US3664437A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drilling on water and ice with a movable vessel
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
•
Filing: 1970-01-23
•
Granted: 1972-05-23
•
Expires: 1990-01-23
Abstract
Abstract Drilling operations are conducted on water and ice with a movable vessel which moves on shore as water freeze-up approaches and then moves back onto the ice after freeze-up to resume drilling operations, the well location being located by a signal and connection being established between the vessel and the well through the ice.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas B Mcculloch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:45
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B15/00; E21B15/02; E21B7/00; E21B7/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for drilling in water subjected to freezing conditions which comprises: partially drilling a well from the surface of said water from a ground effect vehicle; continuing said drilling until freeze-up of the water approaches; moving the ground effect vehicle over water to land until water freeze-up occurs to a sufficient extent to provide ice subject to movement having a strength sufficient to support the ground effect vehicle; then moving the ground effect vehicle over the ice to the location of the well; resuming drilling operations from the ground effect vehicle; and moving said ground effect vehicle on the ice over the well to compensate for ice movement.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for drilling in water subjected to freezing conditions which comprises: partially drilling a well from the surface of said water from a ground effect vehicle; continuing said drilling until freeze-up of the water approaches; moving the ground effect vehicle over water to land until water freeze-up occurs to a sufficient extent to provide ice subject to movement having a strength sufficient to support the ground effect vehicle; then moving the ground effect vehicle over the ice to the location of the well; resuming drilling operations from the ground effect vehicle; and moving said ground effect vehicle on the ice over the well to compensate for ice movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 in which the well is located by acoustic signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 in which the well is located by radioactive signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 in which the well is shut in when freeze-up approaches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 in which a. the well is located by a signal transmitted to the vessel; and b. drilling operations are conducted after ice freeze-up through an opening in the ice maintained substantially free of ice which would impede drilling operations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein, before well drilling is completed, when thawing occurs, the ground effect vehicle remains on well location and drilling is continued from water surface and when freeze-up of the water again approaches said sequence of operations beginning with moving the ground effect vehicle over water to land is repeated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 in which the drilling operations are conducted through an opening in the ice maintained substantially free of ice which would impede drilling operations.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with claim 7 in which the drilling operations are conducted through a tubular connection extending from said ground effect vehicle through said opening to said well.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for drilling in water subjected to freezing which comprises: partially drilling a well from the surface of said water from a ground effect vehicle; continuing said drilling until freeze-up of the water approaches; moving the ground effect vehicle over water to land until freeze-up occurs to a sufficient extent to provide ice subject to movement having a strength sufficient to support the ground effect vehicle; then moving the ground effect vehicle over the ice to the approximate location of the well; locating the well; connecting the vehicle to the well through an opening in the ice; resuming drilling operations through said connection and opening from the ground effect vehicle; and moving said ground effect vehicle on the ice over the well to compensate for ice movement.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for drilling in water subjected to freezing which comprises: partially drilling a well from the surface of said water from a ground effect vehicle; continuing said drilling until freeze-up of the water approaches; moving the ground effect vehicle over water to land until freeze-up occurs to a sufficient extent to provide ice subject to movement having a strength sufficient to support the ground effect vehicle; then moving the ground effect vehicle over the ice to the approximate location of the well; locating the well; connecting the vehicle to the well through an opening in the ice; resuming drilling operations through said connection and opening from the ground effect vehicle; and moving said ground effect vehicle on the ice over the well to compensate for ice movement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method in accordance with claim 9 in which the vehicle is connected to the well by lowering from the vehicle to the well a retractable tubular member.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for drilling in water subjected to freezing and thawing conditions which comprises: drilling a well from ice surface in which the ice is subject to mOvement in a frozen body of water from a ground effect vehicle; continuing said drilling when said ice thaws by maintaining said ground effect vehicle on location substantially over said well; continuing said drilling from the surface of said water until freeze-up of the water approaches; moving the ground effect vehicle over water to land until water freeze-up occurs to a sufficient extent to provide ice subject to movement having a strength sufficient to support the ground effect vehicle; then moving the ground effect vehicle over the ice to the well location; and resuming drilling operations from the ground effect vehicle; said ground effect vehicle being maintained on location over said well while drilling from ice surface by moving said ground effect vehicle to compensate for any ice movement.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for drilling in water subjected to freezing and thawing conditions which comprises: drilling a well from ice surface in which the ice is subject to mOvement in a frozen body of water from a ground effect vehicle; continuing said drilling when said ice thaws by maintaining said ground effect vehicle on location substantially over said well; continuing said drilling from the surface of said water until freeze-up of the water approaches; moving the ground effect vehicle over water to land until water freeze-up occurs to a sufficient extent to provide ice subject to movement having a strength sufficient to support the ground effect vehicle; then moving the ground effect vehicle over the ice to the well location; and resuming drilling operations from the ground effect vehicle; said ground effect vehicle being maintained on location over said well while drilling from ice surface by moving said ground effect vehicle to compensate for any ice movement.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method in accordance with claim 11 in which the well is shut in when freeze-up approaches.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for drilling wells from the surface of ice which comprises: drilling a well from the surface of ice from a ground effect vehicle in which the ice is subject to movement, said ice being sufficiently strong to support the ground effect vehicle; and moving said ground effect vehicle on the ice to maintain it over said well to compensate for ice movement while continuing drilling.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for drilling wells from the surface of ice which comprises: drilling a well from the surface of ice from a ground effect vehicle in which the ice is subject to movement, said ice being sufficiently strong to support the ground effect vehicle; and moving said ground effect vehicle on the ice to maintain it over said well to compensate for ice movement while continuing drilling.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with claim 13 in which the drilling operations are conducted through an opening in the ice maintained substantially free of ice which would impede drilling operations.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with claim 14 in which the drilling operations are conducted through a tubular connection extending from said ground effect vehicle through said opening to said well.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for drilling a well on water and ice which comprises a ground effect vehicle; a drilling rig arranged on said ground effect vehicle for drilling a well; separate means on said ground effect vehicle apart from said drilling rig for maintaining open water under the drilling rig when drilling is conducted from ice surface; and means carried by said ground effect vehicle for maintaining a connection between said vehicle and said well.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for drilling a well on water and ice which comprises a ground effect vehicle; a drilling rig arranged on said ground effect vehicle for drilling a well; separate means on said ground effect vehicle apart from said drilling rig for maintaining open water under the drilling rig when drilling is conducted from ice surface; and means carried by said ground effect vehicle for maintaining a connection between said vehicle and said well.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 16 in which the open water maintenance means comprises means for supplying heat to said open water.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 14 in which the open water maintenance means comprises: a. means for supplying heat; and b. agitating means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 16 in which the open water maintenance means comprises agitating means for agitating said open water.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 19 in which the agitating means comprises a power driven impeller means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which said vehicle is provided with vertically adjustable means connected to the underside of said vehicle for extension through the ice where open water is maintained.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 21 in which the vertically adjustable means is a sleeve connected to a wall forming a well dependent from the underside of said vehicle.
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) | 1975-05-23 | 1975-11-22 | 1976-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-23 | 1979-11-22 | 1980-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-23 | 1983-11-22 | 1984-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |