Auxiliary reaction frame system for cantilevered jack-up rigs, and method therefore

An apparatus for supporting a cantilever extending from a drilling unit above a platform, said drilling unit having a bulkhead, comprising:

• a reaction frame engaged to said drilling unit so as to be extendable from said drilling unit, said reaction frame formed provide underlying support to said extended cantilever at least 25% of the distance said cantilever extends from said drilling unit, said reaction frame selectively from a storage position adjacent to said drilling unit, to a deployed, cantilever-supporting position under said cantilever, wherein one end of said reaction frame engages said drilling unit, while another end extends from said drilling unit below said cantilever, to provide a support point for said cantilever extended away from said drilling unit and situated above said platform, said reaction frame formed to transfer load from said cantilever, at said support point, to the bulkhead of said drilling unit.

An apparatus for supporting an extended cantilever from a drilling unit having a transom and a bulkhead, comprising:

• a selectively deployable reaction frame having first and second ends, said first end engaging said bulkhead of drilling unit, said second end formed to selectively extend from said drilling unit and engage the underside of said extended cantilever at least 25% of the distance said cantilever extends from said drilling unit, so as to transpose vertical efforts associated with said extended cantilever to said drilling unit via said transom;
• wherein said dnllin unit has a transom and wherein said reaction frame pivotally engages said transom of said drilling unit.

A method of supporting a cantilever extending from a drilling unit, in which the extended portion of said cantilever is subjected to a load, comprising the steps of

• a. providing a support member attached to and selectively deployable from a stowed position adjacent to said drilling unit to an extended position extending from said drilling unit;
• b. placing said support member in an extended position to engage the underside of said cantilever, so as to transfers a portion of said load to said drilling unit, such that an area of the extended portion of said cantilever rated at full load capacity when not supported by said support member is increased by at least 40% capacity when engaged by said support member.