Andrew A Hunter

US Patent:

54393213, Aug 8, 1995

Filed:

Mar 11, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/029743

Inventors:

Andrew F. Hunter - Houston TX

Assignee:

Conoco Inc. - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

E02B 1700

US Classification:

4051951

Abstract:

The interruptive mobile production (IMP) system comprises a floating semisubmersible structure with equipment and facilities for hydrocarbon production in association with a small tension leg wellhead platform (TLWP) having direct vertical access. The small TLWP has an upper deck positioned above the surface of the water with wellhead equipment thereon and has risers generally vertically connecting subsea wells to the upper deck. Lateral bending restraints of the risers and tendons are preferably located at about the same horizontal level as the lower pontoon section. The semisubmersible structure can be conveniently disconnected from its moorings and from the wellhead platform for demobilizing to another location while the TLWP remains tethered in place.

US Patent:

43209939, Mar 23, 1982

Filed:

Jul 28, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/172628

Inventors:

Andrew F. Hunter - Houston TX

Assignee:

Conoco Inc. - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

B63B 2150

US Classification:

405224

Abstract:

A connector apparatus for connecting a tension leg platform mooring tether to a subsea foundation, the apparatus comprising: a plug positioned on the lower end of the mooring tether for mating union with a receptacle positioned in the foundation so that the plug is readily positioned in the receptacle to maintain the mooring tether in connection with the foundation with the plug being readily removable from the receptacle when desired.

US Patent:

47845295, Nov 15, 1988

Filed:

Oct 6, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/105941

Inventors:

Andrew F. Hunter - Houston TX

Assignee:

Conoco Inc. - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

B63B 3544
E02D 554

US Classification:

405227

Abstract:

A method for securely mooring a floating tension leg platform to an anchoring base template. The method involves swinging an end of a neutrally bouyant, one piece tendon which has an enlarged connector downwardly into position adjacent an anchoring receptacle, pulling the enlarged connector through a side-entry opening in the receptacle, lifting the tendon to seat the enlarged connector in a load ring of the receptacle, adjusting the effective length of the tendon to place it in tension and repeating these steps for each of the mooring tendons.

US Patent:

47845279, Nov 15, 1988

Filed:

May 29, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/055678

Inventors:

Andrew F. Hunter - Houston TX
Wen J. Wang - Houston TX
Jeffrey L. Mueller - Houston TX

Assignee:

Conoco Inc. - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

E02B 1700
E21B 4301

US Classification:

405207

Abstract:

A light-weight, modular drilling template. A template is constructed of light-weight tubular steel having ring stiffeners to provide adequate crush resistance to withstand collapse under hydraulic loading provided by water pressure at 1800 feet water depth. The template is constructed as a pod-receiving frame with separable pods that may be installed after the frame has been set on the seafloor and leveled. The individual pods may be fine tune leveled by means of adjustable jacking mechanisms that form part of the latching devices that secure the pods to the frame. A method for installing a foundation template subsequent to installing the drilling template is also described.

US Patent:

48446599, Jul 4, 1989

Filed:

Oct 6, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/105943

Inventors:

Andrew F. Hunter - Houston TX
Robert A. Zimmer - Houston TX

Assignee:

Conoco Inc. - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

E02D 574
B63B 2150

US Classification:

405224

Abstract:

Apparatus for attaching a floating tension leg platform to an anchoring base template on the subsea floor. The apparatus includes an external mooring porch for each tendon, the porches being mounted on the outside surfaces of the platform's columns.

US Patent:

48489700, Jul 18, 1989

Filed:

Aug 11, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/232396

Inventors:

Andrew F. Hunter - Houston TX
James D. Bozeman - Houston TX

Assignee:

Conoco Inc. - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

E02D 574

US Classification:

405224

Abstract:

A method for securely mooring a floating tension leg platform and an anchoring base template. The method involves swinging an end of a neutrally buoyant, one piece tendon which has an enlarged connector downwardly into position adjacent an anchoring receptacle, pulling the enlarged connector through a side-entry opening in the receptacle, lifting the tendon to seat the enlarged connector in a load ring of the receptacle, adjusting the effective length of the tendon to place it in tension and repeating these steps for each of the mooring tendons. A one-piece, thin-walled, neutrally buoyant tendon is also disclosed.

US Patent:

47970359, Jan 10, 1989

Filed:

Jun 5, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/058488

Inventors:

Andrew F. Hunter - Houston TX

Assignee:

Conoco Inc. - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

E02B 1702

US Classification:

405205

Abstract:

A method of placing a template on the seafloor beneath a floating vessel. The method comprises suspending the template beneath at least one sling-mounted pendant buoy and using a tow cable and restraint cable to position the template in a position generally centered beneath the vessel. An extendable support, such as a drill string, may be connected to a previously attached descent sling, control lines and buoy slings detached, additional ballast added as needed, and the template lowered to the seafloor.

US Patent:

46699163, Jun 2, 1987

Filed:

Mar 17, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/840235

Inventors:

Charles N. White - Houston TX
Andrew F. Hunter - Houston TX

Assignee:

Conoco Inc. - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

E02B 1700

US Classification:

405224

Abstract:

In a Tension Leg Platform, the common practice is to locate the well and anchor templates on the sea floor. This practice results in unequal lengths for the mooring elements which extend to the base of the floating structure and the well risers which extend to a well deck level which is elevated above the base of the floating structure. As a consequence, complicated tensioning systems having an extremely long stroke may be required for the well risers. The present invention provides for a well template which is elevated above the anchor templates at a level which equalizes the lengths of the mooring elements and the well risers. The well and anchor templates are constructed in a unitary structure to facilitate installation and assure proper spacing of the templates with respect to each other. In preferred embodiments of the invention, subsea storage is provided as well as curved conductors which facilitate angular deviation of the wellbores away from the template and J-tubes for the pull-in of subsea flowlines.