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US 2007/0119622 A1Published application
Drilling rig
AssigneeCoupler Developments Limited
InventorLaurence Ayling
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An underwater drilling rig (1) in modular form, which can be simply assembled underwater and in which standard tubulars and tubular assemblies are stored in a novel arrangement within containers (6) and can be added to, and removed from, the string in the well bore, whilst there is continuous circulation of drilling fluid and also continuous segregation of drilling fluid from the seawater.
Claims5
A drilling rig for use underwater for rotating a drill string for drilling a bore hole in a sea bed comprising:
- (a) a storage system for containing standard tubulars upright at multiple positions;
- (b) a mast;
- (c) means for moving said mast laterally;
- (d) a stinger mounted on said mast of a size and shape for engaging and moving said tubulars out of said storage system and transporting said tubulars into a position vertically aligned with said drill string;
- (e) rotary drive means connected to said stinger for rotating said stinger and each of said attached tubulars into threaded engagement with said drill string;
- and
- (f) continuous circulating coupler means attached to said drill string and each tubular for continuously circulating drilling fluid down said drill string during the connection and is connection of each tubular to and from said drill string.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.