Abstract: Systems and methods include a wing tool configured to be operable from work vessel(s), the wing tool including thrusters capable of fluidizing sediments from a first seabed location and moving it to a second seabed location, the second seabed location including a trench or differently shaped collection sump previously made by the wing tool and/or an extraction pump. The extraction pump operates from a second work vessel having sufficient capacity to pump fluidized sediments from the trench. Certain systems include a separation unit that separates sand from silts and clays and water from collected sediment. Systems and methods for reclamation of reservoirs, moving sand waves, for pre-trenching and/or recovering marine pipelines and cables, for removing cover from marine archaeological sites and for disposing of contaminated bottom materials in an environmentally acceptable manner.

Abstract: Systems and methods include a wing tool configured to be operable from work vessel(s), the wing tool including thrusters capable of fluidizing sediments from a first seabed location and moving it to a second seabed location, the second seabed location including a trench or differently shaped collection sump previously made by the wing tool and/or an extraction pump. The extraction pump operates from a second work vessel having sufficient capacity to pump fluidized sediments from the trench. Certain systems include a separation unit that separates sand from silts and clays and water from collected sediment. Systems and methods for reclamation of reservoirs, moving sand waves, for pre-trenching and/or recovering marine pipelines and cables, for removing cover from marine archaeological sites and for disposing of contaminated bottom materials in an environmentally acceptable manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates in some embodiments to a bottom supported drilling unit having two drilling stations for independently drilling (or otherwise working on) two wells simultaneously from a cantilever.

Abstract: A system and a method for an offshore platform that is self-installing, not requiring use of a heavy lift vessel for installation at a site. The system has a built-in, retractable, suspended, conductor guide support frame assembly coupled to the hull of the platform and serves as lateral guide/support for the well conductors/casings during operational conditions. The conductor guide support frame assembly is generally raised during wet tow/transit. At the site, the conductor guide support frame assembly is lowered and secured into the sea to its designated elevation. The conductor guide support frame assembly generally remains suspended from the hull and does not need to extend all the way to the seabed foundation. After operations are completed, the conductor guide support frame assembly is generally raised up relative to the hull, and the whole platform with the conductor guide support frame assembly relocated for reuse at a new site.

Abstract: A vessel for e.g. well intervention or deep sea lowering, comprises a moon pool and a hoisting arrangement for lowering and retrieving items, in particular equipment, tools, and/or supplies or modules comprising the same, through the moon pool, into respectively from the sea and onto respectively from the seabed or an installation on the seabed. The vessel further comprises one or more guides for laterally retaining items inside the moon pool, preferably at least two guides positioned on opposite sides of the moon pool.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a plurality of properties relating to a hydrocarbon fluid flow through a pipeline at a tree for a subsea hydrocarbon extraction facility, the method comprising locating a plurality of sensors at or near a position which is optimum for monitoring the at least one of the plurality of properties in regard to the configuration of the pipeline, the sensors being configured to monitor at least one of the plurality of properties.

Abstract: A method for communicating data in an offshore data communication system comprises measuring L/MWD data with a sensor disposed in a bottomhole assembly positioned in a subsea borehole. The bottomhole assembly is disposed along a drillstring extending through the subsea borehole. In addition, the method comprises communicating the L/MWD data from the bottomhole assembly to the seafloor with a telemetry signal. Further, the method comprises receiving the telemetry signal with at least one telemetry transducer positioned proximal the sea floor. Still further, the method comprises processing the telemetry signal at the seafloor to produce a processed signal. Moreover, the method comprises transmitting the processed signal from the sea floor to the sea surface.

