US3601189A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater multiple well installation
Assignee: Canocean Resources Ltd
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Filing: 1969-02-10
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Granted: 1971-08-24
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Expires: 1989-02-10
Abstract
Abstract Clustered underwater wells are used as anchor piles for a production platform floating at the water surface. A drilling template transmits tension loads from the well-anchor piles to a tension member which connects to the floating platform and also serves to index drilling, completion and reworking operations on the wells in the cluster.
Inventors
- 👤 Folker H Weiss
- 👤 John W Hopkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 18:08
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B17/00; E21B17/01; E21B41/00; E21B41/08; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/017; E21B7/00; E21B7/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
An underwater floor well installation below the water surface comprising, a plurality of well pipes having upper ends clustered together in closely spaced relation adjacent the underwater floor and extending downwardly into the underwater floor, a horizontal, substantially flat template mounted on the underwater floor and connected to and encompassing said upper ends of said well pipes, a capsule having a large bottom opening adapted to be lowered over the upper ends of said well pipes and making a water tight connection with said template surrounding said plurality of well pipes, said capsule and said template defining an air chamber over and in communication with said upper ends of said plurality of well pipes, said capsule including a plurality of upper access hatches aligned with the plurality of wells to provide vertical access to said wells, a floating platform at the water surface, and tether means connecting said template and said floating platform.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
An underwater floor well installation below the water surface comprising, a plurality of well pipes having upper ends clustered together in closely spaced relation adjacent the underwater floor and extending downwardly into the underwater floor, a horizontal, substantially flat template mounted on the underwater floor and connected to and encompassing said upper ends of said well pipes, a capsule having a large bottom opening adapted to be lowered over the upper ends of said well pipes and making a water tight connection with said template surrounding said plurality of well pipes, said capsule and said template defining an air chamber over and in communication with said upper ends of said plurality of well pipes, said capsule including a plurality of upper access hatches aligned with the plurality of wells to provide vertical access to said wells, a floating platform at the water surface, and tether means connecting said template and said floating platform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention defined in claim 1 including a watertight personnel transporter engageable in sealing engagement with at least one of said access hatches for transporting personnel and equipment from the water surface to said capsule.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention defined in claim 2 wherein said tether is a single tubular tension member anchoring said floating platform to the underwater floor at said template, said tether means providing the sole anchor for said floating platform.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention defined in claim 3 including flow lines, said flow lines being individually connected to said upper ends of said well pipes in said capsulE and connecting to said floating platform through said tubular tension member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |