System for moving drilling module to fixed platform
First Claim
1. A method for transferring a drilling module from a jack-up rig to a fixed platform wherein the fixed platform comprises legs secured to an ocean floor and wherein the jack-up rig comprises telescoping legs movable in upwardly and downwardly directions and wherein a portion of the jack-up rig is moveable in upwardly and downwardly directions and a cantilever beam assembly having a rearward end and means for moving the cantilever beam assembly from a storage position wherein the cantilever beam assembly is supported generally on the jack-up rig to extended positions wherein the rearward end portion of the cantilever beam assembly is extended distances generally from the jack-up rig, the method comprising:
- supporting the drilling module on the cantilever beam assembly;
positioning the jack-up rig near the fixed platform;
moving the cantilever beam assembly with the drilling module supported thereon to an extended position wherein the drilling module is supported generally over a portion of the fixed platform; and
removing the drilling module from the cantilever beam assembly and supporting the drilling module on the fixed platform.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A jack-up rig includes a cantilever beam assembly and a drilling module is mounted on the cantilever beam assembly. The jack-up rig also includes means for moving the cantilever beam assembly from the storage position to extended positions wherein a rearward end of the cantilever beam assembly is extended from the jack-up rig. The fixed platform comprises a fixed platform support structure having a drilling module support surface and a beam opening. The jack-up rig is positioned near the fixed platform with the cantilever beam assembly generally aligned with the beam opening in the fixed platform support structure. The cantilever beam assembly then is extended through a portion of the beam opening to an extended position wherein the drilling module is supported on the cantilever beam assembly a distance generally above the drilling module support surface. The jack-up rig then is lowered to a position wherein the drilling module is supported on the fixed platform support structure. The cantilever beam assembly then is withdrawn from the beam opening and moved to the storage position thereby leaving the drilling module supported on the drilling module support surface of the fixed platform support structure. A bridge is movably connected to the fixed platform and the jack-up rig. A floor is removably supported on the cantilever beam assembly generally below the drilling module.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method for transferring a drilling module from a jack-up rig to a fixed platform wherein the fixed platform comprises legs secured to an ocean floor and wherein the jack-up rig comprises telescoping legs movable in upwardly and downwardly directions and wherein a portion of the jack-up rig is moveable in upwardly and downwardly directions and a cantilever beam assembly having a rearward end and means for moving the cantilever beam assembly from a storage position wherein the cantilever beam assembly is supported generally on the jack-up rig to extended positions wherein the rearward end portion of the cantilever beam assembly is extended distances generally from the jack-up rig, the method comprising:
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supporting the drilling module on the cantilever beam assembly; positioning the jack-up rig near the fixed platform; moving the cantilever beam assembly with the drilling module supported thereon to an extended position wherein the drilling module is supported generally over a portion of the fixed platform; and removing the drilling module from the cantilever beam assembly and supporting the drilling module on the fixed platform. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for transferring a drilling module having a lower substructure support surface from a jack-up rig to a fixed platform wherein the fixed platform comprises legs secured to an ocean floor and wherein the jack-up rig comprises telescoping legs movable in upwardly and downwardly directions and wherein a portion of the jack-up rig is moveable in generally upwardly and downwardly directions and a cantilever beam assembly having a rearward end and a beam support surface and means for moving the cantilever beam assembly from a storage position wherein the cantilever beam assembly is supported generally on the jack-up rig to extended positions wherein the rearward end portion of the cantilever beam assembly is extended distances generally from the jack-up rig, the apparatus comprising:
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a fixed platform support structure connected to the fixed platform having a drilling module support surface, a front end, a rear end, a first side and a second side; and means for supporting the drilling module on the beam support surface of the cantilever beam assembly, said means being extendable by the cantilever beam assembly to an extended position for disposing the drilling module from the cantilever beam assembly on to the drilling module support surface of the fixed platform support structure, said means also supporting the drilling module on the drilling module support surface of the fixed platform support structure when the drilling module is transferred to the drilling module support surface. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification