US3665721A - Submerged well platform - Google Patents

Abstract

A platform supports off-shore wellhead assemblies below the surface of the water at a depth adequate to eliminate danger from surface vessels or storms. Buoyancy tanks reduce the weight supported by the platform and thereby combine with the reduced weight above the ocean floor to reduce the cost of the platform. A seat is provided on the deck of the platform to receive and seal the lower end of a removable access tube that extends upwardly above the surface of the water to allow work at the wellhead to be performed at atmospheric pressure.

Description

United States Patent Wyllie [54] SUBMERGED WELL PLATFORM Malcolm R. J. Wyllie, Allison Park, Pa.

Gull Research & Development Company, Pittsburgh, Pa.

[22] Filed: May 27, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 40,924

[72] Inventor:

[73] Assignee:

[52] U.S. Cl ..6l/46, 175/5, 175/9 [51) Int. Cl. ..E02d 27/38, B63b 35/44 [58] Field of Search ..61/46.5, 46, 0.5; 175/9, 0.5,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,535,884 10/1970 Chaney .l..6l/46.5 3,355,899 12/1967 Koonce et a1... ....61/46.5 3,412,564 11/1968 McClintock ..61/46.5

[ 51 May 30, 1972 3,247,672 4/1966 Johnson ..6 H465 X 3,307,624 3/1967 Lubinski 3,556,210 1/1971 Johnson ..6l/46 Primary Examiner-Jacob Shapiro Attorney-Meyer Neishloss, Deane E. Keith and Paul L. Tillson [57] ABSTRACT A platform supports off-shore wellhead assemblies below the surface of the water at a depth adequate to eliminate danger from surface vessels or storms. Buoyancy tanks reduce the weight supported by the platform and thereby combine with the reduced weight above the ocean floor to reduce the cost of the platform. A seat is provided on the deck of the platform to receive and seal the lower end of a removable access tube that extends upwardly above the surface of the water to allow work at the wellhead to be performed at atmospheric pressure.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Pafiemed may 30, 1972 3,665,72fl

3 Shuts-Shut 1 IN VENTOR.

MALCOLM R. J WVLL /E Patented May 30, 1972 5 Shuts-Sh." 2

26 INVENTOR.

MALCOLM RJJ/VVLL/E Patented May 30, 1972 I 3,665,721

5 Shuts-Shut 5 IN VENTOR.

41416014441 WVLL If SUBMERGED WELL PLATFORM This invention relates to the production of oil from offshore wells and more particularly to a platform for supporting the wellhead of offshore wells below the surface of water.

Much of the oil now produced is produced from wells located offshore. The wellheads of most of such wells are supported on platforms that are located at a distance above the surface of the water such that the platform will not be subjected to pounding by waves. As the search for oil continues, wells are drilled at continually increasing water depths. The cost of platforms for supporting wellheads above the water surface increases very rapidly with an increase in depth of water.

One method that has been suggested for reducing the cost of platforms for wells in deep water is to use floating platforms. Such structures require a complicated riser and anchoring system and have not been widely used. Moreover, floating platforms are exposed to the same haaards from storm damage and collision as conventional platforms.

This invention resides in a bottom-supported platform forv wells. The platform is located at a distance below the surface of the water adequate to isolate the platform from wave action and eliminate danger of a surface vessel colliding with the platform. The platform is provided with storage tanks and buoyancy tanks with suitable connections for varying the weight of fluid in such tanks to adjust their buoyancy and thereby reduce the load on the platform. A seat encircling wellheads on the platform is adapted to receive a removable access tube that extends from the platform above the surface of the water and permits work on the wellheads at atmospheric conditions.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view, partially in vertical section, of a platform supporting completed wells and with an access tube in position to permit work on the wells.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic elevational view of the platform of this invention during the drilling of a well showing a floating drilling rig in position above the platform.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the platform with the base for the access tube removed.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the base for the access tube.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view, partially in vertical section, of the lower end of the access tube.

Referring to FIG. 1, a platform indicated generally by reference numeral is illustrated havinglegs 12 driven or washed into the ocean floor. Legs 12 slope outwardly to increase the stability ofplatform 10. Additional stability may be obtained by means of piling 14 driven into the ocean floor through brackets 16 secured tolegs 12.Suitable cross-bracing 18 is provided to increase the rigidity of the platform.

Beams 20 are supported at the upper end oflegs 12 and combine with other vertical and horizontalstructural members 22 to support adeck 24 and an accesstube base plate 26. Thedeck 24 ofplatform 10 is located at a depth below the surface of the water adequate to avoid wave action during storms and to eliminate any danger of being damaged by surface vessels. It is desirable that the platform be located at a depth at which divers can work conveniently. Ordinarily, the platform is located at a depth of 50 to 200 feet below the surface of the water, and preferably is located at a level 100 to 150 feet below the surface. A plurality of guide sleeves 28 extend throughdeck 24 and base 'plate 26.Guide sleeves 28 are welded tobase plate 26 to prevent entry of water between the guide sleeve and base plate into the space above the base plate.

Extending upwardly from the upper surface of the accesstube base plate 26 is a circular channel which forms aseat 30 for the access tube.Seating guides 32 slope upwardly and inwardly from the inner upper surface ofaccess tube seat 30 to guide the access tube into theseat 30 as the access tube is lowered onto the platform. Reinforcingwebs 34 are located at intervals around theaccess tube seat 30 to provide support for the outer wall of theaccess tube seat 30. Accesstube base plate 26 has holes extending through it in position to match the holes in thedeck 24 to receive theguide sleeves 28.

Supported on theplatform 10 bybeams 20 are a plurality of tanks. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 3 of'the drawings, the

outermost tanks 36 are used as storage tanks and theinner tanks 38 serve as buoyancy tanks.- Since the oil stored in the tanks is less dense than sea water, the storage tanks provide a buoyant force contributing to the buoyant effect of thetanks 38. While the storage tanks have a buoyant effect, it is important to have buoyancy tanks that at no time will be filled with sea water to maintain at all times a buoyant effect reducing the load on the platform.

Storage tanks 36 are provided with valvedoil outlets 40 and thestorage tanks 36 andbuoyancy tanks 38 have valvedair outlets 42 that extend upwardly through thedeck 24 to permit connection by divers to lines to the surface.Lines 41 and 43 above the surface of thedeck 24 provide interconnection between the tanks. In some instances, it may be desirable to have lines to the surface permanently attached to theoutlets 40 and 42 and supported at the surface by a buoy.Tanks 36 are also provided withair outlets 44 that are connected bylines 46, that extend below thedeck 24 and rise through thedeck 24 and thebase plate 26, tosuitable air connections 48 within the space bounded by theaccess tube seat 30. Similarly,oil outlets 50 are connected bydelivery lines 52 below thedeck 24 tosuitable fittings 54 above thebase plate 26 within the area bounded by theaccess tube seat 30. A normallyopen outlet 56 is provided in the bottom of thestorage tanks 36 to permit flow of sea water into or from the tank as the amount of oil in the tank changes.Tanks 38 have similar outlets.

Accesstube 58 is bell shaped at its lower end to fit theaccess tube seat 30. The larger lower end of the access tube extends upwardly a distance adequate to provide sufficient head room for working on wells enclosed within the lower end of the access tube. The lower end of the access tube may have a diameter of the order of 25 to 30 feet. The upper portion of theaccess tube 58 is of reduced diameter of approximately 6 to 10 feet to provide sufficient space for passing men and equipment necessary to perform service work on the wells.Access tube 58 has a length adequate to place theupper end 60 of the access tube high enoughabove the surface of the water to prevent water splashing into the open access tube. It is contemplated that theaccess tube 58 will have aninner wall 62 spaced from anouter wall 68 and the intervening space filled with concrete. Concrete 6 inches thick will provide a structure of sufficient rigidity even though the platform is as much as 300 feet below the surface of the water. The lower end of the access tube has asteel base 70 to the bottom of which is secured adeformable sealing element 72 of rubber or similar material. Asteel shoe 74 is secured to the lower surface of sealingelement 72 and bears against the upper surface of thebase plate 26 within theaccess tube seat 30. The weight of the access tube deforms sealingelement 72 against the walls of theseat 30 to prevent flow of water around the lower end of the access tube into the space within the access tube.

Access tube 58 is provided with anescape hatch 76 which allows entry into anescape chamber 78 mounted on the outer surface of the access tube. The escape chamber is provided with asuitable exit 79 and self-contained breathing apparatus to allow a man to leave the chamber and go to the water surface without having to go through the access tube.

The platform of this invention will preferably be built onshore, transported to the site on a barge and lowered into position by a derrick. It is preferred that thestorage tubes 36 andbuoyancy tubes 38 have pointed ends 80, and the pointed ends extend in the direction of flow of the currents to reduce the forces exerted on the platform by currents below the surface of the water. The weight of the platform can be adjusted by control of the amount of water in the storage tanks. Water is jetted from the bottom of thelegs 12 to lower the legs into the ocean floor. The platform can be maintained in an upright position while being secured to the ocean floor by selectively jetting water from the different legs of the platform. After the legs have been jetted the desired depth into the ocean floor, a cement slurry is preferably pumped down the legs and forced upwardly around the legs to anchor the platform. Other methods of securing the platform to the ocean floor can be used. For example, piling can be driven down through thelegs 12 of the platform or can be driven through brackets 16 secured to the legs.

A drilling rig is moved into place over the platform. In FIG. 2 of the drawings, a floatingdrilling rig 82 is illustrated in position over the well. If the water depth at the well site is not too great, a jack-up rig can be used. Conductor pipe is run through theguide sleeves 28 and either washed or driven to the desired depth in the ocean floor. The conductor pipe is then welded to theguide sleeves 28 to prevent flow of water upwardly between the guide sleeves and the conductor pipe. The well is then drilled and completed by conventional techniques. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, guide sleeves are provided for five wells having wellheads indicated byreference numeral 84, but obviously any reasonable number of wells can be drilled through a single platform. Because of the relatively low cost of the platform made possible by this invention, it is possible to use more platforms with a small number of wells supported by each platform to give greater flexibility in well spacing.

Flow lines 86 from the wells are connected to the storage tanks for delivery of oil from the wells into the storage tanks, and the outlets at the bottom of the storage tanks opened to permit displacement of water from the storage tanks by the oil produced inwells 84. Oil can be delivered from the storage tanks to a barge for transport to shore by a diver making connections from a barge tooutlets 40. The differential in the density of sea water and oil will allow the sea water to displace the oil upwardly into the barge.

If the well should need workover, or access to the top of the well is desired for any reason, theaccess tube 58 is transported to the site of the well and lowered into position with theshoe 74 in theaccess tube seat 30. It is contemplated that the ends of the access tube will be covered and the access tube floated to a location above theplatform 10. The cover from the lower end of the access tube is then removed. The lower end of the access tube sinks until the access tube is in an upright position, and air is allowed to escape at a controlled rate through the cover on the upper end of the access tube to lower the access tube ontoseat 30. Placement of the access tube on theseat 30 can be facilitated by afloat 87 secured to the upper end of the access tube. After the access tube is directly above theseat 30, air is discharged from thefloat 82 to lower the access tube.

Before removing thecover 60 from the upper end of theaccess tube 58 to place the full weight of the access tube on the platform, it may be desirable to reduce the load on the platform to allow for the weight of the access tube. That can be accomplished by adjusting the buoyancy by displacing water from the storage and buoyancy tanks. Air can be delivered from a line throughoutlet 42 into the buoyancy tanks or in some instances into the storage tanks for such displacement. Thecover 60 is then removed and water pumped from within the access tube. The bell shape of the access tube results in a large net downward force on the access tube by the difference in pressure inside and outside of the tube. That force eliminates the necessity of lock-down means to hold the access tube in place and improves the seal against the access tube seat. If desired, delivery of oil from the storage tanks can be accomplished through a line extending down the access tube and connected tofittings 54. workmen are lowered through the access tube to perform the desired work on the wells. When the work on the wells has been completed and the workmen have left the access tube, thecap 60 is replaced and compressed air injected into the access tube and into thefloat 86 to lift the access tube from theseat 30.

The platform of this invention reduces the danger of damage to the platform and wells supported by the platform from storm or collision with vessels by locating theplatform 50 feet or more below the surface of the water. The reduction in the height of the platform and the reduced stresses to which the platform is exposed because of its location contribute to an important reduction in the cost of the platform. The buoyancy tanks on the platfonn reduce the load placed on the platform and further reduce the cost of the structure. Because of the reduced costs of the platform of this invention, the use of more platforms with improved well spacing becomes economically feasible.

1 claim:

1. A platform for supporting wellheads of offshore wells at a depth of 50 200 feet below the surface of the water comprising a plurality of substantially vertical rigid legs extending into and supported by the ocean floor, a deck mounted on the upper end of the legs, the length of the legs locating the deck at a depth of 50 200 feet below the surface of the water, buoyancy tanks connected to and supported by the upper ends of the legs to reduce the weight on the legs, oil storage tanks mounted on the upper end of the legs, an upwardly opening access tube seat on the upper surface of the deck surrounding a plurality of wellheads supported above the deck by the platform and adapted to removably receive an access tube of a length to extend above the surface of the water, flow lines from the wellheads to the storage tanks, oil fittings above the deck within the access tube seat, oil delivery lines extending from the storage tanks to the oil fittings, air lines opening into the upper portions of the buoyancy tanks, and openings in the lower portions of the storage and buoyancy tanks to permit displacement of liquid from the tanks into the surrounding water.

2. A platform as set forth in claim 1 including oil outlets from the storage tanks opening above the deck outside of the access tube seat and air connections above the deck outside of the access tube seat opening into each of the storage and buoyancy tanks.

3. A platform for supporting wellheads of offshore wells comprising legs supported by the ocean floor, a deck mounted on the upper end of the legs, buoyancy tanks connected to the upper end of the legs to reduce the weight on the legs, the length of the legs placing the deck below the surface of thewater 50 200 feet, oil storage tanks supported by the upper end of the legs, an access tube base plate on the deck, an access tube seat on the base plate comprising an upwardly opening channel of circular plan surrounding the wellheads supported by the platform and guide surfaces sloping upwardly and inwardly from the inner edge of the channel, flow lines from the wellheads to the storage tanks, oil fittings above the base plate within the access tube seat, and oil delivery lines extending from the storage tanks to the oil fittings.

4. A platform supporting the wellheads of offshore wells below the surface of water comprising rigid legs extending downwardly into the ocean floor to support the platform with its upper surface at a depth of 50 200 feet below the water surface, oil storage tanks supported by the legs at their upper end, buoyancy tanks supported by the legs at their upper end, a deck supported by the legs above the level of the tanks and supporting the wellheads, an access tube seat supported by the deck and surrounding the wellheads, an access tube constructed and arranged to seat releasably in the access tube seat and seal its lower end, said access tube having a length such that it extends above the surface of the water when seated on the access tube seat, means for guiding the lower end of the access tube into the access tube seat, the lower end of the access tube having an enlarged diameter to increase the force exerted by hydraulic pressure urging the access tube against the seat when water is removed from the access tube, and means for controlling the buoyancy of the buoyancy tanks.

5. A platform supporting the wellheads of offshore wells below the surface of water comprising legs extending downwardly into the ocean floor to support the platform at a depth of 50 200 feet below the surface of the water, oil storage tanks supported at the upper end of the legs, buoyancy tanks supported at the upper ends of the legs, a deck supported by the legs above the level of the tanks and supporting the wellheads, an access tube seat comprising an upwardly opening channel on the upper surface of the deck surrounding the wellheads, an access tube removably seated in the access tube seat and extending upwardly above the surface of the water, a ring of deformable material at the lower end of the access tube adapted to be deformed against the walls of the channel by the weight of the access tube to seal the lower end of the access tube, the lower end of the access tube having an enlarged diameter to increase the force exerted by hydraulic pressure urging the access tube against the platform.

6. A platform for supporting wellheads of offshore wells below the surface of water comprising a plurality of platform legs engaging the ocean floor and extending upwardly therefrom to a level in the range of 50 to 200 feet below the surface of the water, buoyancy tanks secured to the platform legs at the upper end thereof, oil storage tanks supported by the legs at the upper ends thereof, a deck supported above the tanks by the platform legs, an access tube base plate supported by the deck, a plurality of guide tubes extending downwardly through the access tube base plate and the deck, wellhead structures connected to casing extending through the guide tube, an access tube seat on the access tube base plate encircling the wellhead structures and opening upwardly to receive an access tube, oil lines extending from above the access tube base plate within the access tube seat to the oil storage tanks, air lines extending from within the access tube seat above the access tube plate to the buoyancy tanks, and outlets in the lower portion of the storage tanks and buoyancy tanks to permit the flow of water into and from such tanks.

Claims (6)

1. A platform for supporting wellheads of offshore wells at a depth of 50 - 200 feet below the surface of the water comprising a plurality of substantially vertical rigid legs extending into and supported by the ocean floor, a deck mounted on the upper end of the legs, the length of the legs locating the deck at a depth of 50 - 200 feet below the surface of the water, buoyancy tanks connected to and supported by the upper ends of the legs to reduce the weight on the legs, oil storage tanks mounted on the upper end of the legs, an upwardly opening access tube seat on the upper surface of the deck surrounding a plurality of wellheads supported above the deck by the platform and adapted to removably receive an access tube of a length to extend above the surface of the water, flow lines from the wellheads to the storage tanks, oil fittings above the deck within the access tube seat, oil delivery lines extending from the storage tanks to the oil fittings, air lines opening into the upper portions of the buoyancy tanks, and openings in the lower portions of the storage and buoyancy tanks to permit displacement of liquid from the tanks into the surrounding water.

2. A platform as set forth in claim 1 including oil outlets from the storage tanks opening above the deck outside of the access tube seat and air connections aboVe the deck outside of the access tube seat opening into each of the storage and buoyancy tanks.

3. A platform for supporting wellheads of offshore wells comprising legs supported by the ocean floor, a deck mounted on the upper end of the legs, buoyancy tanks connected to the upper end of the legs to reduce the weight on the legs, the length of the legs placing the deck below the surface of the water 50 - 200 feet, oil storage tanks supported by the upper end of the legs, an access tube base plate on the deck, an access tube seat on the base plate comprising an upwardly opening channel of circular plan surrounding the wellheads supported by the platform and guide surfaces sloping upwardly and inwardly from the inner edge of the channel, flow lines from the wellheads to the storage tanks, oil fittings above the base plate within the access tube seat, and oil delivery lines extending from the storage tanks to the oil fittings.

4. A platform supporting the wellheads of offshore wells below the surface of water comprising rigid legs extending downwardly into the ocean floor to support the platform with its upper surface at a depth of 50 - 200 feet below the water surface, oil storage tanks supported by the legs at their upper end, buoyancy tanks supported by the legs at their upper end, a deck supported by the legs above the level of the tanks and supporting the wellheads, an access tube seat supported by the deck and surrounding the wellheads, an access tube constructed and arranged to seat releasably in the access tube seat and seal its lower end, said access tube having a length such that it extends above the surface of the water when seated on the access tube seat, means for guiding the lower end of the access tube into the access tube seat, the lower end of the access tube having an enlarged diameter to increase the force exerted by hydraulic pressure urging the access tube against the seat when water is removed from the access tube, and means for controlling the buoyancy of the buoyancy tanks.

5. A platform supporting the wellheads of offshore wells below the surface of water comprising legs extending downwardly into the ocean floor to support the platform at a depth of 50 - 200 feet below the surface of the water, oil storage tanks supported at the upper end of the legs, buoyancy tanks supported at the upper ends of the legs, a deck supported by the legs above the level of the tanks and supporting the wellheads, an access tube seat comprising an upwardly opening channel on the upper surface of the deck surrounding the wellheads, an access tube removably seated in the access tube seat and extending upwardly above the surface of the water, a ring of deformable material at the lower end of the access tube adapted to be deformed against the walls of the channel by the weight of the access tube to seal the lower end of the access tube, the lower end of the access tube having an enlarged diameter to increase the force exerted by hydraulic pressure urging the access tube against the platform.

6. A platform for supporting wellheads of offshore wells below the surface of water comprising a plurality of platform legs engaging the ocean floor and extending upwardly therefrom to a level in the range of 50 to 200 feet below the surface of the water, buoyancy tanks secured to the platform legs at the upper end thereof, oil storage tanks supported by the legs at the upper ends thereof, a deck supported above the tanks by the platform legs, an access tube base plate supported by the deck, a plurality of guide tubes extending downwardly through the access tube base plate and the deck, wellhead structures connected to casing extending through the guide tube, an access tube seat on the access tube base plate encircling the wellhead structures and opening upwardly to receive an access tube, oil lines extending from above the access tube base plate within the access tube seat to the oil storage tanks, air lines extending from within the accesS tube seat above the access tube plate to the buoyancy tanks, and outlets in the lower portion of the storage tanks and buoyancy tanks to permit the flow of water into and from such tanks.

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