IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,953,491
Granted Patent B2
US 10,953,491 · App. 15/349,914 · Granted Mar 23, 2021

High power laser offshore decommissioning tool, system and methods of use

Inventors: Mark S. Zediker (Castle Rock, CO); Daryl L. Grubb (Houston, TX); Ronald A. De Witt (Katy, TX); Paul D. Deutch (Houston, TX); Joel F. Moxley (Highlands Ranch, IL); Scott A. Marshall (Houston, TX); Eugence J. Linyaev (Magnolia, TX); Sam N. Schroit (Littleton, CO); Sharath K. Kolachalam (Sugar Land, TX)
Assignee: Foro Energy, Inc.
B23K26/146B23K26/0096B23K26/03B23K26/04B23K26/0622B23K26/0652B23K26/106B23K26/127B23K26/1224B23K26/14B23K26/1476B23K26/38B23K37/02E02B17/027E02D17/00E21B29/02B23K2101/06B23K2103/04E02B2017/0052
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,953,491
App. No.
15/349,914
Granted
Mar 23, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

There is provided high power laser systems, high power laser tools, and methods of using these tools and systems for cutting, sectioning and removing structures objects, and materials, and in particular, for doing so in difficult to access locations and environments, such as offshore, underwater, or in hazardous environments, such as nuclear and chemical facilities. Thus, there is also provided high power laser systems, high power laser tools, and methods of using these systems and tools for removing structures, objects, and materials located offshore, under bodies of water and under the seafloor.

Claims (23)

1. An offshore laser cutting system comprising a laser cutting tool, the laser cutting tool comprising:

(a) a laser tool body defining a longitudinal axis and comprising:

(i) an end of a conveyance structure, comprising an optical fiber capable of transmitting high power laser energy;

(ii) a conveyance termination section comprising an optical connector; and,

(iii) an anchoring section;

(b) a stand-off distance setting device, whereby the laser tool body axis may be positioned in a predetermined location relative to an axis of a tubular to be cut;

(c) a motor section;

(d) a laser cutting head section, comprising a laser beam exit and,

(e) a laser optics defining a laser beam path axis.

2. The laser cutting tool of claim 1 , wherein the axis of the laser optics and the laser tool body axis are coaxial.

3. The laser cutting tool of claim 2 , wherein the predetermined location provides for the tool body axis to be coaxial with the axis of the tubular.

4. The laser cutting tool of claim 1 , wherein the anchoring section comprises a packer.

5. The laser cutting tool of claim 4 , wherein the packer is the stand off distance device.

6. The laser cutting tool of claim 5 , wherein the conveyance termination section comprises a strain relief member.

7. The laser cutting tool of claim 1 , wherein, along the tool axis, the conveyance termination section is adjacent to the anchoring section, and the anchoring section is adjacent the laser optics, and the laser optics are adjacent the motor section, and the motor section is adjacent the laser cutting head section.

8. The laser cutting tool of claim 2 , wherein along the tool axis the conveyance termination section is adjacent to the anchoring section and the anchoring section is adjacent the motor section and the motor section is adjacent the laser cutting head section.

9. The laser cutting tool of claim 1 , wherein the laser tool body comprises a passage for handling returns.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the conveyance structure has a second end; wherein the second end is associated with a laser decommissioning, plugging and abandoning vessel comprising:

(i) a vessel;

(ii) a high power laser having about 5 kW to about 50 kW of power; the high power laser in optical communication with the conveyance structure, whereby the conveyance structure is capable of transmitting a high power laser beam to the laser cutting tool.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the conveyance structure has a second end; wherein the second end is associated with a laser decommissioning, plugging and abandoning vessel comprising:

(i) a vessel;

(ii) a high power laser having about 5 kW to about 50 kW of power; the high power laser in optical communication with the conveyance structure, whereby the conveyance structure is capable of transmitting a high power laser beam to the laser cutting tool.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 28, 2017
From: ZEDIKER, MARK S.; GRUBB, DARYL L.; DEWITT, RONALD A.; DEUTCH, PAUL D.; MOXLEY, JOEL F.; MARSHALL, SCOTT A.; LINYAEV, EUGENE J.; SCHROIT, SAM N.; KOLACHALAM, SHARATH K.
To: FORO ENERGY INC.
Reel/Frame 043019/0860 →
Continuity (27)
Division 14803228 · Jul 20, 2015
Division 13565345 · Aug 2, 2012
Continuation In Part 13403741 · Feb 23, 2012
Continuation In Part 13366882 · Feb 6, 2012
Continuation In Part 13347445 · Jan 10, 2012
Continuation In Part 13222931 · Aug 31, 2011
Continuation In Part 13211729 · Aug 17, 2011
Continuation In Part 13210581 · Aug 16, 2011
Continuation In Part 12840978 · Jul 21, 2010
Continuation In Part 12706576 · Feb 16, 2010
Continuation In Part 12543986 · Aug 19, 2009
Continuation In Part 12544136 · Aug 19, 2009
Provisional Application 61605422 · Mar 1, 2012
Provisional Application 61605434 · Mar 1, 2012
Provisional Application 61514391 · Aug 2, 2011
Provisional Application 61446312 · Feb 24, 2011
Provisional Application 61431830 · Feb 7, 2011
Provisional Application 61439970 · Feb 7, 2011
Provisional Application 61431827 · Jan 11, 2011
Provisional Application 61378910 · Aug 31, 2010
Provisional Application 61374594 · Aug 17, 2010
Provisional Application 61295562 · Jan 15, 2010
Provisional Application 61106472 · Oct 17, 2008
Provisional Application 61102730 · Oct 3, 2008
Provisional Application 61090384 · Aug 20, 2008
Provisional Application 61153271 · Feb 17, 2009
Related Publication 20170252858A1 · Sep 7, 2017