

International Classification:

E02B 1700

US Classification:

405205

Abstract:

An offshore platform structure is disclosed for temporarily using a jack-up rig for well operations in deepwater applications having a bottom founded jacket base which supports a surface tower which extends above the ocean surface and a subsea rig support interface which is adapted to support the jack-up rig for well operations. At least one selectively buoyant rig support buoyancy tank connected to the rig support interface whereby a portion of the temporary load on the jacket base in supporting the jack-up rig for drilling operations may be alleviated.

US Patent:

57410895, Apr 21, 1998

Filed:

Dec 23, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/370767

Inventors:

Dale Marion Gallaher - Metairie LA
George Emanuel Sgouros - New Orleans LA

Assignee:

Shell Offshore Inc. - New Orleans LA

International Classification:

E02B 1702
E02B 1708
E02D 2500

US Classification:

405196

Abstract:

A method is disclosed for redeploying an offshore platform structure from a first site to a second sight of different water depth in which the connection is released between a subsea jacket base and a plurality of piles which are anchored in the ocean floor at the first site. The offshore platform structure is vertically raised by pumping air into a tank member at the top of the subsea jacket base and the surface tower which is supported upon subsea jacket base is reworked while the jacket base is vertically raised. This operation is less difficult than attempting operations offshore on a horizontally disposed surface tower. The offshore platform structure is transported to the second site and the tank member is ballasted to vertically lower the offshore platform to the second site where it is installed.

US Patent:

54473918, Sep 5, 1995

Filed:

Sep 30, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/129820

Inventors:

Dale M. Gallaher - Metairie LA
George E. Sgouros - New Orleans LA

Assignee:

Shell Oil Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

E02B 1700

US Classification:

405203

Abstract:

An offshore platform structure is disclosed for facilitating use of a jack-up rig for well operations in deepwater applications while reducing the jacket size and increasing the flexibility of field development. The structure has a bottom founded jacket base and a surface tower supported by the jacket base and extending above the ocean surface. A platform deck is supported by the surface tower and a subsea rig support interface is presented at the top of the jacket base which is adapted to receive the jack-up rig for well operations. Another aspect of the present invention is an offshore platform system which includes a jack-up rig having a plurality of legs extending from a combination hull/deck structure and engaging the rig support interface. Well operations equipment provided by the jack-up rig which includes a cantilever deck extending from the combination hull and deck structure to present a derrick in substantial vertical alignment with the surface tower.