MOBILE OFFSHORE DRILLING UNIT

• US 20130075102A1
• Filed: 03/29/2011
• Published: 03/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bui V. Dao
• Original Assignee: Bui V. Dao
• Inventors: Dao, Bui V.
• Application Number:
  US13/638,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20130075102A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/335
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 1/107 Semi-submersibles; Small waterline area multiple hull vessels and the like, e.g. SWATH
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2001/128 comprising underwater connectors between the hulls
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2241/08 polygonal
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 35/4413 Floating drilling platforms, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 15/00 Supports for the drilling machine, e.g. derricks or masts
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/14 Racks, ramps, troughs or bins, for holding the lengths of rod singly or connected; Handling between storage place and borehole E21B19/20, E21B19/22 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/01 specially adapted for obtaining from underwater installations
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/132 from underwater buoyant support

Abstract

A semisubmersible mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) includes a submersible lower hull comprising a ring pontoon having a trapezoidal shape; an upper hull having the trapezoidal shape; three stability columns supporting the upper hull from the lower hull; and a drilling rig. The MODU may be operated in a tender assist mode or an independent drilling mode. The MODU may be equipped to prepare, drill, and complete a subsea wellbore or to workover an existing subsea wellbore.

Claims

1. A semisubmersible mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU), comprising:

a submersible lower hull comprising a ring pontoon having a trapezoidal shape;

an upper hull having the trapezoidal shape;

three stability columns supporting the upper hull from the lower hull; and

a drilling rig.

2. The MODU of claim 1, further comprising a crane operable to hoist the drilling rig to a platform for a tender assist mode;

and an umbilical for powering the drilling rig from the MODU in the tender assist mode.

3. The MODU of claim 1, further comprising a moonpool, wherein the drilling rig is deployable over the moonpool for a drilling mode.

4. The MODU of claim 1, wherein the MODU is operable to prepare, drill, and complete a subsea wellbore.

5. The MODU of claim 1, wherein the MODU is operable to workover a subsea wellbore.