Underwater drilling rig assembly and method of operating the underwater drilling rig assembly
a technology assembly methods, applied in the direction of drilling pipes, drilling/well accessories, sealing/packing, etc., can solve the problems of high cost, hazardous operations, and increased maintenance difficulty of structures, and achieve the effect of facilitating remote control of underwater drilling rigs
Inactive Publication Date: 2015-07-16
CONOCOPHILLIPS CO
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Benefits of technology
The patent provides a method and assembly for underwater drilling using a rig assembly. The rig assembly has a hull with a control unit that can be controlled from a surface vessel. The assembly also includes legs and a mast unit for drill pipe operation. The technical effect of this invention is the ability to remotely control the underwater drilling rig assembly, making it more efficient and flexible for drilling operations.
Problems solved by technology
Drilling for hydrocarbons (e.g., oil and gas) offshore poses a number of challenges that are not a consideration during onshore drilling operations.
Such a structure becomes more challenging to maintain during deepwater operations.
Often, the drilling operations must be interrupted during extreme weather conditions, which involve hazardous operations and high costs.
For example, in the Arctic ice forces can be high and conventional drilling vessels cannot resist ice forces and therefore cannot drill in areas with heavy ice or require a high level of ice management support that is often not feasible.
Maintaining precise position over the seabed rig with the surface vessel includes several challenges due to harsh environment conditions described above and does not fully overcome the disadvantages associated with drilling platforms in such environments.
Method used
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[0013]Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not as a limitation of the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made in the invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the invention cover such modifications and variations that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0014]Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a portion of an underwater drilling rig assembly 10 is illustrated in a partially installed and assembled condition. The underwater drilling rig assembly 10 is depicted in a submarine environment. This environment, which may be refe...
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An underwater drilling rig assembly includes a hull anchored to a sea floor with at least one anchoring component. Also included is a rig assembly disposed on the hull. Further included is a mast unit of the rig assembly. Yet further included is a pipe handling unit configured to maneuver a drill pipe into operative communication with the mast unit. Also included is a drill bit assembly operatively coupled to the mast unit. Further included is a control unit positioned proximate the sea floor and in operative communication with a plurality of components of the underwater drilling rig assembly, the control unit operatively coupled to at least one surface vessel for remote control of the underwater drilling rig assembly.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a non-provisional application which claims benefit under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 928,213 filed Jan. 16, 2014, entitled “UNDERWATER DRILLING RIG ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE UNDERWATER DRILLING RIG ASSEMBLY,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to offshore or underwater drilling systems and, more particularly, to an underwater drilling rig assembly, as well as a method of installing and operating the underwater drilling rig assembly.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Drilling for hydrocarbons (e.g., oil and gas) offshore poses a number of challenges that are not a consideration during onshore drilling operations. Typically, floating or fixed platforms that are equipped with drilling equipment are employed to facilitate the offshore drilling operation. A riser connection between the platform and the sea floor is...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): E21B7/124E21B33/038E21B44/00E21B17/00E21B43/10E21B41/08E21B17/01
CPCE21B7/124E21B41/08E21B33/038E21B44/00E21B17/003E21B43/10E21B17/01
InventorSHAFER, RANDALL SCOTTNOBLE, PETER GEORGE
OwnerCONOCOPHILLIPS CO