US3770052A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Installation of underwater pollution control apparatus
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1972-05-17
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Granted: 1973-11-06
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Expires: 1992-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A process for installing and forming an inverted drip pan over an underwater wellhead and its associated production manifold. One part of the pan is fixed above the production manifold, and another part of the pan is removably secured over the wellhead by use of means on the wellhead roof for coacting with a remotely operated running-in device for removably installing and retrieving such roof part.
Inventors
- 👤 T Childers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:13
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/0122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
253 words
A method of forming an inverted drip pan roof over an underwater wellhead and a production manifold for such wellhead, comprising: arranging a manifold drip pan over said production manifold, running a wellhead drip pan down in a tilted attitude for placement over said wellhead, the leading end of said tilted pan facing in the direction of said production manifold, said tilted attitude providing a reduced projection of said wellhead drip pan such that said leading edge of the wellhead drip pan clears a near edge of the manifold drip pan facing said wellhead, means on such wellhead drip pan coacting with means on a running and retrieving tool to releasably lock said wellhead drip pan to said tool, stopping the descent of said tilted wellhead drip pan such that said leading end thereof is below and behind said near edge of said manifold drip pan, pivoting said wellhead drip pan about pivot means behind said manifold drip pan such that said leading end of the wellhead drip pan arcs upwardly until the leading end is abutted under said near edge of the manifold drip pan and such that the trailing end of the wellhead cover pan arcs downwardly until stopped at a location lower than said leading edge so that the wellhead cover pan slopes upwardly from trailing end to leading end, thereby forming a continuous upwardly inclining passage from wellhead cover pan to manifold cover pan, along which fugitive oil fluids are directed by gravity flow to the manifold cover pan.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
253 words
A method of forming an inverted drip pan roof over an underwater wellhead and a production manifold for such wellhead, comprising: arranging a manifold drip pan over said production manifold, running a wellhead drip pan down in a tilted attitude for placement over said wellhead, the leading end of said tilted pan facing in the direction of said production manifold, said tilted attitude providing a reduced projection of said wellhead drip pan such that said leading edge of the wellhead drip pan clears a near edge of the manifold drip pan facing said wellhead, means on such wellhead drip pan coacting with means on a running and retrieving tool to releasably lock said wellhead drip pan to said tool, stopping the descent of said tilted wellhead drip pan such that said leading end thereof is below and behind said near edge of said manifold drip pan, pivoting said wellhead drip pan about pivot means behind said manifold drip pan such that said leading end of the wellhead drip pan arcs upwardly until the leading end is abutted under said near edge of the manifold drip pan and such that the trailing end of the wellhead cover pan arcs downwardly until stopped at a location lower than said leading edge so that the wellhead cover pan slopes upwardly from trailing end to leading end, thereby forming a continuous upwardly inclining passage from wellhead cover pan to manifold cover pan, along which fugitive oil fluids are directed by gravity flow to the manifold cover pan.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein means on said wellhead drip pan coact with said running and retrieving tool to define the tilt angle of the wellhead cover pan during its descent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said wellhead drip pan has notched longitudinal rib means on its underside spaced inwardly from the sides of such drip pan, and wherein the descent of the wellhead cover pan is stopped by impingement of the notch of said rib means on pivot means located below and behind said near edge of said manifold drip pan.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: guiding the descent of the wellhead drip pan with guide lines passing through guide sleeves connected to such cover pan and attaching to guideposts spaced between said wellhead and said production manifold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the descent of said wellhead drip pan is stopped by limit means located on said guideposts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said guide sleeves are connected to pivot pins extending laterally from said wellhead drip pan at a location between said leading end of the wellhead drip pan and the transverse midline of said wellhead drip pan.
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) | 1976-11-05 | 1977-05-07 | 1977-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-05 | 1981-05-07 | 1981-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-05 | 1985-05-07 | 1985-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |