Apparatus and method for drilling underwater

Claim 2

A vertical array of offshore well-drilling apparatus having an immersed torque imparting and separable drilling station erectly positioned on the floor of a body of water with spaced relation above a separable diverter equipment fixed between a surface well casing and the drilling station accommodating uninterrupted fluid sealed passage therethrough of a rotated drill string driving bit attached thereto, said string retained as an integral rigid lower assembly suspended from a buoyantly controlled support station providing vertical movement of the string below immersed pontoons upholding a control station that sustains an articulative conduit in fluid communication between an inlet end connected with a fluid supply aboard an attending service station disposed upon the troubled surface of said water and a discharge end fitted within a universal coupling connected to the upper supported end of the drill string adapted to penetrate the floor to bore a well with a selected bit pressure established at said control station, the improvement comprising: a. the control station is adjusted to a neutral position respective the surface of said body of water in accommodation with vertical movements of the articulative conduit and the heaving service station responding to said troubled surface; b. a crane system suspended from the control station transmits vertically adjustable support of said articulative conduit to maintain spaced relationship between the contiguous ends of said conduit and string contained within said universal coupling during descent of the array responding with said penetrating the floor; c. said articulative conduit includes a pivotal constituent and a rigid vertical constituent connected together by a flexible joint contained by a frame manipulated by said crane system having said discharge end oppositely disposed below, restricted to limited spaced differential within said universal coupling fixed to said support station while said universal coupling accommodates sealed transmission of fluid between the rotating string and said vertical constituent employed solely with axial movement free of torsional stress; d. a diverter assembly provides sealed termination of the well annulus defined by the string confined within said surface well casing cemented to the bored hole of the well and directs return of at least some of the fluid injected to the well bottom to entrain cut formation for flow through a port therewith in fluid communication with a remote conduit with discharge to said service station; e. a tension wire system having takeup means to accommodate variable wire extension is partitioned into a lower portion end connected beneath the support station to extend downwardly to reels mounted on the drilling station and an upper portion end connected above the support station to extend upwardly to reels borne by a frame manipulated by said crane system to constant spaced relation above the bottom of the hole in accommodation with progress in said penetration; f. a reassemblage means to alter length of said array, particularly utilized in periodic intervals while continuously drilling to lengthen said vertical constituent; g. protective means avoids buckling of said rigid vertical constituent and lower assembly; and, h. a stabilizing means monitors and controls vertical stability of the array respective the well.

Claim 3

evacuating fluid from the suspension tube by pressurized air available from a supply provided by accessory equipment associated with said buoyant support, seats the float controlled foot valve to complete the fluid seal of the said barrier;

Claim 4

evacuating fluid from the suspension tube by pressurized air available from a supply provided by accessory equipment associated with said buoyant support, seats the float controlled foot valve to complete the fluid seal of the said barrier;

Claim 5

A vertical array of offshore well-drilling apparatus as in claim 1, the improvement further comprises: a. said vertical constituent at each inception of a continuous drilling operation is formed with a minimum number of conduit segments to suit the integral length of drill string extending in reach from vicinity of said water surface to the formation to be cut with conduit segments joined together by couplings providing automatic engagement; b. an intercepter means integral with the control station is normally disposed to intercept said couplings joining conduit segments to temporarily supplant crane support of the vertical constituent and is remotely activated to selectively avoid said interception; and, c. a release means remotely controlled to disengage said couplings joining conduit segments while the intercepter supports the vertical constituent.

Claim 6

the lowermost said partition with throttling sleeve restricting leakage flow above said port establishes said stagnant well fluid, therewith precipitating discharge of larger solids in suspension for entrainment with flow through the port to said remote conduit;

Claim 7

the lowermost said partition with throttling sleeve restricting leakage flow above said port establishes said stagnant well fluid, therewith precipitating discharge of larger solids in suspension for entrainment with flow through the port to said remote conduit;

Claim 8

forming the primary baffle with a flanged vertically extended nipple to accommodate the fastening thereto and inclusion therewithin of an inverted pliable sealing sleeve to present an interior funnel-shaped surface receiving increased bearing to the lining corresponding with confined fluid increased pressure;

Claim 9

forming the primary baffle with a flanged vertically extended nipple to accommodate the fastening thereto and inclusion therewithin of an inverted pliable sealing sleeve to present an interior funnel-shaped surface receiving increased bearing to the lining corresponding with confined fluid increased pressure;

Claim 10

mounting a float controlled foot valve to dominate a vertical port formed through said barrier accommodating the upward displacement of fluid with descent of the open bottom array through the body of water and in the well;

Claim 11

mounting a float controlled foot valve to dominate a vertical port formed through said barrier accommodating the upward displacement of fluid with descent of the open bottom array through the body of water and in the well;

Claim 12

adjusting the disposition of the lining below an immersible buoyant support by a suspension tube accommodating settlement of the lining to the bottom of the hole with descent of the buoyant support terminating with spaced relation above the top of the wellhead;

Claim 13

adjusting the disposition of the lining below an immersible buoyant support by a suspension tube accommodating settlement of the lining to the bottom of the hole with descent of the buoyant support terminating with spaced relation above the top of the wellhead;

Claim 14

connecting the tube and lining by a latch assembly having remotely operable release means; and, b. outfitting the array to contend with buoyant effect and fluid displacement preparatory to said settlement of the array, by:

Claim 15

connecting the tube and lining by a latch assembly having remotely operable release means; and, b. outfitting the array to contend with buoyant effect and fluid displacement preparatory to said settlement of the array, by:

Claim 16

surrounding the barrier with a pliable shroud with upper and lower extended skirts expanded under fluid pressure against the inner wall of the lining to effect a fluid seal therebetwEen;

Claim 17

surrounding the barrier with a pliable shroud with upper and lower extended skirts expanded under fluid pressure against the inner wall of the lining to effect a fluid seal therebetwEen;

Claim 18

A vertical array of offshore well-drilling apparatus as in claim 1, wherein two rigid cylindrical members, one the said rotating drill string and second the said vertical constituent each independently suspended in vertical alignment to provide limited axial movement and continuity of abrading fluid flow between the contiguous ends of the two members contained within the universal coupling, said universal coupling further comprises: a. a cylindrical first body coupled to the upper end of the drill string encases a certain length of the vertical constituent to provide a clearance annulus therebetween; b. a thrust bearing engaged with the first body conveys the load of the drill string to said support station stabilized in opposition to rotative effort transmitted through the thrust bearing; c. a second body fixed to said support station receivably accommodates with slidable bearing fit said certain length and includes a diffusor housing in fluid communication with the said clearance annulus with fluid sealing means limiting flow thereto; d. guide bearings provided near the extremities of the first body are supported by the second body to sustain rotative relationship of the two bodies; e. a second fluid supply introduced to the diffusor opposes the abrading fluid flow into said clearance to preserve the bearings and seal; and, f. monitoring means responsive to said limited axial movement activates said second takeup means to re-establish the neutral of said spaced differential.

Claim 19

introducing cement under pressure to the suspension tube establishes a mass sufficient to fracture said stop and force the pistonlike barrier to descend displacing well fluid before it for discharge through said ports and return by way of the annulus defined by the lining in the hole for transmission to the surfaced vessel as diverted to the remote conduit;

Claim 20

introducing cement under pressure to the suspension tube establishes a mass sufficient to fracture said stop and force the pistonlike barrier to descend displacing well fluid before it for discharge through said ports and return by way of the annulus defined by the lining in the hole for transmission to the surfaced vessel as diverted to the remote conduit;

Claim 21

establishing a second baffle to a lowermost position upon the outer surface of the tube to become engaged to the primary baffle coincident with the complete descent of the lining past the primary baffle;

Claim 22

establishing a second baffle to a lowermost position upon the outer surface of the tube to become engaged to the primary baffle coincident with the complete descent of the lining past the primary baffle;

Claim 23

said throttle sleeves split axially and adapted to be opened when actuated by monitoring and control means accommodates passage of torqued couplings through the diverter in sequence with confrontation of a torqued coupling before a sleeve; and, e. a pneumatic system establishes said intermediate environment by evacuating said leakage to the chamber formed in said upper body between the said lowermost partition and blow-out preventer.

Claim 24

said throttle sleeves split axially and adapted to be opened when actuated by monitoring and control means accommodates passage of torqued couplings through the diverter in sequence with confrontation of a torqued coupling before a sleeve; and, e. a pneumatic system establishes said intermediate environment by evacuating said leakage to the chamber formed in said upper body between the said lowermost partition and blow-out preventer.

Claim 25

forming the second baffle with a cylindrical body providing a shoulder protrusion receivable by the inverted pliable sealing sleeve of the primary baffle with said body accommodating the fastening thereto and inclusion therewithin of a smaller inverted pliable sleeve to present an interior funnel-shaped surface receiving increased bearing to the tube corresponding with confined fluid increased pressure as contained by the combination primary-second baffle embraced arrangement; and, d. installing the lining by extending said suspension tube during lowering of the array in a water body depth less than and to the required said disposition of the lining for axial alignment above the blow-out preventer sealing the well, by:

Claim 26

forming the second baffle with a cylindrical body providing a shoulder protrusion receivable by the inverted pliable sealing sleeve of the primary baffle with said body accommodating the fastening thereto and inclusion therewithin of a smaller inverted pliable sleeve to present an interior funnel-shaped surface receiving increased bearing to the tube corresponding with confined fluid increased pressure as contained by the combination primary-second baffle embraced arrangement; and, d. installing the lining by extending said suspension tube during lowering of the array in a water body depth less than and to the required said disposition of the lining for axial alignment above the blow-out preventer sealing the well, by:

Claim 27

forming fractureable stops as temporary supports of the barrier at said uppermost position; and, c. supplanting the ineffective preventer, when opened to accommodate passage of lining and tube portion extending therein, by fluid sealing baffles incorporated in said array and adapted to be releasably locked upon interception by the upper flange of the wellhead to accommodate descent of the lining and tube in fluid sealed sliding contact with the baffles, by:

Claim 28

forming fractureable stops as temporary supports of the barrier at said uppermost position; and, c. supplanting the ineffective preventer, when opened to accommodate passage of lining and tube portion extending therein, by fluid sealing baffles incorporated in said array and adapted to be releasably locked upon interception by the upper flange of the wellhead to accommodate descent of the lining and tube in fluid sealed sliding contact with the baffles, by:

Claim 29

A vertical array of offshore well-drilling apparatus as in Claim 1, wherein said diverter equipment includes a conventional blow-out preventer for the separable assembly comprising: a. a cylindrical lower body, defining the diverter portion fastened to said surface casing first cemented into the hole bored in said floor to remain fixed as the bottom section dominated by a conventional blow-out preventer included to be selectively applied to seal off said well extended above said port providing fluid communication between said lower body and said remote conduit; b. a cylindrical upper body defining the top section of the diverter remountably fastened to the blow-out preventer is secured to a detachable portable portion of said separable drilling station for removal therewith together with the drill string from the fixed portions of the drilling station and diverter, whereupon the well may be sealed off by the conventional blow-out preventer; c. a shuttle mechanism incorporated in said top section conveys a succession of torqued couplings, connecting pipe segments integrated to become the rotated drill string, past a fluid tight seal separating natural environmental conditions from an intermediate environment within a transition chamber established by throttle assemblies accommodating passage of the drill string through partitions in said top section forming the chambers dominating stagnant well fluid remaining undiverted to the remote conduit; d. said throttle assemblies comprises:

Claim 30

bottoming of the barrier to the lower extremity of the hole exposes said ports in the wall of the lining through which a continuing supply of cement flows to fill the said annulus to the top of the introduced lining continuing the displacement of well fluid thereto; and,

Claim 31

bottoming of the barrier to the lower extremity of the hole exposes said ports in the wall of the lining through which a continuing supply of cement flows to fill the said annulus to the top of the introduced lining continuing the displacement of well fluid thereto; and,

Claim 32

releasing the remotely operable latch assembly, the blow-out preventer and said releasably locked baffles permits retraction of the suspension tube with said latch to re-establish dominance of the well by the blow-out preventer.

Claim 33

releasing the remotely operable latch assembly, the blow-out preventer and said releasably locked baffles permits retraction of the suspension tube with said latch to re-establish dominance of the well by the blow-out preventer.

Claim 36

A method of transmitting drilling fluid for an offshore array of drilling apparatus, as in claim 5, the method further comprises: a. upholding a control station from immersed pontoons to a neutral stable position respective said surface, a structural portion thereof accommodates establishment of said flexible joint above water surface at said inception to drilling by a crane means, comprising said adjustable support means adapted for said limited travel between a retracted condition with said pivotal constituent inclined from said supply to a lowermost extended condition, whereupon in lowered position the conduit coupling is intercepted by a control station mounted clamp arranged to supplant the crane support of said vertical constituent; b. transporting a conduit segment, prior to said clamp interception, by a hoist system accommodating exchange between the surface affected service station and the stable control station, expedites lengthening the vertical constituent to minimize interruption to fluid flow therethrough by a valve closed while the flexible joint thereafter disconnected and raised with the pivotal constituent accommodates mounting the additional segment to the vertical constituent then supported from said clamp; c. interacting wire systems maintains and controls said integration of the injection portions while indicating progress in penetration, having a lower adjustable portion connected between the drilling station and the descending support station above occasioning the accumulation of wire, therewith activating a selsyn system to establish the crane lowering rate to said extended condition and having an upper adjustable portion connected between the support station and the control station above by way of partially loading the crane with part of the unsupported string weight to sense bit pressure in the hole; and, d. extending said upper adjustable portion simultaneously with each raising of the disconnected flexible joint accommodates continuous drilling during the lengthening process to the vertical constituent followed with minor adjustment to the upper wire portion length as required by monitoring means limiting spaced relationship of said parts within the universal coupling.

Claim 37

A method of transmitting drilling fluid for an offshore array of drilling apparatus as in claim 6, the method further comprises: a. utilizing said wire system having three taut wires maintained equal in length, tension and spaced conformance about the array when in said vertical alignment to then provide an upright configuration of the wires; b. relying on a hydraulic thrustor system deployed to oppose forces tending to disrupt the vertical alignment of the array respective the hole bored in said floor; c. employing rods, fixed beneath the two said stations above connected by said wires, to form a permanent upright configuration surrounding said configuration of wires with the distal end of each rod providing the fulcrum of a lever linked therebeneath to one of the wires radially aligned thereto, with the distal end of said levers adapted to actuate a switch in control of a part of the thrustor system; and, d. disrupting said vertical alignment alters the wire system to an oblique configuration contained within the permanent upright rod configuration therewith disposing the lever to activate said switch whereupon thrust forces oppose the disruptive forces to reinstate said vertical alignment.

Claim 38

A method of transmitting drilling fluid for an offshore array of drilling apparatus as in claim 6, the method further comprises: a. sectionalizing the diverter assembly into a portable portion for automatic engagement with a fixed portion connected to a casing cemented into the bored hole; b. disengaging the portable portions of the drilling station and diverter assembly for removal together with the drill bit retracted to position within the portable portion of the diverter assembly above a blow-out preventer thereafter remotely closed to seal off the fixed portion of the diverter assembly left to terminate said annulus; and, c. facilitating entry of an assembly to the vacated well, a conical receptacle extension of the fixed drilling station provides a guide to align the introduced assembly for automatic engagement to the fixed diverter portion prior to opening the blow-out preventer remotely operated by control lines extending with the remote conduit to the service station.

Claim 39

Interacting wire systems maintains and controls integrity of two lengthened rigid assemblies to be retained in vertical alignment with limited spaced relationship between contiguous ends of assemblies individually suspended from immersed chambers providing buoyant support in a body of water, the improvement comprising: a. said supports each fitted with a structure adapted to adjust a confined gas within said chambers to a volumetric displacement of said water comparable in weight with changes in imposed loads to be sustained throughout elevational change in position of the buoyant supports; b. said wire systems segmentally connected between buoyant supports with each segment having an end connection with an equalizer system, mounted to one buoyant support, adapted to maintain equal tension in three separate wires symmetrically forming the segment to an upright configuration about the rigid assembly with the other wire ends reeled to individually powered winches mounted to the other of the two supports with an equalizer monitoring means included to maintain equal extension of the taut wires thus connected between adjacent supports; c. rigidly fixed rods extending from said buoyant supports provide erect configuration in oriented alignment with a portion of the length of wires connected between supports with the distal end of rods terminating with an axis to provide the fulcrum and pivotal support for a lever adapted for a normal parallel disposition between a said rod and wire with the short arm end of each lever compositely connected to the wires by linkage to a ring mounted thereto being responsive to horizontal displacement consequential with an assumed oblique posture of the wires from said vertical alignment; d. the distal end of the lever extends an integral multiple of said short arm, terminating with a switch actuating means motivated upon displacement of the wire system to an oblique configuration consequential with forces disrupting said vertical alignment; and, e. a hydraulic thrustor system deployed to oppose said forces responds, in compliance with switches affected by said actuating means sensitiveness to the slant of the wires from said upright configurations, to re-establish said vertical alignment.

Claim 40

Interacting wire systems maintains and controls integrity of two lengthened rigid assemblies to be retained in vertical alignment with limited spaced relationship between contiguous ends of assemblies individually suspended from immersed chambers providing buoyant support in a body of water, the improvement comprising: a. said supports each fitted with a structure adapted to adjust a confined gas within said chambers to a volumetric displacement of said water comparable in weight with changes in imposed loads to be sustained throughout elevational change in position of the buoyant supports; b. said wire systems segmentally connected between buoyant supports with each segment having an end connection with an equalizer system, mounted to one buoyant support, adapted to maintain equal tension in three separate wires symmetrically forming the segment to an upright configuration about the rigid assembly with the other wire ends reeled to individually powered winches mounted to the other of the two supports with an equalizer monitoring means included to maintain equal extension of the taut wires thus connected between adjacent supports; c. rigidly fixed rods extending from said buoyant supports provide erect configuration in oriented alignment with a portion of the length of wires connected between supports with the distal end of rods terminating with an axis to provide the fulcrum and pivotal support for a lever adapted for a normal parallel disposition between a said rod and wire with the short arm end of each lever compositely connected to the wires by linkage to a ring mounted thereto being responsive to horizontal displacement consequential with an assumed oblique posture of the wires from said vertical alignment; d. the distal end of the lever extends an integral multiple of said short arm, terminating with a switch actuating means motivated upon displacement of the wire system to an oblique configuration consequential with forces disrupting said vertical alignment; and, e. a hydraulic thrustor system deployed to oppose said forces responds, in compliance with switches affected by said actuating means sensitiveness to the slant of the wires from said upright configurations, to re-establish said vertical alignment.

Claim 41

Interacting wire systems maintaining integrity of two or more rigid assemblies in vertical alignment as in claim 9, wherein said equalizer means comprises: a. two pivotal beams mounted to the horizontal axes provided in a cylindrical shell extension of said buoyant supports have a distal end extension equal to two-thirds thirds the beam length oriented to accommodate mounting a third beam end connected therebetween to said distal ends to provide a midpoint of said third beam in radial space from said shell equal and symmetrically arranged with the corresponding radial distance of the short ends of the said two beams to provide the three connects for said 3 wires; and, b. a mercoid type switch mounted to each of the said two beams and internally pressurized in balance with adjusted said chambers indicate unequal lengths between said wires by the tilt of a beam to activate a corresponding said powered winch to re-establish equality in wire lengths.

Claim 42

In an elongated array of objects disposed in finite vertical alignment relative a drilling station established to the floor of a body of water to power a drill bit to bore a hole with means accommodating axial disposition and rotational relationship between two rigid members defined as a conduit and a drill string with contiguous ends contained in a universal coupling, the improvement comprising: a. a control station having a superstructure with a base to which fixed pontoons provide buoyant support from beneath the surface of said water for transmission of said support to an apex assemblage including a crane towering above said surface to stably support a depending frame to which the said conduit is remountably secured and arranged free of columnar stress; b. a support station devised to travel between said control and drilling station provides buoyant support from a single compartment for said drill string maintained in length from the support station when at the initial position adjacent said control station with reach to establish said drill bit to the bottom of a hole therewith in said floor; c. monitoring and control means regulate the support capacity of said chamber and pontoons in contention with consequential environmental changes with vertical position and with alteration in position and weight of imposed loads; d. interacting wire systems maintains and controls integrity of said two rigid members retained in vertical alignment with limited spaced relationship between contiguous ends thereof contained within said universal coupling mounted upon said support station; e. said wire systems extend from the control to drilling stations with the support station interposed to provide an upper wire system segment and a lower wire system segment extending respectively above and below the support station with lower and upper ends respectively of the upper and lower wire segmentally connected to an equalizer means provided above and below the support station and with other wire ends connected to reels included in the assemblies comprising the control and drilling stations monitored to control the tension and extended lengths of the wire system segments; f. a stabilization system for said array includes a hydraulic thrustor system deployed to oppose forces disposing the normal upright posture of said wire system to an oblique configuration, whereupon an alignment mechanism associated with said wire system provides magnification of such disposition to activate a corresponding magnetic switch monitoring a portion of the thrustor system to re-establish said vertical alignment; g. said crane contributing as part of the upper wire system segment provides for the variable disposition of said frame incorporating the support of said upper rigid member and upper reels associated therewith in accommodation with said limited spaced relationship within the support station mounted universal coupling during said travel between stations; h. a tower integral with the drilling station accommodates the mounting of associated said lower reels to provide the lower wire system segment with a form between engaged ends having loops accommodating the inclusion of sheaves as a weighted means disposed below said lower reels therewith maintaining taut wires; i. said drilling station, adapted to uninterruptingly transmit torque to the drill bit continuously penetrating formation below said floor to the extent of said travel, accommodates the accumulation of wire stored with the allowable descent of said sheaves between limits monitoring said lower winches associated therewith to periodIcally power said reels, obviating continuous rotation of reels otherwise necessary to reel on wire introduced with support station descent with penetration; and, j. a selsyn system actuated with the descent of said sheave transmits control of said crane to maintain said limited spaced relationship of two rigid members by a corresponding descent of said frame to a limiting frame lower position whereupon crane support is supplanted by a clamp mechanism included with the control station to facilitate servicing said array.

Claim 43

In an elongated array of objects disposed in finite vertical alignment relative a drilling station established to the floor of a body of water to power a drill bit to bore a hole with means accommodating axial disposition and rotational relationship between two rigid members defined as a conduit and a drill string with contiguous ends contained in a universal coupling, the improvement comprising: a. a control station having a superstructure with a base to which fixed pontoons provide buoyant support from beneath the surface of said water for transmission of said support to an apex assemblage including a crane towering above said surface to stably support a depending frame to which the said conduit is remountably secured and arranged free of columnar stress; b. a support station devised to travel between said control and drilling station provides buoyant support from a single compartment for said drill string maintained in length from the support station when at the initial position adjacent said control station with reach to establish said drill bit to the bottom of a hole therewith in said floor; c. monitoring and control means regulate the support capacity of said chamber and pontoons in contention with consequential environmental changes with vertical position and with alteration in position and weight of imposed loads; d. interacting wire systems maintains and controls integrity of said two rigid members retained in vertical alignment with limited spaced relationship between contiguous ends thereof contained within said universal coupling mounted upon said support station; e. said wire systems extend from the control to drilling stations with the support station interposed to provide an upper wire system segment and a lower wire system segment extending respectively above and below the support station with lower and upper ends respectively of the upper and lower wire segmentally connected to an equalizer means provided above and below the support station and with other wire ends connected to reels included in the assemblies comprising the control and drilling stations monitored to control the tension and extended lengths of the wire system segments; f. a stabilization system for said array includes a hydraulic thrustor system deployed to oppose forces disposing the normal upright posture of said wire system to an oblique configuration, whereupon an alignment mechanism associated with said wire system provides magnification of such disposition to activate a corresponding magnetic switch monitoring a portion of the thrustor system to re-establish said vertical alignment; g. said crane contributing as part of the upper wire system segment provides for the variable disposition of said frame incorporating the support of said upper rigid member and upper reels associated therewith in accommodation with said limited spaced relationship within the support station mounted universal coupling during said travel between stations; h. a tower integral with the drilling station accommodates the mounting of associated said lower reels to provide the lower wire system segment with a form between engaged ends having loops accommodating the inclusion of sheaves as a weighted means disposed below said lower reels therewith maintaining taut wires; i. said drilling station, adapted to uninterruptingly transmit torque to the drill bit continuously penetrating formation below said floor to the extent of said travel, accommodates the accumulation of wire stored with the allowable descent of said sheaves between limits monitoring said lower winches associated therewith to periodIcally power said reels, obviating continuous rotation of reels otherwise necessary to reel on wire introduced with support station descent with penetration; and, j. a selsyn system actuated with the descent of said sheave transmits control of said crane to maintain said limited spaced relationship of two rigid members by a corresponding descent of said frame to a limiting frame lower position whereupon crane support is supplanted by a clamp mechanism included with the control station to facilitate servicing said array.

Claim 44

In an elongated array of objects in vertical alignment in a body of water according to claim 11, the improvement further comprises: a. a pivotal member supported at the pivoted end by a service station buoyantly supported on said surface provides an articulative extension of said upper rigid member contrived with the inclusion of a flexible joint with the connection fixed to said frame therewith suspending the upper rigid member; b. a hoist system facilitates the transfer of objects between an unstable said service station subjected to the vagaries of said surface and a stable said control station having pontoons immersed with said surface established approximately midway the height of said apex; c. said crane, arranged in support of said flexible joint disconnected from the upper rigid member when supported by said clamp, establishes space accommodating addition of a segmental length to lengthen the array, undertaking transfer of the segmental length by said hoist system prior to disconnection of said joint; and, d. said upper rigid member, when disposed for support by said clamp and devoid of said control of the crane then in support of the upper reels and separated flexible joint accomplished with the extension of the upper wire portion accommodating the said addition, responds with the control station in trailing relation with the descending support station to maintain drilling progress during the time interval to connect the segmental length.