Method and means for storing a marine riser

Patent · Tue Nov 25 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:7229784

Aagaard, P M

A system is described for use in offshore drilling in seas where conditions may require moving the drilling vessel from location and which includes a marine riser extending from a primary bore-hole to the drilling vessel comprising: a primary borehole being drilled to an extended depth into the seafloor; wellhead means positioned above the primary borehole and in operable relationship therewith, the wellhead means including coupling means for detachably connecting a marine riser thereto; a marine riser extending from a surface vessel to the primary borehole and disconnectably attached to the coupling means; an auxiliary borehole having a depth substantially as deep as the length of the marine riser. The auxiliary borehole is located closely adjacent to the primary borehole for receiving the marine riser when the marine riser is detached from the coupling means and is positioned above the auxiliary borehole; draw works means on the drilling vessel, the draw works means for use in raising and lowering the marine riser and including a riser running tool disconnectable connectable to the upper end of the marine riser, and control means on the lower end of the marine riser operable in cooperation with the draw works means to position the lower end of the marine riser respectively over the auxiliary borehole and to lower the marine riser into the auxiliary borehole. This is done when it is desired to store the marine riser in the auxiliary borehole and to remove the marine riser from the auxiliary borehole and to position the lower end of the marine riser over the wellhead means for connection with the coupling means when it is desired to reconnect the marine riser to the primary borehole.

• Assignee: Chevron Research Co., San Francisco, CA
• Patent Number(s): US 4624318
• OSTI ID: 7229784
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
BOREHOLES
CAVITIES
CONDUCTOR DEVICES
CONNECTORS
COUPLINGS
DEPTH
DIMENSIONS
DRILLING
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
HOISTING
HOISTS
MARINE RISERS
MATERIALS HANDLING
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OFFSHORE DRILLING
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
OIL WELLS
PIPES
POSITIONING
SEA BED
SEAS
SHIPS
SURFACE WATERS
WELLHEADS
WELLS