Daniel M Houser

US Patent:

6565286, May 20, 2003

Filed:

Aug 10, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/928201

Inventors:

Thomas N. Carr - Sugarland TX
Robin M. Converse - Houston TX
Robert M. Harrell - Sugarland TX
Daniel M. Houser - Houston TX
Charles F. Kasischke - Houston TX
Gautam K. Chaudhury - Houston TX

Assignee:

SparTec, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E02B 1700

US Classification:

405204, 405205, 405206

Abstract:

A method for fabricating sections of a floating offshore spar type structure and mating the sections offshore. A buoyant hard tank is fabricated vertically. The hard tank is then transported in a vertical orientation to a site where it is mated to a truss section of the spar structure offshore while the hard tank and truss section are both in the vertical orientation. The mated tank and truss sections are then towed in the vertical orientation to the operational site. The hard tank is fabricated with a larger diameter and correspondingly shallower draft than a more traditionally proportioned hard tank.

US Patent:

6886637, May 3, 2005

Filed:

Jun 19, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/600131

Inventors:

Donald G Hervey - Houston TX, US
Robert H Carter - Houston TX, US
Daniel Major Houser - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Mentor Subsea Technology Services, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B029/12

US Classification:

166355, 166359, 166345, 405215, 4052241

Abstract:

A cylinder-stem assembly to floating platform, gap controlling interface guide. A longitudinal wear strip and mating guide are positioned at an angle relative to a tangent to the nominally round exterior cylinder of the cylinder. Cylinder guides may be provided at more than a single elevation. The corners of the contacting surfaces of the wear strips may be rounded to reduce the risk of galling and to avoid any obvious point or line loading. During assembly, the cylinder-stem assembly is rotated after insertion into its slot in the floating platform. The rotation centers the cylinder and also may be used to control the magnitude of the gap or an interference fit.

US Patent:

50607316, Oct 29, 1991

Filed:

Feb 22, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/658829

Inventors:

Daniel M. Houser - Thibodaux LA

Assignee:

McDermott International, Inc. - New Orleans LA

International Classification:

E21B 712

US Classification:

166350

Abstract:

This invention pertains to a method of installing well conductors in such a way that the load upon the platform is significantly reduced thereby also eliminating the need for additional framing members. In accordance with this method, an end region of a well conductor is plugged which, if the conductor has a diameter-to-wall thickness ratio of about thirty to one (30:1), will cause the conductor to achieve nearly neutral buoyancy. By selectively adjusting the buoyancy of the conductor, such as by flooding or de-ballasting, additional conductor lengths may be added without imposing an unduly large load upon the platform. In this fashion, a smaller crane will be able to lower the conductor string without the need for a much larger derrick crane, which may then be more efficiently used solely to upend and stab the elongated conductors through the platform.

US Patent:

62100769, Apr 3, 2001

Filed:

Mar 11, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/266422

Inventors:

James Allan Haney - Houston TX
Daniel Major Houser - Houston TX

Assignee:

McDermott Technology, Inc. - New Orleans LA

International Classification:

E02D 2500

US Classification:

405209

Abstract:

A method and apparatus that eliminates the need for a derrick barge to lift the deck into place on a floating offshore structure. A connector is used to connect the transport barge to the floating offshore structure. The connector is a type that allows only relative pitch motions between the transport barge and floating offshore structure in response to sea states acting on the barge and floating offshore structure. The connector is also a type that allows disconnection while large forces are acting on the connector. One or more skidding girders attached to the legs of the deck support the legs of the deck above the skidding surface of the transport barge. A skidding surface on the girders, and complementary skidding surface on the surface of the transport barge and floating offshore structure, allow the deck to be skidded from the barge to the floating offshore structure. Once the deck is in the proper position on the floating offshore structure, the deck legs are lowered into contact with the floating offshore structure by removing spacers provided in the girders. The girders are then detached from the legs of the deck and removed.

US Patent:

55518044, Sep 3, 1996

Filed:

Apr 24, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/427372

Inventors:

Larry D. Breaux - Houston TX
James A. Haney - Houston TX
Daniel M. Houser - Thibodaux LA

Assignee:

McDermott International, Inc. - New Orleans LA

International Classification:

E02D 528
E02D 710

US Classification:

405227

Abstract:

A pile is plugged at its lower end or tip region so as to make it easier to drive. Additionally, such a plugged pile facilitates the transportation and handling of the pile prior to its driving.