US3556208A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater production satellite
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
•
Filing: 1968-06-27
•
Granted: 1971-01-19
•
Expires: 1988-06-27
Abstract
Abstract This specification discloses a method for the production of subaqueous deposits of fluid minerals through a subsea satellite system. The wells are drilled in a circular pattern through a template on the marine bottom serving also as base upon which the satellite body is installed. The production and control passages of each of the wells are connected to production equipment within the satellite body by separate connector units, independently lowered into place from a surface vessel, to form portions of fluid paths between the passages within the subsea wellheads and the production equipment within the shell of the satellite. Such an installation permits production through the satellite, installed on the template base, after only one of the wells has been drilled and completed.
Inventors
- 👤 James T Dean
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:01
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/017; B; B63; B63G; B63G8/00; E21B33/00; E21B33/02; E21B33/03; E21B33/035; E21B41/00; E21B41/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
A method for exploiting subaqueous deposits of fluid minerals through a subsea production station, including the following steps: a. setting a base template, through which wells are to be drilled, on a marine bottom beneath the surface of a body of water; b. drilling at least one well through said base template; c. completing said at least one well with a subsea wellhead supported on said base template; d. releasably installing a production satellite body beneath the surface of said body of water on said base template; e. subsequent to step (d), fluidly connecting said at least one completed well with production facilities through said production satellite body by means of a substantially rigid connector unit releasably connected between said at least one subsea wellhead supported on said base template and said production satellite body installed on said base template; f. subsequent to connecting said at least one completed well with production facilities through said production satellite body, drilling at least one more well through said base template; g. completing said at least one more well with a subsea wellhead supported on said base template; and h. fluidly connecting said at least one more completed well with said production facilities through said subsea production satellite body by means of a substantially rigid connector unit releasably connected between said at least one more subsea wellhead supported on said base template and said prOduction satellite body releasably installed on said base template.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
240 words
A method for exploiting subaqueous deposits of fluid minerals through a subsea production station, including the following steps: a. setting a base template, through which wells are to be drilled, on a marine bottom beneath the surface of a body of water; b. drilling at least one well through said base template; c. completing said at least one well with a subsea wellhead supported on said base template; d. releasably installing a production satellite body beneath the surface of said body of water on said base template; e. subsequent to step (d), fluidly connecting said at least one completed well with production facilities through said production satellite body by means of a substantially rigid connector unit releasably connected between said at least one subsea wellhead supported on said base template and said production satellite body installed on said base template; f. subsequent to connecting said at least one completed well with production facilities through said production satellite body, drilling at least one more well through said base template; g. completing said at least one more well with a subsea wellhead supported on said base template; and h. fluidly connecting said at least one more completed well with said production facilities through said subsea production satellite body by means of a substantially rigid connector unit releasably connected between said at least one more subsea wellhead supported on said base template and said prOduction satellite body releasably installed on said base template.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method for exploiting subaqueous deposits of fluid minerals through a subsea satellite station, as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one well is drilled and completed, and said production satellite body is installed, substantially from a floating station.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3111692A
Cited
US3448799A
Cited
US3353364A
Cited
US3261398A
Cited
US3322193A
Cited
US3401746A
Cited
US3384169A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-18 | 1974-07-20 | 1975-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-18 | 1978-07-20 | 1979-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-18 | 1982-07-20 | 1983-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |