Modular drilling template for drilling subsea wells
AssigneeConoco Inc.
InventorsAndrew F. Hunter, Wen J. Wang, Jeffrey L. Mueller
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims20
A modular template for drilling subsea oil and gas wells, said modular drilling template comprising:
- (a) a frame constructed of light-weight tubular steel members, said frame defining a plurality of generally rectangular, pod-receiving openings, said plurality of openings having no drill string guide means permanently affixed thereto;
- (b) guide rods projecting upwardly from said tubular steel members;
- (c) latch-engaging means attached to said frame;
- (d) a plurality of well pods receivable in said openings in said frame, each well pod having
- (i) at least one cylindrical sleeve for guiding a drill string, or the like;
- (ii) pod guide sleeves for engaging said guide rods to properly position said well pod relative to said frame opening, and
- (iii) a latch mechanism insertable into said latch-engaging means so as to prevent inadvertent removal of said well pod from said frame opening.
The modular drilling template of clam 1 further comprising means to coarsely level the template frame relative to a portion of the seafloor after placement of said template frame thereupon.
A method of installing a well drilling template and a foundation template for securing a drilling platform, which may be a tension leg platform, in place, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) lowering said drilling template to its location on the seafloor;
- (b) removably attaching a plurality of docking pile guide frames to said drilling template;
- (c) securing said drilling template in position with piles;
- (d) installing a plurality of docking piles through said plurality of docking pile guide frames;
- (e) lowering said foundation template into position around said drilling template guided by said docking piles;
- (f) securing said foundation template in position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.