US 4,819,730 A · Development drilling system

Abstract

A floating drilling platform having dual work stations is disclosed for performing deep sea drilling and/or hydrocarbon production operations. The structure of the platform is designed to accommodate replaceable modules which facilitate the installation and removal of either a drilling derrick or production equipment. Thus, during the drilling phase of a reservoir's development, the platform may be outfitted with dual drilling derricks while at later times the platform may be outfitted with a drilling derrick and a full production facility. Various expedients are available to permit the equipment of one work station to be used in conjunction with the equipment of one other. Simultaneous management of dual conductors is enabled by a dual riser management system which models in real time riser behavior under varying environmental and other operational conditions. The dual riser management system includes a riser analysis subsystem, a mooring analysis subsystem and a vessel stability analysis subsystem.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for conducting hydrocarbon production operations which may include drilling, hydrocarbon fluid handling or subsea manipulation of apparatus useful in drilling or hydrocarbon production, while experiencing more than three of:

vertical movement, x horizontal movement, y horizontal movement, yaw, pitch and roll, comprising:
(a) a surface floating work platform for positioning above a well location on the sea floor;
(b) a first work station situated on said floating work platform;
(c) a second work station situated on said floating work platform;
(d) a first longitudinally extending means depending from said first work station and extending toward the floor of the sea for performing first subsea operations;
(e) a second longitudinally extending means depending from said second work station and extending toward the floor of the sea for performing second subsea operations, said first and second longitudinally extending means being subject to sea current deflection;
(f) means for monitoring the relative positions of said first and second longitudinally extending means;
and
(g) means responsive to said position monitoring means and supported by said floating platform for coordinating simultaneous management of said first and second longitudinally extending means while performing said first and second subsea operations.

6 more elements

A method for simultaneously conducting dual hydrocarbon production operations which may include drilling and/or hydrocarbon fluid handling, or subsea manipulation of apparatus useful in drilling or hydrocarbon production, from a surface floating vessel while experiencing more than three of:

vertical movement, x horizontal movement, y horizontal movement, yaw, pitch and roll, comprising the steps of:
(a) suspending a first longitudinally extending element from a first work station situated on said floating vessel;
(b) suspending a second longitudinally extending element for conducting a second operation from a second work station situated on said floating vessel, said first and second elements being subject to sea current deflection;
(c) determining parametric values of variables which could influence the stress or position of said first and second longitudinally extending elements;
(d) determining, from calculations using models of said first and second elements, and said parametric values, a predicted stress or position of said first and second longitudinally extending elements;
and
(e) in response to said predictions, instituting corrective action designed to prevent the interference of one of said elements with the other of said elements.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Development drilling system

Life of this patent

Development drilling system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20