AU643338B2 - Method and system for conducting offshore well operations - Google Patents

Description

S F Ref: 197936

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 643338 COMPLETE SPECIFIRCATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Nam an Addres

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e S S 5 S Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V.

Carel van Bylandtlaan 2596 HR The Hague THE NETHERLANDS David Armstrong Huete, Lee Knox Brasted, George Rodenbusch Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Method and System for Conducting Offshore Well Operations a

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Address for Service: Invention Title: The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5845/7 1 T 8475 METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONDUCTING OFFSHORE WELL OPERATIONS The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for establishing, maintaining and accelerating hydrocarbon production from offshore reservoirs. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for economically developing deepwater oil and gas prospects with surface accessible completions.

Traditional bottom-founded platforms having a fixed or rigid tower structure have been taken to their logical depth limits in the development of offshore oil and gas reserves. Economic 10 considerations suggest that alternatives to this traditional ioe technology be ordinarily used in waters deeper than about 1200 feet in the Gulf of Mexico and often less in other areas. Further, even Se. the most promising reservoirs are difficult to economically exploit *see s .in this manner at any greater depth.

S 15 One alternative to fixed towers is to drill from facilities *"provided on surface vessels and to complete the wells at the ocean floor with subsea completions. Gathering lines connect the mubsea wells to facilities usually located at the surface, either in the immediate vicinity or provided remotely in a satellite operation.

S 20 However, subsea wells are relatively inaccessible at the ocean floor and this fundamental problem is exacerbated by the rigors of the maintenance-intensive subsea environment. The result is SS complex, costly maintenance operations which are difficult to accomplish with either through-flow line tools or the remotely operated vehicles or manned submarines suitable for deepwater applications. Further, maintenance is impossible for divers in all but the most shallow of deepwater applications and even there it is both dangerous and difficult work.

Alternatively, deepwater wells can be provided with surface completions on specialized structures more suitable for deepwater 2

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applications. Designs have been developed for various configurations of tension leg, compliant tower, and articulated tower platforms as well as floating production systems which can provide drilling and production facilities in deepwater at costs not possible for traditional fixed platforms. Nevertheless, the high cost of these structures requires a high concentration of wells in traditional practice in order to be economically feasible.

Many hydrocarbon reservo 4 .rs cannot effectively utilize, and therefore justify, such a number of wells. Other reservoirs can justify the number of wells, but only if extended reach drilling techniques are used to drain relatively remote areas of the reservoir from the facilities provided on the platform. This extended reach can be accomplished with the current directional and horizontal drilling techniques, but only by substantially 15 increasing the drilling cost for the wells so extended.

The cost of deepwater platforms further increases if the drilling operations are to be conducted from the platform itself.

This substantially increases the load on the platform, thereby requiring a substantially larger structure. Further, primary 20 drilling operations to develop a dispersed reservoir with extended reach techniques from a central location can spread the drilling operations over many years. Subsequent well workover operations may tie the drilling rig to the platform many years thereafter even though primary drilling is complete. Both aspects represent 25 economic inefficiencies. In the first instance, drilling such extended reach wells, one well at a time, delays and defers production, thereby adversely affecting the rate of return of the substantial capital expenditures necessary to provide such a deepwater structure. Further, after the wells have been drilled, 30 the rig represents a very substantial asset which cannot otherwise be efficiently used and has similarly permanently committed the prospect to the larger structure, thereby affecting the cost of the platform as well.

Alternatively, the wells can be predrilled from a drill ship or other floating facility, killed or otherwise secured, and

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S *5 SS S S S 4 5* -3completed from a scaled-down "completion" rig carried on a production platform such as a tension leg well platform (TLWP) installed at the site later. This reduces the load on the permanent facilities and therefore permits a smaller platform, but prevents production from any well until all the wells have been drilled and thereby substantially defers revenue from the development. Further, this scheme does not allow the flexibility to permit additional or replacement drilling once the platform has been installed.

Efficient development of deepwater hydrocarbon reserves must overcome these deficiencies and provide a method and system for developing the reservoirs with lower capital outlays, faster re.turn on investment, more efficient reservoir management for larger reservoirs, and enhanced profitability for reservoirs that are 15 otherwise marginal.

"It is an object of the present invention to economically provide surface access for offshore oil and gas wells, especially fee* in deep water.

.0 It is a further object of the present invention to provide a 020 system and method for drilling oil and gas wells in deepwater in a manner affording surface completion without dedicated drilling facilities which will often sit idle during the production phase of the development.

Another object of the present invention is to economically 25 afford a more efficient distribution of surface-accessible wells over a deepwater reservoir in a manner affording multiple drilling opportunities with a plurality of platforms spaced over the reservoir and connected by pipelines.

eee S" Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide 30 minimal platforms supporting surface well completions which also afford an opportunity for additional development drilling as well o as maintenance work on existing wells.

Toward the fulfilment of these and other objects, a method and system for conducting offshore well operations in support of a compliant platform is provided, comprising: 4 a) positioning an offshore drilling vessel over a selected well site; b) restraining the offshore drilling vessel with respect to the compliant platform; c) conducting well operations from the drilling vessel using a riser extending between the drilling vessel and a wall at said well site; d) establishing communication between said riser and the compliant platform; e) after co.pletion of the well operations, unrestraining the offshore drilling vessel with respect to the compliant platform and removing the offshore drilling vessel.

Thus, the method and system of the present invention allows surface accessible completions hung on a deepwater compliant platform that does not have to be scaled to accommodate the weight e of a major drilling rig and which utilizes drilling facilities supplied by an offshore drilling vessel which can relocate those 00,0 facilities when no longer needed at the platform. It is to be 0. understood that unrestraining the offshore drilling vessel with respect to the compliant platform implies undoing the restrained condition created by rstraining said drilling vessel with respect to the compliant platform.

The well operations can be conducted through the same riser, in which case the riser first forms a drilling riser and thereafter e 25 a production riser.

Alternatively, the well operations can be conducted through a drilling riser which is replaced by a production riser to establish communication between the produrtion riser and the compliant platform.

In an advantageous application of the invention, conducting of well operations comprises drilling through a drilling riser of a new well in an offshore hydrocarbon reservoir, and wherein establishing communication between the riser and the compliant platform comprises transferring a production riser from the 5 0 S OS

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00 S *5 offshore drilling vessel to the compliant platform, securing the production riser to the compliant platform, and establishing communication between the reservoir and a production facility on the compliant platform.

When drilling operations are to be conducted at a plurality of well sites, it is preferred that the method comprises the further step of: f) repositioning the offshore drilling vessel over another selected well site and repeating steps through for each additional selected well site.

It is preferred that, after completion of drilling operations, hydrocarbon is produced from said reservoir to said production facility in the absence of the offshore drilling vessel. Thus, the drilling vessel can be relocated for another operation when no 15 longer required at said selected well site.

Communication between the reservoir and the production facility on the compliant platform is preferably established by completing the well from the offshore drilling vessel through the production riser, installing a surface tree on the production riser 20 before transfer to the compliant platform, and connecting the surface tree to the production facility through a flexible flowline.

Preferably, positioning the offshore drilling vessel over the selected well site comprises positioning a derrick of the drilling 25 vessel substantially over a well bay of the compliant platform in substantially vertical alignment with a well pattern on the ocean floor, and said well operations are conducted through a substantially vertically drilling riser.

Alternatively, positioning the offshore drilling vessel over 30 the selected well site comprises: driving the compliant platform out of substantially vertical alignment with the selected well site; and substantially vertically aligning a drilling derrick of the offshore drilling vessel over the selected well site and securing this position for well operations while continuing to p 5" S' c 5t4, 9 S S *5 S *S S S S n,.

5* 0 S @5 6 restrain the position of the offshore drilling vessel with respect to the compliant platform.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a tension leg well jacket for installation secured to an ocean floor and projecting above an ocean surface, which is adapted to receive support for well operations from an offshore drilling vessel, comprising: a foundation secured to the ocean floor; at least one elongated tendon attached at one end to the foundation; a superstructure comprising a buoyant hull attached to the top of the tendon and restrained thereby to float below its free-floating draft; and a laterally accessible riser support mounted on the superstructure.

The brief description above, as well as further objects, 0 a features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of g 0 the preferred embodiments which should be read in conjunction with 0 the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in which a semisubmersible vessel is conducting drilling operations adjacent a tension leg well jacket

("TLWJ");

#page: Figure 1A is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment 25 of the present invention in which a semisubmersible vessel is •0 conducting drilling operations over a monopod compliant platform; Figure IB is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which a semisubmersible vessel is conducting drilling operations adjacent a compliant tower platform; 30 Figure 1C is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which a semisubmersible vessel is conducting drilling operations adjacent a floating production system Figure ID is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which a semisubmersible vessel is -7 conducting completion operations from a derrick on a cantilevered deck through risers installed on a tension leg well jacket

("TLWJ");

Figure 1E is a top plan view of the semisubmersible vessel and TLWJ of Figure 1D taken along line 1E-1E of Figure 1D; Figure 1F is an overhead view of an alternative means for docking the offshore drilling vessel and the compliant platform; Figure 2 is a side elevation view of a TLWJ suitable for use in the practice of the present invention; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the TLWJ of Figure 2 taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side elevation view of a semisubmersible vessel approaching a compliant platform in accordance with the present invention; Figure 4A is a front elevation view of the semisubmersible vessel of Figure 4 taken along the line 4A-4A; 6* 6* .Figure 4B is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of a semisubmersible vessel in which the drilling facilities are positioned on a cantilevered section of the deck; 20 Figure 5 is an overhead plan view of a semisubmersible vessel *beginning docking operations with a compliant platform in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a top plan view of a semisubmersible vessel completing docking operations with a compliant platform in S 25 accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a top plan view of a semisubmersible vessel docked to a compliant platform and taking position for drilling operations over a selected well site in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; S. 30 Figure 8 is a side elevation view of a semisubmersible vessel "docked with a compliant platform and conducting drilling operations in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 is a side elevation view of a semisubmersible platform transferring a riser to a compliant platform in accordance with the present invention; -8-

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Figure 9A is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of a semisubmersible vessel transferring a riser to a compliant platform in accordance with the present invention; Figure 9B is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of a compliant platform having laterally accessible means for receiving production risers in accordance with the present invention; Figure 9C is a top plan view of the compliant platform of Figure 9B taken along line 9C-9C in Figure 9B; Figure 9D is an overhead plan view of an alternate embodiment of a compliant platform having laterally accessible riser receiving means in accordance with the present invention; Figure 10 is a side elevation view of a production riser being secured to the compliant platform in accordance with the present 15 invention; Figure 10A is a side elevation view of a production riser being brought into communication with facilities supported by the compliant platform in accordance with the present invention; Figure 11 is a side elevation view of a tension leg well jacket in the production mode in accordance with the present invention; Figure 12 is an overhead view schematically illustrating the use in the prior art of central facilities to develop extended deepwater reservoirs; 25 Figure 13 is an overhead view schematically illustrating the use of satellite TLWJ's in accordance with the present invention; Figure 14 is a generalized plot of economic curves of cost per well for each additional well for a hypothetical deepwater prospect and 30 Figure 15 is a generalized plot of economic curves of cost per well for each additional well for another hypothetical deepwater prospect, prospect Figure 1 is a side elevation view of drilling operations in support of establishing hydrocarbon production from a deepwater offshore reservoir in a manner consistent with the present 00 a 0*

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a so 5 44 9 invention. Compliant platform 10 is docked to offshore drilling vessel 40, here a semisubmersible vessel In the illustrated embodiment, compliant platform 10 is provided by a tension leg well jacket ("TLWJ") 10A which has a floating superstructure 12 secured to a foundation 14 with a plurality of tendons or tension legs 16 which draw buoyant hull of superstructure 12 below its free-floating draft at ocean surface 22. Hull 20 supports a deck 24 which carries processing facilities 26.

Semisubmersible vessel 40A is illustrated conducting drilling operations with derrick and related drilling facilities 42 supported on deck 48 which is in turn supported by pontoons, columns or other buoyant members 50. The derrick of the semisubmersible vessel is positioned over one of the well sites 44, 15 here at well site 44A, using a catenary mooring system 52 or dynamic positioning thrusters 54 and drilling operations are conducted through a drilling riser 46. A production riser 28 of a previously drilled well is supported by TLWJ 10A with the valve assembly of the surface completion or Christmas tree 30 supported 20 above the ocean's surface.

Offshore drilling vessel 40 interfaces with compliant platform through a restraining system 60, here provided by a means for docking the semisubmersible vessel to the tension leg well jacket. The restraining system of the preferred embodiment is discussed in further detail hereinbelow.

A full range of different compliant platforms can be adapted for use in the practice of the present invention and Figures 1A through LE represent a sample of the breadth of some important aspects of this invention.

30 Figure 1A discloses an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which a central well bay semisubmersible vessel 40A is placed over a monopod configuration compliant platform 10 which is in the form of a single column TLWJ or "monopod" 10B installed to the ocean floor with one or more tendons 16. Offshore drilling vessel 40 is a semisubmersible vessel 40A configured to ride over S~l as a 0 1 1* a 0 a a so so a o 50* a O the installed monopod. The monopod is held in position with respect to the semisubmersible vessel by restraining system here a set of guylines 60B. However, drilling operations are conducted substantially in place through a drilling riser supported by the semisubmersible vessel. After completion of drilling operations, the drilling riser is replaced with a production riser 28 which, in the preferred practice, is secured to the monopod before completion operations. In Figure 1A, the semisubmersible vessel is positioned with derrick 42 directly over the production riser through which completion operations will be conducted. A previously drilled and completed well is illustrated with another production riser 28 also supported by monopod 10B. The monopod structure could alternatively be any structure small enough to fit inside the semisubmersible vessel's lower hull components.

Figure LB is an alternate embodiment of the practice of the cc present invention in which compliant platform 10 is provided by a *compliant tower 10C which is assisted by drilling from offshore drilling vessel ,Figure LC is an alternate embodiment of the present invention 20 in which an offshore drilling vessel 40 is connected through a restraining system 60 to a floating production system 10L which has its own positioning system with catenary mooring lines 52. In this embodiment the floating production system is positioned so that the offshore drilling vessel connected to it will be brought into place 25 over a selected well site 44A for drilling operations.

Figures ID and IE illustrate the use of a cantilevered end bay semisubmersible vessel configured to bring a derrick to a position immediately adjacent the compliant platform and conduct drilling operations through a drilling riser supported by the vessel. This 30 arrangement of a cantileveree. deck 48 to allow positioning of derrick and related drilling facilities 42 permits drilling with little or no displacement of compliant platform 10. After completing the drilling operations, the drilling riser is replaced with a production riser which, preferably, is connected to the 11 compliant platform for completion operations with the drilling facilities of the semisubmersible vessel.

The offshore drilling vessel is restrained with respect to the compliant platform 10 at a position presenting drilling facilities 42 in substantial alignment with an outboard, above water, well bay of the compliant platform 10. This alignment also substantially vertically aligns the drilling facilities with the well pattern on the ocean floor while the compliant platform remains in its normal position aligned with the well pattern. Semisubmersible vessel conducts well operations for compliant platform 10 from drilling facilities 42 mounted on cantilevered deck 48. The well operations are conducted through a riser 28 secured in a well slot of the well bay of the compliant platform. While it may be desired to support heavier drilling risers with the offshore drilling vessel, a 15 preferred embodiment for practising the present invention supports 800S lighter risers with the compliant platform during well operations.

me, Compare Figure ID with riser 28 secured to riser support 118 with Joe Figure 1 in which riser support is provided by offshore drilling me vessel 40 in position at the well bay of the compliant platform. In a.

S 20 either case, this proximity of auxiliary drilling facilities to e compliant platform well bay simplifies riser handling operations for transfer of the riser tension from offshore drilling vessel Supporting the riser during drilling operations from the compliant platform also facilitates a rapid mobilization of the S 25 offshore drilling vessel if the threat of a major storm beccmes 0069 Sa imminent. Thus, the drill string is tripped, the restraining system between the compliant platform and the offshore drilling vessel is eSer 9 released, and the offshore drilling vessel is withdrawn, moved off g" *and secured for hurrizane conditions a safe distance away while the riser remains secured to the compliant platform. Further, the A benefits of supporting t'ie riser during well operations may be

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extended to heavier risers, e.g. for primary drilling, by providing the riser with buoyancy modules.

Various systems can be employed to shift well operations from one well site to the next within the well pattern. For example, 12 well sites on one side of TLWJ 10A can be reached successively by skidding derrick 42 on skid beams 49 across cantilevered deck 48.

Ballast within semisubmersible vessel 40A is shifted to compensate for redistribution of load on the deck of the offshore drilling vessel.

Alternatively, the restraining system may be designed to accommodate relative movement between the whole offshore drilling vessel and the compliant platform. Thus, mooring lines 60B of Figure 1A may be adjusted with the repositioning of offshore drilling vessel 40. Similarly, docking means 60A of Figure 1F similarly facilitates relative movement between the offshore drilling vessel 40 and compliant platform 10. In this embodiment, docking supports 90 provide multiple sockets 91 for receiving docking elements 96 and 98. The docking elements are released and the offshore drilling vessel 40 repositioned in the next pair of sockets 91 for conducting well operations at another selected well '900 site 44 along well pattern 6 The practice of the present invention begins with installation ee .of a compliant platform. A "compliant" platfoim is any offshore oeo 20 surface facility designed to "give" in a controlled manner with environmental loading rather than rigidly resist such force. This basic design precept distinguishes the fixed or rigid bottom-founded towers which require vast amounts of structural materials for extension into deepwater. Many basic configurations of compliant platforms have been proposed including articulated towers, compliant towers, compliant piled towers, TLP's, etc., a

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Csampling of which are illustrated in the Figure 1 series discussed above. However, any basic configuration which is favourably economically sensitive to load reductions and which can be adapted

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30 to include a well bay which is accessible for laterally receiving production risers can be used in the practice of the present invention. Figures 2 through 11 illustrate the practice of the

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present invention using a tension leg well jacket but those skilled in the art and familiar with the teachings of this 13 S S S. S

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application could apply this practice to any other basic compliant platform configuration.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a TLP configuration which is especially suited for the practice of the present invention. This compliant platform is a tension leg well jacket ("TLWJ") 10A which comprises a minimal TLP without drilling capabilities, and, at most, modest workover capabilities. The TLWJ is desigr!d to exteriorly receive and secure production risers passed from the offshore drilling vessel (not shown here). Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the TLWJ and Figure 3 is an overhead view. These figures illustrate the same TLWJ pictured during drilling operations in Figure 1.

Installation of TLWJ 10A begins by placing foundation 14, here supplied by unitary template 14A. The foundation is then secured to ocean floor 18. In the illustration, a plurality of piles are driven into the ocean floor through pile sleeves 72 of the foundation and the piles are then secured to the pile sleeves with grouting or swaging operations. Other well known means for anchoring the foundation to the ocean floor may also be suitable.

20 The foundation provides a means 74 for connecting tendons 16 and may include well guides 76 which are placed at well sites 44 adjacent the foundation. In the illustration, the well guides are placed independently and are not connected to the template. In some instances it is desirable to predrill some of the wells.

Superstructure 12 comprising buoyant hull 20 and deck 24 is towed to location and ballasted down. Tendons 16 are installed between means 74 for connecting the tendons to the foundation and means 78 for connecting the tendons 16 to floating superstructure 12. The tendons are initially tensioned during installation and 30 deballasting of buoyant hull 20 further tensions the tendons to provide additional excess buoyancy to the TLWJ as necessary to produce the desired behaviour under all loading conditions.

Desired well sites 44 are aligned in well lines 80 adjacent TLWJ 10A as best depicted in Figure 3. Provisions are discussed below which f;.cilitate laterally receiving and securing production 555560 0 505*55

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S S 5 risers transferred from an offshore drilling vessel. Another feature of the illustrated TLWJ is a plurality of docking supports the purpose and function of which will become apparent in the discussion of the docking procedilres illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 4 illustrates deployment of offshore drilling vessel adjacent installed TLWJ 10A. The offshore drilling vessel is a floating structure which carries a derrick, drawworks and related drilling facilities 42. Further, the term "offshore drilling vessel" is intended to cover any transportable, floating facilities capable of supporting well operations such as drilling, completion, workover, well repair or abandonment. Preferably these facilities are provided in a substantially open design adapted for stability in deepwater drilling applications. Semisubmersible vessels represent a class of vessels well suited to this application and have been used throughout to generally illustrate the practice of the present invention.

Semisubmersible vessel 40A in Figure 4 is manoeuvrable by either catenary mooring lines 52 or dynamic positioning thrusters 20 54. For purposes of this embodiment, the catenary mooring lines are deployed and anchored in a spread about the semisubmersible vessel which overlaps the position of the TLWJ. Semisubmersible vessel 40A can then be manoeuvred with respect to TLWJ 10A by playing out and retrieving selected catenary mooring lines 52.

Figure 4A illustrates adaptation of a conventional semisubmersible vessel to facilitate practice of the present invention. This Figure shows the end of semisubmersible vessel of Figure 4 which will approach the TLWJ. Certain conventional semisubmersible vessel configurations can be "opened up" to provide 30 lateral access from beneath the semisubmersible vessel by removing a horizontal brace conventionally placed between the pontoons and reinforcing the remaining structure, such as with diagonal struts 94. If desired, provisions may be undertaken to allow the horizontal brace to be selectively removed for riser transfer operations, 555555 pr ft S. S

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Another modification of conventional semisubmersible vessels necessary to best facilitate the practice of the invention is installation of a restraining system 60, which in this embodiment is provided by a means 60A for docking which comprises a hinged docking frame 96 and a hinged docking strut 98.

Figure 4B illustrates an alternative to modifying a conventional semisubmersible vessel for practice with the present invention. A special purpose semisubmersible vessel having a cantilevered deck with an end well bay providing a derrick and attendant drilling facilities thereon will allow the docking and drilling operation generally illustrated in Figures 1D and E. The cantilevered deck allows well operations at the well bay of the compliant platform. Peripheral well bays are well suited to the present inventi-n, but central well bays are serviceable with a compatible offshore drilling vessel.

Figure 5 illustrates the initiation of docking procedures between semisubmersible vessel 40A and TLWJ 10A. Catenary mooring 20 lines 52 are adjusted to bring lowered docking frame member 96 adjacent docking support 90A on the TLWJ and a connection is made, e.g. by inserting a pin. The docking frame then secures the semisubmersible vessel to the TLWJ to produce a 2-degree of freedom restraint.

Catenary mooring lines are further adjusted to rotate the semisubmersible vessel 40A and bring lowered docking strut 98 into the position to connect with docking support 90B. See Figure 6.

Similarly, this connection can be secured with a pin or a multi-axis rotation connection and will provide a 1-degree of freedom restraint. This fully secures the offshore drilling vessel 40 to compliant platform 10 such that wave action will not cause collisions between the two.

Docking also facilitates moving TLWJ 10A with positioning systems carried on semisubmersible vessel 40A. Compare Figure 6 in which TLWJ 10A is normally centred between well lines 80 at the

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5 5 5 5* S S ft 16 periphery of the TLWJ with Figure 7 wherein the catenary mooring lines 52 have been adjusted to bias TLWJ out of alignment with its nominal position and to bring the derrick and related drilling facilities 42 into alignment with a selected well site 44A. The semisubmersible vessel of Figure 7 is i~i position to initiate drilling or other well operations through a drilling riser 46 as further illustrated in Figure 8. The drilling operations are best undertaken in substantially vertical drilling risers and the ability to shift compliant platform 10 slightly out of alignment with its nominal resting position in order to place the derrick over a selected well site substantially enhances drilling efficiency and reduces equipment wear. This ability also allows continuing drilling operations once the TLWJ is in place and thereby allows production to come on-stream as soon as wells are completed, even as the drilling program proceeds.

