Abstract: A modular exploration and production system combined with an oil well testing and service vessel is provided, the vessel comprising equipment for separating hydrocarbons and/or associated fluids and solids by means of a processing plant. The vessel is equipped with suitable equipment packages for all required functionality, so fluid received from wells, piping and installations at sea or inland waters is processed for the separation, control and ecological handling of the mixture (crude oil, gas, solids, chemicals and oily or production water) in a plurality of phases such as exploration, drilling, finishing, repair, stimulation, production, and production measurement.

Abstract: A system and method for securing a flowing sub-sea well using a securing apparatus. The securing apparatus has a gripping assembly to secure the securing apparatus to an outlet the sub-sea well. A bladder assembly seals the securing apparatus to the sub-sea well and fluidly connects the sub-sea well to a riser assembly for collection.

Abstract: A system for and method of limiting and controlling the unintended subsurface release of an exploration or production riser system is provided including one or more means for anchoring the riser or casing stack at one or more pre-determined points upon the length of the riser, and/or on the housing of an associated buoyancy chamber or the like, and/or on a particular portion of the riser as dictated by the operational environment, and/or on an anchor portion secured in the sea floor; and a network of restraining members disposed on the anchoring means. A lower anchoring portion includes one or more anchors disposed in communication with a wellhead, or with the sea floor or below the sea floor mud line, or with a well casing portion. A network of restraining members forms an essentially continuous connection from the buoyancy member portion to said bottom anchor portion.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to a system and method of constructing drilling and production platforms that are particularly useful in remote, inaccessible and/or environmentally sensitive operating environments. According to one aspect of the invention, an arctic drilling platform is provided wherein various methods and means of interlocking neighboring platform modules are provided. Methods and means for sealing the intersections formed between a plurality of interlocked platform modules are also disclosed. According to further aspects of the invention, improved platform floor plans are provided, and various wellhead cellar layouts and sealing means are also described. Methods and means of enhancing the usefulness of modular storage platforms are disclosed, and a number of support post installation and removal techniques are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method in which a buoyant central docking station captures, lifts and couples one or more other sea vessels is disclosed, wherein a flexible, modularized production system is quickly realized on a cost effective basis. The capabilities of a number of older, less expensive, readily available vessels are combined to achieve an effective FPSO substitute that allows lower producing fields to be explored and produced in a profitable manner. The time horizon between initiation and consummation of field operations is reduced, and older vessels that might otherwise be scrapped or retired are again made useful and seaworthy in a safe and profitable exploration and production environment.

Abstract: A system and method of establishing an offshore exploration and production system is disclosed, in which a well casing is disposed in communication with an adjustable buoyancy chamber and a well hole bored into the floor of a body of water. A lower connecting member joins the well casing and the chamber, and an upper connecting member joins the adjustable buoyancy chamber and a well terminal member. The chamber's adjustable buoyancy enables an operator to vary the height or depth of the well terminal member, and to vary the vertical tension imparted to drilling and production strings throughout exploration and production operations. Also disclosed is a system and method of adjusting the height or depth of a wellhead while associated vertical and lateral forces remain approximately constant. A variety of well isolation members, lateral stabilizers and anchoring means, as well as several methods of practicing the invention, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for building modular platform structures from which oil and gas wells are drilled and maintained is disclosed, wherein a plurality of easily transportable, multifunctional platform modules are interconnected on-site to form a unitary platform structure. The interconnected platform modules are elevated above a ground surface on one or more legs coupled to at least one of the platform modules. The elevated, interconnected platform modules support both drilling and production operations in land-based, arctic, inaccessible, near-offshore and environmentally sensitive locations.

Abstract: A pipeline installation and maintenance method and system is disclosed in which a number of interconnectible platform modules are assembled into drilling platforms from which a segmented pipeline route is flexibly installed. Using modified push/pull rigs to carry out a transverse drilling process established between platforms, successive portions of the pipeline are installed such that equipment used to create completed segments is moved down line and re-used in subsequent drilling and installation stages. Further segments of the line are similarly constructed, using one or more of the modified directional drilling techniques and transverse reaming processes disclosed herein. Ultimately, a long series of adjacent pipeline segments are installed along a desired pipeline route, while only minimal and temporary disturbance is caused to associated ground surfaces during installation and maintenance operations.

Abstract: A system and method of establishing an offshore exploration and production system is disclosed, in which a well casing is disposed in communication with an adjustable buoyancy chamber and a well hole bored into the floor of a body of water. A lower connecting member joins the well casing and the chamber, and an upper connecting member joins, the adjustable buoyancy chamber and a well terminal member. The chamber's adjustable buoyancy enables an operator to vary the height or depth of the well terminal member, and to vary the vertical tension imparted to drilling and production strings throughout exploration and production operations. Also disclosed is a system and method of adjusting the height or depth of a wellhead while associated vertical and lateral forces remain approximately constant. A variety of well isolation members, lateral stabilizers and anchoring means, as well as several methods of practicing the invention, are also disclosed.