Abstract: A tension leg platform system for use in drilling wellbores into the floor of an offshore body of water. Included in the system is a buoyancy control vessel having a plurality of pull down cables attached thereto which extend to the ocean floor. A plurality of spaced apart anchors disposed at the ocean floor are positioned to receive the lower ends of the respective pull down cables. A submergible hull slidably engages the respective hold down cables such that the hull can be controllably lowered to the ocean floor whereby a canopy carried on the hull will cover an uncontrollably flowing well to conduct the effluent to the water's surface.

Abstract: Filter for treating a gas such as the exhaust gas stream from a diesel engine, which exhaust gas often conveys carbon particles into the atmosphere. The treating filter comprises a casing holding a plurality of serially arranged filter beds. The latter are comprised of monolith ceramic discs, and are maintained in spaced apart relationship by spacer rings to define a turbulation chamber between adjacent beds. Said beds are provided with an oxidation catalyst to promote incineration of the retained particles. The beds further serve to reinforce and support a non-rigid filtering media contained within the respective chambers.

Abstract: Tension leg platform system for use in drilling well bores into the floor of an offshore body of water. The system includes a buoyancy controlled vessel which is attached to anchors at the ocean floor by a series of pull down members. At the time of a well blowout, a detachably connected collar or anchor ring is guidably lowered from the vessel to the floor. Thereafter, a closure cap is drawn down to engage the anchor ring and thus permit escaping gas and crude oil to be directed through a conduit to the water's surface, where it can be collected.

Abstract: Apparatus for filtering combustible particles from an exhaust gas stream, and for periodically rejuvenating the filter bed and catalyst section thereof, by incinerating retained particles. At least a portion of an engine's exhaust gas stream is initially preheated for the purpose of raising the catalyst to a predetermined "lightoff" temperature. A small amount of a supplementary fuel is brought into heat exchange contact with portions of the filter interior or exterior to elevate this fuel to a suitable temperature. The heated supplementary fuel is then intermixed with the exhaust gas stream prior to the latter entering the catalyst section, thereby causing the fuel/gas mixture to react. Subsequent to initiation of the oxidation reaction, further preheating energy input to increase the exhaust gas to "lightoff" temperature, can be discontinued without affecting the combustible particle incineration rate.

Abstract: Method for confining and collecting a flow of hydrocarbon fluids which are uncontrollably issuing from a source thereof at the floor of a body of water. A tension leg type floating vessel is positioned above the source of hydrocarbon fluid. An enclosure member is then detached from the vessel and guidably lowered to a location on, or adjacent the ocean floor. Escaping fluids are then received in the enclosure and directed to the water's surface.

Abstract: Method for drilling well bores into an offshore substrate from a marine platform which is fixed to the ocean floor. The latter is provided with a cage which is removably positioned in a platform leg. A drill conductor carried in the cage guides a lowering drill string into a desired direction away from the platform. The cage is periodically raised and rotated, or provided with a different conductor orientation to permit a variation in the drilling direction.

Abstract: Marine structure adapted to be fixed to the ocean floor for drilling wellbores into the latter. A drill conductor cage is removably positioned within the marine structure at a submerged position. The cage holds one or more drill string or conductor guides in a manner that a number of directionally oriented wells can be drilled without movement of the structure. The cage is readily disengaged from its underwater working position to permit it to be raised to the water's surface and is then swung outboard of the platform's working deck. In such a position the addition and removal of drilling cnductors is facilitated without undue use of limited deck space on the platform.

Abstract: Marine structure adapted to be fixed to the ocean floor for drilling wellbores into the latter. A drill conductor cage is removably positioned within the marine structure at a submerged position. The cage holds one or more drill string guides in a manner that directionally oriented wells can be drilled without movement of the structure. The cage is readily disengaged from its under-water working position in order that it can be brought to the water's surface, or otherwise adjusted to facilitate the addition of further conductor guides.