US3866676A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protective structure for submerged wells
Assignee: Texaco Development Corp
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Filing: 1973-05-23
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Granted: 1975-02-18
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Expires: 1993-05-23
Abstract
Abstract A hydrocarbon producing well located at an offshore site, completely submerged beneath the water. The well includes a flow line extending from a reservoir in the substrate, which flow line passes along the floor of the body of water, and thence to a collection point. Flow control mechanism at the well head regulates fluid flow through said line. A casing extending into the substrate and terminating at the floor of the latter, substantially surrounds and forms a protective barrier about the upper portion of the flow line. The casing is provided with means for actuating the flow control mechanism whereby to discontinue fluid flow through the line under emergency conditions at such time as the actuating means is tripped.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert B Burns
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:08
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B33/00; E21B33/02; E21B33/03; E21B33/035; E21B33/037; E21B34/00; E21B34/02; E21B34/025; E21B34/04; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
Well structure for a hydrocarbon fluid producing well submerged beneath a body of water subject to moving ice masses and other floating objects which might scour the substrate, said well including; a flow line embedded into said substrate beneath said body of water to conduct hydrocarbon fluid from a subterranean reservoir, a caisson surrounding the upper end of said flow line, extending downwardly into the substrate from the surface of the latter, and defining a cavity, flow control means connected into said flow line, being operable to regulate the fluid passage through the latter, and being disposed at the floor of said cavity a predetermined distance to avoid contact with substrate scouring ice masses, said flow control means including a remotely operated flow shut off means, and a trigger mechanism connected to said caisson and to said flow shut off means respectively, whereby to actuate the latter and discontinue said fluid flow at such time as said caisson is damaged by scouring action of a moving ice mass.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
Well structure for a hydrocarbon fluid producing well submerged beneath a body of water subject to moving ice masses and other floating objects which might scour the substrate, said well including; a flow line embedded into said substrate beneath said body of water to conduct hydrocarbon fluid from a subterranean reservoir, a caisson surrounding the upper end of said flow line, extending downwardly into the substrate from the surface of the latter, and defining a cavity, flow control means connected into said flow line, being operable to regulate the fluid passage through the latter, and being disposed at the floor of said cavity a predetermined distance to avoid contact with substrate scouring ice masses, said flow control means including a remotely operated flow shut off means, and a trigger mechanism connected to said caisson and to said flow shut off means respectively, whereby to actuate the latter and discontinue said fluid flow at such time as said caisson is damaged by scouring action of a moving ice mass.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
In a well structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said caisson includes; cylindrical upper and lower sections, said upper section extending from the substrate surface to said flow control means, and including a plurality of horizontally positioned caisson segments being connected at peripherally spaced breakaway joints.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
In a well structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said caisson includes; an upper end having a lip extending upward beyond the substrate surface, and said trigger mechanism being operably connected to said caisson upper end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
In a well structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said flow control means includes; a power source disposed adjacent to the flow control means at the floor of said cavity, and communicated therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
In a well structure as defined in claim 1, including; a reservoir of pressurized actuatinG fluid and valve means communicated therewith, said valve means being connected to said trigger mechanism whereby to be operated in response to displacement of the trigger mechanism when said well caisson is contacted by scouring ice.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a well structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said flow control means includes; a quick acting valve communicated with a reservoir holding a pressurized actuating fluid, said quick acting valve being normally maintained in fully open position, and said trigger mechanism being operably connected to said pressurized actuating fluid whereby to regulate the same and thereby adjust said quick acting valve to a closed position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
In a well structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said caisson includes; at least a portion thereof being formed of horizonally disposed segmented sections adjacent of said sections being connected at peripherally spaced breakaway joints.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
In a well structure as defined in claim 7, wherein said well flow line extends longitudinally of said caisson upper end, and said trigger mechanism includes cable means operably connected to the respective horizontally positioned caisson segments to adjust said flow control means to a closed position when the relative disposition of a caisson segment is disrupted due to scouring action of ice.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
In a well structure as defined in claim 7, wherein said flow line extends longitudinally of said caisson upper end, said trigger means includes at least one bracket connected to the flow line, and cable means connected at one end thereof to said at least one bracket engaging the respective horizontally disposed caisson segments, whereby to adjust said flow control means to the closed position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a well structure as defined in claim 9, wherein said at least one bracket includes; a collar carried on said flow line, a plurality of arms extending radially from said collar, and said trigger mechanism including a plurality of cables, each connected at one end thereof to said flow line bracket and to the respective caisson horizontal segments, whereby to adjust said flow control means to a closed position when said flow line is vertically displaced with respect to said caisson.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-17 | 1978-08-19 | 1979-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-17 | 1982-08-19 | 1983-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-17 | 1986-08-19 | 1987-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |