Patent US3638720A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3638720A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for producing oil from underwater wells
Assignee: Ocean Systems Inc
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Filing: 1968-09-24
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Granted: 1972-02-01
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Expires: 1988-09-24
Abstract
Abstract A buoyant capsule for producing oil from a plurality of underwater wells, the buoyant capsule being held in submerged position by conduit means anchored in the floor of the body of water which permit controlled lateral movement of the capsule resulting from wave action. The pressure within the capsule is regulated to maintain an ambient environment, and means are provided within the capsule for compounding a nonexplosive, noncombustible gas mixture conductive to human operation.
Inventors
- 👤 John P Thomas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:46
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/017
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
Apparatus for producing oil from a plurality of deep underwater wells comprising: a. a buoyant capsule held underwater in a substantially fixed vertical position, the depth of said buoyant capsule below the water surface being determined by the wave force contemplated, surface hazards, and the pressure required of a gas mixture conducive to human operations and which is noncombustible and free of explosive hazards, b. conduit means inclined relative to the vertical and operatively connected at their upper ends to said capsule and anchored at their lower ends in the floor of the body of water, said conduit means being in tension due to the buoyancy of said capsule and serving simultaneously to hold said capsule in said submerged position and to permit controlled lateral movement of said capsule resulting from wave action, said conduit means serving also to transfer fluid from each of said wells to the capsule, c. a plurality of wellheads within the capsule and connected to said conduit means, d. means for regulating the pressure within the capsule to maintain an ambient environment, and e. means within said capsule for compounding a nonexplosive, noncombustible gas mixture conducive to human operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
Apparatus for producing oil from a plurality of deep underwater wells comprising: a. a buoyant capsule held underwater in a substantially fixed vertical position, the depth of said buoyant capsule below the water surface being determined by the wave force contemplated, surface hazards, and the pressure required of a gas mixture conducive to human operations and which is noncombustible and free of explosive hazards, b. conduit means inclined relative to the vertical and operatively connected at their upper ends to said capsule and anchored at their lower ends in the floor of the body of water, said conduit means being in tension due to the buoyancy of said capsule and serving simultaneously to hold said capsule in said submerged position and to permit controlled lateral movement of said capsule resulting from wave action, said conduit means serving also to transfer fluid from each of said wells to the capsule, c. a plurality of wellheads within the capsule and connected to said conduit means, d. means for regulating the pressure within the capsule to maintain an ambient environment, and e. means within said capsule for compounding a nonexplosive, noncombustible gas mixture conducive to human operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
128 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the capsule has a plurality of apertures disposed about the periphery thereof to provide access for advancing said conduit means through the interior of the capsule, upper and lower guide means attached to the capsule about the apertures for guiding the advancement of each conduit means through the capsule into the ground, coupling means mounted with the capsule, said coupling means interconnecting the upper and lower guide means to prevent entrance of water into the capsule, means for locking each conduit means to said lower guide means after each conduit means has been advanced into the ground, and means for sealing said upper and lower guide means for preventing entry of water into said capsule when said coupling means is open.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said capsule further includes means for separating sediment, gas and water from the oil produced, said separating means being connected to said wellhead.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further including additional conduit means communicating between the capsule and the ground for the injection of secondary recovery fluids.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further includIng a removable drilling structure, said structure being connected to said capsule such that relative motion therebetween is prevented, said drilling structure including a rotating drill table and derrick.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said drill table is located approximately at the apex of said conduit means thereby permitting drilling of a plurality of wells from essentially the same drill rig location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said drilling structure has a base, and further including separate means for controlling the buoyancy of said base.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said capsule is divided into a plurality of watertight compartments each of which contains one or more wellheads, said capsule further including separate vent means for venting gases externally of the capsule and a bursting member for relieving excess pressure from any compartment without affecting the operation of the remaining compartments.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the capsule includes a storage compartment for the collection of the oil produced, said oil being stored at ambient pressures.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, further including a marine terminal tanker mooring and loading system connected to said capsule, and pumping means within the capsule for discharging oil from the storage compartment into the tanker mooring and loading system.
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) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |