Subsea template and method for using the same
AssigneeAmoco Corporation
InventorsJohnce E. Hall, Samuel L. Penny
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Subsea template and method for using the same. A subsea template includes a plurality of gimballed joints for receiving piles therethrough which are anchored in the sea floor. Also included are a plurality of gimballed joints for receiving well conductors therethrough. A template is lowered to the sea floor. The piles and well casings are inserted into their associated gimballed joints from a substantially vertical axis and when finally positioned, are fixedly connected to the gimballed joint associated therewith thus obviating the need for leveling the template.
Claims16
A method for installing a well casing in a formation beneath a body of water comprising the steps of:
- lowering a template to the floor of the body of water;
- pivotally coupling a pile to the template;
- inserting the pile into the formation;
- pivotally coupling a well casing to the template in a manner which permits well casing movement along the longitudinal axis of the well casing while permitting well casing pivoting in all directions;
- and
- inserting the well casing into the formation.
A template for installing a well casing in a formation beneath a body of water comprising:
- a frame for resting on the floor of the body of water;
- means for pivotally coupling a pile to said frame, said pile coupling means permitting pile movement along the longitudinal axis thereof while said pile is so coupled;
- and
- means for pivotally coupling a well casing to said frame, said well casing coupling means permitting well casing movement along the longitudinal axis thereof while said well casing is so coupled.
A template for use on a natural floor on a body of water comprising:
- a substantially planar frame having a pair of passageways therethrough;
- a first gimballed joint received in one of said passageways, said joint having an opening therethrough for receiving a pile therein, said pile being pivotable in all directions when it is so received;
- a second gimballed joint received in the other of said passageways, said second joint having an opening therethrough for receiving a well casing therein, said well casing being pivotal in all directions when it is so received;
- means for fixing said pile to said first joint comprising:
- an annular groove formed on the radially outer received in said groove, and an annular groove formed on the radially inner sufrace of said second joint opening, sad spring collar being compressible into said well casing groove as said spring collar is lowered into said second joint opening and expanding partially into said opening groove when said collar is adjacent thereto;
- and means for fixing said well casing to said second joint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.