Figures lB and 1C demonstrate alternate eimbodiments for the compliant platformi as provided by compliant tower 10C and floating production system 30D, respectively. There is also the reversal of the use of catenary mooring lines 52 with respect to the floating 20 production system in Figure 1C in which the floating production •**system is adjusted to place offshore drilling vessel 'substantially vertically over a selected well site 44A.

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Alternatively, the TLWJ may be provided with thrusters or a lateral mooring system of its own to serve as restraining system in lieu of the presently preferred means 60A for docking. In this latter embodiment, the restraining system of the TLWJ would pull and hold the TLJ sufficiently clear for an offshore drilling vessel to conduct well operations adjacent the foundation of the TLWJ without danger of collision and without docking thereto.

30 After drilling operations are completed, drilling riser 46 is replaced with a lighter weight production riser 28 and the drilling facilities on offshore drilling vessel 40 are used through the 0 production riser to complete the well. See Figure 9.

Alternatively, the same riser which serves as a drilling riser can serve as the production riser. After completion and installation 17 sea* so 00 D o of a surface completion or Christmas tree 30, a temporary buoyancy module 110 is installed about the production riser and the production riser is passed or transferred to compliant platform here TLWJ Figures 9 and 9A illustrate alternative methods for transferring the production riser. In Figure 9, guylines 112 are used to draw production riser 28 to TLWJ 10A and arrow 114 illustrates this transfer. By contrast, Figure 9A illustrates the use of the natural righting ability of temporary buoyancy module 110 to maintain production riser 28 in place while ca-enary mooring lines 52 are adjusted to bring TLWJ 10A into position to receive the substantially stationary production riser 28. Note arrows 114A. The presently preferred method for undertaking this transfer is a combination of both the embodiments of Figure 9 and 9A.

A key aspect of the production riser transfer is that the compliant platform must be configured to laterally receive the production riser. Figures 9B, 9C and 9D show alternate embodiments for superstructure 12 of a tension leg platform. Figure 9B and 9C illustrate one embodiment in which an H-shaped superstructure and a 20 high deck permit placement of the production risers 28 underneath deck 24 in a position more sheltered than the peripheral placement in the embodiment of Figures 9 and 9A. Figure 9D shows a "keyhole" deck which similarly allows laterally transferred production risers to be secured to the compliant platform at a sheltered position.

It may be desired to remove buoyancy device or module 110 from production riser 28 once the production riser has been secured to the compliant platform. Alternatively, buoyancy module 110 may be left on riser 28 to afford a measure of protection to the riser from surface hazards such as boat traffic or floating debris. This will also contribute bstantially to the vertical support of the riser, thereby further reducing the required displacement of the TLWJ. See Figure Figure O10A illustrates the step of establishing communication between the surface completion of the production riser and the facilities on the compliant platform.

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S0 S S e Preferably, the transferred production riser is secured to TLWJ 10A through a dynamic tensioning device 118. See Figure The dynamic tensioning device serves to maintain a substantially constant tension on production riser 28 despite motion of compliant platform 10 due to environmental forces. Many types of dynamic tensioning devices are suitable, including pneumatic, hydraulic, elastomeric, or combinations thereof. In some instances, such as where the risers are the same length as the tendons, dynamic tensioning devices may not be necessary. The ten:iioning device illustrated in Figure 10 is well suited to receiving the laterally transferred production riser and includes a lever or rocker arm 120 connected to TLWJ 10A through fulcrum 122. A pressure charged elastomeric strut 124 provides the compensating force and is connected to one end of lever arm 120 and the production riser is attached at the other end of rocker arm 120 with a pivotal load connection. In the preferred embodiment, communication is established between the surface completion or Christmas tree which .is affixed atop the production riser 28 with a flexible flowline 32. Flowline 32 feeds the production fluids from 20 production riser 28 to processing facilities 2. The processing facilities may be as simple as manifolds collecting the production fluids from a number of wells and distributing them to an export riser, or may include separation equipment for removing liquid products from gas produced or other various treatment systems to initially process the produced fluids into components more suitable for transport.

Another option illustrated in Figure 10A is the use of a tree extension 126 which can elevate flexible flowline 32 above the wave zone adjacent ocean surface 22 in the event the semisubmersible 30 configuration requires a low mounted Christmas tree 30 for the transfer operations.

Figure 11 illustrates TLWJ 10A in the production mode in which a plurality of production risers 28 are supported by TLWJ through dynamic tensioning devices 118 and in which fluids produced from the well are carried up the production riser and to facilities

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19 26 through flexible flowlines 32 for combination and/or treatment before export through a catenary export riser 128 to transport facilities such as a subsea pipeline (not shown).

Figures 12 and 13 demonstrate some of the potential advantages of practising the present invention. Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a deepwater reservoir 130 developed conventionally such as through a central TLP 132. The extended reach drilling operations from the TLP must project horizontally a great distance in order to reach the far portions of the reservoir. The completed wells are designated by broken lines 134. These wells are drilled, one well at a time, over a number of years in order to establish the pattern illustrated. Production from later wells must be deferred until they can be reached. Further, the great horizontal reach defers completion of each well while, in effect, a lengthy underground pipeline is built for each well as the wellbore is cased and drilling proceeds. The large TLP structure necessary to o support the drilling operations requires a very promising field and se 0 a great number of wells to prove economically attractive and, once "O 0 completed, supports an idle drilling rig substantially through the sea* 0*::0o 20 remaining life of the field.

6 6 6 By contrast, the same deepwater reservoir 130 is illustrated ee in Figure 13 in which satellite TLWJs 10A combine with a tension leg production facility 138 to provide a more rapid, more thorough, and more economical development of reservoir 130. Figures 12 and 13 depict approximately the same number of total wells, at approximately the same location. However, in Figure 13, satellite TLWJs 10A are used with less extensive extended reach drilling to efficiently collect production fluids and, with only the most minimal processing, transfer the produced hydrocarbons to processing facility 138 through pipelines 136. The TLP of production facilities 138 may itself present exteriorly receiving well bays that may support additional wells 134 drilled with external facilities. In this illustration, three separate c semisubmersible vessels may simultaneously conduct drilling operations to substantially shorten the completion time. Further, 20 this system will afford the opportunity to have revenue streams front those wells that have been completed while additional wells are being drilled. The minimal tension leg well jacket, and process facilities on a central TLP that does not have to support drilling equipment, can be installed at a lower cost than the central TLP of the prior art which accommodates drilling from the TLP. Further, after drilling is complete, the semisubmersible vessels may be put into useful service elsewhere until needed for workover operations. Thus, the present invention reduces capital outlay, accelerates cash flow, increases the rate of return on the investment, and avoids the capital expenses associated with providing a full capability drilling rig dedicated for workover operations.

Figures 14 and 15 further demonstrate the economic benefits afforded by the practice of the present invention. Figure 14 is a set of generalized curves for a hypothetical prospect This ,illustration charts average development dollars per well for a conventional TLP development which includes a dedicated drilling •rig (line 142) and a TLWJ development in accordance with the 20 present invention (line 144) versus zhe number of wells in the development. Also plotted is the present value income for the n well which is expressed as line 146.

Present value income appears as a stair step function for which incremental contribution by additional wells decreases as the number of wells approaches the reservoir's capacity. Drilling oases: completion costs per well are notionally included in the conventional TLP and the TLWJ development cost curves, but make little impact in the comparison since they are relatively constant regardless of whether a dedicated rig is provided on the TLP in accordance with the prior art or a semisubmersible vessel is used s in the practice of the present invention.

Prospect A is a very promising prospect which can support a major, conventional, TLP deployment. The incremental development cost of the conventional TLP deployment, that is line 142, intersects the line defining the present value income per well 21 (line at point A which produces a net present value profit designated by area B. Stated otherwise, the profit is the total income for all developed wells minus the total development cost uhich is the cost per well at the point of intersection times the number of developed wells.

By contrast, the incremental development cost of a TLWJ in the practice of the present invention intersects the present value income per well line 146 at point C and provides additional income opportunity indicated by area D, for a total present value income per well of B plus D.

While Figure 14 does illustrate a definite advantage, the practice with less promising prospects such as prospect "B" illustrated in Figure 15, illustrates more profound benefits available through the practice of the present invention. Again, these generalized economic curves plot development costs and income potential in terms of dollars per well as a function of thE next incremental development well. The incremental development costs of a major, dedicated rig TLP remain the same, as do the incremental ease development costs for a tension leg well jacket deployed in the 20 practice of the present invention. However, the nature of the o* prospect has markedly affected the available present value income per well. Here, the economic development of a TLP with dedicated drilling facilities is determined by point A, which defines little profitabil4ity B. However, the incremencal cost of development for additional wells in deployment of a TLWJ in the practice of the present invention, as established by point C, defines a vast incremental benefit as the present value income of area D. Note that this benefit cannot be economically exploited by a major TLP with dedicated drilling facilities. Thus, for the same prospect, 30 the conventional technology provides a present value income B while the present invention provides a present value income of B plus D 0 which, for marginal prospects, can be many times that otherwise available. This also demonstrates that the practice of the present invention can render economical the development of prospects which cannot be economically developed by the prior art.

22 Other benefits of using multiple, dispersed, minimal compliant platforms include reducing the risk of accident by separating drilling and production operations, as well as reducing the potential magnitude of an accident. Further, it is expected that using minimal compliant platforms in the practice of the present invention will significantly expand the number of suitable fabrications yards that are available and reduce cost as a result of increased competition for the construction contracts.

A number of variations have been disclosed for providing surface accessible completions on compliant platforms which are drilled or completed using temporary facilities of an offshore vessel which then transfers production risers to the compliant platform. However, other modifications, changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure. Further, in some instances, some features of the present invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features described in these a preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the a. appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

a 'ag.

Claims (14)

1. A method for conducting offshore well operations in support of a compliant platform, comprising: a) positioning an offshore drilling vessel over a selected well site; b) restraining the offshore drilling vessel with respect to the compliant platform; c) conducting well operations from the drilling vessel using a riser extending between the drilling vessel and a well at said well site; d) establishing communication between said riser and the compliant platform; e) after completion of the well operations, unrestraining the offshore drilling vessel with respect to the compliant platform and removing the offshore drilling vessel.

2. The method of claim i, wherein positioning the offshore drilling vessel over the selected well site comprises positioning a derrick of the drilling vessel substantially over a well bay of the compliant platform in substantially vertical alignment with a well pattern on the ocean floor, and said well operations are conducted through a substantially vertically drilling riser.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein positioning the derrick of the offshore drilling vessel comprises extending the drilling derrick from the offshore drilling vessel on a cantilevered deck provided at said drilling vessel.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein positioning the derrick of the offshore drilling vessel substantially over the well bay of the compliant platform comprises placing a central well bay semisubmersible vessel over a monopod configuration compliant platform.

A S S 24 idea I 6 a 0. YbA I V a e a b S The method of claim i, wherein positioning the offshore drilling vessel over the selected well site comprises: driving the compliant platform out of substantially vertical alignment with the selected well site; and substantially vertically aligning a drilling derrick of the offshore drilling vessel over the selected well site and securing this position for well operations while continuing to restrain the position of the offshore drilling vessel with respect to the compliant platform.

6. The method of claim i wherein conducting of well operations comprises drilling through a drilling riser of a new well in an offshore hydrocarbon reservoir, and wherein establishing communication between the riser and the compliant platform comprises transferring e production riser from the offshore drilling vessel to the compliant platform, securing the production riser to the compliant platform, and establishing communication between the reservoir and a production facility on the compliant platform.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising producing 20 hydrocarbon from said reservoir to said production facility in the absence of the drilling vessel.

8. The method of claim i, comprising the further step of: f) repositioning the offshore drilling vessel over another selected well site and repeating steps through for each additional selected well site.

9. The method of any one of claims 6-8, wherein establishing communication between the reservoir and the facility on the compliant platform comprises: completing the well from the offshore drilling vessel through 30 the production riser and installing a surface tree thereon before transfer to the compliant platform; and connecting the surface tree to the production facility through a flexible flowline.

The method of any one of claims 6-9, wherein said production riser forms said drilling riser. a a .I* aI 25

11. The method of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the compliant platform comprises one of the group of a tension leg well jacket, a compliant tower, a monopod configuration compliant platform, and a floating production system.

12. The method of any one of claims 6-11, wherein said compliant platform is provided with a well bay accessible for laterally receiving production risars.

13. A tension leg well jacket for installatin secured to an ocean floor and projecting above an ocean surface, which is adapted to receive support for well operations from an offshore drillin vessel, comprising: a foundation secured to the ocean floor; at least one elongated tendon attached at on end to the foundation; a superstructure comprising a buoy t hull attached to the top of the tendon and restrained thereb to float below its free-floating draft; and a laterally accessibl riser support mounted on the superstructure. 20

14. The tension g well jacket of claim 13, further comprising: at least ne docking element carried on the superstructure for receivin he offshore drilling vessel from which well operations are be conducted adjacent the tension leg well platform. The tension leg well jacket of claim 13 or 14, wherein the superstructure comprises a singe d. S* 13. A method for conducting offshore well operations in support of a compliant platform substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A tension leg viel- jacket for installation secured to an 30 floor and projecting above an ocean surface, whichj ed to receive support for well opera m an offshore drilling vessel substantial einbefore described with reference to the 1 ccompanying drawings. DATED this TWENTY-FIRST day of NOVEMBER 1991 Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. Ta Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONDUCTING OFFSHORE WELL OPERATIONS ABSTRACT A method and system are disclosed for conducting offshore well operations in support of a compliant platform comprising positioning an offshore drilling vessel over a selected well site and restraining the offshore drilling v3ssel (40) with respect to the compliant platform Well operations are conducted from the drilling vessel (40) using a riser (46) extending between the drilling vessel (40) and a well at said well site and communication between said riser (46) and the compliant platform (10) is established. After completion of the well operations, the offshore drilling vessel (40) is unrestrained with respect to the compliant platform 15 and is removed. ls a fe 0 OS 4 38 *g 0 fc Figure 1