Apparatus and method for drilling underwater

Claim 1

A submerged vertical array for deep well boring into the floor of a body of water, comprising: a. a drilling station disposed adjacent to the floor with support means adaptable to contend with environmental conditions and floor characteristics for a stable and erect position therewith; b. a drill string externally bared to the body of water and retained as an integral assembly of a multiplicity of pipe segments locked together by couplings and terminating with a drill bit bearing upon the floor below the drill station; c. torque elements fixed to said string at longitudinally spaced locations; d. a turntable exposed to environmental Conditions with an integral torque tube projecting concentric therethrough, mounted on the drilling station for rotation relative thereto about a stable vertical axis; e. at least one rotary drive means mounted on the drilling station in power transmitting engagement with the table and adaptable to immersion in changing environmental conditions; f. gripping and translation means for automatic and uninterrupted passage of the torque elements through the accommodating torque tube length extending dimensionally in excess of the span between torque elements and said means transmitting solely torque to the string from the tube through the torque elements, and; g. a buoyant station maintained at selected spaced relationship with the bit and in support of the string thereby tensioned with the buoyant station free to move vertically relative the drilling station responsive to control of the drill bit bearing on the floor.

Claim 30

A method of drilling into the floor of a body of water, said method comprising: a. submerging a drilling station within the body to an adjusted position with support in part by the floor thereof for a stable and erect posture therewith; b. connecting a weighted drill bit to a multiplicity of pipe segments locked together by couplings and retaining the assembly as an integral string exposed to a natural environment for drilling engagement with the floor; c. suspending the string in a generally upright condition from a buoyant support station confined within the body of water and adjusted above the drilling station to support at least part of the weight thereof; d. imparting drilling torque automatically to successively engaged couplings with continuous translation of the string through the drilling station to effect uninterrupted drilling of said floor; e. lowering the support station commensurate with drilling penetration in contention with consequential environmental changes as drilling takes place to maintain the drill bit bearing with the floor to selected amounts during drilling; f. supplying drilling fluid to the string from a pump connected thereto above the control station; and, g. controlling support provided by the support station to maintain the string under tension.

Claim 31

A method of drilling into the floor of a body of water, said method comprising: a. submerging a drilling station within the body to an adjusted position with support in part by the floor thereof for a stable and erect posture therewith; b. connecting a weighted drill bit to a multiplicity of pipe segments locked together by couplings and retaining the assembly as an integral string exposed to a natural environment for drilling engagement with the floor; c. suspending the string in a generally upright condition from a buoyant support station confined within the body of water and adjusted above the drilling station to support at least part of the weight thereof; d. imparting drilling torque automatically to successively engaged couplings with continuous translation of the string through the drilling station to effect uninterrupted drilling of said floor; e. lowering the support station commensurate with drilling penetration in contention with consequential environmental changes as drilling takes place to maintain the drill bit bearing with the floor to selected amounts during drilling; f. supplying drilling fluid to the string from a pump connected thereto above the control station; and, g. controlling support provided by the support station to maintain the string under tension.

Claim 32

A method of utilizing a drill string attached bit for drilling into the floor of a body of water, said method comprising: a. extending a drill string having a length less than the depth of the body of water into submerged and exposed environmental condition therein as an integrated assembly retained for the duration of drilling with attached bit; b. suspending the drill string in a generally upright condition from a buoyant pontoon having variable support capacity monitored in contention with imposed load an environmental changes; and, c. submerging the pontoon unhindered to lower the bit in retained space relationship with the pontoon during drilling.

Claim 33

A method of utilizing a drill string attached bit for drilling into the floor of a body of water, said method comprising: a. extending a drill string having a length less than the depth of the body of water into submerged and exposed environmental condition therein as an integrated assembly retained for the duration of drilling with attached bit; b. suspending the drill string in a generally upright condition from a buoyant pontoon having variable support capacity monitored in contention with imposed load an environmental changes; and, c. submerging the pontoon unhindered to lower the bit in retained space relationship with the pontoon during drilling.

Claim 36

A system for drilling into the floor of a body of water, said system comprising: a. a drilling station positioned on the floor of the body having a rotary table exposed to environmental conditions; b. a drill string disposed within the body of water in a generally upright condition and exposed to environmental conditions, said string extending through the station and having a bit at the lower end thereof in drilling engagement with the floor; c. a buoyant support station disposed within the body of water and secured to the string abovE the remote drilling station to effect suspension of the the string, and said support station being vertically moveable relative to the drilling station commensurate with bit penetration of the floor; and, d. torque imparting means exposed to environmental conditions to provide automatic accommodation for passage of the integrated string therethrough to impart drilling torque to the string.

Claim 37

A system for drilling into the floor of a body of water, said system comprising: a. a drilling station positioned on the floor of the body having a rotary table exposed to environmental conditions; b. a drill string disposed within the body of water in a generally upright condition and exposed to environmental conditions, said string extending through the station and having a bit at the lower end thereof in drilling engagement with the floor; c. a buoyant support station disposed within the body of water and secured to the string abovE the remote drilling station to effect suspension of the the string, and said support station being vertically moveable relative to the drilling station commensurate with bit penetration of the floor; and, d. torque imparting means exposed to environmental conditions to provide automatic accommodation for passage of the integrated string therethrough to impart drilling torque to the string.

Claim 43

A system for drilling into the floor of a body of water, said system comprising: a. a drilling station positioned on the floor of the body; b. a drill string disposed within the body of water in a generally upright condition, said string extending through the station and having a bit at the lower end thereof in drilling engagement with the floor of the body; c. a buoyant support station disposed within the body of water and secured to the string above the drilling station to effect suspension of the string, said station being lowerable to provide for movement of the string axially into the floor of the body during drilling and comprising a submergible pontoon having bearing means thereon to impart axial support to the string while permitting the string to rotate relative to the pontoon; d. torque imparting means submerged within the body of water and secured to the string beneath the support station to impart drilling torque to the string; e. rotation monitoring means to sense rotational movement of the support station relative to the drilling station; f. rotational propulsion means secured to the support station and propulsion means being selectively operable to effect rotational movement of the support station relative to the drilling station; and, g. control means coupling the rotation monitoring means to the rotational propulsion means to control operation of the propulsion means reSponsive thereto so as to

Claim 44

A system for drilling into the floor of a body of water, said system comprising: a. a drilling station positioned on the floor of the body; b. a drill string disposed within the body of water in a generally upright condition, said string extending through the station and having a bit at the lower end thereof in drilling engagement with the floor of the body; c. a buoyant support station disposed within the body of water and secured to the string above the drilling station to effect suspension of the string, said station being lowerable to provide for movement of the string axially into the floor of the body during drilling and comprising a submergible pontoon having bearing means thereon to impart axial support to the string while permitting the string to rotate relative to the pontoon; d. torque imparting means submerged within the body of water and secured to the string beneath the support station to impart drilling torque to the string; e. rotation monitoring means to sense rotational movement of the support station relative to the drilling station; f. rotational propulsion means secured to the support station and propulsion means being selectively operable to effect rotational movement of the support station relative to the drilling station; and, g. control means coupling the rotation monitoring means to the rotational propulsion means to control operation of the propulsion means reSponsive thereto so as to

Claim 46

A system for drilling into the floor of a body of water, said system comprising: a. a drilling station having a rotary table exposed to environmental conditions and erectly positioned on the floor in at least partial load imparting relationship thereto; b. a bared drill string immersed erectly in the water preassembled to an integrated length less than the depth of water and being tubular to provide for the passage of drilling fluid therethrough from an upper portion thereof to the bit at the lower terminal; c. a buoyant support station submerged within the body of water and secured to the string above the remote drilling station to effect suspension of the string, said support station being vertically moveable relative the drilling station commensurate with bit penetration of the floor; d. torque imparting means exposed to natural environmental conditions to provide automatic accommodation for passage of the integrated string therethrough to impart drilling torque to the string below the drilling station; e. a primary drilling fluid conduit secured in fluid communication with an upper portion of the drill string, said conduit extending upwardly axially beyond the string to close proximity to the surface of the body of water; and, f. a buoyant control station disposed within the body of water above the support station, said control station being secured to the conduit to effect suspension thereof and lowerable to provide for downward movement of the conduit with the string during drilling.

