US3575005A - Method and apparatus for offshore operations - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for offshore operations Download PDF

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US3575005A
US3575005A US649889A US3575005DA US3575005A US 3575005 A US3575005 A US 3575005A US 649889 A US649889 A US 649889A US 3575005D A US3575005D A US 3575005DA US 3575005 A US3575005 A US 3575005A
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vessel
platform
water
support
footing
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Maurice N Sumner
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B17/02—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto
    • E02B17/021—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto with relative movement between supporting construction and platform
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B2017/0056—Platforms with supporting legs

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  • Reiter ABSTRACT In the erection of offshore structures, preferred method steps including releasably securing a vessel adapted for water navigation to a structure, said structure being adapted to be stabilized at selected locations of various depths wherein stabilization enables mineral-related, military, and transportation apparatus to function from said structure, altering the elevation of the vessel with respect to the structure whereby the vessel is made more free of wave action at the altered elevation and thereafter restoring the vessel to a navigable relationship to the body of water; said invention including apparatus for supporting a separable structure wherein the support immediately below the structure is designed principally with support of the structure in view and extends downwardly to a footing member, wherein support members below said footing member are founded in the soil beneath the body of water and are designed principally as foundation members.
  • the pile jacket or pile template which, when installed, comprises a number of slightly inclined tubular legs, longer than the water depth, braced together into a unitary frame by a number of planform plane frames and portal braces in xs, vs, ks, or diagonals and having mud mats at the base and piling driven through and secured to the legs.
  • Such a structure might be installed by hauling its entirety from the place of assembly to the place of use, settling it to the bottom to rest temporarily on its mud mats, driving the piles through the legs, and securing them thereto.
  • the number, spacing, and diameter of the legs of a typical pile jacket is determined by the number, spacing, and diameter of the piles required to support the anticipated loads.
  • One skilled in the structural arts might offer many ways to have fewer and smaller legs and braces than are found in pile jackets, but if the concept of the pile jacket of the prior art is retained then the advantages of having fewer and smaller legs and braces cannot be obtained because for every pile there must be a leg and for every leg there must be a brace.
  • a pile jacket is not well adapted to a wide range of water depths and is therefore not well adapted to be portable because its base is employed in its erection; if new methods were found to omit this employment of the base, and thereby omit the base, and therewith a lower portion of the framework, these new methods could not be employed anyway, because the piling could not withstand the bending effects resulting from their greater exposed substantially parallel length.
  • Submersible bottom-supported units move very slowly through the water, and become prohibitively expensive when adapted to deeper waters. They have structural failings due to wave action, and are easily moved from their location by heavy seas. In all events, the result is at least a financial disaster.
  • Submersible bottom-supported units can be adapted at great expense to deeper waters by conversion to a stabilized so-called semisubmersible frame, or such a unit can be designed from scratch, and it will then be adapted to drill in very deep waters or very shallow waters but not to intermediate depths; but it still will move slowly from place to place, and may be even more subject to displacement and destruction by storm.
  • the jackup units are less expensive than some other mobile units, and are well adapted to intermediate water depths, but they do not move rapidly through the water and there have been grevious losses resulting from the impact of the first engagement of the legs with the marine floor, and from the impact of the waves on the vessel before it is jacked clear of the waves. There have been numerous disastrous losses resulting from scouring of the soil at the footing.
  • the jacks are expensive, and some units with wide footing are not well adapted to an uneven bottom. Solutions to problems of bending have been sought by making the legs an openwork frame, and by the hinging of the legs, as in the LeTourneau three-legged hexagonal units, but the result may be the loss of a part of the safety factor.
  • the prior art jackup rigs include the variety of the Hustler of the Offshore Company and the mat-type jackup Stormdrill lll.
  • the present invention is summarized as providing apparatus and method whereby an offshore structure is made adaptable to a range of water depths, is carried to a selected location by a vessel, the vessel is brought to a different elevation where it is at least partly held by the structure, and thereafter is preferably returned to a navigable relationship on the water to depart the installed structure. Moreover, should the structure be temporarily located with a view to moving soon thereafter,
  • the apparatus of the present invention is generally summarized as including a combination of vessel and structure for installation in offshore operations wherein the vessel and structure travel typically from the point of assembly to a predetermined location; said means further including releasable connective means whereby the structure is steadied in the water to be stabilized with respect to the submerged land typically by inserting pilings through a footing structure and into the subsoil, or by the utilization of other techniques to achieve a stable structure.
  • the means of the present invention permits the vessel to be changed in elevation relative to the water to become substantially free of the wave action of the water.
  • the vessel may be elevated out of the water above the wave action or may be semisubmersible to an intermediate depth whereat exposure to wave action is minimum.
  • Additional apparatus comprising the present invention is summarized as including an offshore structure wherein the support members below the platform deck are mainly designed in accordance with criteria of support members and extend downwardly to a footing member supported above the submerged land by a plurality of pilings and the like, the pilings being designed and located in accordance with design criteria of foundation members as opposed to the structural support design standards. It is axiomatic that the design criteria for the frame below the platform is necessarily different from the criteria for the foundation members themselves.
  • the present invention further provides apparatus wherein the footing member receives a plurality of pilings preferably in bipod relationships extending into the soil and subsoil to prevent collapse due to scouring by the water action.
  • the footing apparatus further including means whereby underwater connections are made by inserting pilings through prealigned openings in the footing member.
  • FIG. I is a perspective view illustrating the separable leg concept of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective of a single leg structure erected in the water in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. '3 illustrates one stage in the method of the present invention of erecting a structure having a novel relationship to the vessel
  • FIG. 4 is an additional view illustrating the method partially shown in FIG. 3 wherein the vessel is moved to a second relative elevation whereby it is more free from the wave action;
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail side view of the single leg concept of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a view of the pile jacket of the prior art for comparison with FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 7 illustrates the first step in a method relating to portable drilling structure and associated vessel which is elevated with respect to the water to be more free of the wave action and wherein a well completion is obtained and the drilling apparatus is thereafter removed while leaving a portion of the footing structure to provide a platform for production apparatus;
  • FIG. 8 is a method step related to the view of FIG. 7 illustrating placement of the pilings through the footing members
  • FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8 showing the piling drilled or driven into the soil
  • FIG. It is similar to FIG. 9 showing the drilling platform and vessel elevated to commence drilling operations;
  • FIG. II is similar to the method of step of FIG. It showing completion of the oil well
  • FIG. I2 issimilar to FIG. II showing the return of the vessel tothewater
  • FIG. I3 illustrates the next step in the method wherein the footing member is detached from the jackup leg
  • FIG. Id illustrates the vessel and drilling apparatus, departing from the well head, associated production apparatus and footing member which supports the production apparatus;
  • FIG. I5 illustrates part of the movable apparatus of FIG. I4 relocated at a subsequent location to engage in additional drilling activities
  • FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 10 in that the apparatus is engaged in drilling activities when elevated above the water level and made more free of the wave action;
  • FIG. 17 illustrates the same apparatus at even a third location wherein the single remaining footing member shown in FIG. 16 was left at an intermediate location and wherein the present view depicts the drilling apparatus and associated vessel at a third location;
  • FIG. I8 is similar to FIG. 17 showing the drilling apparatus elevated prior to drilling an additional well
  • FIG. I9 is an alternative step in the method wherein additional footing members are installed on the jackup legs after both footing members were left at other drilling sites;
  • FIG. 20 is a view corresponding to FIG. 8 with the exception of a change in elevation of the footing
  • FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 20 illustrating the piles driven through the footing member and into the subsoil;
  • FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. It) wherein the vessel and associated drilling apparatus are raised to a second relative elevation to be more free of the wave action;
  • FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 22 illustrating the use of the footing member and pilings with conventional jackup apparatus known in the prior art;
  • FIG. 24 illustrates installed footing members of the present invention and associated piling members inserted in the subsoil serving as support means for a conventional platform known in the prior art for supporting production apparatus thereon above the water;
  • FIG. 25 illustrates the footing member of the present invention left installed at the drilling site with a plurality of wells spaced thereabout;
  • FIG. 26 is a view contrasting with FIG. 25 wherein the footing member is located above the water line;
  • FIG. 27 is a side view of the structure shown in FIG. 9;
  • FIG. 28 is a full length view of a vessel having semisubmersible outriggers adjacent to each side of the vessel as a means of obtaining a second relative vertical relationship;
  • FIG. 29 is a view of the vessel of FIG. 28 showing the vessel elevated above the water to be free of the wave action;
  • FIG. 30 is a front view of the vessel shown in side view in FIG. 29;
  • FIG. 311 is a perspective view of a structure similar to the structures of FIGS. 7-27;
  • FIG. 32 illustrates one method of utilizing a jackup rig to assemble on location the structure shown in FIG. 31;
  • FIG. 33 illustrates in simplified form the structure of the prior art and its problems relating to lateral loading and resultant bending thereof;
  • FIG. 34 is a view of the prior art structure shown in FIG. 33
  • FIG. 35 is the first view of a sequence illustrating use of the method of the present invention in installing the drilling apparatus at a selected location;
  • FIG. 36 is similar to FIG. 35 and shows the jackup legs contacted against the soil beneath the body of water;
  • FIG. 37 illustrates the drilling platfonn raised above the level of the water
  • FIG. 38 illustrates use of the drilling apparatus to set a first piling
  • FIG. 39 illustrates the further use of the drilling apparatus to set additional pilings, the pilings cooperating to support an additional structure temporarily appended to the drilling platform;
  • FIG. 40 is a view similar to FIG. 39 showing the drilling platform returned to its original relative elevation to float on the water with the pilings installed by use of the drilling apparatus supporting a structure above the water;
  • FIG. 41 shows the drilling platform departing from the structure erected in the water
  • FIG. 42 shows one variation of the structure for receiving production apparatus assuming completion of a well at the drilling site
  • FIG. 43 is the first viewof a sequence of views illustrating the method of the present invention and shows a drilling platform during navigation of a body of water;
  • FIG. 44 is a view similar to FIG. 43 illustrating the drilling platform submersed and resting on the bottom preliminary to drilling a well;
  • FIG. 45 is a view similar to FIG. 44 illustrating pilings driven through the framework of a separable structure carried by the drilling platform;
  • FIG. 46 is a view similar to FIG. 45 illustrating the drilling apparatus drilling a dry hole
  • FIG. 47 shows the apparatus of the previous views in u buoyant condition being towed by a vessel to an additional location
  • FIG. 48 is a view similar to FIG. 44 showing the submersible structure placed at a second or subsequent drilling location;
  • FIG. 49 is a view similar to FIG. 45 showing the pilings driven through the separable structure
  • FIG. 50 is a view similar to FIG.'49 showing the oil well drilled utilizing the drilling apparatus wherein the well penetrates a producing formation;
  • FIG. SI shows the vessel moving the drilling platform and associated drilling apparatus while leaving the separable structure at the location of the completed well
  • FIG. 52 is the first of a plurality of views illustrating a jackup structure and separable leg of the present invention in location and an additional jackup structure of a new type having separable legs maneuvered to an adjacent position;
  • FIG. 53 shows the additional structure with the legs positioned at the soil beneath the body of water
  • FIG. 54 shows the jackup platform moved to an elevated position to begin construction of a structure on the separable legs
  • FIG. 55 shows the construction apparatus carried on the jackup platform erecting a permanent installation between the separable jackup legs
  • FIG. 56 shows the constructed facilities wherein the first jackup apparatus at the location is returned to a navigable elevation
  • FIG. 57 shows the first navigable vessel leaving and the construction platform returned to the water level after completion of the upper portions of the permanent structure
  • FIG. 58 shows the departure of the two vessels from the completed permanent installation utilizing the separable jackup legs of the present invention
  • FIG. 59 is the first of a plurality of views somewhat schematic in detail illustrating the method of the present invention wherein the first connection between the vessel and structure is made at sea;
  • FIG. 60 is a view similar to FIG. 59 showing the vessel utilizing the structure to position itself;
  • FIG. 61 shows the vessel and associated drilling rig elevated to a level free of water or wave action
  • FIG. 62 is a view illustrating the vessel in a buoyant condition in the water to impart at least a portion of its buoyancy to the structure for moving same;
  • FIG. 63 is the first of a plurality of views somewhat similar to those beginning with FIG. 59 illustrating a structure previously positioned in the water;
  • FIG. 64 is a view similar to FIG. 63 wherein the vessel is positioned prior to elevating;
  • FIG. 65 shows the vessel and associated drilling apparatus elevated with respect to the structure
  • FIG. 66 shows the vessel returned to the surface of the water
  • FIG. 67 is a view similar to FIG. 66 showing the vessel with the drilling apparatus departing from structure and showing arrival of a second vessel with production apparatus thereon;
  • FIG. 68 is a view similar to FIG. 65 showing the elevated production apparatus and its vessel engaged with the structure;
  • FIG. 69 shows a submersible structure at a navigable water depth for transporting the production apparatus and associated vessel carried therewith;
  • FIG. 70 illustrates an alternative to the structure shown in the preceding several views wherein the alternative of a larger submersible structure is utilized
  • FIG. 71 is yet another alternative arrangement including a semisubmersible vessel
  • FIG. 72 illustrates a conventional pile jacket structure of the prior art
  • FIG. 73 shows the utilization of a separate structure to reinforce a jackup structure
  • FIG. 74 is a side view of simplified form of the lateral reinforcing provided by the present invention.
  • FIG. 75 is the first of three views illustrating the method of the present invention having an alternative sequence of steps whereby the structure is stabilized prior to change of elevation of the vessel to make it more free of the wave action;
  • FIG. 76 shows connection of the vessel to the stabilized structure
  • FIG. 77 illustrates change of the relative elevation of the vessel with respect to the structure
  • FIG. 78 is the first of a number of views illustrating the method of the present invention applied to a new vessel and structure
  • FIG. 79 illustrates the step of preparation for driving the pilings into the subsoil
  • FIG. 80 illustrates the pilings driven through the structure and into the subsurface for support
  • FIG. 81 illustrates the next step of fabricating additional structure thereabove
  • FIG. 82 shows the use of the structure of FIG. 81 to drill a well into a producing formation
  • FIG. 83 shows use of the structure for production from the completed well while further drilling is carried on
  • FIG. 84 is a view showing a wide range of water depths for which the method of the present invention is adapted.
  • FIG. 85 is a view illustrating the method of the present invention for use in greater water depths
  • FIG. 86 is a view similar to FIG. 85 showing the structure properly oriented in deeper water
  • FIG. 87 is a view similar to FIG. 86 wherein the pilings carried in the structure are driven into the subsoil;
  • FIG. 88 shows the method of the present invention as further elevating the vessel whereby the vessel is more free of wave action
  • FIG. 89 illustrates details of a major structural member of the structure shown in FIG. 79;
  • FIG. 90 is a perspective view of the framing of a platform adapted for use with the present invention.
  • FIG. 91 illustrates a rectangular platform in perspective for use with the present invention
  • FIG. 92 illustrates in perspective view a modified circular platform utilizing the framing of the present invention
  • FIG. 93 illustrates a triangular structure supported by the bipod arrangement of the present invention
  • FIG. 94 shows an elongated platform supported by a plurality of pilings
  • FIG. 95 illustrates the deflection of an elemental bipod arrangement
  • FIG. 96 illustrates the deflection of a single support member contrasted with the bipod arrangement of FIG. 95;
  • FIG. 97 is a section of one means for securing a piling to a FIG. 98 is the apparatus of FIG. 97 in elevation;
  • FIG. 99 is the first of a sequence of views illustrating one method for connecting pilings through a footing member

Abstract

In the erection of offshore structures, preferred method steps including releasably securing a vessel adapted for water navigation to a structure, said structure being adapted to be stabilized at selected locations of various depths wherein stabilization enables mineral-related, military, and transportation apparatus to function from said structure, altering the elevation of the vessel with respect to the structure whereby the vessel is made more free of wave action at the altered elevation and thereafter restoring the vessel to a navigable relationship to the body of water; said invention including apparatus for supporting a separable structure wherein the support immediately below the structure is designed principally with support of the structure in view and extends downwardly to a footing member, wherein support members below said footing member are founded in the soil beneath the body of water and are designed principally as foundation members.

Description

United States Patent Maurice N. Sumner 1 Chelsea Place, Houston, Tex. [21 Appl. No. 649,889
[22] Filed June 29, 1967 [45] Patented Apr. 13, 1971 [72] Inventor [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OFFSHORE OPERATIONS 25 Claims, 105 Drawing Figs.
[52] US. Cl 61/46.5, 61/65,114/5,114/43.5,175/7,175/9 [51] Int. Cl E021) 17/04,
E0ld 21/00, B630 7/04 [50] Field of Search 61/465, 46, 65, 67; 175/5, 6, 7, 8, 9; 114/05, 43.5
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,968,930 1/1961 Mangone 61/465 2,970,447 2/ 1961 Castille 61/465 3,001,592 9/1961 Lucas 61/46.5X 3,201,945 8/ 1965 Sutton 61 /46.5 3,375,669 4/1968 Garcia 61/465 3,385,069 5/1968 Estes 61/46.5 2,942,425 6/1960 DeLong et al. 61 /46.5 3,078,680 2/ l 963 Wepsala 61/465 Primary Examiner-Jacob Shapiro AttorneyBernard A. Reiter ABSTRACT: In the erection of offshore structures, preferred method steps including releasably securing a vessel adapted for water navigation to a structure, said structure being adapted to be stabilized at selected locations of various depths wherein stabilization enables mineral-related, military, and transportation apparatus to function from said structure, altering the elevation of the vessel with respect to the structure whereby the vessel is made more free of wave action at the altered elevation and thereafter restoring the vessel to a navigable relationship to the body of water; said invention including apparatus for supporting a separable structure wherein the support immediately below the structure is designed principally with support of the structure in view and extends downwardly to a footing member, wherein support members below said footing member are founded in the soil beneath the body of water and are designed principally as foundation members.
Patented April 13, 1971 3,575,005
16 Sheets-Sheet 1 MAU/P/CE A/ SUM/MR INVENYUR.
QWA Z ATTORNEY Patented April 13, 1971 16 Sheets-Sheet 2 HITII lLlLllIlllllllllIIllLlll MAURICE N SUMNfR I N VEN '1 UR.
lQmz/AW ATTORNEY Patented April 13, 1971 3,575,005
16 Sheets-Sheet 3 MAURICE N. SUMNER INVEN'IOR.
7 QQMAW ATTORNE Y Patented April 13, 1971 3,575,005
16 Sheets-Shaw. 4
MAU/F/CE A/. SUMNER I N VEN '1 UR.
QMZMW ATTOR/VE Y Patented April 13, 1971 3,575,005
16 Sheets-Sheet 5 v 58 J- 7 65 INVI'IN'IUR.
MAUFgCE N. SUMNER ATTORNEY Patented April 13, 1971 3,575,005
16 Sheets-Sheet 6 l ..l5 G I ll 5 57 I m u. n.
i F 57 W I r 7 l.'7 [GI 7 MAURICE N. 524N151? W 7 J. [a 7 ATTORNEY Patented April 13, 1971 3,575,005
16 Sheets-Sheet 7 Mgymcz N SUMNER 7 -197- E4 jaw A TTOR/VE Y Patented April 13, 1971 3,575,005
16 Sheets-Sheet 8 MAURICE N; SUMNER INVI INIUR.
ATTORNEY Patented A ril 13,1971 V 3,515,005
16 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOYR. MAURICE N SUMNER A TTORNE Y lNVliN/(JR MAg /a A/ 50 NH? ATTORNEY 16 Sheets-Sheet 10 a I Q. m. r -T r. T F U/ i W1 R Patented April 13, 1971 Patented April 13, 1971 16 Sheets-Sheet 11 MAURICE N.- 50M ER A T TORNE Y 16 Sheets-Sheet 14 15/ M INVENTOR.
' Mag/ 155 A/ SUMNER 7 7 7. El Q I I ATI'OENY Patented April 13, 1971 l6 Sheets-Sheet 15 A fi fia Patented April 13, 1971 3,575,005
16 Sheets-Sheet 16 i ini 104 1 -305 F7 F? W INVIiN'lUR. MAL/R1 c5 N. SUMNER BYQMZW/ A TTORNE Y METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OFFSHORE OPERATIONS SUMMARY OF PROBLEM AND INVENTION Numerous means are known to those skilled in the art to provide above-water platforms for offshore explorations, the production of minerals, lookouts, and transport stations. They vary in portability from the complete immobility of earth islands to the fixedness of the pile-supported platform, then to much greater mobility of the more expensive units known in the petroleum world as mobile units, which include the submersible bottom-supported unit, the semisubmersible frame, the jackup, and the drill ship.
By far the most common structure known in the art is the pile jacket or pile template, which, when installed, comprises a number of slightly inclined tubular legs, longer than the water depth, braced together into a unitary frame by a number of planform plane frames and portal braces in xs, vs, ks, or diagonals and having mud mats at the base and piling driven through and secured to the legs. Such a structure might be installed by hauling its entirety from the place of assembly to the place of use, settling it to the bottom to rest temporarily on its mud mats, driving the piles through the legs, and securing them thereto. it is plain that the mud mats are necessary to install the structure, since they hold it in place during installation, and it is also true that such a structure will only be well adapted to a single depth of water. If it were to be placed in water of a lesser depth, its top might be inconveniently high above the water, or it might be refabricated to other dimensions to avoid this. if an attempt were made to found it in deeper water, as by holding it in place by other means than its mud mats, keeping its top at a convenient elevation, and letting its piles project down past its bottom, these piles would likely be too limber and weak in bending to support the structure; note that a similar weakness can result if a portion of the mud washes or scours away by motion of the water past a normally-installed platform.
lt is also apparent that the number, spacing, and diameter of the legs of a typical pile jacket is determined by the number, spacing, and diameter of the piles required to support the anticipated loads. One skilled in the structural arts might offer many ways to have fewer and smaller legs and braces than are found in pile jackets, but if the concept of the pile jacket of the prior art is retained then the advantages of having fewer and smaller legs and braces cannot be obtained because for every pile there must be a leg and for every leg there must be a brace.
So, in summary, a pile jacket is not well adapted to a wide range of water depths and is therefore not well adapted to be portable because its base is employed in its erection; if new methods were found to omit this employment of the base, and thereby omit the base, and therewith a lower portion of the framework, these new methods could not be employed anyway, because the piling could not withstand the bending effects resulting from their greater exposed substantially parallel length.
Many types of mobile units are found. For a catalog of the bulk of the prior an equipment, reference is made to the publication The Evolution of Offshore Mobile Drilling Units. Such units are used mostly in exploration drilling, but, for the purpose of this disclosure, no distinction is made between petroleum drilling and production apparatus, and the apparatus described herein is not limited to oil and gas work, but includes other mineral related work, such as sulfur or manganese production, military posts and communications and transport stations, and fishing and agricultural uses.
Basic problems, especially of resistance to marine forces and of adaptability, are to be found in all mobile units; for example:
Submersible bottom-supported units move very slowly through the water, and become prohibitively expensive when adapted to deeper waters. They have structural failings due to wave action, and are easily moved from their location by heavy seas. In all events, the result is at least a financial disaster.
Submersible bottom-supported units can be adapted at great expense to deeper waters by conversion to a stabilized so-called semisubmersible frame, or such a unit can be designed from scratch, and it will then be adapted to drill in very deep waters or very shallow waters but not to intermediate depths; but it still will move slowly from place to place, and may be even more subject to displacement and destruction by storm.
Other floating rigs are the drill ships, which can move very rapidly to distant seas, but they suffer from high seas during drilling, and cost of operation is high, since the motors and stabilizers must run continuously while they are drilling.
A wide range of sizes and shapes of floating vessels which either float fully on the surface or partly submerged has been provided. These vessels include catamarans such as the C. P. Baker of the Reading 8t Bates Company, outrigger vessels and the like. These primarily have problems of positioning, trimming, towing characteristics and the like.
The jackup units are less expensive than some other mobile units, and are well adapted to intermediate water depths, but they do not move rapidly through the water and there have been grevious losses resulting from the impact of the first engagement of the legs with the marine floor, and from the impact of the waves on the vessel before it is jacked clear of the waves. There have been numerous disastrous losses resulting from scouring of the soil at the footing. The jacks are expensive, and some units with wide footing are not well adapted to an uneven bottom. Solutions to problems of bending have been sought by making the legs an openwork frame, and by the hinging of the legs, as in the LeTourneau three-legged hexagonal units, but the result may be the loss of a part of the safety factor. Further, the prior art jackup rigs include the variety of the Hustler of the Offshore Company and the mat-type jackup Stormdrill lll.
Certain more or less hybrid structures are the submersible frame with separately installed platform, exemplified by Mecom's Mr. Malloy" and by Brown & Roots Monopod. Mr. Malloy" was not an open frame, but a dry dock, presenting a wide surface to the wave action, with resultant difficulties. The Monopod" was difficult to place, and drifted off location during installation.
The principal obvious points of contrast between the fixed units and the mobile units concern mobility, adaptability, and cost, for the fixed platform is cheaper at first, but is difficult or impossible to move, and even when moved is likely to be useful only in a narrow range of water depths and climates. While the mobile-type unit is well adapted to a wider range of water depths, it is in general more expensive at first, but is relatively cheap to move. With particular respect to petroleum, these points converge in an awkward way. If it were known from the start whether a platform would be used at one location or many, it would be easier to balance and choose factors of cost and mobility, but it is never known whether oil will be found. If a fixed platform be used, production can begin promptly upon discovery; if a mobile unit is used, a delay or perhaps a year may ensue, so that the fruits of the endeavor hang just out of reach in point of time, and perhaps in point of cost, for a fixed platform must be built before production can begin. Few wells are so productive that they will amortize the cost of a mobile unit being used as a fixed platform. A vice president of a major oil company has said A mobile unit is a good dry-hole tool."
It is with the problems of the prior art in view that the present invention is summarized as providing apparatus and method whereby an offshore structure is made adaptable to a range of water depths, is carried to a selected location by a vessel, the vessel is brought to a different elevation where it is at least partly held by the structure, and thereafter is preferably returned to a navigable relationship on the water to depart the installed structure. Moreover, should the structure be temporarily located with a view to moving soon thereafter,
the vessel is then enabled to remove the structure with it to a second location. Further, should the structure be previously located by means of no particular consequence, the present invention enables the vessel to attach to the structure and move it to a second location. The apparatus of the present invention is generally summarized as including a combination of vessel and structure for installation in offshore operations wherein the vessel and structure travel typically from the point of assembly to a predetermined location; said means further including releasable connective means whereby the structure is steadied in the water to be stabilized with respect to the submerged land typically by inserting pilings through a footing structure and into the subsoil, or by the utilization of other techniques to achieve a stable structure. Thereafter, the means of the present invention permits the vessel to be changed in elevation relative to the water to become substantially free of the wave action of the water. For instance, the vessel may be elevated out of the water above the wave action or may be semisubmersible to an intermediate depth whereat exposure to wave action is minimum. Additional apparatus comprising the present invention is summarized as including an offshore structure wherein the support members below the platform deck are mainly designed in accordance with criteria of support members and extend downwardly to a footing member supported above the submerged land by a plurality of pilings and the like, the pilings being designed and located in accordance with design criteria of foundation members as opposed to the structural support design standards. It is axiomatic that the design criteria for the frame below the platform is necessarily different from the criteria for the foundation members themselves. The present invention further provides apparatus wherein the footing member receives a plurality of pilings preferably in bipod relationships extending into the soil and subsoil to prevent collapse due to scouring by the water action. The footing apparatus further including means whereby underwater connections are made by inserting pilings through prealigned openings in the footing member.
The method and the apparatus of the present invention become more readily apparent from consideration of the drawings included herewith wherein:
FIG. I is a perspective view illustrating the separable leg concept of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective of a single leg structure erected in the water in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. '3 illustrates one stage in the method of the present invention of erecting a structure having a novel relationship to the vessel;
FIG. 4 is an additional view illustrating the method partially shown in FIG. 3 wherein the vessel is moved to a second relative elevation whereby it is more free from the wave action;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail side view of the single leg concept of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a view of the pile jacket of the prior art for comparison with FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 illustrates the first step in a method relating to portable drilling structure and associated vessel which is elevated with respect to the water to be more free of the wave action and wherein a well completion is obtained and the drilling apparatus is thereafter removed while leaving a portion of the footing structure to provide a platform for production apparatus;
FIG. 8 is a method step related to the view of FIG. 7 illustrating placement of the pilings through the footing members;
FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8 showing the piling drilled or driven into the soil;
FIG. It) is similar to FIG. 9 showing the drilling platform and vessel elevated to commence drilling operations;
FIG. II is similar to the method of step of FIG. It showing completion of the oil well;
FIG. I2 issimilar to FIG. II showing the return of the vessel tothewater;
FIG. I3 illustrates the next step in the method wherein the footing member is detached from the jackup leg;
FIG. Id illustrates the vessel and drilling apparatus, departing from the well head, associated production apparatus and footing member which supports the production apparatus;
FIG. I5 illustrates part of the movable apparatus of FIG. I4 relocated at a subsequent location to engage in additional drilling activities;
FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 10 in that the apparatus is engaged in drilling activities when elevated above the water level and made more free of the wave action;
FIG. 17 illustrates the same apparatus at even a third location wherein the single remaining footing member shown in FIG. 16 was left at an intermediate location and wherein the present view depicts the drilling apparatus and associated vessel at a third location;
FIG. I8 is similar to FIG. 17 showing the drilling apparatus elevated prior to drilling an additional well;
FIG. I9 is an alternative step in the method wherein additional footing members are installed on the jackup legs after both footing members were left at other drilling sites;
FIG. 20 is a view corresponding to FIG. 8 with the exception of a change in elevation of the footing;
FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 20 illustrating the piles driven through the footing member and into the subsoil;
FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. It) wherein the vessel and associated drilling apparatus are raised to a second relative elevation to be more free of the wave action;
FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 22 illustrating the use of the footing member and pilings with conventional jackup apparatus known in the prior art;
FIG. 24 illustrates installed footing members of the present invention and associated piling members inserted in the subsoil serving as support means for a conventional platform known in the prior art for supporting production apparatus thereon above the water;
FIG. 25 illustrates the footing member of the present invention left installed at the drilling site with a plurality of wells spaced thereabout;
FIG. 26 is a view contrasting with FIG. 25 wherein the footing member is located above the water line;
FIG. 27 is a side view of the structure shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 28 is a full length view of a vessel having semisubmersible outriggers adjacent to each side of the vessel as a means of obtaining a second relative vertical relationship;
FIG. 29 is a view of the vessel of FIG. 28 showing the vessel elevated above the water to be free of the wave action;
FIG. 30 is a front view of the vessel shown in side view in FIG. 29;
FIG. 311 is a perspective view of a structure similar to the structures of FIGS. 7-27;
FIG. 32 illustrates one method of utilizing a jackup rig to assemble on location the structure shown in FIG. 31;
FIG. 33 illustrates in simplified form the structure of the prior art and its problems relating to lateral loading and resultant bending thereof;
FIG. 34 is a view of the prior art structure shown in FIG. 33
wherein greater leg length is permitted by reinforcement with the structure of the present invention;
FIG. 35 is the first view of a sequence illustrating use of the method of the present invention in installing the drilling apparatus at a selected location;
FIG. 36 is similar to FIG. 35 and shows the jackup legs contacted against the soil beneath the body of water;
FIG. 37 illustrates the drilling platfonn raised above the level of the water;
FIG. 38 illustrates use of the drilling apparatus to set a first piling;
FIG. 39 illustrates the further use of the drilling apparatus to set additional pilings, the pilings cooperating to support an additional structure temporarily appended to the drilling platform;
FIG. 40 is a view similar to FIG. 39 showing the drilling platform returned to its original relative elevation to float on the water with the pilings installed by use of the drilling apparatus supporting a structure above the water;
FIG. 41 shows the drilling platform departing from the structure erected in the water;
FIG. 42 shows one variation of the structure for receiving production apparatus assuming completion of a well at the drilling site;
FIG. 43 is the first viewof a sequence of views illustrating the method of the present invention and shows a drilling platform during navigation of a body of water;
FIG. 44 is a view similar to FIG. 43 illustrating the drilling platform submersed and resting on the bottom preliminary to drilling a well;
FIG. 45 is a view similar to FIG. 44 illustrating pilings driven through the framework of a separable structure carried by the drilling platform;
FIG. 46 is a view similar to FIG. 45 illustrating the drilling apparatus drilling a dry hole;
FIG. 47 shows the apparatus of the previous views in u buoyant condition being towed by a vessel to an additional location;
FIG. 48 is a view similar to FIG. 44 showing the submersible structure placed at a second or subsequent drilling location;
FIG. 49 is a view similar to FIG. 45 showing the pilings driven through the separable structure;
FIG. 50 is a view similar to FIG.'49 showing the oil well drilled utilizing the drilling apparatus wherein the well penetrates a producing formation;
FIG. SI shows the vessel moving the drilling platform and associated drilling apparatus while leaving the separable structure at the location of the completed well;
FIG. 52 is the first of a plurality of views illustrating a jackup structure and separable leg of the present invention in location and an additional jackup structure of a new type having separable legs maneuvered to an adjacent position;
FIG. 53 shows the additional structure with the legs positioned at the soil beneath the body of water;
FIG. 54 shows the jackup platform moved to an elevated position to begin construction of a structure on the separable legs;
FIG. 55 shows the construction apparatus carried on the jackup platform erecting a permanent installation between the separable jackup legs;
FIG. 56 shows the constructed facilities wherein the first jackup apparatus at the location is returned to a navigable elevation;
FIG. 57 shows the first navigable vessel leaving and the construction platform returned to the water level after completion of the upper portions of the permanent structure;
FIG. 58 shows the departure of the two vessels from the completed permanent installation utilizing the separable jackup legs of the present invention;
FIG. 59 is the first of a plurality of views somewhat schematic in detail illustrating the method of the present invention wherein the first connection between the vessel and structure is made at sea;
FIG. 60 is a view similar to FIG. 59 showing the vessel utilizing the structure to position itself;
FIG. 61 shows the vessel and associated drilling rig elevated to a level free of water or wave action;
FIG. 62 is a view illustrating the vessel in a buoyant condition in the water to impart at least a portion of its buoyancy to the structure for moving same;
FIG. 63 is the first of a plurality of views somewhat similar to those beginning with FIG. 59 illustrating a structure previously positioned in the water;
FIG. 64 is a view similar to FIG. 63 wherein the vessel is positioned prior to elevating;
FIG. 65 shows the vessel and associated drilling apparatus elevated with respect to the structure;
FIG. 66 shows the vessel returned to the surface of the water;
FIG. 67 is a view similar to FIG. 66 showing the vessel with the drilling apparatus departing from structure and showing arrival of a second vessel with production apparatus thereon;
FIG. 68 is a view similar to FIG. 65 showing the elevated production apparatus and its vessel engaged with the structure;
FIG. 69 shows a submersible structure at a navigable water depth for transporting the production apparatus and associated vessel carried therewith;
FIG. 70 illustrates an alternative to the structure shown in the preceding several views wherein the alternative of a larger submersible structure is utilized;
FIG. 71 is yet another alternative arrangement including a semisubmersible vessel;
FIG. 72 illustrates a conventional pile jacket structure of the prior art;
FIG. 73 shows the utilization of a separate structure to reinforce a jackup structure;
FIG. 74 is a side view of simplified form of the lateral reinforcing provided by the present invention;
FIG. 75 is the first of three views illustrating the method of the present invention having an alternative sequence of steps whereby the structure is stabilized prior to change of elevation of the vessel to make it more free of the wave action;
FIG. 76 shows connection of the vessel to the stabilized structure;
FIG. 77 illustrates change of the relative elevation of the vessel with respect to the structure;
FIG. 78 is the first of a number of views illustrating the method of the present invention applied to a new vessel and structure;
FIG. 79 illustrates the step of preparation for driving the pilings into the subsoil;
FIG. 80 illustrates the pilings driven through the structure and into the subsurface for support;
FIG. 81 illustrates the next step of fabricating additional structure thereabove;
FIG. 82 shows the use of the structure of FIG. 81 to drill a well into a producing formation;
FIG. 83 shows use of the structure for production from the completed well while further drilling is carried on;
FIG. 84 is a view showing a wide range of water depths for which the method of the present invention is adapted;
FIG. 85 is a view illustrating the method of the present invention for use in greater water depths;
FIG. 86 is a view similar to FIG. 85 showing the structure properly oriented in deeper water;
FIG. 87 is a view similar to FIG. 86 wherein the pilings carried in the structure are driven into the subsoil;
FIG. 88 shows the method of the present invention as further elevating the vessel whereby the vessel is more free of wave action;
FIG. 89 illustrates details of a major structural member of the structure shown in FIG. 79;
FIG. 90 is a perspective view of the framing of a platform adapted for use with the present invention;
FIG. 91 illustrates a rectangular platform in perspective for use with the present invention;
FIG. 92 illustrates in perspective view a modified circular platform utilizing the framing of the present invention;
FIG. 93 illustrates a triangular structure supported by the bipod arrangement of the present invention;
FIG. 94 shows an elongated platform supported by a plurality of pilings;
FIG. 95 illustrates the deflection of an elemental bipod arrangement;
FIG. 96 illustrates the deflection of a single support member contrasted with the bipod arrangement of FIG. 95;
FIG. 97 is a section of one means for securing a piling to a FIG. 98 is the apparatus of FIG. 97 in elevation;
FIG. 99 is the first of a sequence of views illustrating one method for connecting pilings through a footing member;

Claims (24)

1. An improved offshore system for multiple and sequential marine operations in which a vessel is navigated to a selected operating site on the water, founded and moved to another operating site on the water, leaving behind at the previous operating site an operational platform, the operational platform at each site serving as the means for founding the vessel comprising: a vessel for carrying operating equipment for offshore operations for operating on the deck thereof; an operational platform means releasably attached to said vessel, said platform means being adapted to be founded on the land beneath the water; oil well drilling drawworks means operatively associated with said vessel and platform means for altering the vessel elevation while the platform is founded so as to thereby remove the vessel from the action of the waves in order to stabilize the vessel and facilitate operation of the equipment thereon; and selectively releasable coupling means securing the vessel to the platform means so that the vessel may, at some specified time, become buoyant again in order to navigate to another operating site whereat the sequence may be repeated.
2. An improved offshore system for marine operations adapted to be positioned at an operating site over water covered land and further adapted to be moved from one such opErating site to another such operating site while leaving behind at the prior operating site a support tower means, said system comprising: a vessel for transporting a substantially prefabricated support tower means to an operating site, said support tower means being carried and adapted to be positioned by the vessel so as to subsequently be utilized to elevate the vessel; and lift means operatively associated with said support tower means and said vessel for bringing said vessel to an altered elevation free of the wave action of the water, said vessel means including a framework extending from the deck of the vessel and which serves as a draw means for moving the vessel upwardly or downwardly with respect to the support tower means.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein there is further included means for releasably securing said vessel to said support tower means so that the vessel may move away from the support tower means to another operating site upon completion of its work at the first site whereupon another support tower means may be founded on the land beneath the water.
4. The system of claim 2 including, footing means incorporated within said tower support means, said footing means including pile receiving means adapted to receive pile members for extending from said footing means to the land beneath the water so as to found the tower support means on the land and pile members fixedly connected to said pile receiving means of said footing means, said pile members extending downwardly to the land beneath the water and firmly supported thereon so as to found the support means.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein said pile members include a plurality of piles, said piles being divergently disposed with respect to one another so as to enhance stability of the founded footing.
6. The system of claim 4 wherein said pile receiving means provides for passage of piles into the footing member from water above into water below.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein said pile receiving means further includes sealing means for providing a working environment suitable for human endeavor therewithin.
8. An improved offshore system for multiple and sequential marine operations in which a vessel is navigated to a selected operating site on the water, founded and moved to another operating site on the water, leaving behind at the previous operating site an operational support platform, the operational support platform at each site serving as means for founding the vessel comprising: a vessel for transporting support platform means to an operating site; support platform means operatively connected to said vessel; footing means incorporated in said support platform means so that the footing means may reside optionally at or near the water surface or at a discrete depth; pile receiving means characterizing said footing means for receiving pile members which are to be in contact with the land beneath the water; pile members affixed to said pile receiving means and extending therefrom to the land beneath the water so as to found the footing means on the land; lifting and lowering apparatus means physically connecting the vessel to the support platform means for selectively altering the elevation of the vessel by means of the support platform means while the latter is founded, so as to thereby provide a working platform free of wave action, and which vessel may be returned to a prior elevation upon completion of work activities; and said vessel including release means for releasing the vessel from said support platform means after the latter has returned the vessel to a predetermined elevation to thereby enable the vessel to navigate independently of the support platform means to another worksite whereupon another support platform means is founded and the sequence repeated.
9. The system of claim 8 in which there is provided multiple support platform means and their respective footing means but in which at least onLy one platform and footing means may, if necessary, be left behind when the vessel departs to a subsequent operating site.
10. An improved offshore system for multiple and sequential marine operations in which a vessel is navigated to a selected operating site on the water, founded and moved to another operating site on the water, leaving behind at the previous operating site an operational platform means, the operational platform means at each site serving as the primary means for founding the vessel comprising: a platform means for carrying on offshore drilling operations and for supporting a vessel means; a vessel means for transporting said platform means to an operating site whereupon the vessel deposits the platform means at such site; footing means incorporated into the platform means, said footing means being adapted to receive pile members so as to found the footing means securely; pile members provided for receipt by the footing means and for contacting the land beneath the water so as to found the platform means and the vessel when the vessel is supported by the platform means; means releasably connecting said vessel to said platform means for founding said vessel on the land beneath the water after the platform is founded so that at some later predetermined time the vessel may release from the platform means and navigate to another worksite while leaving the founded platform means behind to serve as an automated work station or to receive service vessels; and said vessel means constituting a submersible rig and said operational platform means constituting a supporting leg for said rig when founded on the land beneath the water. 11 The system of claim 10 in which said submersible rig may be supported by two or more separable legs which constitute platform means that remain in place after the vessel is made buoyant and navigated to another worksite.
12. The system of claim 10 wherein said operational platform means constitutes a separable leg, said leg being rotatably connected to said vessel so as to permit its movement about an axis in the horizontal plane, thereby allowing the leg to be carried in a variety of positions by the vessel.
13. The system of claim 10 wherein the founded operational platform means left by the vessel is provided with elevating changing means for receiving and changing the elevation of a subsequent vessel so as to move said vessel to an elevation free of the wave action and thereby provide a relatively calm operating station.
14. The system of claim 8 wherein said support platform means includes removable means for increasing the height thereof after the tower is founded to thereby enable higher elevation of the vessel if necessary.
15. The system of claim 14 wherein the vessel is adapted to reside interiorly of the support platform means when the former is being navigated to a worksite, with the support platform means uniformly distributed about the vessel so as to enhance stability during movement and so as to enable direct descent of the support platform means upon reaching the worksite.
16. The system of claim 14 wherein the vessel is characterized by a circular deck which is rotatable with respect to the vessel hull so that said deck may operate as a moving platform when the vessel is elevated on the structure thereby significantly enhancing operations such as well reworking by a derrick on the platform.
17. An improved offshore system for multiple and sequential marine operations in which a vessel is navigated to a selected work operating site at an afloat elevation, brought to a different working elevation whereat it is stably supported free of wave action by a stabilized marine structure, brought back to its afloat elevation while the stabilized marine structure remains stabilized at the selected operating site and wherein the vessel is brought again to its different elevation whereat it is stably supported as before, but repositioned, comprising: a vessel, for carrying equipment and operational platform means, at an elevation substantially free of surface wave action; an operational platform means stabilized at an operating site supporting the said vessel, said operational platform means being adapted to carry on offshore operations and to be moved from one site to another by said vessel; releasable elevating and lowering means operatively extending from said vessel and connected to said platform means for altering the vessel elevation while the platform is stabilized; and selectively releasable coupling means for releasing the said vessel to float while the said platform means is stabilized at an operating site, so as to allow the vessel to move to a new location while the said platform means remains stabilized at the operating site.
18. The system of claim 17 wherein the said vessel is a drilling barge, and the said platform means is a semisubmersible wave transparent frame stabilized by thrusters. structure, brought back to its afloat elevation while the stabilized marine structure
19. The system of claim 17 wherein the said vessel is a drilling barge and the said platform means is a pile jacket.
20. The system of claim 17 wherein the said vessel is a jackup rig and the said platform means is a pile jacket.
21. The system of claim 17 wherein the said vessel is a round barge and the said platform means is a ringlike frame surrounding the vessel.
22. The system of claim 17 wherein the said vessel is a catamaran and the said platform means is a pile-supported space frame.
23. The system of claim 17 wherein the said vessel is a trimmed center hull and the said platform means is an outrigger pontoon.
24. The system of claim 17 wherein the said vessel is a submersible and the said platform means is a pile jacket.
25. The system of claim 17 wherein the said vessel is a jackup rig and the said platform means is a submerged pile-supported vessel having a sealed space for human endeavor therein.
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GB1239967A (en) 1971-07-21

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