US3682242A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater production and storage system
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
•
Filing: 1969-05-22
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Granted: 1972-08-08
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Expires: 1989-05-22
Abstract
Abstract The specification discloses a method and system for producing minerals from an underwater production area where the marine bottom slopes from relatively shallow depths to greater depths. A bottom-supported platform is fixed in the relatively shallow depths of the production area and is used to process minerals produced from wells spaced from the platform and completed in depths greater than that at which the platform is fixed. After the minerals are processed on the platform, they are transferred to a storage means.
Inventors
- 👤 Warren B Brooks
- 👤 James T Dean
- 👤 William F Manning
- 👤 Lewis A Rupp
- 👤 William A Talley Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:21
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for producing minerals from an underwater production area where the marine bottom of said area slopes from relatively shallow depths to greater depths comprising: constructing a bottom-supported platform in said relatively shallow depths of said area, said platform having a deck above the surface of the water; completing a plurality of wells for producing minerals, grouped in a close-spaced relationship at a point spaced from said platform; testing each of said plurality of wells at said point spaced from said platform; manifolding each of said plurality of wells with the others of said plurality of wells at said point spaced from said platform; flowing the produced minerals from said manifolded grouped wells to the deck of said platform through a single production flowline; and processing said produced minerals on said deck of said platform.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for producing minerals from an underwater production area where the marine bottom of said area slopes from relatively shallow depths to greater depths comprising: constructing a bottom-supported platform in said relatively shallow depths of said area, said platform having a deck above the surface of the water; completing a plurality of wells for producing minerals, grouped in a close-spaced relationship at a point spaced from said platform; testing each of said plurality of wells at said point spaced from said platform; manifolding each of said plurality of wells with the others of said plurality of wells at said point spaced from said platform; flowing the produced minerals from said manifolded grouped wells to the deck of said platform through a single production flowline; and processing said produced minerals on said deck of said platform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 including: storing said minerals after they have been processed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: said each of said plurality of wells is manifolded into a hollow-shelled satellite gathering unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: said grouped wells are completed at depths greater than the depth at which the platform is constructed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 4 wherein: the produced minerals are flowed from said grouped wells along the marine bottom to and then substantially vertical upward at said platform to said deck.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 5 including: storing said minerals after they have been processed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 6 wherein: said processed minerals are stored in onshore storage means which is connected to said platform by underwater pipeline.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 6 wherein: said processed minerals are stored in said floating storage means by flowing the processed minerals substantially vertical downward from said deck of said platform to the marine bottom, across the marine bottom to a point substantially underlying said floating storage means, and then upward into said floating storage means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 8 wherein: said moored, floating storage means comprises a swivel tanker.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
107 words
A system for producing minerals from deposits underlying water comprising: a bottom-supported platform having a deck above the surface of the water; means for processing the minerals on said deck of said platform; a plurality of closely spaced, mineral producing wells grouped at a point spaced from said platform; means located at said point spaced from said platform for testing each of said plurality of wells; means for manifolding said plurality of wells together at said point spaced from said platform; and means for conducting said minerals from said grouped manifolded wells to said processing means on said deck of said platform through a single production flowline.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
107 words
A system for producing minerals from deposits underlying water comprising: a bottom-supported platform having a deck above the surface of the water; means for processing the minerals on said deck of said platform; a plurality of closely spaced, mineral producing wells grouped at a point spaced from said platform; means located at said point spaced from said platform for testing each of said plurality of wells; means for manifolding said plurality of wells together at said point spaced from said platform; and means for conducting said minerals from said grouped manifolded wells to said processing means on said deck of said platform through a single production flowline.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 10 wherein: each of said plurality of wells is completed on a single template, said system including: a hollow-shelled satellite mounted on said template in which said test means and said manifolding means are located; and means for connecting each of said plurality of wells to said test and said manifold means within said satellite unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 10 including: means for storing said minerals after they have been processed; and means for conducting said processed minerals from said deck of said platform to said storage means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 12 wherein: said storage means comprises onshore storage means; and said means for conducting said processed minerals to said storage means comprises an underwater pipeline.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
93 words
The system of claim 12 wherein: said storage means comprises a floating storage means spaced from said platform; and said means for conducting processed minerals from said deck of said platform to said storage means comprises: flow means extending substantially vertically downward from the deck of said platform to the marine bottom, said flow means extending across the marine bottom from said platform to a point substantially underlying said floating storage means; and flow means fluidly connected to said first-mentioned flow means and extending upward to fluidly communicate with said floating storage means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said floating storage means comprises: a bottom-moored, swivel tanker.
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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) | 1975-08-08 | 1976-02-07 | 1976-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-08 | 1980-02-07 | 1980-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-08 | 1984-02-07 | 1984-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |