Assembly and floatation method for drilling drivepipe
US6715962B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 4, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 6, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 4, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B19/002
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method for assembling and delivering a drivepipe to a drill site. The method has the following steps: The drivepipe is assembled at a shoreline assembly station. Floatation devices are attached to the drivepipe and the drivepipe is floated in the ocean. The drivepipe is towed with tow vessels to a drill site. The drivepipe is delivered in a horizontal orientation to a drilling vessel at the drill site. An upper end of the drivepipe is attached to the drilling vessel and the tow vessels are detached from the drivepipe. The drivepipe is pivoted about its point of attachment to the drilling vessel until the drivepipe is vertically oriented. The buoyancy function of the floatation devices attached to the drivepipe is deactivated. The floatation devices are removed from the drivepipe. The drivepipe is equipped with a driving mechanism and the drivepipe is lowered with a running string from the drilling vessel to the sea bed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.