Triple Activity Drilling Ship

• US 20150083432A1
• Filed: 12/01/2014
• Published: 03/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stena Drilling Limited (Stena Sphere)
• Original Assignee: Stena Drilling Limited (Stena Sphere)
• Inventors: Humphreys, Gavin
• Granted Patent: US 9,217,302 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/352
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 35/4413 Floating drilling platforms, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 15/02 specially adapted for underwater drilling E21B15/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/002 specially adapted for underwater drilling E21B19/09, E21B19/143 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/004 supporting a riser from a drilling or production platform
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/043 specially adapted for underwater well heads E21B33/0407, E21B33/047 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/064 specially adapted for underwater well heads
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/12 Underwater drilling using heave compensators E21B19/09
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/128 from floating support with independent underwater anchored guide base

Abstract

A triple activity drilling ship may be provided with two separate drilling centers, each including drilling apparatus. In addition, a trolley that is capable of supporting tubulars may be positioned between a first position within one of said drilling centers and a second position outside that drilling center. As a result, the trolley may be used to hold assembled tubulars while other activities are ongoing in one or more of the drilling centers.

Claims

1. A drilling ship comprising:

a first center including first tubular handling apparatus to drill in a hole;

a second center including second tubular handling apparatus to drill in said hole; and

a trolley to hang first and second tubulars, said trolley positionable in a first position under at least one of the centers and positionable in a second position displaced from under one of said centers, such that first tubulars handled by said first tubular handling apparatus and said second tubulars handled by said second tubular handling apparatus are run into said hole at different times without moving the ship by using said trolley to move said first and second tubulars over said hole.

2. The ship of claim 1 wherein said first and second centers include hydraulic RAMS.

3. The ship of claim 1 wherein said first center including drilling apparatus.

4. The ship of claim 3 wherein said second position is beneath said second center.

5. The ship of claim 1 wherein said trolley to roll between said first and second centers.

6. A method comprising:

making and connecting tubulars on a ship while the ship is en route to a drilling site; and

extending said tubulars below said ship before arriving at the drilling site and while en route to said site.

7. The method of claim 6 including assembling a blowout preventer and riser before completing dynamic positioning of said ship.

8. The method of claim 6 including assembling a casing before completing dynamic positioning.

9. The method of claim 6 including assembling conductor before arriving at a drilling location.

10. The method of claim 6 including using a trolley to move assembled tubulars.

11. The method of claim 10 including using a first and second tubular handling center.

12. The method of claim 11 including moving said trolley from a first position under said first tubular handling center to a second position out from under said first tubular handling center.

13. The method of claim 12 including drilling from said second tubular handling center.

14. The method of claim 10 including assembling a casing on said second tubular handling center, transferring said casing to said trolley, and moving said casing from said second tubular handling center.

15. The method of claim 14 including, after transferring said casing, assembling tubulars including a conductor on said second tubular handling center.

16. The method of claim 15 including jetting in said conductor from said second tubular handling center.

17. The method of claim 16 including withdrawing said conductor and securing said casing to said second tubular handling center after withdrawing said conductor.

18. The method of claim 17 including inserting said casing through said conductor.

19. The method of claim 6 including running a riser and blowout preventer into the sea from a first tubular handling center.

20. The method of claim 19 including, at the same time the marine riser and blowout preventer are being run, running a conductor.

21. The method of claim 20 including refraining from running said marine riser and blowout preventer when said conductor is in contact with the seabed floor.