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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Sumberged buoyant offshore drilling and production tower

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5358148
A submerged tubular tower is connected at its lower end to an ocean floor at a site where at least one subsea hydrocarbon well is to be drilled. A riser duct for each well to be drilled extends from an upwardly accessible connection point at the upper end of the tower to the lower end of the tower. The tower is positively buoyant to stand erect in an unguyed manner. The upper end of the tower is located a substantial distance above the ocean floor at a depth sufficiently small to enable wells to be drilled through the riser ducts, through equipment landed on the top of the tower, using floating drilling equipment designed for use in substantially shallower water depths.
Assignee:
Global Marine, Inc.
Patent Number(s):
US 4511287
OSTI ID:
5358148
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English