Apparatus associated with sub-sea operations
Inactive Publication Date: 2013-12-26
FUGRO SEACORE
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Benefits of technology
The present invention is a method and apparatus for drilling oil and gas wells at the subsea location. Instead of using a surface vessel to operate the drilling assembly, this invention utilizes a conduit (e.g. riser) connected to the surface to allow for real-time monitoring and servicing of the drilling operation. The invention eliminates the need for heave compensation and reduces downtime due to the transporting of containers. The main technical effects of this invention include improved control over drilling operation, reduced risks of drilling accidents, and improved efficiency in drilling wells at remote locations.
Problems solved by technology
The drilling of bores for whatever purpose in a seabed at considerable depths is well known to be a difficult and costly process.
In practice, such movements are as far as possible accommodated by using a so-called heave compensation facility which employs resilient means such as spring compensation to accommodate the rise and fall (i.e., heave) of a vessel as a result of water displacements such as swell in such manner that the drill at the bottom of the drill string is not subjected to excessive undesired displacements relative to the seabed resulting in inefficient drill operation.
However, problems arise in providing adequate heave compensation when drilling in deep water.
In particular, the drill string and riser are subject to flexing under the action of waves and currents in the water.
As a result, control of the drilling operation becomes difficult.
The interaction between the resilient compensation means and the resilience of the tubular core string prevents precise control of the rate of penetration of the drill into the seabed.
However, such remote drilling operations present difficulties with accurate control of the drilling operation and do not allow for core samples to be recovered to the surface in real time.
This does not allow for accurate monitoring of the drilling and sampling operation.
Method used
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[0058]Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of which FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the general construction of a so called sub-frame 1 that serves as a docking stowing unit for a deep sea drill module unit (not shown in FIG. 1).
[0059]The upper end of the sub-frame 1 connects with the lower end of a primary tubular conduit 2 by means of which the sub-frame is deployed from an appropriate vessel (not shown). The sub-frame 1 can be conveniently regarded as an independent docking station assembly including an upper section 3 connected with the lower end region 4 of the conduit 2 and lower section 5 that is intended firmly to engage with the seabed. The upper and lower sections 3 and 4 are inter-coupled by a main frame 6.
[0060]The upper section 3 includes an upstanding tubular member 7 which is engaged by the lower end region 4 of the conduit 2.
[0061]The upper section 3 is provided with Vee shaped members 8 located along a common transverse line and positioned one to each side of the tubular...
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A method of drilling a bore at a subsea location is provided, the method comprising providing a remotely operated drilling assembly at a subsurface location; providing a conduit extending from the surface of the water to the remotely operated drilling assembly; and drilling the bore at the subsea location using the remotely operated drilling assembly. An apparatus for conducting a drilling operation at the seabed comprises a remotely operable drilling assembly deployed at a subsea location; and a conduit extending from the drilling assembly to the surface of the water.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]This invention relates to subsea operations and more particularly to deep water seabed drilling operations that are required to be carried out at considerable depths, for example 2000 metres or more. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for performing such subsea operations. The method and apparatus find particular use in subsea drilling operations, for example but not limited to, core sampling operations.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The drilling of bores for whatever purpose in a seabed at considerable depths is well known to be a difficult and costly process.[0003]Presently two principle methods / techniques are currently used for the handling of drills for drilling into a seabed, in particular a hard, i.e. rock, seabed.[0004]The first of these involves the provision of a drill at the end of a so-called drill string deployed from a dynamically positioned vessel. In practice, when drilling a seabed at the depths such as abov...
Claims
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Login to View More IPC IPC(8): E21B25/18E21B41/00
CPCE21B25/18E21B41/0007E21B7/124
InventorGLEADOWE, JOHN RICHARD YORKERAMPLEY, MARCUS
OwnerFUGRO SEACORE