Triple activity drilling ship

• US 9,347,281 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2015
• Issued: 05/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stena Drilling Limited (Stena Sphere)
• Original Assignee: Stena Drilling Limited (Stena Sphere)
• Inventors: Humphreys, Gavin
• Primary Examiner(s): Buck, Matthew R
• Application Number:
  US14/734,045
• Publication Number:
  US 20150267482A1
• Time in Patent Office: 350 Days
• Field of Search: 175/5, 175/8, 166/352, 166/358
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 35/4413 Floating drilling platforms, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 15/02 specially adapted for underwater drilling E21B15/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/002 specially adapted for underwater drilling E21B19/09, E21B19/143 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/004 supporting a riser from a drilling or production platform
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/043 specially adapted for underwater well heads E21B33/0407, E21B33/047 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/064 specially adapted for underwater well heads
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/12 Underwater drilling using heave compensators E21B19/09
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/128 from floating support with independent underwater anchored guide base

Abstract

A triple activity drilling ship may be provided with two separate drilling centers, each including drilling apparatus. In addition, a trolley that is capable of supporting tubulars may be positioned between a first position within one of said drilling centers and a second position outside that drilling center. As a result, the trolley may be used to hold assembled tubulars while other activities are ongoing in one or more of the drilling centers.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

making and connecting a conductor on a ship while the ship is en route to a drilling site and before the ship is over the drilling site;

extending said conductor below said ship before the ship is over the drilling site and while en route to said site;

running a marine riser and blowout preventer into the sea; and

refraining from running the marine riser and blowout preventer when said conductor is in contact with the seabed floor.

2. The method of claim 1 including assembling the blowout preventer and riser before completing dynamic positioning of said ship.

3. The method of claim 1 including assembling a casing before completing dynamic positioning.

4. The method of claim 1 including assembling the conductor before arriving at a drilling site.

5. The method of claim 1 including using a trolley to move the conductor.

6. The method of claim 5 including using a first and second tubular handling center.

7. The method of claim 6 including moving said trolley from a first position under said first tubular handling center to a second position out from under said first tubular handling center.

8. The method of claim 7 including drilling from said second tubular handling center.

9. The method of claim 6 including assembling a casing on said second tubular handling center, transferring said casing to said trolley, and moving said casing from said second tubular handling center.

10. The method of claim 9 including, after transferring said casing, assembling the conductor on said second tubular handling center.

11. The method of claim 10 including jetting in said conductor from said second tubular handling center.

12. The method of claim 11 including withdrawing said conductor and securing said casing to said second tubular handling center after withdrawing said conductor.

13. The method of claim 12 including inserting said casing through said conductor.

14. The method of claim 1 including running the riser and blowout preventer into the sea from a first tubular handling center.

15. The method of claim 14 including, at the same time the riser and blowout preventer are being run, running the conductor.