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

• Current Assignee: Transworld Drilling Co. (Tronox Holdings Plc)
• Original Assignee: Transworld Drilling Co. (Tronox Holdings Plc)
• Inventors: Ingle, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Corbin, David H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): OLSEN, ARLEN
• Application Number:
  US07/535,792
• Time in Patent Office: 477 Days
• Field of Search: 405/196, 405/201, 405/203, 405/204, 405/208, 14/28, 14/29, 14/30, 14/31, 14/32, 14/72.5, 414/139.6, 414/137.7, 414/138.7, 414/137.9, 414/138.1
• US Class Current: 405/201
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 17/021 with relative movement between supporting construction and platform
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 2017/006 with lattice style supporting legs

Abstract

A system for aligning a drilling module on a jack-up rig with a drilling module support surface on a fixed rig wherein the angular disposition of the drilling module is varied by moving a portion of the jack-up rig on at least one of the legs of the jack-up rig to bring the angular disposition of the drilling module into alignment with the angular disposition of the drilling module support surface on the fixed rig prior to transferring the drilling module from the jack-up rig to the fixed rig. The system also includes a position assembly for positioning the drilling module on the drilling module support surface in a predetermined aligned position.

Claims

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.

2. An apparatus for positioning a drilling module having opposite sides, comprising:

a first beam having an upper surface;

a second beam having an upper surface, the first beam being spaced a distance from the second beam;

restraining bar means connected to the first beam and having a plurality of spaced apart claw recesses formed therein;

restraining bar means connected to the upper surface of the second beam having a plurality of claw recesses formed therein, the restraining bar means on the first and the second beams cooperating to form a drilling module support surface;

two guide shoes with one guide shoe assembly being connected to one side of the drilling module and the other guide shoe assembly being connected to the opposite side of the drilling module, each guide shoe assembly comprising;

a pad base;

a claw support frame means connected to the pad base;

a claw support member movably connected to the claw support frame for movement in one direction to one position and for movement in another direction to another position;

a first claw connected to the claw support member and second claw connected to the claw support member, the first claw of the guide shoe connected to the one side of the drilling module being engagable with the claw recesses in the restraining bar means connected to the first beam in one position of the claw support member and the second claw of the guide shoe connected to the one side of the drilling module being engagable with the claw recesses in the restraining bar means connected to the first beam in the other position of the claw support member, and the first claw of the guide shoe connected to the opposite side of the drilling module being engagable with a claw recesses in the restraining bar means connected to the second beam in the one position of the claw support member and the second claw of the guide shoe connected to the opposite side of the drilling module being engagable with the claw recesses in the restraining bar means connected to the upper surface of the second beam in the one other position of the claw support member;

means for moving the pad bases of each of the guide shoes in a forward direction in one position of the claw support members whereby the first claw of the guide shoe connected to the one side of the drilling module engages the claw recesses in the restraining bar means connected to the first beam and the first claw of the guide shoe connected to the opposite side of the drilling module engages the claw recesses in the restraining bar means connected to the upper surface of the second beam for moving the drilling module in a generally forward direction, and for moving the pad bases of the guide shoes in a rearward direction in the one other position of the claw support member whereby the second claw of the guide shoe connected to the one side of the drilling module engages the claw recesses in the restraining bar means connected to the upper surface of the first beam and the second claw of the pad connected to the opposite side of the drilling module engages the claw recesses in the restraining bar means connected to the upper surface of the second beam for moving the pad bases and the drilling module connected thereto in a rearward direction, and for moving the pad base connected to the one side of the drilling module in a forward direction in the one position of the claw support member whereby the first claw of the guide shoe connected to the one side of the drilling module engages the claw recesses in the restraining bar means connected to the upper surface of the first beam for moving the drilling module in a first pivotal direction, and for moving the pad base of the guide shoe connected to the opposite side of the drilling module in a forward direction in one position of the claw support member whereby the first claw of the guide shoe connected to the opposite side of the drilling module engages the claw recesses in the restraining bar means connected to the upper surface of the second beam for moving the drilling module in an opposite second pivotal direction.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each claw support frame means further comprises:

a first claw frame support member connected to the pad base and extending a distance therefrom;

a second claw frame support member connected to the pad base and extending a distance therefrom, the second claw frame support member being spaced a distance from the first claw frame support member forming a claw space therebetween;

a claw support member being disposed generally in the claw space between the first and the second claw frames support member;

means for pivotally connecting the claw support member to the first and the second claw frame support members;

means for securing the claw support member in the one position and means for securing the claw support member in the other positions.

4. 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 and wherein a portion of the jack-up rig is movable in generally upwardly and downwardly directions on the legs and wherein a cantilever beam assembly, having a forward end, a rearward end and a beam support surface, is supported on the jack-rig and wherein 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 extend positions wherein the rearward end of the cantilever beam assembly is extended distances generally from the jack-up rig, is supported on the jack-up rig, the apparatus comprising:

a fixed platform support structure connected to the fixed platform having a drilling module support surface thereon;

means for supporting the drilling module on the beam support surface of the cantilever beam assembly whereby the cantilever beam assembly is extendible to an extended position for disposing the drilling module on the drilling module support surface on the fixed platform support structure;

means connected to the drilling module having a portion removably engageable with the drilling module support surface or moving the drilling module on the drilling module support surface in at least one of a forward direction, a rearward direction, a first pivotal direction and a generally opposite second pivotal direction to move the drilling module to a predetermined aligned position on the drilling module support surface;

comprising;

at least one guide shoe, each guide shoe being connected to the drilling module and each guide shoe comprising;

a pad base;

claw support frame means connected to the pad base;

a claw support member connected tot he claw support frame means;

claw means connected to the claw support member, said claw means being engageable with a portion of the drilling module support surface; and

means for moving the pad base whereby the claw means engages a portion of the drilling module support surface as the pad base is moved for moving the pad base and the drilling module connected thereto on the drilling module support surface.

5. 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 and wherein a portion of the jack-up rig is movable in generally upwardly and downwardly directions on the legs and wherein a cantilever beam assembly, having a forward and, a rearward end and a beam support surface, si supported on the jack-rig and wherein 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 of the cantilever beam assembly is extended distances generally from the jack-up rig, is supported on the jack-up rig, the apparatus comprising:

a fixed platform support structure connected to the fixed platform having a drilling module support surface thereon;

means for supporting the drilling module on the beam support surface of the cantilever beam assembly whereby the cantilever beam assembly is extendible to an extended position for disposing the drilling module on the drilling module support surface on the fixed platform support structure;

means connected to the drilling module having portion removably engageable with the drilling module support surface for moving the drilling module on the drilling module support surface in at least one of a forward direction, a rearward direction, a first pivotal direction and a generally opposite second pivotal direction to move the drilling module to a predetermined aligned position on the drilling module support surface;

comprising;

at least one guide shoe, each guide shoe being connected to the drilling module and each guide shoe comprising;

a pad base;

claw support frame means connected to the pad base;

a claw support member pivotally connected to the claw support frame means for pivotal movement in one direction and for pivotal movement in an opposite direction;

a first claw connected to the claw support member and being engageable with a portion of the drilling module support surface in one position of the claw support member;

a second claw connected to the claw support member and being engageable with the portion of the drilling module support surface in one other position of the claw support member; and

means for moving the pad base in one position of the claw support member whereby the first claw engages a portion of the drilling module support surface as the pad base is moved for moving the pad base and the drilling module connected thereto in the forward direction an for moving the pad base in one other position of the claw support member whereby the second claw engages a portion of the drilling module support surface as the pad base is moved for moving the pad base and the drilling module connected thereto on the drilling module support surface in a rearward direction.

6. An apparatus for transferring a drilling module having opposite sides and 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 and wherein a portion of the jack-up rig is movable in generally upwardly and downwardly directions on the legs and wherein a cantilever beam assembly, having a forward end, a rearward end an a beam support surface, is supported on the jack-rig and wherein 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 of the cantilever beam assembly is extended distances generally from the jack-up rig, is supported on the jack-up rig, the apparatus comprising:

a fixed platform support structure connected to the fixed platform having a drilling module support surface thereon;

means for supporting the drilling module on the beam support surface of the cantilever beam assembly whereby the cantilever beam assembly is extendible to an extended position for disposing the drilling module on the drilling module support surface on the fixed platform support structure;

means connected to the drilling module having portion removably engageable with the drilling module support surface for moving the drilling module on the drilling module support surface in at least one of a forward direction, a rearward direction, a first pivotal direction and a generally opposite second pivotal direction to move the drilling module to a predetermined aligned position on the drilling module support surface;

comprising;

at least one guide shoe connected to the drilling module and dispose generally near one side of the drilling module and at least one other guide shoe connected to the drilling module generally near the opposite side of the drilling module, each guide shoe comprising;

a pad base;

a claw support frame means connected to the pad base;

a claw support member pivotally connected to the claw support frame means for movement in one pivotal direction an for movement in an opposite pivotal direction;

a first claw connected to the claw support member and being engageable with a portion of the drilling module support surface in one position of the claw support member;

a second claw support connected to the claw support member and being engageable with a portion of the drilling module support surface in one other position of the claw support member; and

means for moving the pad base whereby, when the pad bases on both sides of the drilling module are moved in a forward direction in one position of the claw support member, the first claws of the guide shoes engage portions of the drilling module support surface for moving the pad base and the drilling module connected thereto in a forward direction on the drilling module support surface, and whereby, when the pad base of the guide shoes on both sides of the drilling module are moved in the rearward direction in one position of the claw support member, the second claws of the guide shoes each engage a portion of the drilling module support surface for moving the pad bases and the drilling module connected thereto on the drilling module support surface in a rearward direction, and whereby, when the pad base of the guide shoe on one side of the drilling module is moved in a forward direction in one position of the claw support member, the first claws of the guide shoe on the one side of the drilling module engage a portion of the drilling module support surface of moving the pad base and the drilling module connected thereto on the drilling module support surface in a first pivotal direction and whereby, when the pad base on the opposite side of the drilling module is moved in a forward direction in one position of the claw support member, the first claws on each guide shoe on the opposite side of the drilling module engage portions of the drilling module support surface for moving the pad base and the drilling module connected thereto on the drilling module support surface int he second pivotal direction.

7. An apparatus for transferring a drilling module having opposite sides and 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 an wherein the jack-up rig comprises telescoping legs and wherein a portion of the jack-up rig is movable in generally upwardly and downwardly directions on the legs and wherein a cantilever beam assembly, having a forward end, a rearward end and a beam support surface, is supported on the jack-rig and wherein 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 of the cantilever beam assembly is extended distances generally form the jack-up rig, is supported on the jack-up rig, the apparatus comprising:

a fixed platform support structure connected to the fixed platform having a drilling module support surface thereon;

means for supporting the drilling module on the beam support surface of the cantilever beam assembly whereby the cantilever beam assembly is extendible to an extended position for disposing the drilling module on the drilling module support surface on the fixed platform support structure;

means connected to the drilling module having portion removably engageable with the drilling module support surface for moving the drilling module on the drilling module support surface on the fixed platform support structure;

means connected to the drilling module having portion removably engageable with the drilling module support surface for moving the drilling module on the drilling module support surface in at least one of a forward direction, a rearward direction, a first pivotal direction and a generally opposite second pivotal direction to move the drilling module to a predetermined aligned position on the drilling module support surface;

comprising;

two guide shoes, one guide shoe being connected to one side of the drilling module and the other guide shoe being connected to the opposite side of the drilling module, each guide shoe comprising;

a pad base;

a first claw support frame connected to the pad base and extending a distance therefrom;

a second claw frame support member connected to the pad base and extending a distance therefrom, the second claw frame support member being spaced a distance from the first claw frame support member forming a claw space therebetween;

a claw support member disposed generally in the claw space and being pivotally connected to the first and the second claw frame support member for pivotal movement in one direction an for pivot movement in an opposite direction;

a first claw connected to the claw support member and a second claw connected to the claw support member, the claw support member being movable to one position wherein the first claw engages the drilling module support surface and the claw support member being movable to one other position whereby the second claw engages a portion of the drilling module support surface and

means for moving the guide shoes on each of the sides of the drilling module in one direction and in one position of the claw support member whereby the first claws on each of the guide shoes engage the drilling module support surface for moving the drilling module in a forward direction on the drilling module support surface as the guide shoes are moved in the forward direction, and for moving each of the pad bases of the guide shoes on both sides of the drilling module in a rearward direction whereby the second claws of each of the guide shoes engages a portion of the drilling module support surface for moving the pad base and the drilling module connected thereto on the drilling module support surface in the rearward direction, and for moving the pad base of the guide shoe on one side of the drilling module in a forward direction whereby the first claws of the guide shoe on the one side of the drilling module engage a portion of the drilling module support surface for moving the pad base and the drilling module connected thereto on the drilling module support surface in one pivotal direction, and for moving the pad base of the guide shoe on the opposite side of the drilling module in a forward direction whereby the first claws of the guide shoes on the opposite side of the drilling module engage a portion of the drilling module support surface for moving the pad base and the drilling module connected thereto on the drilling module support surface in a second pivotal direction.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:

means for removably securing the pad base to the drilling module support surface.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:

means for securing the claw support member in the one position wherein the first claw removably engages a portion of the drilling module support surface and means for securing the claw support member in the other position wherein the second claw removably engages a portion of the drilling module support surface.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the drilling module support surface comprises a pair of beam means with each beam means having an upper surface;

restraining bar means secured to the upper surface of each of the beam means, a plurality of claw recesses being formed in the upper surface of each of the restraining bar means with each recess being sized and shaped for receiving one of the first claw or the second claw.

11. An apparatus for transferring a drilling module having opposite sides and 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 and wherein a portion of the jack-up rig is movable in generally upwardly and downwardly directions on the legs and wherein a cantilever beam assembly, having a forward end, a rearward end and a beam support surface, is supported on the jack-rig and wherein 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 of the cantilever beam assembly is extended distances generally from the jack-up rig, is supported on the jack-up rig, the apparatus comprising:

a fixed platform support structure connected to the fixed platform having a drilling module support surface thereon, comprising;

a first beam connected t the fixed platform support structure and having an upper surface; and

a second beam connected to the fixed platform support structure and having an upper surface, the second beam being spaced a distance from the first beam;

restraining bar means connected to the first beam having a plurality of spaced apart claw recesses formed therein; and

restraining bar means connected to the upper surface of the second beam having a plurality of claw recesses formed therein the restraining bar means on the first and second means cooperating to form the drilling module support surface; and

means for supporting the drilling module on the beam support surface of the cantilever beam assembly whereby the cantilever beam assembly is extendible to an extended position for disposing the drilling module on the drilling module support surface on the fixed platform support structure;

means connected to the drilling module having portion removably engageable with the drilling module support surface for moving the drilling module on the drilling module support surface in at least one of a forward direction, a rearward direction, a first pivotal direction and a generally opposite second pivotal direction to move the drilling module to a predetermined aligned position on the drilling module support surface;

comprising;

two guide shoes with one guide shoe being connected to one side of the drilling module and one other guide shoe being connected to the opposite side of the drilling module, each guide shoe comprising;

a pad base;

claw support frame means connected to the pad base;

a claw support member movably connected to the claw support frame;

means for moving the claw support member to one position and to one other position;

a first claw connected tothe claw support member with the first claw of the guide connected to one side of the drilling module being engageable with the claw recesses int he restraining bar means connected to the first beam and the first claw of the guide connected to the opposite side of the drilling module being engageable with the claw recesses in the restraining bar means connected to the second beam;

means for moving the guide shoe base connected to the one side of the drilling module in a forward direction whereby the first claw of the guide shoe connected to the one side of the drilling module engages the claw recesses in the restraining bar means connected to the first beam and the first claw of the guide shoe connected to the opposite side of the drilling module engages the claw recesses in the restraining bar means connected to the upper surface of the second beam for moving the pad base and the drilling module connected thereto on the drilling module support surface in a forward direction, and for moving the guide shoe base connected to the opposite sides of the drilling module in a rearward direction whereby the second claw of the guide shoe connected to the one side of the drilling module engages the claw recesses in the restricting bar means connected to the first beam and the second claw of the guide shoe connected to the opposite side of the drilling module engages the claw recesses in the restraining bar means connected to the second beam for moving the pad bases and the drilling module connected thereto on the drilling module support surface in a rearward direction, and for moving the pad base connected to the one side of the drilling module in a forward direction whereby the first claw of the guide shoe connected to the one side of the drilling module engages the claw recesses int eh restraining bar means connected to the first beam for pivotally moving the drilling module on the drilling module support surface in a first pivotal direction, and for moving the pad base connected to the opposite side of the drilling module in a forward direction whereby the first claw of the guide shoe connected to the opposite side of the drilling module engages the claw recesses in the restraining bar means connected to the second beam for moving the pad base and the drilling module connected thereto on the drilling module support surface in a second pivotal direction.