Patent US3902553A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3902553A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Offshore drilling at deep water locations
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-02-08
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Granted: 1975-09-02
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Expires: 1994-02-08
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for drilling and completing hydrocarbon producing wells in waters of a substantial depth and for the redrilling and servicing of such wells. The apparatus includes a surface drilling rig, normally of the semi-submersible type, and a submersible drilling rig. The surface drilling rig sets and cements a conductor pipe into position in the floor of the body of water and may install other pipe stubs therein, such as a surface pipe, to initially begin the drilling operation. The submersible drilling rig, which is more easily transported in sections, is then assembled and lowered into position over the conductor pipe by filling ballast tanks located within the submersible drilling rig. The submersible drilling rig, which is supplied by means of an umbilical cord from the surface drilling rig is coupled to the conductor pipe in a watertight manner. The drilling operation begins from the interior of the submersible drilling rig, which houses well drilling equipment as well as logging and well completion equipment. The main working area of the crew in the submersible drilling rig is below the surface of the body of water but a considerable distance from the floor of the body of water. Therefore, the projection from the working area down to the conductor pipe at the floor of the body of water is a stingray type of design, which allows for connection to the conductor pipe. From the work quarters, a periscoping device can be extended up to the surface drilling rig for changing crews, receiving supplies, etc., and setting and cementing production casting or redrilling operations. If the drilled well becomes a production well, the submersible drilling rig will install production control valves which are left located on the floor of the body of water and thereafter move on to a new location.
Inventors
- 👤 Allen A Jergins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:57
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B41/00; E21B41/06; B; B63; B63B; B63B77/00; E21B19/00; E21B19/14; E21B19/143; E21B33/00; E21B33/02; E21B33/03; E21B33/035; E21B7/00; E21B7/12; E21B7/132
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A submersible apparatus for drilling and completing a well on the floor of a deep body of water, said apparatus comprises: an elongated housing having an interior near atmospheric pressure; shaft means connected to a first end of said elongated housing, said shaft means extending between said elongated housing and said well being drilled, said shaft means being of considerably less traverse cross sectional area than said elongated housing so said shaft means can withstand increased pressures of lower depths in said deep body of water; drilling means disposed in said elongated housing for drilling said well substantially vertical of said housing and through said shaft means, said shaft means allowing workmen to work at the wellhead near atmospheric conditions by sealing to said wellhead; sealing means on the lowermost portion of said shaft means for sealing said shaft means to said well; ballast means in said shaft means and elongated housing for controlling the buoyancy of said apparatus; and means for positioning said apparatus over said well.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A submersible apparatus for drilling and completing a well on the floor of a deep body of water, said apparatus comprises: an elongated housing having an interior near atmospheric pressure; shaft means connected to a first end of said elongated housing, said shaft means extending between said elongated housing and said well being drilled, said shaft means being of considerably less traverse cross sectional area than said elongated housing so said shaft means can withstand increased pressures of lower depths in said deep body of water; drilling means disposed in said elongated housing for drilling said well substantially vertical of said housing and through said shaft means, said shaft means allowing workmen to work at the wellhead near atmospheric conditions by sealing to said wellhead; sealing means on the lowermost portion of said shaft means for sealing said shaft means to said well; ballast means in said shaft means and elongated housing for controlling the buoyancy of said apparatus; and means for positioning said apparatus over said well.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The submersible apparatus for drilling a well on the floor of a deep body of water as recited in claim 1 including a means to cut off said well and disconnect therefrom to allow movement of said apparatus to another location.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
The submersible apparatus for drilling a well on the floor of a deep body of water as recited in claim 2 further including a periscoping means attached to a second end of said elongated housing, said periscoping means being extendable above the surface of said body of water and in substantially vertical alignment with an opening in said periscoping means, said elongated housing and said shaft means to allow certain drilling functions to be performed from the surface of the body of water through said opening and to resupply said apparatus with parts and personnel through said opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
The submersible apparatus for drilling a well on the floor of a deep body of water as recited in claim 3 wherein the sealing means includes the lower part of said shaft means seated over said well by a funnel means and sealed thereto by cementing substance deposited around said well, said lower part of said shaft means being detachable and left in position when said apparatus is moved to another location.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The submersible apparatus for drilling a well on the floor of a deep body of water as recited in claim 3 wherein said drilling means is moveable to allow the performance of certain drilling operations from the surface of said body of water by clearing the path of said opening to the surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
89 words
The submersible apparatus for drilling a well on the floor of a deep body of water as recited in claim 3 wherein the sealing means includes the lower part of said shaft means seated over said well and connected thereto with a flanged head of said well forming a watertight seal to the lower portion of said shaft means, said flanged head having means for disconnection and subsequent reconnection of said submersible apparatus to said flanged head and sealing thereto to allow near atmospheric conditions at said well head.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
147 words
A submersible apparatus for drilling a well in a deep body of water, said apparatus comprising: an elongated housing submerged in said body of water having an upper and lower extension, said upper and lower extension being of substantially reduced cross sectional area than said elongated housing with said lower extension withstanding increased pressures of lower depths in said deep body of water, said elongated housing being supplied from the surface of said body of water and maintained near atmospheric conditions; means for positioning the lower extension of said elongated housing over pipe means set in the floor of the body of water; means for sealing said lower extension to said pipe means; drilling means disposed in said elongated housing for drilling said well through said lower extension and said pipe means; and means for extending said upper extension to the surface of said body of water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
147 words
A submersible apparatus for drilling a well in a deep body of water, said apparatus comprising: an elongated housing submerged in said body of water having an upper and lower extension, said upper and lower extension being of substantially reduced cross sectional area than said elongated housing with said lower extension withstanding increased pressures of lower depths in said deep body of water, said elongated housing being supplied from the surface of said body of water and maintained near atmospheric conditions; means for positioning the lower extension of said elongated housing over pipe means set in the floor of the body of water; means for sealing said lower extension to said pipe means; drilling means disposed in said elongated housing for drilling said well through said lower extension and said pipe means; and means for extending said upper extension to the surface of said body of water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The submersible apparatus as given in claim 7 wherein ballast means control buoyancy of said elongated housing, said positioning means includes anchor means for moving said apparatus into position and securing into place.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The submersible apparatus as given in claim 8 wherein said extending means allows running and setting of production casing from a surface vessel floating on said body of water above said well, said drilling means being movable to allow said Running and setting from said surface vessel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The submersible apparatus as given in claim 9, wherein said elongated housing is divided into sections for easy transportation, each section being sealable during transportation and emergencies while drilling.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The submersible apparatus as given in claim 9 further including a means for escaping from said apparatus during emergencies while under the body of water.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for drilling a well in a deep body of water consisting of the following steps: setting a pipe in the floor of the body of water; submersing a submersible drilling rig over said pipe; sealing said submersible drilling rig to said pipe; drilling said well from said submersible drilling rig; extending said submersible drilling rig to the surface of said body of water; running and cementing production pipe from a surface drilling rig through said submersible drilling rig; installing control valve means to said production pipe at the well head of said well to allow later connection to a transportation means for moving any products produced from said well, and removing said submersible drilling rig from said well.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for drilling a well in a deep body of water consisting of the following steps: setting a pipe in the floor of the body of water; submersing a submersible drilling rig over said pipe; sealing said submersible drilling rig to said pipe; drilling said well from said submersible drilling rig; extending said submersible drilling rig to the surface of said body of water; running and cementing production pipe from a surface drilling rig through said submersible drilling rig; installing control valve means to said production pipe at the well head of said well to allow later connection to a transportation means for moving any products produced from said well, and removing said submersible drilling rig from said well.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method for drilling a well in a deep body of water as given in claim 12 including the following step of cleaning said well before removing said submersible drilling rig, material cleaned from said well being contained in said submersible drilling rig.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method for drilling a well in a deep body of water as given in claim 13 including: putting anchor means in the floor of the body of water while setting the pipe; attaching said submersible drilling rig to said anchor means; and filling ballast tank to aid in submersing said submersible drilling rig.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method for drilling a well in a deep body of water as given in claim 14 further includes assembling different sections of said submersible drilling rig in a watertight manner to prevent leakage at expected water pressures.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method for drilling a well in a deep body of water as given in claim 15 wherein the step of running and cementing including the moving of drilling means within said submersible drilling rig to allow said running and cementing from said surface drilling rig.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method for drilling a well in a deep body of water as given in claim 16 wherein removing said submersible drilling rig from said well includes detaching the lowest part of said submersible drilling rig that has been sealed to said pipe and leaving said lowest part upon said removing.
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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) | 1978-09-01 | 1979-03-03 | 1979-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-01 | 1983-03-03 | 1983-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-01 | 1987-03-03 | 1987-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |