US3782460A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of installing a combination pedestal conductor and conductor string at an offshore location
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1972-08-01
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Granted: 1974-01-01
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Expires: 1992-08-01
Abstract
Abstract A pedestal conductor, buoyancy member, and conductor string are installed at an offshore location by lowering the conductor string into the borehole during drilling, cementing the conductor string in the borehole, and subsequently lowering the pedestal conductor and the buoyancy member along a drill string to engage said conductor string prior to removing said drill string from said conductor string.
Inventors
- 👤 D Skinner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:05
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B7/00; E21B7/12; E21B7/124; E21B17/00; E21B17/01; E21B7/128
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A method of installing a conductor string and a pedestal conductor at an offshore location from a floating structure, said method comprising the steps of: suspending a buoyancy member from a floating structure; passing a conductor string, first coupling means, and a pedestal conductor consecutively through a central passage of said buoyancy member, said first coupling means connecting said conductor string To said pedestal conductor; coupling said pedestal conductor to said buoyancy member and suspending said pedestal conductor and conductor string from said buoyancy member; passing a drill string carrying a fluid actuated drilling unit through said pedestal conductor and said conductor string and connecting by means of a second coupling means said drilling unit to the cutting shoe mounted on the lower end of said conductor string; uncoupling said first coupling means; lowering said conductor string and said drill string by adding sections of drill pipe to the upper end of said drill string; flowing drilling fluid through said drill string thereby actuating said drilling unit; drilling a hole in the floor of said body of water; interrupting said drilling; lowering said buoyancy member having said pedestal conductor suspended therefrom until the lower end of the pedestal conductor contacts the upper end of said conductor string; coupling said first coupling means; and retracting said drill string and said drilling unit to said floating structure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
225 words
A method of installing a conductor string and a pedestal conductor at an offshore location from a floating structure, said method comprising the steps of: suspending a buoyancy member from a floating structure; passing a conductor string, first coupling means, and a pedestal conductor consecutively through a central passage of said buoyancy member, said first coupling means connecting said conductor string To said pedestal conductor; coupling said pedestal conductor to said buoyancy member and suspending said pedestal conductor and conductor string from said buoyancy member; passing a drill string carrying a fluid actuated drilling unit through said pedestal conductor and said conductor string and connecting by means of a second coupling means said drilling unit to the cutting shoe mounted on the lower end of said conductor string; uncoupling said first coupling means; lowering said conductor string and said drill string by adding sections of drill pipe to the upper end of said drill string; flowing drilling fluid through said drill string thereby actuating said drilling unit; drilling a hole in the floor of said body of water; interrupting said drilling; lowering said buoyancy member having said pedestal conductor suspended therefrom until the lower end of the pedestal conductor contacts the upper end of said conductor string; coupling said first coupling means; and retracting said drill string and said drilling unit to said floating structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method of claim 1 further including the steps of: uncoupling the second coupling means; retracting the drill string partly from the conductor string; setting a packer around the drill string; cementing the conductor string in the hole by injecting cement through the drill string and the conductor string followed by a slug of cleaning fluid; releasing said packer; said steps being carried out immediately after the step of interrupting said drilling action and prior to the step of lowering said buoyancy member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
The method according to claim 1 further including the steps of: uncoupling the second coupling means; retracting the drill string partly from the conductor string; setting a packer around the drill string; cementing the conductor string in the hole by injecting cement through the drill string and the conductor string followed by a slug of cleaning fluid; and releasing the packer; said steps being carried out between the step of coupling said first coupling means and prior to the step of retracting said drill string.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for installing a pedestal conductor and conductor string at an offshore location wherein the conductor string is lowered into a hole in the sea bottom during the drilling operation, said apparatus comprising: a drill string; a conductor string adapted to be cemented over substantially the entire length thereof in a hole drilled in the sea bottom; a buoyancy member having a central passage therethrough; a pedestal conductor adapted to extend between the upper end of said conductor string and said buoyancy member; first coupling means adapted to couple said pedestal conductor to said conductor string; second coupling means adapted to couple said drill string to the inner wall of said conductor string; third coupling means adapted to couple said pedestal conductor to said buoyancy member; a drilling unit having a drilling bit, said unit being carried by the lower end of said drill string; and a rotatable cutting shoe carried by the lower end of said conductor string and adapted to be driven by said drilling unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for installing a pedestal conductor and conductor string at an offshore location wherein the conductor string is lowered into a hole in the sea bottom during the drilling operation, said apparatus comprising: a drill string; a conductor string adapted to be cemented over substantially the entire length thereof in a hole drilled in the sea bottom; a buoyancy member having a central passage therethrough; a pedestal conductor adapted to extend between the upper end of said conductor string and said buoyancy member; first coupling means adapted to couple said pedestal conductor to said conductor string; second coupling means adapted to couple said drill string to the inner wall of said conductor string; third coupling means adapted to couple said pedestal conductor to said buoyancy member; a drilling unit having a drilling bit, said unit being carried by the lower end of said drill string; and a rotatable cutting shoe carried by the lower end of said conductor string and adapted to be driven by said drilling unit.
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) | 1976-12-31 | 1977-07-02 | 1978-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-31 | 1981-07-02 | 1982-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-31 | 1985-07-02 | 1986-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |