US3572044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiunit offshore platform
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1969-03-24
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Granted: 1971-03-23
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Expires: 1989-03-24
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to an offshore platform for use in relatively deep water, being equipped for exploratory purposes and/or for producing crude oil from a subsurface wellhead. The platform comprises a floatable hull section that detachably engages an intermediary jacket. The latter supportedly rests on or near the floor of a body of water and incorporates a removable wellhead structure. After use of the platform for drilling and completion operations at a well site, the jacket and wellhead structure are separated whereby the latter will remain at the site, while the jacket is removed by the hull for further use. The jacket is then raised from the ocean floor by the floatable hull for transfer to another well site.
Inventors
- 👤 Ivo C Pogonowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:32
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B41/00; E21B41/08; E02; E02B; E02B17/00; E02B17/02; E02B17/021; E21B33/00; E21B33/02; E21B33/03; E21B33/035; E21B7/00; E21B7/12; E21B7/128; E02B2017/0039; E02B2017/0043; E02B2017/0056
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A multiunit well drilling platform adapted for fixed positioning at an offshore location in a body of water, said platform including: a. a floatable hull; b. a jacket normally disposed beneath said hull and having a foundation at the lower end thereof adapted for resting on the floor of said body of water, to function as a base for said drilling platform; c. a wellhead structure removably connected to and carried by said jacket for mounting fluid control equipment connected to a subsurface well, and including means for anchoring said structure to said floor; d. adjustable linking means operably connecting said floating hull to said jacket whereby said hull, when floating at the water''s surface, will suspend said jacket above said floor, and when said jacket is positioned at said floor, said adjustable linking means will supportably maintain said hull above the water''s surface; e. said wellhead structure being separable from said jacket to remain affixed to said floor when separated from said jacket; and f. said jacket including a vertically aligned docking facility adapted to slidably register with and connect to said wellhead structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
A multiunit well drilling platform adapted for fixed positioning at an offshore location in a body of water, said platform including: a. a floatable hull; b. a jacket normally disposed beneath said hull and having a foundation at the lower end thereof adapted for resting on the floor of said body of water, to function as a base for said drilling platform; c. a wellhead structure removably connected to and carried by said jacket for mounting fluid control equipment connected to a subsurface well, and including means for anchoring said structure to said floor; d. adjustable linking means operably connecting said floating hull to said jacket whereby said hull, when floating at the water''s surface, will suspend said jacket above said floor, and when said jacket is positioned at said floor, said adjustable linking means will supportably maintain said hull above the water''s surface; e. said wellhead structure being separable from said jacket to remain affixed to said floor when separated from said jacket; and f. said jacket including a vertically aligned docking facility adapted to slidably register with and connect to said wellhead structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
In a drilling platform as defined in claim 1 wherein, said jacket docking facility includes a plurality of docking guide members disposed therein and vertically oriented to slidably register with and releasably engage said wellhead structure when said jacket is lowered onto said structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
In a drilling platform as defined in claim 1 wherein, said jacket includes remotely actuated clampIng means adapted to releasably engage said wellhead structure when the latter is registered in said jacket docking facility.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
In a drilling platform as defined in claim 1 wherein, said wellhead structure includes pile guide means depending therefrom, and at least one pile positioned in said pile guide means for imbedment into said floor to anchor said structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
In a drilling platform as defined in claim 1 wherein, said wellhead structure anchor means includes a plurality of upstanding cylindrical pile guides having at least one pile carried therein whereby, the latter may be imbedded into said floor and fastened into said pile guide to anchor said wellhead structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
In a drilling platform as defined in claim 1 including peripherally spaced upstanding track members disposed longitudinally of said wellhead structure to slidably engage said jacket docking facility when said jacket is lowered through the water and onto said wellhead structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3201945A
Cited
US3433024A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-22 | 1974-09-21 | 1975-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-22 | 1978-09-21 | 1979-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-22 | 1982-09-21 | 1983-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |