Abstract: One or more bracing structures are placed at an underwater mud line location. The bracing structure(s) are first used as a template to guide the offshore drilling and placement of well tubulars. After drilling through the template is completed, at least one of the bracing structures is raised and attached to the well tubulars to act as a support structure for bracing between the well tubulars. The uppermost raised structure typically acts as a working platform or a support for a working platform. If more than one bracing structure is used, they are stacked one on top the other at the underwater location until the well tubulars are in place and one or more of the structures are raised and spaced apart.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 18, 1995
Date of Patent:
March 3, 1998
Assignee:
Union Oil Company of California
Inventors:
Chris R. Landeck, Frank L. Jones, Randall G. Scott