Claim 47

A system for drilling into the floor of a body of water, said system comprising: a. a drilling station having a rotary table exposed to environmental conditions and erectly positioned on the floor in at least partial load imparting relationship thereto; b. a bared drill string immersed erectly in the water preassembled to an integrated length less than the depth of water and being tubular to provide for the passage of drilling fluid therethrough from an upper portion thereof to the bit at the lower terminal; c. a buoyant support station submerged within the body of water and secured to the string above the remote drilling station to effect suspension of the string, said support station being vertically moveable relative the drilling station commensurate with bit penetration of the floor; d. torque imparting means exposed to natural environmental conditions to provide automatic accommodation for passage of the integrated string therethrough to impart drilling torque to the string below the drilling station; e. a primary drilling fluid conduit secured in fluid communication with an upper portion of the drill string, said conduit extending upwardly axially beyond the string to close proximity to the surface of the body of water; and, f. a buoyant control station disposed within the body of water above the support station, said control station being secured to the conduit to effect suspension thereof and lowerable to provide for downward movement of the conduit with the string during drilling.

Claim 53

A system for drilling into the floor of a body of water, said system comprising: a. a drilling station positioned on the floor of the body in at least partial load imparting relationship thereto; b. a drill string of a length less than the depth of the body of water disposed within the body in a generally upright condition, said string having a bit at the lower end thereof in drilling engagement with the floor of the body and being tubular to provide for the passage of drilling fluid therethrough from an upper portion thereof to the bit; c. a buoyant support station submerged within the body of water and secured to the string above the drilling station to effect suspension of the string, and support station being lowerable to provide for movement of the string axially into the floor of the body of water during drilling; d. torque imparting means submerged within the body of water and secured to the string beneath the support station to impart drilling torque to the string; e. a primary drilling fluid conduit secured in fluid communication with an upper portion of the drill string to provide for the supply of drilling fluid thereto, said conduit extending upwardly from the string to close proximity to the surface of the body of water; f. a buoyant control station disposed within the body of water above the support station, said control station being secured to the conduit to effect suspension thereof and lowerable to provide for downward movement of the conduit with the string during drilling; g. rotation monitoring means to sense rotational movement of the support station relative to the drilling station; h. rotational propulsion means secured to the support station said propulsion means being selectively operable to effect rotational movement of the support station relative to the drilling station; and, i. rotational control means coupling the rotation monitoring means to the rotational propulsion means to control operation of the propulsion means responsive thereto so as to substantially maintain the support station against rotational movement relative to the drilling station.

Claim 54

A system for drilling into the floor of a body of water, said system comprising: a. a drilling station positioned on the floor of the body in at least partial load imparting relationship thereto; b. a drill string of a length less than the depth of the body of water disposed within the body in a generally upright condition, said string having a bit at the lower end thereof in drilling engagement with the floor of the body and being tubular to provide for the passage of drilling fluid therethrough from an upper portion thereof to the bit; c. a buoyant support station submerged within the body of water and secured to the string above the drilling station to effect suspension of the string, and support station being lowerable to provide for movement of the string axially into the floor of the body of water during drilling; d. torque imparting means submerged within the body of water and secured to the string beneath the support station to impart drilling torque to the string; e. a primary drilling fluid conduit secured in fluid communication with an upper portion of the drill string to provide for the supply of drilling fluid thereto, said conduit extending upwardly from the string to close proximity to the surface of the body of water; f. a buoyant control station disposed within the body of water above the support station, said control station being secured to the conduit to effect suspension thereof and lowerable to provide for downward movement of the conduit with the string during drilling; g. rotation monitoring means to sense rotational movement of the support station relative to the drilling station; h. rotational propulsion means secured to the support station said propulsion means being selectively operable to effect rotational movement of the support station relative to the drilling station; and, i. rotational control means coupling the rotation monitoring means to the rotational propulsion means to control operation of the propulsion means responsive thereto so as to substantially maintain the support station against rotational movement relative to the drilling station.

Claim 56

A system for drilling into the floor of a body of water, said system comprising: a. a drilling sTation positioned on the floor of the body in at least partial load imparting relationship thereto; b. a drill string of a length less than the depth of the body of water disposed within the body in a generally upright condition, said string having a bit at the lower end thereof in drilling engagement with the floor of the body and being tubular to provide for the passage of drilling fluid therethrough from an upper portion thereof to the bit; c. a buoyant support station submerged within the body of water and secured to the string above the drilling station to effect suspension of the string, said support station being lowerable to provide for movement of the string axially into the floor of the body of water during drilling; d. torque imparting means submerged within the body of water and secured to the string beneath the support station to impart drilling torque to the string; e. a primary drilling fluid conduit secured in fluid communication with an upper portion of the drill string to provide for the supply of drilling fluid thereto, said conduit extending upwardly from the string to close proximity to the surface of the body of water; f. a buoyant control station disposed within the body of water above the support station, said control station being secured to the conduit to effect suspension thereof and lowerable to provide for downward movement of the conduit with the string during drilling; g. alignment monitoring means to sense vertical misalignment of the support station relative to the drilling station; h. alignment propulsion means secured to the support station, said propulsion means being selectively operable to effect the guided traversal of the support station within the body of water; and i. alignment control means coupling the alignment monitoring means to the propulsion means responsive thereto so as to support station in substantial vertical alignment with the drilling station.

Claim 57

A system for drilling into the floor of a body of water, said system comprising: a. a drilling sTation positioned on the floor of the body in at least partial load imparting relationship thereto; b. a drill string of a length less than the depth of the body of water disposed within the body in a generally upright condition, said string having a bit at the lower end thereof in drilling engagement with the floor of the body and being tubular to provide for the passage of drilling fluid therethrough from an upper portion thereof to the bit; c. a buoyant support station submerged within the body of water and secured to the string above the drilling station to effect suspension of the string, said support station being lowerable to provide for movement of the string axially into the floor of the body of water during drilling; d. torque imparting means submerged within the body of water and secured to the string beneath the support station to impart drilling torque to the string; e. a primary drilling fluid conduit secured in fluid communication with an upper portion of the drill string to provide for the supply of drilling fluid thereto, said conduit extending upwardly from the string to close proximity to the surface of the body of water; f. a buoyant control station disposed within the body of water above the support station, said control station being secured to the conduit to effect suspension thereof and lowerable to provide for downward movement of the conduit with the string during drilling; g. alignment monitoring means to sense vertical misalignment of the support station relative to the drilling station; h. alignment propulsion means secured to the support station, said propulsion means being selectively operable to effect the guided traversal of the support station within the body of water; and i. alignment control means coupling the alignment monitoring means to the propulsion means responsive thereto so as to support station in substantial vertical alignment with the drilling station.

Claim 58

A system for drilling into the floor of a body of water, said system comprising: a. a drilling station positioned on the floor of the body in at least partial load imparting relationship thereto; b. a drill string of a length less than the depth of the body of water disposed within the body in a generally upright condition said string having a bit at the lower end thereof in drilling engagement with the floor of the body and being tubular to provide for the passage of drilling fluid therethrough from an upper portion thereof to the bit; c. a buoyant support station submerged within the body of water and secured to the string above the drilling station to effect suspension of the string, said support station being lowerable to provide for movement of the string axially into the floor of the body of water during drilling; d. torque imparting means submerged within the body of water and secured to the string beneath the support station to impart drilling torque to the string; e. a primary drilling fluid conduit secured in fluid communication with an upper portion of the drill string to provide for the supply of drilling fluid thereto, said conduit extending upwardly from the string to close proximity to the surface of the body of water; f. a buoyant control station disposed within the body of water above the support station, said control station being secured to the conduit to effect suspension thereof and lowerable to provide for downward movement of the conduit with the string during drilling; g. a buoyant service station disposed on the surface of the body of water; h. guide means securing the control station to the service station to permit the control station to be submerged relative to the service station and maintain said stations in substantial vertical alignment; i. tension transmitting means secured between the support and control stations to maintain a predetermined distance therebetween as the support station lowers during drilling and, thus, pull the control station down simultAneously with the lowering of the support station; j. length control means to selectively vary the length of the tension transmitting means and, thus, the predetermined distance between the support and control station; k. conduit handling means on said service station to selectively vary the length of the primary drilling fluid conduit. 31 A system for drilling into the floor of a body of water, said system comprising: a. a drilling station positioned on the floor of the body in at least partial load imparting relationship thereto; b. a drill string of a length less than the depth of the body of water disposed within the body in a generally upright condition, said string having a bit at the lower end thereof in drilling engagement with the floor of the body and being tubular to provide for the passage of drilling fluid therethrough from an upper portion thereof to the bit; c. a buoyant support station submerged within the body of water and secured to the string above the drilling station to effect suspension of the string, said support station being lowerable to provide for movement of the string axially into the floor of the body of water during drilling; d. torque imparting means submerged within the body of water and secured to the string beneath the support station to impart drilling torque to the string; e. a primary drilling fluid conduit secured in fluid a communication with an upper portion of the drill string to provide for the supply of drilling fluid thereto, said conduit extending upwardly from the string to close proximity to the surface of the body of water; f. a buoyant control station disposed within the body of water above the support station, said control station being secured to the conduit to effect suspension thereof and lowerable to provide for downward movement of the conduit with the string during drilling; g. a buoyant service station disposed on the surface of the body of water; h. guide means securing the control station to the service station to permit the control station to be submerged relative to the service station and maintain said stations in substantial vertical alignment; i. a first alignment monitoring means to sense vertical misalignment of the support station relative to the drilling station; j. first alignment propulsion means secured to the support station, said propulsion means being selectively operable to effect the guided traversal of the support station within the body of water; k. first alignment control means coupling the first alignment monitoring means to the first alignment propulsion means to control operation of said propulsion means responsive thereto so as to maintain the support station in substantial vertical alignment with the drilling station;

Claim 59

A system for drilling into the floor of a body of water, said system comprising: a. a drilling station positioned on the floor of the body in at least partial load imparting relationship thereto; b. a drill string of a length less than the depth of the body of water disposed within the body in a generally upright condition said string having a bit at the lower end thereof in drilling engagement with the floor of the body and being tubular to provide for the passage of drilling fluid therethrough from an upper portion thereof to the bit; c. a buoyant support station submerged within the body of water and secured to the string above the drilling station to effect suspension of the string, said support station being lowerable to provide for movement of the string axially into the floor of the body of water during drilling; d. torque imparting means submerged within the body of water and secured to the string beneath the support station to impart drilling torque to the string; e. a primary drilling fluid conduit secured in fluid communication with an upper portion of the drill string to provide for the supply of drilling fluid thereto, said conduit extending upwardly from the string to close proximity to the surface of the body of water; f. a buoyant control station disposed within the body of water above the support station, said control station being secured to the conduit to effect suspension thereof and lowerable to provide for downward movement of the conduit with the string during drilling; g. a buoyant service station disposed on the surface of the body of water; h. guide means securing the control station to the service station to permit the control station to be submerged relative to the service station and maintain said stations in substantial vertical alignment; i. tension transmitting means secured between the support and control stations to maintain a predetermined distance therebetween as the support station lowers during drilling and, thus, pull the control station down simultAneously with the lowering of the support station; j. length control means to selectively vary the length of the tension transmitting means and, thus, the predetermined distance between the support and control station; k. conduit handling means on said service station to selectively vary the length of the primary drilling fluid conduit. 31 A system for drilling into the floor of a body of water, said system comprising: a. a drilling station positioned on the floor of the body in at least partial load imparting relationship thereto; b. a drill string of a length less than the depth of the body of water disposed within the body in a generally upright condition, said string having a bit at the lower end thereof in drilling engagement with the floor of the body and being tubular to provide for the passage of drilling fluid therethrough from an upper portion thereof to the bit; c. a buoyant support station submerged within the body of water and secured to the string above the drilling station to effect suspension of the string, said support station being lowerable to provide for movement of the string axially into the floor of the body of water during drilling; d. torque imparting means submerged within the body of water and secured to the string beneath the support station to impart drilling torque to the string; e. a primary drilling fluid conduit secured in fluid a communication with an upper portion of the drill string to provide for the supply of drilling fluid thereto, said conduit extending upwardly from the string to close proximity to the surface of the body of water; f. a buoyant control station disposed within the body of water above the support station, said control station being secured to the conduit to effect suspension thereof and lowerable to provide for downward movement of the conduit with the string during drilling; g. a buoyant service station disposed on the surface of the body of water; h. guide means securing the control station to the service station to permit the control station to be submerged relative to the service station and maintain said stations in substantial vertical alignment; i. a first alignment monitoring means to sense vertical misalignment of the support station relative to the drilling station; j. first alignment propulsion means secured to the support station, said propulsion means being selectively operable to effect the guided traversal of the support station within the body of water; k. first alignment control means coupling the first alignment monitoring means to the first alignment propulsion means to control operation of said propulsion means responsive thereto so as to maintain the support station in substantial vertical alignment with the drilling station;

Claim 61

A system for drilling into the floor of a body of water, said system comprising: a. a drilling station erectly positioned on the floor in at least partial load imparting relationship thereto; b. a bared drill string immersed erectly in the water as a preassembled retained integral length extending through the drilling station and being tubular and open to provide for the supply of drilling fluid to the bit at the lower end thereof; c. a primary drilling fluid conduit secured in fluid communication with an upper portion of the drill string to provide for the supply of drilling fluid thereto, said conduit extending upwardly from the string to close proximity to the surface of the body of water and being secured in tension transmitting relationship to the string for rotation relative thereto to provide for the imparting of support to the string and permit the string to rotate relative to the conduit; d. a buoyant control station disposed within the body of water above the drilling station, said control station being secured to the conduit to effect suspension thereof and lowerable to provide for controlled bearing of the bit on the floor during drilling; and e. torque imparting means exposed to natural environmental conditions accommodating automatic and uninterrupted passage of the string comprising a multiplicity of pipe segments locked together by couplings spaced to provide successive engagement with the means incorporated with the drilling station to impart continuous torque to the string.

Claim 62

A system for drilling into the floor of a body of water, said system comprising: a. a drilling station erectly positioned on the floor in at least partial load imparting relationship thereto; b. a bared drill string immersed erectly in the water as a preassembled retained integral length extending through the drilling station and being tubular and open to provide for the supply of drilling fluid to the bit at the lower end thereof; c. a primary drilling fluid conduit secured in fluid communication with an upper portion of the drill string to provide for the supply of drilling fluid thereto, said conduit extending upwardly from the string to close proximity to the surface of the body of water and being secured in tension transmitting relationship to the string for rotation relative thereto to provide for the imparting of support to the string and permit the string to rotate relative to the conduit; d. a buoyant control station disposed within the body of water above the drilling station, said control station being secured to the conduit to effect suspension thereof and lowerable to provide for controlled bearing of the bit on the floor during drilling; and e. torque imparting means exposed to natural environmental conditions accommodating automatic and uninterrupted passage of the string comprising a multiplicity of pipe segments locked together by couplings spaced to provide successive engagement with the means incorporated with the drilling station to impart continuous torque to the string.

Claim 63

An apparatus for imparting torque from a rotating turntable to a drill string while permitting the drill string to translate axially through the table, said apparatus comprising: a. a drill string externally bared to surrounding natural elements and supported as a tensioned integral length of a multiplicity of pipe segments locked together by couplings and terminating with a drill bit disposed below the turntable; b. a torque tube integral with the turntable for rotation therewith, said tube being axially open and slidably receiving the drill string therein whereby the string may be extended through and relative to the tube; and, c. first and second key means fixed, respectively, to the tube and coupling and extending longitudinally thereof, said means being mutually engageable to transmit torque continuously from the tube to the string while permitting uninterrupted axial movement of the string through the tube.

Claim 64

An apparatus for imparting torque from a rotating turntable to a drill string while permitting the drill string to translate axially through the table, said apparatus comprising: a. a drill string externally bared to surrounding natural elements and supported as a tensioned integral length of a multiplicity of pipe segments locked together by couplings and terminating with a drill bit disposed below the turntable; b. a torque tube integral with the turntable for rotation therewith, said tube being axially open and slidably receiving the drill string therein whereby the string may be extended through and relative to the tube; and, c. first and second key means fixed, respectively, to the tube and coupling and extending longitudinally thereof, said means being mutually engageable to transmit torque continuously from the tube to the string while permitting uninterrupted axial movement of the string through the tube.

Claim 66

A method of utilizing a drill string supported bit for drilling into the floor of a body of water, said method comprising: a. suspending the drill string bared to the natural elements from a totally immersed buoyantly controlled support station; b. maintaining selected spaced relationship of the drill bit Below the support station; c. effecting the immersion of the station by selectively providing a deficiency to the support of the drill string; d. opposing said deficiency by engagement of the drill bit with the floor while sustaining tension in the suspended string; e. controlling the force imparted by the bit to the floor by controlling said deficiency; and, f. rotating the bit to effect penetration of the floor by a torque means accommodating the string retained as an integral length for uninterrupted passage therethrough.

Claim 67

A method of utilizing a drill string supported bit for drilling into the floor of a body of water, said method comprising: a. suspending the drill string bared to the natural elements from a totally immersed buoyantly controlled support station; b. maintaining selected spaced relationship of the drill bit Below the support station; c. effecting the immersion of the station by selectively providing a deficiency to the support of the drill string; d. opposing said deficiency by engagement of the drill bit with the floor while sustaining tension in the suspended string; e. controlling the force imparted by the bit to the floor by controlling said deficiency; and, f. rotating the bit to effect penetration of the floor by a torque means accommodating the string retained as an integral length for uninterrupted passage therethrough.