US3189105A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus of drilling underwater wells
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1962-05-23
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Granted: 1965-06-15
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Expires: 1982-05-23
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 William F Bates
- 👤 Glenn D Johnson
- 👤 Bruce J Watkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:20
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B41/00; E21B41/0007; E21B41/0014; G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/74
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A METHOD OF DRILLING AN UNDERWATER WELL FROM A VESSEL ON THE SURFACE OF A BODY OF WATER, SAID UNDERWATER WELL HAVING A WELL BASE POSITIONED A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE WATER, SAID METHOD COMPRISING (A) POSITIONING A DRILLING VESSEL AT A SELECTED OFFSHORE LOCATION ABOVE SAID UNDERWATER WELL BASE, (B) SLIDABLY MOUNTING A SUBMERSIBLE SELF-PROPELLED PIPE MANIPULATOR AND WELL-INDICATING DEVICE ABOVE A BIT ON A DRILL STRING DEPENDING FROM SAID VESSEL, (C) LOWERING SAID DRILL STRING AND DEVICE SIMULTANEOUSLY THROUGH THE WATER INTO THE VICINITY OF THE UNDERWATER WELL BASE, (D) TERMINATING THE POSITION OF THE DRILL BIT RELATIVE TO THE WELL BASE, (E) MOVING AT LEAST THE BOTTOM OF SAID DRILL STRING AND BIT INTO ALIGNMENT WITH THE TOP OF THE WELL BASE, (F) LOWERING THE PIPE MANIPULATOR AND WELL-INDICATING DEVICE INTO A SEATED POSITION ON THE TOP OF THE WELL BASE, AND (G) LOWERING THE DRILL BIT AND DRILL STRING INTO THE WELL.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
A METHOD OF DRILLING AN UNDERWATER WELL FROM A VESSEL ON THE SURFACE OF A BODY OF WATER, SAID UNDERWATER WELL HAVING A WELL BASE POSITIONED A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE WATER, SAID METHOD COMPRISING (A) POSITIONING A DRILLING VESSEL AT A SELECTED OFFSHORE LOCATION ABOVE SAID UNDERWATER WELL BASE, (B) SLIDABLY MOUNTING A SUBMERSIBLE SELF-PROPELLED PIPE MANIPULATOR AND WELL-INDICATING DEVICE ABOVE A BIT ON A DRILL STRING DEPENDING FROM SAID VESSEL, (C) LOWERING SAID DRILL STRING AND DEVICE SIMULTANEOUSLY THROUGH THE WATER INTO THE VICINITY OF THE UNDERWATER WELL BASE, (D) TERMINATING THE POSITION OF THE DRILL BIT RELATIVE TO THE WELL BASE, (E) MOVING AT LEAST THE BOTTOM OF SAID DRILL STRING AND BIT INTO ALIGNMENT WITH THE TOP OF THE WELL BASE, (F) LOWERING THE PIPE MANIPULATOR AND WELL-INDICATING DEVICE INTO A SEATED POSITION ON THE TOP OF THE WELL BASE, AND (G) LOWERING THE DRILL BIT AND DRILL STRING INTO THE WELL.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1968-06-14 | 1968-12-14 | 1969-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1972-06-14 | 1972-12-14 | 1973-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1976-06-14 | 1976-12-14 | 1977-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |