Directional drilling marine structure
AssigneeTexaco Development Corporation
InventorRobert B. Burns
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Marine structure adapted to be fixed to the ocean floor for drilling wellbores into the latter. A drill conductor cage is removably positioned within the marine structure at a submerged position. The cage holds one or more drill string guides in a manner that directionally oriented wells can be drilled without movement of the structure. The cage is readily disengaged from its under-water working position in order that it can be brought to the water's surface, or otherwise adjusted to facilitate the addition of further conductor guides.
Claims9
A marine structure for drilling wells into the ocean floor at an offshore body of water, said structure including a deck (14) which is positioned above the water's surface, and is adapted to hold well drilling equipment including a rotatable drill string (19),
- at least one upstanding leg member (12) supportably connected to said deck (14) and extending downwardly to said ocean floor,
- a conductor cage (22) registered in and supportably positioned by said upstanding leg member (12) for a drilling operation, said cage being adapted to be disengaged from and removed from said leg member,
- at least one drill string conductor (21) depending from said conductor cage (22) defining a guide passage for registering said rotatable drill string (18), whereby to guide the latter as it is lowered from the deck toward the ocean floor, and
- means on said cage (22) for positioning additional drill string conductors thereto when said cage (22) is disengaged from, and removed from said upstanding leg (12).
In a marine structure as defined in claim 9, wherein said at least one drill string conductor (21) comprises;
- an elongated tubular member having a substantial uniform curvature along the length thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.