Abstract: A bottom-positioned well drilling platform is provided with an enclosure in the lower part thereof which forms a chamber into which returning drilling mud and cuttings can be discharged. A pump and separate return line raise the mud alone from the chamber to the top of the platform while the cuttings remain in the chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oscillating installation installed at a fixed site in a body of water, comprising a shaft which rests on a heavy base, which itself bears on a bed, and which supports a platform at its upper part, the shaft is connected to the base by a ball-joint consisting of two hemispherical caps. The shaft is loaded in such manner that the joint is always under compression. Examples of forms of joint comprising packings between the two caps are described. The invention also relates to a method of laying such an installation, the latter being conveyed by flotation to the site, and the correction of listing by the use of caissons disposed along the shaft.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for drilling concurrently a plurality of wells within a laterally confined area. The confines of the drilling apparatus employ a structure having vertically extending walls rising from a drilling floor. A plurality of wells are drilled, each employing a separate rotary drilling table and a separate draw work assembly mounted in vertical displacement from the drilling table associated there with. Preferably, the individual draw work assemblies associated with separate one of the rotary drilling tables are utilized only to feed drilling pipe assemblies into the well and to aid in the actual drilling operation. To withdraw drilling pipe assemblies, a master draw works is provided and is mounted vertically above the draw work assemblies associated with particular rotary drilling tables.

Abstract: Pipes which are to be inserted vertically into the sea bed for the extraction of fluids therefrom, such as liquids and gases, are connected together in groups, with each pipe group being constructed on shore and then supported horizontally by the water while it is being moved to a platform site. The pipes are then flooded to turn the pipe package to a vertical position and the package is then connected with a platform by being engaged in a receiving groove in the platform edge. The pipe packages are then driven vertically into the sea bed and can then be fixedly connected to the platform and suitable connections made thereto for the flow of fluids upwardly in the sea bed through the pipe packages to the platform.

Abstract: A mobile crane for use on an offshore oil well platform, comprising parallel base beams adapted to span the capping beams of the platform, and a pedestal and a rotating upper works movably mounted on the base beams. A method is described for erecting a workover rig on the offshore platform by means of the crane, and for expeditiously erecting workover rigs on a plurality of platforms in succession.

Abstract: A drilling rig assembly mounted on a pile, the store for drill strings to be used in drilling being in the form of a carousel mounted concentric with the pile.

Abstract: A mounting structure for supporting a drilling platform on the ocean floor comprises an open precast vessel having a bottom wall and a side wall extending up from and around the perimeter of the bottom wall which is adapted to be recessed in the ocean floor at the drilling site. A monopod drilling structure having a base and a supporting column extending upwardly from the base to a drilling platform is positioned on top of the vessel with the bottom of the supporting column having a vertical passage opening through the bottom of the base into the vessel. Sealing means is provided between the top of the vessel and the bottom of the drilling structure which provides a water-tight seal, permitting the interior of the vessel to be pumped dry when the drilling structure is in place.

Abstract: A method and technique for a deviated (non-vertical) emplacement of a conductor casing at a desired curver and orientation in order to facilitate directional drilling of a well in the substratum of an offshore well site. The method provides for the installation of a relatively short, offset portion of the conductor casing at only the bottom of the conductor pipe string and thereby utilizing this offset portion to force the conductor string in a desired direction and orientation by driving or forcing the conductor casing through a substratum in such a manner that the casing will assume the desired curvature and direction as it advances through the substratum. In addition to the offset or dog-leg segment at the bottom, key-way type guide bars can be added in the longitudinal direction to resist undesired rotation of the conductor pipe.

Abstract: In a method of completing one or a plurality of grouped underwater oil wells, each well head to be connected is temporarily placed in a gaseous medium at atmospheric pressure during connection to effect this, prior to the installation of the well head, a structure is lowered vertically on to the sea bed where the gathering is to be carried out, the structure including an enclosure at atmospheric pressure and housing a manifold, and as many compartments, capable of communicating with the enclosure, receiving a production head and being rendered watertight, as there are well heads to be installed, each compartment being temporarily rendered watertight and filled with gas at atmospheric pressure during connection of the production head, previously placed in the compartment, to the manifold in the enclosure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning and supporting a drilling platform on the ocean floor in which the drilling platform is a monopod structure with a broad flat base. The ocean floor is dredged to form a large level area depressed below the mudline. A precast drilling cellar having a flat bottom wall and upstanding side walls extending around the perimeter of the bottom wall is lowered to the leveled area. Hydraulic jets in the bottom of the cellar displace material from beneath the cellar, allowing the cellar to sink into the ocean floor to the depth of the sidewalls. The platform is centered over the cellar with the base resting on the top of the sidewalls.

Abstract: A structure or template forms a tubular support structure for subsea equipment used in drilling and producing offshore oil and/or gas wells. The template contains production manifolding, remote and safety shut-in control, pump-separator, and pipeline connector subsystems. Certain of the structural tubes are segregated to form compartmented ballast chambers capable of being selectively flooded and dewatered. Certain other structural tubes form piling sleeves. The truss or framework of structural tubes include vertical and horizontal tubes, the latter forming circumferential members as well as interstitial supports. The uppermost of the circumferential members or "ring" also functions as a fender to protect the equipment within the template. The template is made negatively buoyant upon launch by flooding the compartmented ballast chambers, keelhauled (swung to a position underneath the keel of the drilling vessel), and then lowered to the subsea floor.

Abstract: A drill conductor is installed into a water bed from an offshore tower situated in a body of water by lowering the conductor from a deck portion of the tower along a straight path which is inclined relative to vertical until the bottom end of the conductor reaches a predetermined depth in the water bed. The conductor is then bent about a fulcrum to displace an upper segment thereof to a vertically straight posture while maintaining a lower segment thereof above the water bed in a straight and inclined posture. A special arrangement of apertured guides is provided along the tower to accommodate the initial inclinedly straight insertion of the conductor and to accommodate the subsequent displacement of the upper conductor segment. The guides thus support the conductor such that a portion of the conductor disposed above the water bed includes upper and lower straight segments, the upper segment being vertically disposed and the lower segment being inclined relative to vertical.

Abstract: A drill string is mounted on a mast which is angularly adjustable relative to a frame. A support is connected to the frame so as to be angularly adjustable and has an open aperture for the drill string. The support is to be mounted on and secured upon a stationary member, such as a pipe, disposed at the operating location of the drilling apparatus.

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.