Abstract: A jackdown tension leg platform is set forth which may be used for processing a commodity liberated from the ocean floor by one or more wells. The platform includes a closed buoyant hull which houses production equipment and at least one connector disposed on the hull for vertical relative movement. The connector has one end secured to the ocean floor and is moved upwardly relative to the hull to submerge the hull to a depth below the majority of the ocean's hydrostatic forces and, at the same time, tension the connector to hold and stabilize the hull over the wells. Conduits are connected between the wells and the submerged hull and between the hull and the surface. A crew module may be provided above the surface atop the connector with a trunk disposed between the module and submerged hull to provide access therebetween.

Abstract: A shield for protecting a well head and functional modules in an under sea station comprising a composite cushion formed from a floor 6 made from a material less dense than water, such as a plastic material or treated wood, and resting on a perforated metal sheet or grid 7, removably fixed by means of deformable feet 4 to a horizontal plate 1 mounted at the top of the module to be protected and having at the position where the guide column 2 passes an opening in which is welded a sleeve 14 capable of sliding along said guide columns 2.In a shield for protecting a module provided with a central connector, said plate has a central cage with vertical lateral wall for housing said connector, radial arms being fixed to the bodies of several shock absorbers spaced apart on said plate and to said wall of the cage for transmitting shock absorbing forces.

Abstract: A subsea caisson or silo for housing wellhead equipment and methods of installing it is disclosed. A caisson which is sized to receive equipment that is to remain subsea has a closed top and open bottom. The caisson is lowered to the seabed and hydrostatic pressure in combination with a suction jet is used to remove the internal soil. If required the caisson may include a conical suction head located near the bottom of the caisson wall and rotatable cutting heads are fixed to its lower surface so as to cut into sea bottom material of hard consistency.

Abstract: For use with a subsea well incorporating an external conductor pipe extending upwardly above the seabed, a protector apparatus is set forth. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the preferred embodiment describes a longitudinally split, flange equipped, bolt joined elongate conductor clamp supported on a frame at the bottom thereof and having a plurality of appended upstanding braces. The bottom frame is adapted to be rested on a seabed and held in place by a number of anchors driven into the seabed at corners. This apparatus is selectively installed after completion of a well wherein the conductor pipe extends above the bottom, and the apparatus is subsequently removed after protecting the pipe after drilling but before installation of a platform.

Abstract: A deep draft oil well drilling platform having a large hollow body is shaped, designed, and ballasted to have a substantial portion thereof submerged under the surface of the ocean a sufficient distance to be substantially unaffected by surface waves and weather. The body contains an oil well drilling rig and all supplies, equipment, and materials normally necessary to drill an oil well, with such rig, equipment, and the like positioned well below the surface of the water.

Abstract: A completion system or tree system for a subsea well having an anchor base on bottom surrounding a well bore, a conductor pipe lining the upper end of the well bore and connecting to the anchor base, a guide base landed on the anchor base and having an upwardly facing funnel positioned in the opening of the anchor base, and a production string extending through the conductor pipe and bending to a substantially horizontal position slightly above the guide base with the start of its gradual bend being below the funnel and with sharp bend production tubing bending immediately avove the funnel since no high profile guide base is present on the anchor base.

Abstract: A collector apparatus and collection method for use with a blown-out seabottom wellhead. The collector apparatus, including a collector element with an extended, open base and an upper portion enclosing a volume to receive fluid (substantial quantities of gas and lesser quantities of oil) rising, in the water, from the wellhead, and a riser connected to the collector element and extending thereabove to conduct fluid therefrom, is characterized in that the collector element is adapted for fixable attachment to the ocean floor about the seabottom well head prior to any blow-out, and the upper portion of the collector element further includes a relief passage from its interior to the exterior of the collector apparatus, the release passage adapted to vent excess gas from the collector apparatus during initial stages of any blow-out.

Abstract: A subsea well completion system, and components of such a system, are disclosed for handling marine well fluids from multiple subsea wells.

Abstract: A tool jig for bringing an implement to bear on an inner tubular 10 of a multi-tubular blown well includes a support 1 attachable to the outer tubular 2 and a tool holder 12. The tool holder has a hollow bore and a valve 24. At its rear end the tool holder is threaded for coupling on an implement and has at its front end a saddle seal for sealing the implement with the inner tubular, via through a window 9 in outer tubular 2. A back-up unit 18 abuts the inner tubular opposite the tool holder 12. The support 1 supports the tool holder 12 and back-up unit 18 via connecting brackets 13, 19. Screw jacks 22 acting through the support clamp the tool holder and backup unit in position.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling and preventing an oil blowout comprising a hollow frustoconical dome which is disposable over the end of a well discharge pipe or an offshore rig discharge pipe. At the top of the hollow dome is an axially disposed main valve for the blowoff of oil or gas escaping from the discharge pipe. A plurality of concentrically disposed two-way valves are disposed at the top of the dome about the main valve. With the main valve and the concentrically disposed valves open for the blow off of liquids and fluids, the dome is lowered over the discharge pipe. When the dome is fully lowered, it seats on the bottom surface surrounding the outlet of the discharge pipe. Concrete is poured around the dome to seal the dome to the bottom surface. Connected to the concentrically disposed valves are conduits for conducting gas and oil escaping from the discharge pipe to a storage facility, such as a barge, tank or the like, when the concentrically disposed valves are open for storing oil or gas.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting subsea structures, and in particular christmas trees from damage by fishing nets, trawl boards, anchors and other marine equipment, include a protective structure which is placed over the christmas tree. The protective structure has an opening in the top portion to allow access to the christmas tree when such access is needed and a protective cap which closes the opening to prevent damage from silt, sand, trash and overhead falling objects. The entire protective structure is secured in place by one or more piles which are driven into the sea floor or by cementing one or more steel piles in place in the sea floor. The protective structure and the cap are guided into place around the well by guide cables attached to the guide base of the well. A lifting device in the protective cap facilitates removal of the cap by a single cable.

Abstract: A submergible, underwater well completion habitat and a method of employing the same in the completion of wells at extended depths. The well completion habitat may be attached to an underwater well platform and maintained at a pressure of sufficient value to expel water from the work chamber and also to maintain it substantially water free so that one or more saturated divers may work within the chamber to complete the well. This abstract of the invention is neither intended to define the scope of the invention, which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to limit the invention in any way.

Abstract: A multi-purpose marine structure intended to be submerged and installed on a sea bed. The structure comprises an outer peripheral body and a tapered inner section. The outer peripheral body is intended to be founded on a sea bed and comprises a tubular ring-formed body of concrete, the base of which is constructed and arranged to rest on a sea bed along its entire base periphery. The inner section is also of concrete and is formed as a cone or polyhedron having a lower end which is fixed to the outer peripheral body, the inner section tapering upwardly and inwardly from its lower end. The inner section and outer body together form a monolithic integral concrete unit, the inner section being fixed to the outer body along the inner periphery of the outer body.

Abstract: In general, the present invention provides processes and apparatus for bending and straightening, or otherwise installing marine pipelines at underwater installations, and includes systems in which marine pipelines are installed at water depths to 250 feet or more, utilizing an underwater chamber which may be operated with its interior wet, dry or combinations thereof. In one form, the system provides for interconnecting wellheads or other stations with manifolds or other stations and comprises running marine pipeline generally vertically downwardly from the water surface into the work chamber, mounted in operative association with an underwater wellhead or station, wherein the pipe is bent in the desired radius and through the desired angle and then straightened to exit from the chamber and wellhead in a substantially horizontal attitude such that it may then be pulled to a manifold or other underwater station with, for example, a wire line.

Abstract: A subsea production chamber including a vessel having a cylindrical shell with a head secured to each end of said shell, a plurality of tubular members secured vertically through said shell with each end of each of said members being open on the exterior of the shell and positioned to receive subsea guide posts, a flange secured to said shell, a spool for connecting to a production well, said flange being secured to said spool for connecting said production well into said vessel, a hatch opening into said vessel, and a connector extending through said vessel to conduct production flow to external production flow lines.

Abstract: A subsea flowline connector for connecting a flowline through a port in a subsea atmospheric chamber vessel to a subsea christmas tree within the chamber including an actuator assembly within the chamber with at least one arm extending through the vessel adjacent the port, a carriage supported on the end of a flowline, a piston secured to the flowline and supported on the carriage, a receptacle on the piston to engage the arm, a flowline passage through the piston, actuation of said actuator moving said arm into engagement with said receptacle and pulling said piston into engagement with the port, a valve controlled bleed line to bleed pressure from said port as the piston has moved therein and a lock for retaining the piston within the port.

Abstract: A subsea drill-thru manifold center for petroleum well completion and production is disclosed. The manifold center is compartmented so each well is within its own gas tight compartment. A removable sleeve through which the well is completed is mounted in each compartment. After each well is completed its sleeve is removable so it can be put in production in the conventional manner.

Abstract: A sub-sea well head comprising a connector and a christmas tree which is enclosed in a capsule is characterized in that a master valve is contained within a member forming the foot of the christmas tree, the member penetrating and being sealed into the bottom of the capsule and supporting the capsule, and in that the master valve is contained within a part of the member within the capsule.