Underwater wells

Claim 2

Apparatus for completing a well drilled into a formation under a body of water comprising a casing in the well, means sealing the casing exterior to the formation, a buoyantly supported floating vessel, elongated and laterally flexible anchoring means holding the vessel in tension over the well, a tubular conduit, elongated guide means extending from the bottom of the water body to the surface, means maintaining the lower extremity of the guide means in fixed relation to the casing, means for maintaining the upper extremity of the guide means in the region of the vessel, means for lowering the tubular conduit from the vessel in engagement with the guide means whereby the tubular conduit is constrained by the guide means to enter the casing as it is lowered, means for sealing the conduit and casing in fixed communicating relation below the water surface, and remote control means for actuating the said sealing means from the water surface.

Claim 3

Apparatus for completing a wEll drilled into a formation under a body of water comprising a casing in the well, means sealing the casing exterior to the formation, a floating vessel, a tubular conduit, elongated guide means extending from the bottom of the water body to the surface, means maintaining the lower extremity of the guide means in fixed relation to the casing, means maintaining the upper extremity of the guide means in the region of the vessel, means for lowering the tubular conduit from the vessel in engagement with the guide means whereby the tubular conduit is constrained by the guide means to enter the casing as it is lowered, a housing disposed around the tubular conduit, first sealing means for releasably sealing the housing to the casing, second sealing means for releasably sealing the tubular conduit to the housing, and remote control means for actuating the two said sealing means from the water surface to seal the tubular conduit to the casing below the water surface.

Claim 4

Apparatus for completing a wEll drilled into a formation under a body of water comprising a casing in the well, means sealing the casing exterior to the formation, a floating vessel, a tubular conduit, elongated guide means extending from the bottom of the water body to the surface, means maintaining the lower extremity of the guide means in fixed relation to the casing, means maintaining the upper extremity of the guide means in the region of the vessel, means for lowering the tubular conduit from the vessel in engagement with the guide means whereby the tubular conduit is constrained by the guide means to enter the casing as it is lowered, a housing disposed around the tubular conduit, first sealing means for releasably sealing the housing to the casing, second sealing means for releasably sealing the tubular conduit to the housing, and remote control means for actuating the two said sealing means from the water surface to seal the tubular conduit to the casing below the water surface.

Claim 5

Apparatus for completing a well drilled into a formation under a body of water comprising a casing in the well, means sealing the casing exterior to the formation, a floating vessel, a tubular conduit, elongated guide means extending from the bottom of the water body to the surface, means maintaining the lower extremity of the guide means in fixed relation to the casing, means maintaining the upper extremity of the guide means in the region of the vessel, means for lowering the tubular conduit from the vessel in engagement with the guide means whereby the tubular conduit is constrained by the guide means to enter the casing as it is lowered, a housing disposed around the tubular conduit, first sealing means for releasably sealing the housing to the casing, second sealing means for releasably sealing the tubular conduit to the housing, remote control means for actuating the two said sealing means from the water surface, and means for introducing fluid into the well through the housing below the means for sealing the tubular conduit to the housing.

Claim 6

Apparatus for completing a well drilled into a formation under a body of water comprising a casing in the well, means sealing the casing exterior to the formation, a floating vessel, a tubular conduit, elongated guide means extending from the bottom of the water body to the surface, means maintaining the lower extremity of the guide means in fixed relation to the casing, means maintaining the upper extremity of the guide means in the region of the vessel, means for lowering the tubular conduit from the vessel in engagement with the guide means whereby the tubular conduit is constrained by the guide means to enter the casing as it is lowered, a housing disposed around the tubular conduit, first sealing means for releasably sealing the housing to the casing, second sealing means for releasably sealing the tubular conduit to the housing, remote control means for actuating the two said sealing means from the water surface, and means for introducing fluid into the well through the housing below the means for sealing the tubular conduit to the housing.

Claim 7

Apparatus for completing a well drilled into a formation under a body of water comprising a casing in the well, means sealing the casing exterior to the formation, a buoyantly supported floating vessel, elongated and laterally flexible anchoring means holding the vessel in tension over the well, a tubular conduit, means for lowering the tubular conduit from the vessel, guide lines extending from the bottom of the water body to the surface, means maintaining the lower extremity of the guide lines in fixed relation to the casing means maintaining the upper extremity of the guide lines in the region of the vessel, means for connecting the tubular conduit with the guide lines to constrain and guide the tubular conduit to enter the casing as it is lowered, and means for sealing the conduit and casing in fixed communicating relation below the water surface.

Claim 8

Apparatus for completing a well drilled into a formation under a body of water comprising a casing in the well, means sealing the casing exterior to the formation, a buoyantly supported floating vessel, elongated and laterally flexible anchoring means holding the vessel in tension over the well, a tubular conduit, means for lowering the tubular conduit from the vessel, guide lines extending from the bottom of the water body to the surface, means maintaining the lower extremity of the guide lines in fixed relation to the casing means maintaining the upper extremity of the guide lines in the region of the vessel, means for connecting the tubular conduit with the guide lines to constrain and guide the tubular conduit to enter the casing as it is lowered, and means for sealing the conduit and casing in fixed communicating relation below the water surface.

Claim 9

Apparatus for completing a well drilled into a formation under a body of water comprising a casing in the well, means for sealing the casing exterior to the formation, a floating vessel, a tubular conduit, means for lowering the tubular conduit from the vessel, a wellhead base at the well site, a set of pulleys mounted on the base, a set of guide lines extending between the base and water surface for guiding equipment to a well drilled in the formation to a depth to penetrate a permeable stratum, each guide line being disposed around a respective pulley, a counter buoy secured to one end of each guide line, means for supporting the other end of each guide line at the water surface, means for connecting the tubular conduit with the guide lines to constrain and guide the tubular conduit to enter the casing as it is lowered, and means for sealing the conduit and casing in fixed communicating relation below the water surface.

Claim 10

Apparatus for completing a well drilled into a formation under a body of water comprising a casing in the well, means for sealing the casing exterior to the formation, a floating vessel, a tubular conduit, means for lowering the tubular conduit from the vessel, a wellhead base at the well site, a set of pulleys mounted on the base, a set of guide lines extending between the base and water surface for guiding equipment to a well drilled in the formation to a depth to penetrate a permeable stratum, each guide line being disposed around a respective pulley, a counter buoy secured to one end of each guide line, means for supporting the other end of each guide line at the water surface, means for connecting the tubular conduit with the guide lines to constrain and guide the tubular conduit to enter the casing as it is lowered, and means for sealing the conduit and casing in fixed communicating relation below the water surface.

Claim 11

Well completion apparatus for completing a well drilled into a formation under a body of water comprising a casing in the well, means sealing the casing exterior to the formation, a tubulAr conduit removably disposed in the casing, elongated and laterally flexible guide means extending from the upper portion of the tubular conduit toward the water surface, means securing the lower extremity of the guide means to the upper portion of the tubular conduit, means maintaining the upper extremity of the guide means in the region of the water surface, releasable means for sealing the conduit and casing in fixed communicating relation below the water surface, and a floating vessel disposed over the well, means for raising and lowering the tubular conduit from the floating vessel, and flow means communicating the tubular conduit with the water surface.

Claim 12

Well completion apparatus for completing a well drilled into a formation under a body of water comprising a casing in the well, means sealing the casing exterior to the formation, a tubulAr conduit removably disposed in the casing, elongated and laterally flexible guide means extending from the upper portion of the tubular conduit toward the water surface, means securing the lower extremity of the guide means to the upper portion of the tubular conduit, means maintaining the upper extremity of the guide means in the region of the water surface, releasable means for sealing the conduit and casing in fixed communicating relation below the water surface, and a floating vessel disposed over the well, means for raising and lowering the tubular conduit from the floating vessel, and flow means communicating the tubular conduit with the water surface.

Claim 13

Apparatus for completing a well drilled into a formation under a body of water comprising a casing in the well, means sealing the casing exterior to the formation, a tubing disposed in the casing, elongated and laterally flexible guide means extending from the bottom of the water body through open water to the surface, means maintaining the lower extremity of the guide means in fixed relation to the casing, means maintaining the upper extremity of the guide means in the region of the water surface, a floating vessel disposed over the well, means for raising and lowering the tubing from the vessel, a packer for sealing the tubing to the casing in fixed communicating relation below the upper end of the casing, and a heavy drilling fluid disposed in the annular space between the tubing and casing above the packer.

Claim 14

Apparatus for completing a well drilled into a formation under a body of water comprising a casing in the well, means sealing the casing exterior to the formation, a tubing disposed in the casing, elongated and laterally flexible guide means extending from the bottom of the water body through open water to the surface, means maintaining the lower extremity of the guide means in fixed relation to the casing, means maintaining the upper extremity of the guide means in the region of the water surface, a floating vessel disposed over the well, means for raising and lowering the tubing from the vessel, a packer for sealing the tubing to the casing in fixed communicating relation below the upper end of the casing, and a heavy drilling fluid disposed in the annular space between the tubing and casing above the packer.

Claim 15

Apparatus for a well completed in a formation under water comprising casing means in the well, well completion equipment releasably engaged with the casing means in the well and disposed under the water, first latching means on the said equipment, an elongated equipment pulling tool, second latching means on the tool, elongated and laterally flexible guide means extending from the well completion equipment through open water toward the water surface for constraining and guiding the tool to the well so that the said second latching means engages the said first latching means, a floating vessel disposed over the well, and means for lifting the tool and well completion equipment from the floating vessel after the two latching means are engaged to remove the well completion equipment from the well.

Claim 16

Apparatus for a well completed in a formation under water comprising casing means in the well, well completion equipment releasably engaged with the casing means in the well and disposed under the water, first latching means on the said equipment, an elongated equipment pulling tool, second latching means on the tool, elongated and laterally flexible guide means extending from the well completion equipment through open water toward the water surface for constraining and guiding the tool to the well so that the said second latching means engages the said first latching means, a floating vessel disposed over the well, and means for lifting the tool and well completion equipment from the floating vessel after the two latching means are engaged to remove the well completion equipment from the well.

Claim 17

Apparatus for drilling and working in a well in earth formations submerged under water comprising in combination a floating drilling vessel anchored at the surface of the water above a submerged well site, a landing base positioned at the bottom of the water at the well site and in close contact with the top of the submerged earth formations, a vertically disposed casing affixed to said landing base and to the submerged earth formations within a well and forming the top portion of said well, a submerged means for controlling the opening of said casing rigidly affixed to said landing base in a unitary manner and in close contact with it, flexible means operable from said vessel for operating said submerged means for controlling said opening of said casing while said floating vessel is moving with the said surface of said water and relative to said submerged means, a flexible guide means extending from said vessel to the submerged landing base and a detachable connector connecting said flexible guide means to said landing base, a drilling mechanism operable from said vessel and adapted to be lowered downwardly from said vessel, a guide member engaging said drilling mechanism and said flexible guide means and operating with said flexible guide means to guide said drilling mechanism through said submerged means and into said well.

Claim 18

Apparatus for drilling and working in a well in earth formations submerged under water comprising in combination a floating drilling vessel anchored at the surface of the water above a submerged well site, a landing base positioned at the bottom of the water at the well site and in close contact with the top of the submerged earth formations, a vertically disposed casing affixed to said landing base and to the submerged earth formations within a well and forming the top portion of said well, a submerged means for controlling the opening of said casing rigidly affixed to said landing base in a unitary manner and in close contact with it, flexible means operable from said vessel for operating said submerged means for controlling said opening of said casing while said floating vessel is moving with the said surface of said water and relative to said submerged means, a flexible guide means extending from said vessel to the submerged landing base and a detachable connector connecting said flexible guide means to said landing base, a drilling mechanism operable from said vessel and adapted to be lowered downwardly from said vessel, a guide member engaging said drilling mechanism and said flexible guide means and operating with said flexible guide means to guide said drilling mechanism through said submerged means and into said well.

Claim 19

Apparatus for completing a well drilled into a formation under a body of water, the apparatus comprising a casing in the well, concrete sealing the casing exterior to the formation, a floating vessel disposed over the well, means for keeping the vessel substantially over the well, a tubular conduit, elongated guide means extending from adjacent the casing to the water surfacE, means maintaining the lower extremity of the guide means in fixed relation to the casing, means maintaining the upper extremity of the guide means in the region of the vessel, means for lowering the tubular conduit from the vessel in engagement with the guide means whereby the tubular conduit is constrained by the guide means to enter the casing as it is lowered, and means for sealing the conduit in communicating relation with the casing below the said sealing means.

Claim 20

Apparatus for completing a well drilled into a formation under a body of water, the apparatus comprising a casing in the well, concrete sealing the casing exterior to the formation, a floating vessel disposed over the well, means for keeping the vessel substantially over the well, a tubular conduit, elongated guide means extending from adjacent the casing to the water surfacE, means maintaining the lower extremity of the guide means in fixed relation to the casing, means maintaining the upper extremity of the guide means in the region of the vessel, means for lowering the tubular conduit from the vessel in engagement with the guide means whereby the tubular conduit is constrained by the guide means to enter the casing as it is lowered, and means for sealing the conduit in communicating relation with the casing below the said sealing means.

Claim 21

Apparatus for completing a well drilled into a formation under a body of water comprising a casing in the well, concrete sealing the casing exterior to the formation, a floating vessel, means for positioning the vessel over the well, a tubing, elongated guide means extending from the bottom of the water body to the surface, means maintaining the lower extremity of the guide means in fixed relation to the casing, means maintaining the upper extremity of the guide means in the region of the vessel, means for lowering the tubing from the vessel in engagement with the guide means whereby the tubing is constrained by the guide means to enter the casing as it is lowered, means for sealing the tubing in communicating relation with the casing below the said sealing means, and a flow conduit extending from the water surface to the vicinity of the well and communicating with the tubing.

Claim 22

Apparatus for completing a well drilled into a formation under a body of water comprising a casing in the well, concrete sealing the casing exterior to the formation, a floating vessel, means for positioning the vessel over the well, a tubing, elongated guide means extending from the bottom of the water body to the surface, means maintaining the lower extremity of the guide means in fixed relation to the casing, means maintaining the upper extremity of the guide means in the region of the vessel, means for lowering the tubing from the vessel in engagement with the guide means whereby the tubing is constrained by the guide means to enter the casing as it is lowered, means for sealing the tubing in communicating relation with the casing below the said sealing means, and a flow conduit extending from the water surface to the vicinity of the well and communicating with the tubing.

Claim 23

In combination with a well drilling string, apparatus for drilling a well in a formation under water, comprising a support, a casing positioned in said formation and having its upper end substantially at the surface thereof, said casing being sealingly cemented in said formation, a safety release joint mandrel secured to the upper end of said casing, an anchor device secured to said casing, guide means extending between said anchor and said support, a vertical assembly of series-connected drilling devices including a control gate having a gate ram and a safety release joint barrel unit, said unit being matable with said mandrel, said assembly defining a drill pipe passageway and said gate ram being operable into a position closing off said drill pipe passageway, means for sliding the assembly up and down the guide means, an upright marine conductor connected at its lower end to the said assembly of series-connected drilling devices and terminating at its upper end in the vicinity of the water surface, and means including connections and apparatus extending from said support for operating said control gate.

Claim 24

In combination with a well drilling string, apparatus for drilling a well in a formation under water, comprising a support, a casing positioned in said formation and having its upper end substantially at the surface thereof, said casing being sealingly cemented in said formation, a safety release joint mandrel secured to the upper end of said casing, an anchor device secured to said casing, guide means extending between said anchor and said support, a vertical assembly of series-connected drilling devices including a control gate having a gate ram and a safety release joint barrel unit, said unit being matable with said mandrel, said assembly defining a drill pipe passageway and said gate ram being operable into a position closing off said drill pipe passageway, means for sliding the assembly up and down the guide means, an upright marine conductor connected at its lower end to the said assembly of series-connected drilling devices and terminating at its upper end in the vicinity of the water surface, and means including connections and apparatus extending from said support for operating said control gate.

Claim 25

In combination with a well drilling string, apparatus for drilling a well in a formation under water, comprising a support, a casing positioned in said formation and having its upper end substantially at the surface thereof, said casing being sealingly cemented in said formation, a safety release joint mandrel secured to the upper end of said casing, an anchor device secured to said casing, flexible guides secured to and extending between said anchor device and said support, a vertical assembly of series-connected drilling devices including a control gate having a gate ram and a safety release joint barrel unit, said unit being matable with said mandrel, said assembly defining a drill pipe passageway, and said gate ram being operable into a position closing off said drill pipe passageway, means on said assembly for slidable engagement with said flexible guides, means including connections and apparatus extending from said support for operating said control gate, and means for lowering and raising said assembly from and to said support.

Claim 26

In combination with a well drilling string, apparatus for drilling a well in a formation under water, comprising a support, a casing positioned in said formation and having its upper end substantially at the surface thereof, said casing being sealingly cemented in said formation, a safety release joint mandrel secured to the upper end of said casing, an anchor device secured to said casing, flexible guides secured to and extending between said anchor device and said support, a vertical assembly of series-connected drilling devices including a control gate having a gate ram and a safety release joint barrel unit, said unit being matable with said mandrel, said assembly defining a drill pipe passageway, and said gate ram being operable into a position closing off said drill pipe passageway, means on said assembly for slidable engagement with said flexible guides, means including connections and apparatus extending from said support for operating said control gate, and means for lowering and raising said assembly from and to said support.

Claim 27

In combination with a well drilling string, apparatus for drilling a well in a formation under water, comprising a support, a casing positioned in said formation and having its upper end substantially at the surface thereof, said casing being sealingly cemented in said formation, a safety release joint mandrel secured to the upper end of said casing, an anchor device secured to said casing, flexible guides secured to and extending between said anchor and said support, A vertical assembly of series-connected drilling devices including a control gate having a gate ram and a safety release joint barrel unit, said unit being matable with said mandrel, said assembly defining a drill pipe passageway, and said gate ram being operable into a position closing off said drill pipe passageway, means on said assembly for slidable engagement with said flexible guides, means including connections and apparatus extending from said support for operating said control gate, and means engageable by a ram of said gate for supporting said assembly from said support.

Claim 28

In combination with a well drilling string, apparatus for drilling a well in a formation under water, comprising a support, a casing positioned in said formation and having its upper end substantially at the surface thereof, said casing being sealingly cemented in said formation, a safety release joint mandrel secured to the upper end of said casing, an anchor device secured to said casing, flexible guides secured to and extending between said anchor and said support, A vertical assembly of series-connected drilling devices including a control gate having a gate ram and a safety release joint barrel unit, said unit being matable with said mandrel, said assembly defining a drill pipe passageway, and said gate ram being operable into a position closing off said drill pipe passageway, means on said assembly for slidable engagement with said flexible guides, means including connections and apparatus extending from said support for operating said control gate, and means engageable by a ram of said gate for supporting said assembly from said support.