Abstract: The present invention relates to an undersea template for the drilling of wells for the exploitation of hydrocarbon pools under the sea, which template is of variable dimensions and form so as to be able to adapt to any spacing and number of wells, and which is anchored to the seabed by mooring piles and provided with suitable well slots, characterized by the fact that the vertical restraint between the template and the well slots, or between the well slots and the anchorage column of the drill, or between the template and its mooring piles, consists of a flexible member which allows the weight bearing on the template to be reduced to the sole weight of the anchorage columns, with consequent weight reduction of the template itself.

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: A method and apparatus is set forth in the present invention for supporting the weight of a marine riser by use of a passive tensioning system which utilizes a buoyant member located upon the upper end of the riser. The member has a vertical slot defined through its side such that the riser may access the member from a lateral direction. Such lateral access of the riser to the member allows these buoyant members to be changed from beneath the riser when maintenance and/or inspection is required on a particular member.Since the riser need only to move laterally to access any member, and the riser may be temporarily supported at the surface by other means, the lower end of the riser does not need to be disconnected from subsea equipment when maintenance and/or inspection operations are required on a buoyant member. Well operations do not need to be interrupted, therefore, during buoyant member maintenance operations.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing usable hydrocarbon product from an offshore reservoir. The method includes the economically desirable step of producing a valuable hydrocarbon product from the formation, soon after its being discovered. The product is then extracted from its reservoir, long prior to, and during the period when a marine structure is being fabricated and installed to more fully develop the reservoir and to receive a flow of the product.

Abstract: A multi-well hydrocarbon development system is economically established and operated by drilling cluster wells through the piles securing the base structure which supports a semisubmersible tension leg buoy through a single leg assembly. The buoy includes a turntable with skid beams on which a drilling rig is slidably mounted so that the rig can be positioned over the piles and cluster wells can be drilled through the piles. Produced fluids are transported into a containment means for separation and storage within the buoy. A captive processing vessel may be moored to the buoy and a means is provided to dispose processed water and/or gas responsibly.

Abstract: A subsea drilling and production system where the production unit is removably connected onto a drilling template and operatively connected to one or more Christmas trees so that the production unit may be disconnected from the trees and removed from the template without first removing any of the trees and so that any of the trees may be disconnected from the production unit and removed from the underwater site without removing the production unit.

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 self-levelling underwater structure receivable on an upright support implanted in the floor of a body of water and including a hollow unit fitting over the upright support and having a pivot device thereon engaging the upright support so that the hollow unit gravitates to a level position, and a securing assembly for securing the hollow unit to the upright support in the levelled position. A locking assembly is also provided to prevent relative axial movement of the hollow unit and the upright support once the structure is levelled.

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

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drilling and completing a subsea well located at the seabed using a retrievable piping deck. The apparatus includes a template supported on the seabed, the retrievable piping deck supported on the template, a plurality of wellheads supported on the template and a plurality of Christmas trees supported on the wellheads. The piping deck has preinstalled flow lines and hydraulic lines to conduct well fluid from the Christmas trees to the surface and to conduct hydraulic control fluid from the surface to the trees. In addition to the Christmas trees, a well fluid manifold and a gaseous-liquid component separator can be supported on the template. The fluid connections between the Christmas trees and the hydraulic and flow lines and between the manifold and separator and the hydraulic and flow lines are accomplished by vertically oriented stab-in connectors.

Abstract: A subsea wellhead connection assembly for establishing fluid communication and production capability between a subsea wellhead and an adjacent subsea manifold system.

Abstract: An improved system for anchoring a floating vessel which is anchored only by parallel and essentially vertical conduits. The anchoring load is carried by units of concentric pipes including an outer riser pipe and inner strings of casing. Drilling wells and/or production of oil and gas or like operations are conducted through these casings. The tension of the inner casing string is transmitted to the floating vessel through the upper end of the outer riser pipe. The system prevents excessive buildup of stresses in the upper end of the inner casing due to the bending caused by excursions caused by the waves, the wind and the current.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely establishing an underwater well under conditions of great water depth including a drilling guide structure located on the floor of the body of water; a single handling and guiding string extending upwardly from the drilling guide structure and maintained in tension by an elongated buoy; a series of drilling guide arm units, flowline guide arm units and wellhead guide arm units to be lowered down the string, oriented relative to desired well positions and then retrieved once the wells have been drilled and the wellheads and flowlines secured in place; and a production gathering assembly to be lowered down the string, oriented relative to the wellheads and flowlines, and then coupled to these wellheads and flowlines.

Abstract: A template levelling system and method for levelling a drilling or production template adjacent the bottom of a body of water on a plurality of suspension joints implanted in the floor of the body of water. The template has a plurality of passageways therein receiving the suspension joints which extend upwardly above the template. The template carries a pair of pivotable guideposts on opposite sides of each passageway. The levelling system includes a jacking assembly lowered by a handling string and including a hydraulic jack with an inner member slidably received in an outer member, a tension beam pivotally coupled to the inner member, a pair of tension joints pivotally and releasably coupled to the tension beam and engageable with the template guideposts, and a support beam receiving the outer member therein and releasably coupled to the tension joints via a pair of hydraulic slips assemblies.

Abstract: A subsea riser mainfold system is disclosed for handling marine well fluids from multiple subsea wells and transmitting the well fluids through a marine production riser. The system includes a marine floor base template having a support structure and a manifold chamber supported thereon. Pile guides are connected to the template for fixing the template to the marine floor. The sealed manifold chamber hull is mounted on the template between the pile guides, enclosing manifold means for operatively connecting the subsea wells to the production riser. An improved structural spanning support member extends over the manifold chamber hull for receiving and supporting the marine production riser. This spanning member has an upper riser-receiving platform portion and structural spider arms connected between the platform production and the pile guides through the spanning member.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for remotely controlling subsea template production systems having a plurality of satellite wells and a plurality of subsea trees on the well templates uses a significantly reduced number of electrical and hydraulic lines between a surface control unit and a riser base on the seafloor. An electrohydraulic control module on the riser base receives electrical control signals and provides hydraulic output signals to operate the riser base. Electrohydraulic control modules on the templates receive electrical control signals and provide hydraulic output signals to control operation of the trees on the templates. The satellite wells are each controlled by a single hydraulic signal line connected between the surface control unit and a matrix switching control module at the satellite well. All of the electrohydraulic modules are replaceable using surface operated running tools.

Abstract: A mooring station and transfer terminal for offshore hydrocarbon production is provided, comprising a coaxial riser linking underwater production and safety manifolds to surface lines. An underwater connector and quick release means are provided to facilitate rapid connection and disconnection of the riser pipes.

Abstract: A discharge manifold system is provided for connecting a pressurized fluid discharge from a floating vessel to an offshore well. A floating buoy is anchored at a distance away from the offshore platform. A first manifold is located on the floating buoy and includes an inlet and first and second outlets. A second manifold is located on the production platform adjacent the offshore well and includes first and second inlets and an outlet which is connected to the offshore well. First and second valves are connected to the outlets of the first manifold. Third and fourth valves are connected to the inlets of the second manifold. A first flexible intermediate conduit is connected between the first and third valves and a second flexible intermediate conduit is connected between the second and fourth valves.

Abstract: A control system for subsea oil wells, more particularly well heads, is disclosed, which comprises, in combination, an electronic command and control unit, a valve actuating hydraulic electric unit, a power generator unit, and interconnection devices for interconnecting the hydraulic lines for controlling the whole system from the surface with the hydraulic units for commanding the electric-hydraulic unit.

Abstract: A template for spacing a submarine structure such as an anchor block or a guide base for a second underwater well alongside an existing underwater well comprises a beam attached at one end, by means of a hinge, to a lowering guide which can be threaded over and be lowered along two guide wires of the first well, and at the other end by a remote-controlled release mechanism to the submarine structure such as the anchor block itself or a guide base for a second well.The beam, with such a submarine structure attached, is lowered down the guide wires while held in a vertical configuration, and is then swung into a generally horizontal configuration at the sea bed.

Abstract: An offshore structure for the production of hydrocarbons is constructed and arranged to rest on a base over predrilled wells in a sea bed. A moveable base plate closes the base. Attached to the base plate are a plurality of conductors which are placed in fluid communication with the predrilled wells. During positioning of the structure on top of the predrilled wells, the base plate is moveable to facilitate mating of the base plate with the predrilled well. After the base plate is in place, the base is lowered into engagement with the base plate.

Abstract: A method for drilling wellbores from an offshore platform to penetrate a subterranean formation using a combination of surface drilling techniques and subsea drilling techniques to achieve an improved effectiveness by avoiding the necessity for large conduits communicating the ocean floor and the offshore platform.

Abstract: A flowline switching apparatus having a tubular housing with end closures and a drum rotatably mounted therein with a passage through the drum aligned with a port in one end closure and positioned to sequentially align with each of a plurality of ports in the other end closure as said drum is rotated, a power cylinder connected to said housing and having a plunger with a ratchet pawl for rotating said drum, a second power cylinder connected to said housing with a plunger adapted to engage sequentially in recesses in the exterior of said drum to lock the drum in preselected positions of passage-port alignment, a third power cylinder connected to the housing with a plunger adapted to engage sequentially in recesses of varying depth on the exterior of said drum to indicate the position of the drum and means balancing fluid pressure between the interior and exterior and between opposite ends of said drum.

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: This describes a method of performing operations in a well selected from a group or cluster of subsea wells which are produced through a production riser means to production facilities on a floating platform. There is provided a flexible workover riser on the platform which extends through a passage on the platform at a location remote from the moon pool for the production riser means. The flexible workover riser is run through said passage and guided into connection with the production tubing in the subsea well. Wireline or other well operations are then conducted through the connected flexible workover riser from the floating platform.

Abstract: A mooring station and transfer terminal for offshore hydrocarbon production comprises a watertight caisson topped by a rotatable arm which supports a pipe for loading oil tankers. The caisson houses manifolds and a T F L (Through Flow Line) switching device connected to the different underwater producing wellheads. A T F L - servicing pipe supported by the rotatable arm and connected to the switching device through a rotary coupling at the top of the caisson permits introduction of T F L tools or instruments from the water surface into a selected well through the switching device.

Abstract: An offshore terminal connected to different underwater producing wellheads which comprises an aerial part provided with a rotatable arm which supports a T F L-servicing pipe and two further pipes including a loading pipe for discharging crude into oil tankers.This aerial part is supported via an upright riser by a submerged caisson housing manifolds and a T F L-switching barrel.The riser comprises a plurality of coaxial pipes, which are releasably connected to the top of the caisson by telescopic means, the central conduit of this riser connecting the T F L-servicing pipe to the T F L-switching barrel and the other pipes to different manifolds in the caisson.

Abstract: A through the flowline or "TFL" tool selector has a base provided with a number of spaced flowline ports and a diverter tube shiftably mounted in a housing for selective communication with the flowline ports. The base is mounted on a remotely operable connector, and the assembly is lowered onto a template beneath the sea having conduits aligned with the selector ports when the assembly is connected to the template. The inlet conduit loop of the selector assembly is also connected to an inlet conduit on the template. The connector is remotely operated to mechanically lock the selector apparatus in place.

Abstract: A method of handling appliances on a sea bottom for the operation and maintenance of well heads in off-shore oil field or other working plants making use of an articulated column resting on the sea bed substantially about the site of said appliances or well heads, wherein the improvement consists in the use of at least one tubular elongated structure extending along said column in parallel relation to the axis thereof, the inside of said structure serving the purpose of guiding said appliances and related means cooperating therewith and also of forming a passage-way for the remote control cables and other transmission or connecting means in particular for operating the well heads.

Abstract: A plurality of wells are clustered around a central riser which is maintained under tension from a floating platform. A plurality of spiders on the riser carry funnels in vertical alignment with the wells. The funnels are sufficiently large to permit the passage of wellhead connectors and master block valves, and the production risers include centralizers which brace the production riser from the funnels through a limited vertical range. Tensioning of the production riser is with a lower force and through a limited range which precludes disengagement of the centralizers from the funnel. Some centralizers are located to facilitate entry and attachment to the wellhead.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for leveling a relatively massive template structure which is positionable on the ocean bottom in proximity to one or more sites of subterranean wells. Since the template is primarily utilized to mount or guide later applied drilling, completion or production equipment, it is essential that the template be positioned on its fixing piles in a precise horizontally level position. Accordingly, a plurality of sleeves are secured to the template which respectively loosely encircle the hollow fixing piles. Hydraulically operated clamp means are provided to lock the encircling sleeves at any selected vertical position to a respective fixing pile. A hydraulic elevating mechanism is lowered into the top open end of at least one such fixing pile and utilized to effect the lifting of the sleeve and adjacent portion of the template to which the sleeve is secured to a height approximating the desired level position.

Abstract: A subsea production system for handling produced well fluids from a number of individual deep water wells drilled in different parts of a field and providing the produced well fluids to a surface production platform through a central riser. The apparatus includes a manifold section on a multi-faceted central manifold base. A plurality of booms are articulated to the manifold base at the periphery thereof, with a single boom being articulated to each facet. Each boom extends radially outward from the manifold base and has a temporary guide base and subsea tree mounted to the outer end. Extending along each boom from the manifold base is a pre-installed flow line which terminates in a connection to the tree. The lengths of the booms are alternated to provide a predetermined minimum spacing from the center of each well site to any other well site or the manifold base.

Abstract: A modular multiple well drilling and production template structure is combined with a production riser base module to provide an underwater apparatus which allows a plurality of wells to be drilled, completed and produced by operations carried out from a single vessel or platform without remote installation of flowlines.

Abstract: A sub-sea template and moveable guide structure assembly for conducting sub-sea drilling and production operations selectively between a plurality of adjacent sub-sea wells has a sub-sea well template having a plurality of template sections, each of these sections having a plurality of well bore guide means in laterally spaced series relative to the longitudinal extent of the template; tool guide means for guiding a sub-sea well tool into a well bore guide means; carriage means and means for movebly mounting the carriage means to the template, the carriage means moveably mounting the tool guide means on the template for relative movement therebetween.Sonic alignment means associated with the moveable guide structure and a sub-sea well tool are provided for sensing a spatial relationship between the guide structure and the well tool as the well tool is lowered onto the guide structure.

Abstract: A sea floor template with vertical well guides or slots is lowered to the sea floor. Guide rails, such as a railroad track, are supported on top of the frame of the template in a path which extends along each well slot. A drilling guidance carousel is lowered to the template. Rollers on the drilling guidance carousel engage guide rails so that the carousel can be moved to each template well slot. Guidelines extend from the drilling guidance carousel to a floating drilling vessel for guiding drilling equipment from the vessels down through the template well slot which is aligned with the carousel well slot. Preferably, the template well slots are arranged in a circle at each corner of a rectangular sea floor template. The guide rails are arranged concentrically with the central axis of the circle of template well slots. Locking means are provided to hold the carousel drilling frame well slot aligned with any selected one of the well slots in the sea floor template.

Abstract: An offshore drilling installation comprising an underwater base spaced from an underwater buoy and in communication therewith by a connecting conduit. The underwater buoy represents the upward extension of the sea bed which serves to support an above-sea platform. The underwater buoy is further secured to the sea bed by mooring lines. Oil containing means is provided in the underwater base.

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 scissored sea-floor well template for positioning spacing of subsea wells or piling in the sea floor. Two arms, each having a pontoon template at each end thereof, are pivotally connected. The two arms are rotated about the pivot to a closed position for transportation to the marine site at which they are to be used. Inasmuch as the template is provided with pontoons, it can be towed and does not have to be loaded on a barge although it could be. Upon reaching the well site the arms are opened so that the pontoon templates assume the desired shape. The arms are then locked in this extended position and the scissor well template is then lowered to the ocean floor.

Abstract: A folding sea-floor compactable template for proper positioning and spacing of subsea piles and wells in the sea floor. Anchor pile templates or well templates are provided at the end of long hinged arms which extend radially out from a central section (which may also be used as a well template). The arms are folded back over the central section for transportation. Flotation can be in the main central section. With additional flotation at the outer ends of the arms, installation can be carried out by controlled submergence in stages from a single barge.

Abstract: A subsea station or installation in which one or more rigid elongated base template frames are adapted to be permanently positioned on a sea floor. Each base template frame includes a plurality of framed receptor openings, each adapted to receive a module guide base for aligning and releasably connecting thereto module unitary assemblies, each of which carries selected equipment in a protected manner. Extending along each side of the base frame are elongated side structures releasably connected to the base frame and recoverable for maintenance and service, each side structure extending outboardly of the sides of the base frame and being adapted to carry fluid conducting lines, power lines, and a rail means for guidance of a submarine capsule along the length of the base frame.

Abstract: A novel guide member and guide member support arrangement for guiding a drill conductor from a deck portion of an offshore platform into the bottom of a body of water is disclosed. The guide member is snugly nestled against and positioned within the guide member support which directly provides lateral and vertical support for the guide member. The guide member has an upper funnel-shaped portion and a lower cylindrical portion. The guide member support comprises the plurality of connected structural members arranged in a plane for defining a support opening for the guide member. The guide member is connected to the guide member support at at least three positions.