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US 8,616,811 B2Granted
Articulating drill method and apparatus for cutting openings in nested strings of underwater piping and/or tubing for overturned wells or platforms
AssigneeTetra Technologies, Inc.
InventorsGalen R. Clark, II, Ames Lafferty, Clint Musemeche, Clayton Claxton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for angularly drilling during a tapping procedure into a pressurized multiple strings of coaxially situated tubulars for wells and/or platforms which have overturned wherein the tapping occurs underwater via a diver or remotely operated vehicle.
Claims21
An articulating drill system for cutting one or more tubular members, comprising:
- (a) a drill base;
- (b) an articulating boom including a first arm, a second arm, a pivotal connection joining the first and second arms, and a plate having a plate opening, wherein the first arm is pivotally attached to the drill base, and the plate is pivotally attached to the second arm;
- (c) a drill having a drill motor, a cutting tip rotatively connected to the drill motor, and a cutting axis upon which the cutting tip rotates, the drill motor supported upon the drill base;
- (d) a clamping mechanism attached to the plate that enables the plate to be attached to a tubular that is to be cut, the clamping mechanism generally aligning the plate opening with the tubular;
- (e) wherein the clamping mechanism and plate support the articulating boom, drill and drill base;
- and
- (f) the articulating boom enabling selective placement of the cutting tip relative to the plate opening, including angulation of the cutting axis relative to the plate opening.
4 more elements
An articulating drill system for cutting one or more tubular members, comprising:
- (a) a drill base;
- (b) an articulating boom having first and second end portions, the first end portion being attached to the drill, the second end portion of the articulating boom being attached to a plate having a plate opening;
- (c) a drill having a drill motor, a cutting tip, and a drill rotary axis upon which the cutting tip rotates, the motor supported upon the drill base;
- (d) a clamping mechanism attached to the plate that enables the plate to be attached to a tubular that is to be cut selected from the one or more tubular members, the clamping mechanism being configured to position the plate opening next to the tubular so that the cutting tip can pass through the plate opening and then engage the tubular that is to be cut;
- (e) wherein the clamping mechanism and plate support the articulating boom, drill and drill base;
- and
- (f) the articulating boom enabling placement of the drill cutting tip relative to the plate opening.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.