Method of installing well conductors
US5060731A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 22, 1991 |
| Grant date | Oct 29, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B19/002
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
This invention pertains to a method of installing well conductors in such a way that the load upon the platform is significantly reduced thereby also eliminating the need for additional framing members. In accordance with this method, an end region of a well conductor is plugged which, if the conductor has a diameter-to-wall thickness ratio of about thirty to one (30:1), will cause the conductor to achieve nearly neutral buoyancy. By selectively adjusting the buoyancy of the conductor, such as by flooding or de-ballasting, additional conductor lengths may be added without imposing an unduly large load upon the platform. In this fashion, a smaller crane will be able to lower the conductor string without the need for a much larger derrick crane, which may then be more efficiently used solely to upend and stab the elongated conductors through the platform.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.