US3964543A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater wellhead completions with portable atmospheric cellar
Assignee: BP Corp North America Inc
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Filing: 1974-11-18
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Granted: 1976-06-22
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Expires: 1994-11-18
Abstract
Abstract This invention concerns means for protecting a marine wellhead (including the Christmas tree) on an offshore hydrocarbon-producing platform from damage due to fire. Special means are provided to place the wellhead a small depth, e.g., 25 to 50 feet, below the water surface under the deck of the offshore platform. These special means include a horizontal plate supported by the platform and sealed to the upper end of the casing. A cylindrical housing, called a "portable cellar," is lowered from the platform and seals with the horizontal plate. The cellar housing extends above the surface of the water. Water is then pumped out of the sealed cellar so that work on or through the wellhead can be done in a normal open-air environment. After the operation is performed on or through the wellhead, the cellar is removed, the water again surrounds the marine wellhead, so that, in case of fire, it cannot be damaged by heat.
Inventors
- 👤 James T. Rodgers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:56
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B41/00; E21B41/06; E21B35/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A marine installation for producing fluids from an underground reservoir beneath the bottom of a body of water which comprises: a deck; support means supporting said deck above said body of water; a wellhead base impermeable to water and supported by said support means beneath said deck below the surface of said body of water and above said bottom; a wellhead supported on said wellhead base; a producing line from said wellhead to said deck; a portable cellar for placing over said wellhead, the lower edge of said cellar forming a watertight seal at said wellhead base; and a flowline from said wellhead to said underground reservoir.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A marine installation for producing fluids from an underground reservoir beneath the bottom of a body of water which comprises: a deck; support means supporting said deck above said body of water; a wellhead base impermeable to water and supported by said support means beneath said deck below the surface of said body of water and above said bottom; a wellhead supported on said wellhead base; a producing line from said wellhead to said deck; a portable cellar for placing over said wellhead, the lower edge of said cellar forming a watertight seal at said wellhead base; and a flowline from said wellhead to said underground reservoir.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An installation as defined in claim 1, including a water removal line extending from the surface down to a sump in said wellhead base.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An installation as defined in claim 1, including latching means to releasably latch said portable cellar to said wellhead base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An installation as described in claim 1, including guide means between the wellhead base and said deck for guiding said portable cellar into sealing relationship with said wellhead base.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
146 words
A marine installation for producing fluids from an underground reservoir beneath the bottom of a body of water which comprises: a deck; support means including piling extending from the bottom of said body of water to above its surface for supporting said deck above said body of water; a wellhead base supported by said support means beneath said deck below the surface of said body of water and above said bottom; a wellhead supported on said wellhead base; a producing line from said wellhead to said deck; a cylindrical cellar open at its upper and lower ends over said wellhead, the lower edge of said cellar sealing with said wellhead base, the upper edge of said cellar extending above the surface of said body of water when its lower edge is sealing with said wellhead base; and a flowline from said wellhead to said underground reservoir.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
146 words
A marine installation for producing fluids from an underground reservoir beneath the bottom of a body of water which comprises: a deck; support means including piling extending from the bottom of said body of water to above its surface for supporting said deck above said body of water; a wellhead base supported by said support means beneath said deck below the surface of said body of water and above said bottom; a wellhead supported on said wellhead base; a producing line from said wellhead to said deck; a cylindrical cellar open at its upper and lower ends over said wellhead, the lower edge of said cellar sealing with said wellhead base, the upper edge of said cellar extending above the surface of said body of water when its lower edge is sealing with said wellhead base; and a flowline from said wellhead to said underground reservoir.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
124 words
A marine installation for use with a portable cellar having an open lower end for protecting a wellhead used in producing fluids from an underground reservoir beneath the bottom of a body of water which comprises: a deck; support means supporting said deck above said body of water; a wellhead base impermeable to water and supported by said support means beneath said deck below the surface of said body of water and above said bottom, said wellhead base including means to seal with the lower end of said portable cellar; a wellhead supported on said wellhead base below the surface of said body of water; a producing line from said wellhead to said deck; and a flowline from said wellhead to said underground reservoir.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
124 words
A marine installation for use with a portable cellar having an open lower end for protecting a wellhead used in producing fluids from an underground reservoir beneath the bottom of a body of water which comprises: a deck; support means supporting said deck above said body of water; a wellhead base impermeable to water and supported by said support means beneath said deck below the surface of said body of water and above said bottom, said wellhead base including means to seal with the lower end of said portable cellar; a wellhead supported on said wellhead base below the surface of said body of water; a producing line from said wellhead to said deck; and a flowline from said wellhead to said underground reservoir.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
134 words
A marine installation for producing fluids from an underground reservoir beneath the bottom of a body of water which comprises: a deck; support means supporting said deck above said body of water; a wellhead base impermeable to water and supported by said support means beneath said deck below the surface of said body of water and above said bottom; a wellhead supported on said wellhead base; a producing line from said wellhead to said deck; a portable cellar for placing over said wellhead, the lower edge of said cellar forming a watertight seal at said wellhead base; a flowline from said wellhead to said underground reservoir; a conduit below the surface of said body of water and extending through the wall of said portable cellar, and a remotely operated valve means in said conduit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
134 words
A marine installation for producing fluids from an underground reservoir beneath the bottom of a body of water which comprises: a deck; support means supporting said deck above said body of water; a wellhead base impermeable to water and supported by said support means beneath said deck below the surface of said body of water and above said bottom; a wellhead supported on said wellhead base; a producing line from said wellhead to said deck; a portable cellar for placing over said wellhead, the lower edge of said cellar forming a watertight seal at said wellhead base; a flowline from said wellhead to said underground reservoir; a conduit below the surface of said body of water and extending through the wall of said portable cellar, and a remotely operated valve means in said conduit.
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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) | 1979-06-22 | 1979-12-22 | 1980-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-22 | 1983-12-22 | 1984-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-22 | 1987-12-22 | 1988-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |