Method for conducting offshore well operations
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for conducting well operations in support of a compliant platform, comprising:
- positioning a derrick on an offshore drilling vessel substantially over a surface well bay supported by the compliant platform which is in substantially vertical alignment with a well pattern on the ocean floor;
temporarily restraining the offshore drilling vessel with respect to the compliant platform; and
conducting well operations from the offshore drilling vessel through a substantially vertical drilling riser while the offshore drilling vessel is temporarily restrained with respect to the compliant platform.
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Abstract
A method is disclosed for conducting offshore well operations from an auxiliary vessel in support of a compliant platform. The auxiliary offshore drilling vessel is restrained with respect to the compliant platform in position adjacent the well bay of the compliant platform and vertically aligned with a selected well site for conducting well operations.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A method for conducting well operations in support of a compliant platform, comprising:
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positioning a derrick on an offshore drilling vessel substantially over a surface well bay supported by the compliant platform which is in substantially vertical alignment with a well pattern on the ocean floor; temporarily restraining the offshore drilling vessel with respect to the compliant platform; and conducting well operations from the offshore drilling vessel through a substantially vertical drilling riser while the offshore drilling vessel is temporarily restrained with respect to the compliant platform. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for conducting offshore well operations, comprising:
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positioning a derrick on an offshore drilling vessel in substantially vertical alignment with both a surface well bay supported by a compliant platform and a well pattern on the ocean floor; restraining the offshore drilling vessel with respect to the compliant platform; conducting well operations from the offshore drilling vessel through a riser; and disengaging the offshore drilling vessel from restrainment with regard to the compliant platform. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for conducting well operations, comprising:
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positioning a non-dedicated auxiliary offshore drilling vessel over a selected well site of a well pattern adjacent a compliant platform; restraining the offshore drilling vessel with respect to the compliant platform which is maintained in its normal position in which a surface well bay is presented substantially over the well pattern; and conducting well operations through a substantially vertical riser using facilities on the offshore drilling vessel.
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21. A method for conducting well operations in support of a compliant platform, comprising:
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positioning a derrick on an offshore drilling vessel substantially over a surface well bay on the compliant platform in substantially vertical alignment with a well pattern on the ocean floor; temporarily restraining the offshore drilling vessel with respect to the compliant platform; conducting well operations from the offshore drilling vessel through a substantially vertical drilling riser; and disengaging the offshore drilling vessel from restrainment with the compliant platform. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for conducting offshore well operations, comprising:
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positioning a derrick on an offshore drilling vessel in substantially vertical alignment with both a surface well bay presented by a compliant platform and a well pattern on the ocean floor; temporarily restraining the offshore drilling vessel with respect to the compliant platform; and conducting well operations from the offshore drilling vessel through a riser while the offshore drilling vessel is restrained with respect to the compliant platform. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method for conducting well operations, comprising:
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positioning a non-dedicated auxiliary offshore drilling vessel in alignment with a selected well site of a well pattern at a base of a compliant platform; temporarily restraining the offshore drilling vessel with respect to the compliant platform which is maintained in its normal position in which a surface well bay is presented substantially over the well pattern; conducting well operations through a riser using facilities on the offshore drilling vessel while the offshore drilling vessel is temporarily restrained with respect to the compliant platform; and disengaging the offshore drilling vessel from restrainment with regard to the compliant platform.
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39. A method for conducting well operations in support of a compliant platform, comprising:
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positioning a derrick supported on an offshore drilling vessel substantially over a laterally accessible well bay presented by the compliant platform in substantially vertical alignment with a well pattern on the ocean floor; restraining the offshore drilling vessel with respect to the compliant platform; and conducting well operations from the offshore drilling vessel through a substantially vertical drilling riser. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42)
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43. A method for conducting offshore well operations, comprising:
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positioning a derrick supported on an offshore drilling vessel in substantially vertical alignment with both a laterally accessible well bay presented by a compliant platform and a well pattern on the ocean floor; restraining the offshore drilling vessel with respect to the compliant platform; and conducting well operations from the offshore drilling vessel through a riser.
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44. A method for conducting well operations, comprising:
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positioning an offshore drilling vessel over a selected well site of a well pattern adjacent a compliant platform; restraining the offshore drilling vessel with respect to the compliant platform which is maintained in its normal position substantially over a well pattern; and conducting well operations through a substantially vertical riser suspended through a laterally accessible surface well bay presented by the compliant platform using facilities on the offshore drilling vessel.
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Specification