×

System for moving drilling module to fixed platform

  • US 5,052,860 A
  • Filed: 06/11/1990
  • Issued: 10/01/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1989
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method for transferring a drilling module from a jack-up rig t a fixed platform wherein the fixed platform comprises a fixed platform support structure connected to legs which are secured to an ocean floor and wherein the fixed platform support structure has a drilling module support surface disposed thereon and wherein the jack-up rig comprises telescoping legs and wherein a portion of the jack-up rig is movable and upwardly and downwardly directions on each of the leg and wherein a cantilever beam assembly is supported on the jack-up rig and wherein having a forward end and a rearward end 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 is supported on 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;

    aligning the drilling module with the drilling module support surface by moving the jack-up rig upwardly or downwardly on at least one of the legs supporting the jack-up rig until the drilling module generally is aligned with an angular disposition of the drilling module support surface on the fixed platform support structure; and

    moving the cantilever beam assembly with the drilling module supported thereon to an extended position wherein the drilling module is supported generally over the drilling module support surface;

    removing the drilling module form the cantilever beam assembly and supporting the drilling module on the drilling module support surface on the fixed platform;

    wherein the drilling module includes a lower substructure support surface and wherein the cantilever beam assembly includes a beam support surface and wherein a portion of the drilling module is supported on the beam support surface and wherein the method further comprises;

    connecting a fixed platform support structure to the fixed platform wherein the drilling module support surface is disposed on the fixed platform support structure and wherein the fixed platform support structure has a front end, an rear end and beam opening extending through the front end of the fixed platform support structure and extending a distance generally toward the rear end of the fixed platform support structure; and

    wherein the step of aligning the drilling module is further defined as aligning the drilling module with the beam opening in the fixed platform support structure and with the lower substructure support surface of the drilling module being disposed in an angular plane spaced a distance generally above an angular plane in which the drilling module support surface of the fixed platform support structure is disposed; and

    wherein the step of moving the cantilever beam assembly to the extended position is further defined as moving the cantilever beam assembly with the drilling module supported thereon from the jack-up rig and through at least a portion of the beam opening in the fixed platform support structure to a position wherein the lower substructure support surface of the drilling module is disposed a distance generally above the drilling module support surface of the fixed platform support structure; and

    wherein the step of removing the drilling module from the cantilever beam assembly further comprises;

    lowering a portion of the jack-up rig in a generally downwardly direction to lower the cantilever beam assembly to a position wherein the lower substructure support surface of the drilling module is disposed generally on the drilling module support surface of ht fixed platform support structure and further lowering the jack-up rig to lower the cantilever beam assembly to a position wherein the beam support surface is spaced a distance generally below the lower substructure support surface of the drilling module thereby disconnecting the cantilever beam assembly from the drilling module.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×