Abstract: A single drilling guide base for subsea oil wells includes two parts, namely a lower part (1) and an upper part (2), which are bolted together (at 7). The whole arrangement is provided with a seating indicator (5) connected to the lower part and holes in a funnel shaped portion of the upper part for the discharge of gravel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for drilling multiple offshore wells from a single conductor casing string. A guide member is provided for securing to a standard casing string, and running downhole and setting within a lower section of the conductor string. The guide member includes multiple guide bores through which standard casing strings are run. A first one of the standard casing strings i secured into one of the multiple guide bores for lowering the guide member into the lower section of the conductor string. A multibore low pressure wellhead housing is mounted to the conductor string as the guide member is being lowered downhole within the conductor string. Once the guide member is set, the first one of the standard casing strings is released from the guide member and passed downward through the guide member for receiving a drill string and guiding the drill string in drilling a first one of the multiple offshore wells.

Abstract: A template and process for drilling and completing multiple wells in a subterranean formation. A template having a plurality of axially extending, divergent bores therethrough is secured to surface or intermediate casing and a like plurality of subterranean wells are drilled through the bores and into the subterranean formation. Each well is separately cased to the well head at the surface and separate production tubing is inserted into each well. Thus, remedial operations can be carded out in one well or fluid injected into a subterranean formation via one well while fluid, such as hydrocarbons, are simultaneously produced from a subterranean formation via the other well(s).

Abstract: A steerable motor system with integrated formation evaluation logging capacity is presented. The device comprises a housing, a formation resistivity logging tool, a surface signaling device, a density logging tool, a porosity logging tool and a downhole motor and drill. The formation resistivity logging tool is located below the downhole motor and is mounted within the housing wherethrough a drive shaft, extending from the downhole motor, is disposed. Power and signal cables are located within an outer shell of the housing and connect the surface signaling device with the resistivity logging tool. In an alternate embodiment, the resistivity logging tool is located between a motor stabilizer and the drill bit. The present invention allows for increased drill angle during wellbore drilling and formation evaluation.

Abstract: A method of drilling a subsea well involves partial drilling of several wells within a cluster. A base such as a template will have a receptacle. A gimbal mounts to a latching mechanism which in turn releasably latches an outer wellhead housing. The latching mechanism has an upward facing guide funnel. After setting conductor pipe, the well is drilled to a selected depth, an inner wellhead housing and a first string of casing are lowered through the funnel. The running tool for the inner wellhead housing has a funnel retriever which latches to the funnel. After the casing has been cemented, upward movement of the running tool will pull the funnel, latching mechanism and gimbal to the surface.

Abstract: A satellite tree module (STM) (10) for controlling flow between a satellite flow and a subsea production system includes at the bottom of the STM a connector (12) of an internal-latch, hydraulically operated type. A lower structure (14) consists of a central ring and projecting arms terminating in guide funnels. An upper structure (18) supports a reentry pole (20) integrated to the STM assembly (10) via an orientation key, a reentry mandrel (22) and a cap (24) for protection of the external profile of the reentry mandrel (22) and its receptacles. A flow system is arranged above the lower structure (14) and inside the upper structure (18). The flow system consists of a set of pipes and valves through which production/injection, production testing and lift-gas fluids flow. A flow line terminal (26) and a control system responsible for the activation of the STM (10) components during the operational phase are amounted to one of the upper and lower structures.

Abstract: A subsea well assembly has an antirotation device to prevent rotation of an inner wellhead housing within an outer wellhead housing. A number of slots are formed in the upper rim of the outer wellhead housing. The slots have open upper ends. A number of pins are mounted to the exterior of the inner wellhead housing. Guide surfaces extend upward from the slots to guide the pins as the inner wellhead housing is lowered into the outer wellhead housing. The pins locate in the slots to prevent rotation.

Abstract: Apparatus having removable posts for guiding subsea well equipment. The apparatus includes a frame for permanent attachment to a well installation. The frame includes outwardly extending legs with each of the legs for receiving an upstanding retrievable guide post. Each leg includes a latching mechanism and a guide foot for receiving an upstanding guide post. The latching mechanism includes a retainer rotatable between a latching position, a latched position and an unlatched position. The latching mechanism preferably includes a handle connected to the retainer with the retainer being rotatably connected to the top of the frame. The retainer may include a beam for engaging a shoulder on the guide post when in the latched position. The handle is in a downward position when the retainer is in the unlatched position prior to the guide post being seated in the guide foot.

Abstract: A retrievable guide base and gimbal unit for a subsea well, and a tool for use with a pipe running to retrieve the guide base and gimbal from the subsea wellhead.

Abstract: A guide base has at its corners, bolted on transition pieces, each having an outwardly projecting nose with a downwardly sloping bottom surface. A guide post connectable to the guide base has a cavity of a shape corresponding to the shape of the nose. During installation of the guide post, the guide post is suspended on a guide wire to the vicinity of the guide base and is then moved laterally toward the base to cause the nose to enter the cavity. A surface of the cavity cooperates with the nose to cause the guide post to be pulled laterally into firm engagement against the transition piece when the guide wire is pulled upwardly. A locking member can be inserted through the so mounted guide post to lock the post to the transition piece.

Abstract: A guide base for a sub-sea well is formed in two parts, an annular portion fixed to a conductor housing and a retrievable portion surrounding and releasably attached to the annular portion. The retrievable portion can be recovered and used elsewhere if a well is suspended or abandoned or changed for another type of guide base after drilling and before completion. A trawler board deflector can also replace the retrievable guide base portion, and a retrievable protective cap may be placed on the well head housing of a suspended well. A hydraulically-operated multi-purpose tool may be used for placing or retrieving any of the retrievable items.

Abstract: A system for oil well drilling and completing operations in deep water which allows an oil well drilled in deep water to start producing, the operations being conducted from a dynamically placed vessel, comprising: providing a permanent guide base (9) on the sea bottom containing a high pressure housing (13) having an upper free end (15) adapted to receive safety, drilling, and production (completion) equipment, the upper free end of the high pressure housing being covered by a protective cover (17) having an external conical part (18), the permanent guide base (9) also having attached thereto, by means of a releasing device, a releasable guide-funnel (10) which covers and protects the upper free end of the high pressure housing during drilling of the well but which prevents the production equipment from being installed because of its size and shape; withdrawing the releasable guide-funnel, after drilling operations are finished, by means of a remote control vehicle which activates the releasing device, thus

Abstract: A retrievable guide post for installation in a subsea structure such as a template or a permanent guide base receptacle and for retrieval therefrom including a tubular body, a sleeve slidable axially on the lower exterior of the tubular body, a groove in the exterior of the sleeve a short distance below its upper end, a groove in the exterior of the tubular body a short distance above the uppermost position of the upper end of the sleeve, a split latching ring supported on the exterior of the tubular member immediately below the lower end of the sleeve in its upper position, a support ring positioned below the split latching ring to support the latching ring at its desired latching level, a pin and slot connection between the support ring to the tubular body to allow relative limited axial motion of the support ring on the tubular body and a shear pin releasably securing the support ring to the tubular body.

Abstract: A process for oil well drilling and completing operations in deep water which allows an oil well drilled in deep water to start producing, the operations being conducted from a dynamically placed vessel, comprising: providing a permanent guide base (9) on the sea bottom containing a high pressure housing (13) having an upper free end (15) adapted to receive safety, drilling, and production (completion) equipment, the upper free end of the high pressure housing being covered by a protective cover (17) having an external conical part (18), the permanent guide base (9) also having attached thereto, by means of a releasing device, a releasable guide-funnel (10) which covers and protects the upper free end of the high pressure housing during drilling of the well but which prevents the production equipment from being installed because of its size and shape; withdrawing the releasable guide-funnel, after drilling operations are finished, by means of a remote control vehicle which activates the releasing device, thus

Abstract: A subsea guidepost latch mechanism which latches a guidepost to a guidepost-receptacle by means of an external snap ring on the guidepost and an internal groove in the guidepost-receptacle. The snap ring is held in the groove by a collet inside the snap ring which is forced outward by an inner mandrel in the guidepost when upward tension is placed on the mandrel by a guideline. The guidepost is released from the guidepost-receptacle by releasing tension on the guideline which allows the mandrel to drop, releasing outward force on the collet and the snap ring. This allows the snap ring to be pulled out of the guidepost-receptacle groove.

Abstract: A guidelineless reentry system for a subsea well uses a downward facing funnel. A guide ring is mounted to the guide frame, which in turn is mounted around a mandrel on the well. A funnel and a mandrel connector are carried by the riser. Once the riser lands on the guide ring, latches are actuated to connect the funnel to the guide ring. Then, the mandrel connector is lowered relative to the funnel into engagement with the mandrel. A cam moves dogs outward to engage grooves of the mandrel to lock the mandrel connector to the mandrel.

Abstract: An apparatus for remotely cutting a broken guideline extending from an underwater guide post comprising a frame, a clamping mechanism for clamping the frame to the guide post in a predetermined location, a pair of opposed cutting jaws pivotally coupled to the frame, and a remotely actuated power device for pivoting the jaws across the longitudinal axis of the broken guideline to sever the guideline from the guide post. The cutting jaws are pivoted about the same axis and are actuated by a U-shaped driver slidably movable along the frame. The clamping mechanism comprises a pair of opposed jaws receivable in an annular groove in the guide post. Above the cutting jaws are a pair of pivotal loom jaws which guide the assembly on the post and also deflect any interfering portion of the broken guideline extending along the side of the post.

Abstract: Wellhead supported subsea template apparatus and methods of installing such template apparatus are provided. The template apparatus are each comprised of a central support member adapted to be positioned into engagement with an upper portion of an existing wellhead and to be supported thereon above the sea floor. Attached to the template are a plurality of laterally spaced guide slot members, mechanisms for removably connecting the central support member to a running tool, and mechanisms for preventing the support member from rotating on the wellhead after being positioned thereon.

Abstract: Conductor guides for use in drilling wells in an offshore body of water wherein the wells are positioned in close proximity one to the other. A first clamping member is removably attached to a well which includes a conductor or well head protruding therefrom. A conductor guide is spaced a predetermined distance from the clamping by means of a connecting beam that extends therebetween. The connecting beam is adjusted to properly position the conductor guide on the ocean floor at a fixed distance and directional relationship with the first conductor.

Abstract: An installation comprising a base frame 1 having four locations 2 for well heads 20 and a manifold frame 10 disposed in overhanging fashion inside the zone defined by frame 1. Frame 10 has four locations 17 for a stacked pair of connecting 30 and monitoring 40 modules, as well as a central location 17' for a central control module 50. Each module is provided with guide members 26, 32, 41, 52, for example sleeves, whose geometry corresponds to that of guide devices 3, 18 placed either on guide bases 2 of the frames 1, 10 or on the underlying module, such as guide columns 18. Each module comprises on its lower face a mechanical connector 16 cooperating with a mandril 12 carried on the upper face of the underlying module. The control of locking of the connector is provided by an internal multiconnector receptacle 24, 34, 43, 57 which each module comprises.

Abstract: A system for connecting an exploratory well into a producing well by retrieving a permanent guide base (P) and replacing the same with a completion guide base (C) containing the necessary equipment for producing from the well. To do this, the permanent guide base comprises two parts; a gimbal part (32) and a platform part (34)--the platform part (34) can be detached from the low pressure wellhead housing (W) and retrieved leaving the wellhead housing (W) and the permanent guide base gimbal part (32) subsea. The wellhead housing (W), provided with a latching profile (154), though not used during exploratory drilling, is now used to latch the completion guide base (C) thereto for production from the well. The two parts of the retrievable permanent guide base are latched together by a latching mechanism (74) which is easily releasable to unlatch one part from the other, and both guide bases (P & C) are provided with wire line guide posts (82) which are easily detachable for replacement if necessary.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein includes a method and apparatus for latching a temporary guide base to a permanent guide base as the permanent guide base is raised, whereby the two guide bases may be retrieved simultaneously. The apparatus includes a socket means in each guideline of the temporary guide base and a latch means in the base of each guidepost of the temporary guide base. When the permanent guide base is lowered, the latch means passes over the socket means. When the permanent guide base is raised, however, the latch means engages the socket means and the temporary guide base is raised.

Abstract: A guidance system for centering and guiding various drill strings or risers within a moonpool of a floating structure, e.g. a caisson vessel. The system comprises one or more guidance vehicles. Each vehicle is movably mounted on a separate track. The tracks, in turn, are spaced about the moonpool wall and extend vertically along the wall of the moonpool from the top of the moonpool to a point near its bottom. Each vehicle has a frame and means to mount the frame on its respective track. Two side arms and a center arm are pivotably mounted on the frame and are movable between a closed position and an open position. Mounted at the outer end of each of the arms is an interchangeable workhead assembly which engages a drill string or riser to center and guide the drill string or riser when the arms are in their closed position. Individual lines controlled by winches above the moonpool are attached to each vehicle for independently raising and lowering that vehicle within the moonpool.

Abstract: A system for guiding a drill string with an attached umbilical line through a moonpool of a floating structure. The system comprises a support means, and a workhead assembly secured to the outer end of the support means. The workhead assembly is adapted to engage the drill string and umbilical line without damaging the umbilical. The workhead assembly comprises a turntable support, which is secured to the support means, and a turntable. The turntable is positioned about the drill string and umbilical, and rests on the turntable support. Rollers on the turntable allow the drill string and umbilical line to move vertically through the turntable. Roller units on the turntable support allow the turntable and the engaged tool string and umbilical to rotate with respect to the support means.

Abstract: A temporary guide base for use in drilling underwater wells in areas where the bottom conditions are unstable comprises a plurality of boxes opened at the bottom having a centrally disposed hole for casing, and vent means to allow retrieval of the guide bases without causing a suction effect, the guide bases being open to the sea on the bottom to fill the sea water but float in the mud on the bottom.

Abstract: A marine riser having a pair of hydraulic lines, such as choke and kill lines, secured thereto and substantially parallel to one another providing track means extending along substantially the full length of a multiple joint riser string for transporting a carriage along the riser from near the top to the bottom. The invention also includes a carriage adapted to travel along such track and also includes television camera and lights as well as manipulator means for performing various functions on a blow-out preventer stack and wellhead connector as well as associated equipment positioned at the lower end of the marine riser.

Abstract: A guide is provided for forming a pipe connection from a sub sea wellhead back to a surface platform which may not be in perfect alignment. The guide comprises a guide post and a cable on which it may be lowered through a pipe to the wellhead. The guide post has a radially expandable mandrel for temporary rigid attachment in the wellhead and an elongate portion having a rotatable sleeve over which the pipe may be lowered into engagement with the wellhead and rotation to form the connection desired. The rotation of the pipe to form the connection is possible because of the sleeve.

Abstract: A wellhead (16) for an exploratory well carries a latch profile ring (24) at a location just above the wellhead housing (14). Accessory modules (38) latch onto this profile (36) while leaving the conventional upper latch profile (28) free for conventional production equipment. The accessory module may carry flowline alignment apparatus (40) to use the exploratory well as a satellite well. It may carry cantilever well modules (70) to permit the drilling of adjacent wells or a retrievable guide pile module (43) to provide placement of a guide pile required for proper placing of a jacket for an offshore platform.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for offshore well operations in which a tension leg platform, a multiwell template means, and a riser system are arranged to provide: effective use of the advantages of a tension leg platform, a simplified riser design, and a novel template design which minimizes orientation problems of well equipment at the sea floor. A multiwell template means in which the template frame includes a latch ring member for each well to cooperate with a retrievable guide line base frame having releasable latch members whereby angular or radial orientation of the guide line base frame is not required with respect to the template frame. A retrievable guide line base frame having alignment means thereon and guide posts with guide lines attached thereto.

Abstract: A maneuverable tool means for continuously maneuvering and controlling a pipe string end as it is lowered for engagement with a selected well part at the sea floor. The tool means comprises a body member attachable to the pipe string end, the body member carrying laterally directed thrust means; fluid pressure means in communication with the thrust means to impart thrust forces to the pipe string end and a remote control system for the fluid pressure means. The tool means also includes TV and sonar systems to sense the presence of adjacent objects as the pipe string end is lowered and to identify a well part with which the tool is to be cooperably associated. The tool means is provided with a lock means for temporarily retaining the tool means in a selected position in a guide funnel on a well template to facilitate installation of a guide line base means on the template.