Abstract:
Various embodiments relate to a method and a seabed supported base structure for providing a shallow water drilling terminal, where a prefabricated floating seabed substructure is towed to site, ballasted to rest on the seabed and/or piled to the seabed forming a seabed foundation. The seabed supported base structure is provided with at least one cantilevered unit with openings for drilling of wells, projecting sideways out from the exterior side of a vertical wall, terminated above sea level. A prefabricated floating drilling module provided with an outrigger with sidewise movable drilling device is towed to the site, guided into the seabed substructure through an opening in the wall structure at the periphery of the base structure, ballasted and mated onto the base structure, whereupon wells are drilled from a drilling gear. Upon completed drilling and operation of the wells, the drilling unit is removed and substituted by a production unit.
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:
An adductor machine including a pair of movement arms movable about a vertical axes between an open position extending laterally from the seat and a closed position extending forwardly of the seat. The movement arms are movable to the closed position by the user engaging with the inner sides of his thighs, pads respectively located on the movement arms. Movement of the movement arms is transmitted to move a resistance in the form of one or more weights in a weight stack. Such transmission is accomplished by a linkage and cam follower arrangement operatively connected between the movement arm and a weight stack pin included in the resistance weight stack. An auxiliary actuating mechanism is provided to move the movement arms between the open and closed positions independently of engaging the pads with the legs. This actuating mechanism includes a handle engageable with the cam included in the transmission to operate the cam independently of a linkage which extends between the movement arms and the cam. Each movement arm has a pair of pads spaced from each other on opposite sides of the knee. The pads are self rotatable to conform to the contour of the user.
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:
Conductor pipes on an offshore drilling and production platform pass through openings in the decks of the platform. The openings are to be sealed off to prevent spreading of hot and/or noxious fluids from one deck to another. The sealing means consists of two annular elements arranged around a conductor and connected to the conductor and the deck, respectively, thereby forming an annular trough in which one of the elements protrudes. The trough is filled with a flexible substance, such as a silicone foam.
Abstract:
A drilling rig comprises a platform (10) supported above a sea surface (14) by legs which extends 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:
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.