DEVICE FOR OFF-CENTERING ABOVE-WATER ARTICULATED MULTIPLE-DRILLING STRUCTURES

• US 3,789,921 A
• Filed: 03/01/1972
• Issued: 02/05/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Andre Capdeboscq, Christian Dechassy
• Original Assignee: Andre Capdeboscq, Christian Dechassy
• Inventors: Capdeboscq, Andre, DeChassy, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Schroeder, Werner H.
• Application Number:
  US05/230,918
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• Field of Search: 166/.5,.6,52,263 175/5,7,8,9,10 61/46,46.5,81
• US Class Current: 166/351
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 35/4406 Articulated towers, i.e. substantially floating structures comprising a slender tower-like hull anchored relative to the marine bed by means of a single articulation, e.g. using an articulated bearing
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 15/003 adapted to be moved on their substructure, e.g. with skidding means; adapted to drill a plurality of wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/017 Production satellite stations, i.e. underwater installations comprising a plurality of satellite well heads connected to a central station
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/128 from floating support with independent underwater anchored guide base

Abstract

A device for off-centering an above-water articulated drilling structure in relation to a base on the seabed, consisting of a roller-table on the base, surmounted by a vertical pivot-shaft, a circular roller-path, also on the base and concentric with the pivot, an off-centering carriage that can revolve round the pivot, supported by the roller-table and roller-path, and with a guide-ramp along which the lower end of the main articulation of the structure can slide, and means for rotating the carriage and sliding the articulated structure along the guide-ramp.

Claims

1. A device for mounting a structure which projects above the water in an eccentric position with respect to an underwater base, said device comprising a carriage, means supporting said carriage for rotation on said base about a vertical shaft which is located centrally of said base but eccentrically of said carriage, means supporting said structure on said carriage for transverse movement relative to said shaft, and means for rotating said carriage on said base and for moving said structure on said carriage.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which said carriage has an opening therein through which an article lOwered from said structure can pass to reach said base.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which said structure comprises two parts articulated to each other.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which said structure contains a central vertical passage and a plurality of additional passages arranged in a circle centered on said central passage.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 in which said structure supporting means is a ramp positioned to permit movement of said structure between a position in which said central vertical passage is in alignment with the vertical shaft on said base and a position in which one of said additional passages is so aligned.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which said carriage-supporting means comprises a circular roller-path on said base and a plurality of rollers mounted to roll on said path between said base and carriage.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 in which said means for rotating said carriage on said base comprises a rack parallel to said roller path and power means carried by said structure for actuating drive means engaging said rack.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7 in which said power means comprises at least one jack.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for moving said structure on said carriage comprises a rack and power means which actuates drive means cooperating with said rack.