Abstract: A system comprising a drilling platform having a central focus, a plurality of wellbay accesses positioned along a wellbay access perimeter surrounding the central focus, a drilling module, and a peripheral skidding system defining a skidding perimeter surrounding the central focus. Each of the plurality of wellbay accesses is associated with a wellbay substantially therebelow. The peripheral skidding system is operable to align the drilling module with one or more of the plurality of wellbay accesses, wherein the peripheral skidding system is positioned at an elevation higher than the plurality of wellbay accesses.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for providing proper spacing and alignment of multi-well modular drilling templates and associated wells are provided. An example embodiment of a system includes a primary well upon which a multi-well modular drilling template is landed, and a second well upon which a specially configured spacer device is landed. The spacer device includes an alignment frame which engages guide arms of the template to force the spacer device into proper axial alignment. The spacer device includes an elongated arm and a guide funnel which provide the proper spacing and proper location for inserting a third well. The third well can be used as the central well for a second multi-well modular drilling template.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for manufacturing a foundation for a mass located at height, such as the jacket of a wind turbine or a jetty, wherein the foundation comprises a quantity of piles driven into an underwater bottom in a geometric pattern. The device comprises a positioning framework of a number of mutually connected guide tubes arranged in a geometric pattern and adapted to receive and guide a pile to be driven into the underwater bottom, wherein the guide tubes comprise a mechanism with which at least an internal wall part of the guide tubes is displaceable in the radial direction of the guide tubes from a radially inward support position for the pile to a radially more outward position in which the internal wall part substantially releases the pile. The invention also relates to a method and an assembly of a jack-up platform and the device.

Abstract: At least a portion of a subsea well is drilled casing-while-drilling techniques. A landing shoulder is formed within an outer string of a casing. The outer string of casing is secured to an outer wellhead housing above the landing shoulder and lowered into the wellbore. A casing hanger is attached to an inner string of casing and lowered through the outer string of casing into the wellbore. A drill bit at the at the lower end of the inner string of casing is rotated to deepen the well. The string of inner casing moves downward as the well is being deepened until landing the casing hanger on the load shoulder. A tieback member is attached to an inner wellhead housing and lowered into sealing engagement with the casing hanger. The inner wellhead housing lands in the outer wellhead housing.

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 modular transfigurable drilling rig comprises one or more transfigurable containers with drilling equipment to form an operational drilling rig. The transfigurable containers include a first and second load bearing support and a load bearing bottom disposed between the first and second load bearing supports, thereby forming a space. The container includes drilling equipment rotatably attached to the load bearing supports or the load bearing bottom. The drilling equipment is disposed within the space. The drilling rig further includes one or more connectors adapted to engage at least two transfigurable containers together. The drilling rig further includes piping adapted to connect the drilling equipment together, cabling adapted to provide communication between the drilling equipment, and a power source connected to the drilling equipment, wherein the power source is adapted to provide power to the drilling equipment.

Abstract: An offshore jack-up workover rig. The workover rig includes a vessel which may be self powered or powered by a tug. The vessel may be raised above the surface of a water body by extending the legs until they reach the water body bed and then continuing to extend the legs. The workover rig contains a workover floor unit which includes at least a drawworks, a drawworks motor, and a well aperture. The workover rig is detachably mounted on an extensible cantilevered frame. The frame may be extended to position the workover floor unit over an offshore platform to be serviced. The workover floor unit is also configured to mover laterally relative to the extensible frame. The vessel is also provided with a crane. The crane may be used to lift the detachable workover floor unit from the vessel and deposit it, including its equipment, on the platform.

Abstract: The invention is a method for drilling a well and for well intervention using a multipurpose system on a pivoting, slidable cantilever on a platform to drill a well and to perform well intervention operations, wherein the method involves pulling a completion tubing out of the well; forming completion tubing segments pulled from the well; setting back the segments into a storage area; running the coiled tubulars into the well; removing used completion equipment from the well; preparing the well for new completion equipment with the coiled tubulars; pulling segments of new completion tubing from the storage area and breaking segments of new completion tubing into individual joints and removing the individual joints from the cantilever; running into the well with coiled tubulars and installing the new completion equipment; building segments from individual joints and setting the segments in the storage area; and running segments and new completion equipment into the well.

Abstract: The present invention is a wellhead system for use in completing at least two well bores from within a single conductor housing. The wellhead system comprises at least one wellhead housing which is supported on the conductor housing and which comprises a top portion that is adapted to be connected to a lower portion of a wellhead component, a casing hanger which is supported within the wellhead housing and from which a casing string is suspended, and a connector for securing the wellhead component to the wellhead housing. In accordance with the present invention, the connector is selected from the group consisting of a latch ring and a segmented clamp assembly.

Abstract: A pipe handling system is designed for use on an offshore structure, particularly an offshore structure provided with a cantilevered drill floor. The pipe handling system allows to handle significantly longer sections of tubulars, up to 100 feet, if necessary. The pipe handling system transports the pipes from a horizontal pipe rack adjacent to a drill floor to a vertical orientation in a set-back area of the drill floor where the drill string or casing is made up for lowering down hole. The cantilevered drill floor allows to save valuable platform space, while not significantly increasing the cost of the drilling rig. The pipe handling system, while increasing the length of handled tubulars, reduces the number of joints for making of a drill string, thereby significantly reducing the cost of pipe handling operations.

Abstract: A drilling and production template for sub-sea wells comprises a plurality of individual limbs (1-4) each with a central hub (10-14) at one end of an arm (11-41) and a drilling receptable (12-42) on the other end of the arm. The hubs are of different diameters such that they fit within each other in a telescopic manner. They have cut-out (27, 37, 47) accommodate the arms of the other limbs when installed. The template may be deployed onto a pre-installed foundation with the arms stacked vertically above the other, in such manner as to pass through the moonpool of a drilling vessel. The complete assemblies are installed on a mechanical running tool attached to a drilling string. After the template is disposed on the foundation, the drilling string is rotated, causing the running tool to rotate the limbs (1-4) so that the hubs telescope into each other, providing a splayed multi-well drilling and production template.

Abstract: A downhole drilling apparatus for interconnection in a casing or liner string having a drill bit disposed thereon for enabling the drilling of intersecting wellbores without removal of the drill bit is disclosed. In a disclosed embodiment, the apparatus comprises a housing having a window. A whipstock is disposed within the housing. Between the window and the whipstock is a filler. The whipstock and the filler define a central bore providing a fluid path through the apparatus. A back pressure valve may be disposed within the central bore to prevent back flow of fluids through the apparatus. Once the total depth of an initial wellbore is reached, the casing or liner string, including the apparatus, may be cemented in place. Thereafter, an intersecting wellbore may be drilled by laterally deflecting a second drill bit with the whipstock through the window of the housing.

Abstract: A downhole drilling apparatus for interconnection in a casing or liner string having a drill bit disposed thereon for enabling the drilling of intersecting wellbores without removal of the drill bit is disclosed. In a disclosed embodiment, the apparatus comprises a housing having a window. A whipstock is disposed within the housing. Between the window and the whipstock is a filler. The whipstock and the filler define a central bore providing a fluid path through the apparatus. A back pressure valve may be disposed within the central bore to prevent back flow of fluids through the apparatus. Once the total depth of an initial wellbore is reached, the casing or liner string, including the apparatus, may be cemented in place. Thereafter, an intersecting wellbore may be drilled by laterally deflecting a second drill bit with the whipstock through the window of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the cross slope created by a work implement on an earth moving machine. The method includes the steps of determining a position of the work implement, determining a direction of travel of the machine, and responsively determining the cross slope.

Abstract: A method for replacing an old drive pipe in a slot on an offshore platform. The old drive pipe is first cut to provide an upper portion and a stub portion which remains firmly embedded in said marine bottom. Next, a guide cable is affixed to the stub portion of the old drive pipe and extends to the platform. The upper portion is then retrieved to the surface. A new drive pipe which carries a whipstock at its lower end is then made-up and lowered over the guide cable until the whipstock engages the stub portion where the new drive pipe is then diverted by the whipstock into a different path from that of the old drive pipe.

Abstract: An integrated oil drilling and producing base includes a single guiding funnel for guiding a wet Christmas tree into the proper position on a high pressure well head. The single guiding funnel has a cylindrical downcomer for resting directly on the high pressure well head, at least one cradle on the guiding funnel and at least one pipeline terminal hingedly mounted on said at least one cradle. The guiding funnel has a plurality of slits for allowing passage of a plurality of pipelines therethrough for connection to a respective terminal on the funnel and for connection of each terminal to the wet Christmas tree.

Abstract: A cantilevered jack-up rig having a support for supporting the free ends of the rig's cantilever beams when said beams are extended over a platform to be serviced by the rig, thereby maximizing the lateral reach of the rig and increasing the load capacity at the maximized reach. The support is positioned between the top of the platform and the bottoms of the extended cantilever beams. The top of the support is provided with a motion block to facilitate lateral and rotational motion of the extended cantilever beams relative to the support.

Abstract: A mobile submersible caisson is employed to drill for and recover petroleum products from subsea wells and to deliver the products to shore or to vessels at the well site. The well drilling technique applies to water depths beyond 300 ft. and in areas where severe winds, waves, spray and frigid atmosphere can cause long downtime or make it impossible to maintain the positions of surface platforms for extended periods of time. Caissons containing drilling, completion, workever, separation, pumping and compressing equipment are towed to sea in the caisson in the horizontal position. At the work site the caisson is erected, connects an attached wire cable to a platform placed on the sea bottom, and is submerged and winched down. The caisson mates and becomes sealed with the platform, providing a one atmosphere working space for the drilling crew. Water between the caisson and the platform is pumped out so this area can also be used as a work area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting an isolated well conductor of a shallow-water well by positioning a reinforcing frame with pile sleeves next to the well conductor near the water surface and driving piles through the pile sleeves into the ocean floor, and subsequently connecting the pile sleeves to the piles and the frame to the well conductor above the water surface.

Abstract: Method of utilizing a jack-up well drilling rig in shallow water to drill an isolated well having an unsupported well conductor, and subsequently to attach a reinforcing frame near the water line and to drive pile through the frame into the ocean floor without moving the jack-up rig off location.

Abstract: A production platform for offshore exploitation of hydrocarbons comprises a truss tower (1) which rests on the sea floor (2) and supports a deck structure (3) provided with a drilling module (5). In order to obtain optimum mutual distance between production pipes (10) at the deck level, the skid beams (6) of the drilling module are arranged parallel to a diagonal (9) in the cross-section of the truss tower. Weight savings in the truss tower (1) may be obtained by arranging the deck structure (3) with its sides parallel to the diagonals (9) of the truss tower (1).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reinforcing a shallow water unsupported well conductor by positioning a well jacket adjacent the well conductor, raising the jacket to a selected height above the ocean floor, driving pile through the legs of the jacket, connecting each pile to a surrounding leg and operatively connecting the jacket to the well conductor with the jacket being supported on the piles above the ocean floor.

Abstract: In order to salvage a slot path on an offshore platform wherein the original conductor pipe has become clogged or otherwise rendered unusable, the original conductor is cut off below mudline, thereby leaving a stub forming a base upon which a suitably oriented deflector trough is attached. A new or replacement conductor is installed along the same slot path until the deflector trough causes the new conductor to follow a deviated path so as to avoid the original conductor. The direction of the deflector trough is selected to avoid existing wells already driven from such structure.

Abstract: For the installation of an anchor member at a location below a water level through a retaining wall into a soil formation for supporting the wall, a drill mount is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis on a retaining member secured to the wall. The drill mount can be pivoted between a drilling position inclined downwardly toward the wall and an upwardly extending loading position where the drill mount is accessible above the water level. A cable line secured to the drill mount pivots it between the drilling and loading positions. A drilling machine is displaceable on a sliding carriage along the drill mount. A drilling tool inserted into the drilling machine is used to drill an opening through the wall. Subsequently the drilling tool is replaced by a borehole pipe and the pipe is driven through the wall opening into the soil formation.

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: An anchored submerged marine structure commonly referred to as a well template is located at the bottom of a body of water and used in the directional drilling of underwater wells. The well template carries curved well conductors, each conductor capable of deviating well drilling equipment passed through the conductor so that each well may reach reservoirs located a further distance away from the template. The template's upper surface is formed to aid in the installation of the well conductor through the template.

Abstract: A conductor guide assembly for conductors of an offshore well platform having a jacket with an interior pile for extending from a sea bed to above a water level which is over the sea bed. In accordance with one inventive feature, a first guide mechanism comprising a plurality of vertically spaced supports which hold the tubular conduits within the interior pile is assembled in a plurality of sections wherein the upper support of each section is provided with removable bolt-on units for supporting the first guide mechanism as successive sections are joined thereto. In accordance with another inventive feature, a second guide mechanism comprises a pair of circular plates positioned to rotate within a lower deck opening and which are connected together and define a plurality of passages for receiving the plurality of conductors that extend in the interior pile.

Abstract: A conductor guide assembly for conductors of an offshore well platform having a jacket with an interior pile for extending from a sea bed to above a water level which is over the sea bed. In accordance with one inventive feature, a first guide mechanism comprising a plurality of vertically spaced supports which hold the tubular conduits within the interior pile is assembled in a plurality of sections wherein the upper support of each section is provided with removable bolt-on units for supporting the first guide mechanism as successive sections are jointed thereto. In accordance with another inventive feature, a second guide mechanism comprises a pair of circular plates positioned to rotate within a lower deck opening and which are connected together and define a plurality of passages for receiving the plurality of conductors that extend in the interior pile.

Abstract: A system for controlling the deviation of the path of oil or gas well conductor casing at a desired angle, curvature and orientation in the sea bottom stratum through which it is driven from an offshore platform involving the use of conductor guide(s) equipped with longitudinally disposed anti-twist bar(s) fixedly mounted thereon to prevent or arrest any twisting motion along the longitudinal axis of the casing sections which have like, anti-twist bar as the conductor sections are being lowered or driven down from the platform. Motion is arrested by means of the bars on the conductor guide(s) contacting the similar bars fixedly attached to the casing sections being driven through the conductor guides on the platform support structure. By arresting any twisting motion at this relatively elevated point, any undesired twist is minimized in the driven casing sections minimizing any undesired horizontal deviation in the enplacement of the conductor casing which would have otherwise been caused by the twisting.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cantilever mobile marine rig with hydraulic load equalizer. The rig includes a deck structure and a cantilever assembly slidingly mounted on the deck structure. The hydraulic load equalizer includes a plurality of hydraulic cylinder and piston assemblies positioned between the deck structure and the cantilever assemblies. The hydraulic cylinder and piston assemblies each have substantially the same effective area and are interconnected so as to allow substantially free and unimpeded flow of hydraulic fluid among the cylinder and piston assemblies.

Abstract: An off-shore ice island structure for location over a submerged drill site in waters which normally freeze in winter. The structure includes a buoyant protective caisson which freezes in position over the drill site upon onset of winter. A barge floats on water kept unfrozen within the caisson, and is connected to the caisson so it can be swivelled generally about a vertical axis to adjust the circumferential location of the drilling axis of drilling apparatus carried on the barge. The drilling apparatus is movable relative to the barge to enable further adjustment of the drilling axis location. The arrangement enables the drilling axis to be maintained in substantial vertical alignment with the drill site despite movement of the caisson caused by the surrounding shelf ice. The caisson is part of an ice island structure whose mass is built up by successive flooding and freezing steps to ground it on the sea bed.

Abstract: A motion compensator for disposition between an offshore support and an offshore well string or the like movable with respect to the support comprises first and second compensator bodies interconnected with the support and the well string such that relative movement between the support and well string causes relative movement between the compensator bodies. The compensator bodies are further interconnected with each other for relative movement in generally vertical directional modes. A compressible fluid or the like is associated with the compensator bodies for resiliently resisting relative movement therebetween in a first directional mode. A position indicator associated with the compensator bodies comprises a flexible vessel having one end connected to one of the compensator bodies and the other end connected to the other compensator body generally below the one end.

Abstract: A drilling rig comprises a platform (10) supported above a sea surface (14) by legs which extend to the sea bottom (16). A drill guide (30) of rigid open framework construction extends down from the platform to the sea bottom. The drill guide is only minimally affected by turbulent sea conditions because of its open framework construction. A hardenable substance such as concrete (54) is poured into a flexible bag (50) at the lower end of the drill guide to form a solid structure conforming to the uneven sea bottom and having a substantially flat upper surface. Drilling takes place through the hardenable substance and into the underlying sea bottom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a curved well conductor (22) from an offshore marine structure (10) utilizes a leading section of precurved pipe (26) along with a plurality of trailing sections of initially straight pipe (24). The precurved pipe (26) is releasably straightened as the conductor (22) is lowered from the marine structure (10). Upon engagement with the sea floor, the precurved pipe (26) is released to resume its original curvature. The trailing initially straight sections of pipe (24) are then forced to follow a curved path defined by the leading section as the well conductor (22) is driven into the sea floor.

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: An Angulating Knuckle Lead installed within an offshore pile driving rig having both upper and lower hydraulically actuated supporting kickers, independently operable for driving pile on extreme slope or batter and which is movable upwardly and downwardly through an opening in the upper deck of the rig toward the lower deck.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mobile drilling platform of the jack-up type equipped with a special system which allows the said drilling platform to work as a drilling derrick and alternatively as a hoisting crane rig for marine service.

Abstract: A method of working an underwater deposit comprises the following stages:(a) constructing and positioning a platform structure, equipped before or after positioning with drilling devices and installations,(b) executing drilling using these devices and installations,(c) constructing and equipping, during stages (a) and (b), a production bridge fitted with devices and installations required for production,(d) transporting the production bridge to, and positioning it on, said platform structure, and(e) commencing production from deposit.The drilling bridge may remain in position on the platform structure during stages (d) and (e), or it may be removed to make way for the production bridge.

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: The invention provides for a drill unit for drilling and charge laying operations and is suitable for operation on land or underwater. The drill unit comprises a rock drill mounted on a frame structure on a gantry and drill steels and casing members located in a drill magazine where they can be moved into register with the drilling machine for drilling a hole below the gantry, the casing member being put down the hole to line it and a charge magazine containing explosive cartridges also mounted on the gantry provided with means for bringing a cartridge into register with a casing member put down a hole to charge the casing member. The operation being remotely controlled.

Abstract: An acoustic communication system is disclosed as a secondary means for command control of underwater operations from a surface unit. The system includes a diving acoustic command control unit for use in the event of prime propagation path occlusion. Self-check verification as well as data read-out upon interrogation is provided from the surface unit to an underwater receiver-transponder. The latter will also respond to acoustic command signals from the diving unit. An early warning blowout detector employs sensors at the wellhead to detect seismic waves, mud pressure wave fronts and mud flow rates resulting from an emerging blowout and in response thereto, transmits an alert signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving conductor pipe in an offshore drilling platform including the steps of mounting a block and tackle on the platform and then lifting a crane onto the platform with it before the drill rig is placed thereon, and driving the conductor pipe through use of a pile driver brought onto the platform with the crane, thus avoiding utilization of either a derrick barge or a drill rig for the conductor pipe driving functions.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation located beneath the floor of a body of water. A platform structure is installed on the floor over the formation and well conductors are extended down the structure and penetrate into the floor of the body of water. The conductors may include an upper vertical portion, then continually curve downwardly and outwardly through the structure above the floor in a manner maintaining a relatively smooth bore throughout the entire extent of the conductors. The conductors are extended into the floor of the body of water and wells are drilled, via the conductors, down into communication with the formation. Formation fluids are then produced from the formation via the conductors.This is a Reissue of a Patent which was the subject of a Reexamination Certificate No. B1 Re. 28,860, dated Sept. 3, 1985, Request Nos. 90/000,412, June 27, 1983 and 90/000,607, Aug. 13, 1984.