EP0250069B1 - Schwimmende Tiefwasserbohr- und -produktionseinrichtung mit biegsamen Produktionsrisern - Google Patents

Schwimmende Tiefwasserbohr- und -produktionseinrichtung mit biegsamen Produktionsrisern Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0250069B1
EP0250069B1 EP87303005A EP87303005A EP0250069B1 EP 0250069 B1 EP0250069 B1 EP 0250069B1 EP 87303005 A EP87303005 A EP 87303005A EP 87303005 A EP87303005 A EP 87303005A EP 0250069 B1 EP0250069 B1 EP 0250069B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
template
platform
well
production
workover
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP87303005A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0250069A2 (de
EP0250069A3 (en
Inventor
Andrew F. Hunter
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ConocoPhillips Co
Original Assignee
Conoco Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Conoco Inc filed Critical Conoco Inc
Publication of EP0250069A2 publication Critical patent/EP0250069A2/de
Publication of EP0250069A3 publication Critical patent/EP0250069A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0250069B1 publication Critical patent/EP0250069B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/01—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells specially adapted for obtaining from underwater installations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B1/00—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils
    • B63B1/02—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement
    • B63B1/10—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls
    • B63B1/107—Semi-submersibles; Small waterline area multiple hull vessels and the like, e.g. SWATH
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
    • B63B35/4413—Floating drilling platforms, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B41/00—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
    • E21B41/08—Underwater guide bases, e.g. drilling templates; Levelling thereof
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
    • E21B7/12—Underwater drilling
    • E21B7/128—Underwater drilling from floating support with independent underwater anchored guide base

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of utilizing a floating platform in deep water as a combination drilling/workover and production platform. More particularly, the present invention is directed to the use of a floating platform (preferably, a semisubmersible) in 1000 feet (305m) to 3000 feet (915m) of water, which is interconnected to completed wells of a template by flexible risers using a reverse loop configuration, by adjusting the mooring of the platform to position it directly over a template to permit additional drilling or workover without curtailing production from wells of other templates.
  • a floating platform preferably, a semisubmersible
  • a method of performing drilling or workover operations in relation to and production from a plurality of well templates according to the precharacterising portion of claim 1 is known from US 3 327 780.
  • the invention provides a method of performing drilling or workover operations in relation to and production from a plurality of well templates from a floating platform in deep water, the method involving moving the floating platform between a plurality of said well templates, and producing from one or more completed wells of a first well template interconnected to the platform by means of one or more risers whilst simultaneously performing drilling or workover of one or more wells of a second well template, characterised by said one or more risers being looped or otherwise having sufficient flexibility to remain so connected whilst said platform is moved between templates, said movement taking place without the need to interrupt production therefrom and by tightening and slackening mooring lines.
  • a first prefered method according to the invention further comprises positioning said platform directly above the first one of said templates by tightening and slackening the mooring lines of said platform, drilling one or more wells through said first template, completing said well(s), and drilling one or more wells in said second template without interrupting production from said first template.
  • the platform is used simultaneously as a production and a workover platform, said method further comprising curtailing production from said second template, conducting a workover of the well(s) of said second template without interrupting production from the well(s) of said first template, and restoring the well(s) of said second template to production.
  • the method of the present invention provides reduction in costs by eliminating the need for a separate drilling platform. Further, this method takes advantage of the lower costs associated with floating platforms and enables early initial production from a first well template while additional drilling is performed on a second or subsequent template.
  • the same floating platform is used for workovers to reduce maintenance costs without interrupting production from wells of other templates.
  • the floating platform can be deballasted for maintenance without curtailing production.
  • the present invention incorporates the "benefit" of the mobility of the platform resulting from mooring in deep water (normally considered a drawback), to enable the platform to perform the additional drilling and workover functions.
  • moored in water on the order of from 1000 to 3000 feet (305 to 915 meters) deep, there is sufficient flexibility in the moorings to permit the position of the floating platform to be adjusted to lie directly above any of several well templates positioned on the ocean floor for drilling or workover.
  • Templates may be spaced apart by 300 feet (91.5m) without causing the riser to deviate from vertical by more than 17° (in 1000 ft water depth, 6° in 3000 ft), an angle easily accomodated by flexible risers. By configuring the flexible risers in a reverse loop, even these relatively small angles will be substantially reduced. This combined flexibility in moorings and production riser capability also permits the floating platform to be deballasted to permit certain portions that normally occupy subsurface positions to extend above the surface for inspection and maintenance, without curtailing production.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a floating production platform utilizing a method in accordance with the invention, the drilling/workover position being shown in solid line, the normal production position being shown in phantom.
  • the method in accordance with the invention is adaptable for usage with any floating production facility. It is preferred that a semisubmersible platform 12 be utilized in this method.
  • a plurality of mooring lines 14 (typically eight or more, only two have been shown to simplify the drawing) secure platform 12 in position above templates 16 and 18 by virtue of attachments 20 to the ocean floor.
  • Flexible production riser(s) 26 interconnect template 16 to platform 12.
  • a rigid production riser section 28 traverses the zone (typically 20 to 30 feet) that is subjected to wave battering to extend riser life.
  • the flexible riser 26 is depicted in the Figure in a reverse loop configuration that enhances the flexibility of the system.
  • the use of a flexible riser obviates the need for motion compensation devices typically required with rigid risers and a floating production platform.
  • the reverse loop configuration increases the amount of both lateral and vertical movement of which the platform is capable.
  • the flexible riser 26 may be a single conduit carrying the consolidated flow from a manifold located in proximity to the template 16 if subsea wellheads are used; or the flexible riser may be a bundle of conduits carrying production from the individual wells to wellheads located on the platform 12.
  • Platform 12 is ghosted into its normal position generally centered above its well templates 16 and 18.
  • the position of the platform may be adjusted to bring it directly above one of the well templates 18 as shown in the Figure.
  • This mooring adjustment might be accomplished, for example, by coiling and uncoiling the mooring lines to and from winding drums (not shown).
  • the flotation columns of platform 12 can be deballasted in calm weather to enable portions of the platform normally occupying subsurface positions to be raised above the level of the water for inspection and maintenance, as necessary.
  • the flexibility of the mooring system and production risers enables this maintenance to occur without disengaging the risers or curtailing production. Further, should it be necessary to deballast from the operational to the survival mode for a hundred year storm or the like, no adjustment or disconnection of the production risers is necessary to accomodate the change of platform position.
  • the present method can accomodate four (or more) separate well templates with associated satellite wells. If four templates are used, it is preferred that they be generally positioned at the corners of a square. Such a combination drilling/workover and production platform could accomodate on the order of 32 wells with a combined production of about 80,000 barrels of oil per day.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)

Claims (14)

  1. Verfahren zur Durchführung von Bohr- oder Wartungsarbeiten bezüglich einer und zur Förderung aus einer Mehrzahl Bohrschablonen (16,18) von einer schwimmenden Plattform (12) im Tiefwasser aus, welches Verfahren umfasst:
    Bewegen der schwimmenden Plattform (12) zwischen einer Mehrzahl der Bohrlochschablonen (16,18) und
    Fördern aus einer oder mehreren fertigen Bohrlöchern einer ersten Bohrlochschablone (16), die mittels einer oder mehrerer Steigleitungen (26) mit der Plattform (12) verbunden ist, während gleichzeitig an einer oder mehreren Bohrlöchern einer zweiten Bohrlochschablone (18) Bohr- oder Wartungsarbeiten durchgeführt werden, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
    daß die eine oder mehreren Steigleitungen (26) in einer Schleife geführt sind oder in anderer Weise eine ausreichende Flexibilität haben, sodaß sie angeschlossen bleiben, während die Plattform (12) zwischen den Schablonen (16,18) bewegt wird, wobei die Bewegung durch Fieren und Einholen von Ankertrossen (14) stattfindet, ohne die Förderung davon unterbrechen zu müssen.
  2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, weiter umfassend:
    Positionieren der Plattform (12) direkt über der ersten der Schablonen (16) durch Einholen und Fieren der Ankertrossen (14) der Plattform (12), Bohren eines oder mehrerer Bohrlöcher durch die erste Schablone (16), Fertigstellen des wenigstens einen Bohrlochs und Bohren eines oder mehrerer Bohrlöcher in die zweite Schablone (18), ohne die Förderung von der ersten Schablone (16) zu unterbrechen.
  3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, in dem die flexible Steigleitung in einer Schleife geführt ist.
  4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3, in dem eine rücklaufende Schleifenanordnung verwendet wird, um die wenigstens eine flexible Steigleitung (26) mit dem wenigstens einen von der ersten Schablone (16) ausgehenden fertiggestellten Bohrloch zu verbinden.
  5. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, das weiter den Schritt umfaßt, die schwimmende Plattform (12) während Perioden ruhigen Wetters zu entballasten, so daß bestimmte Abschnitte der Plattform, die normalerweise Positionen unter Wasser einnehmen, über die Oberfläche aufsteigen können, um erforderlichenfalls Inspektions- und Wartungsarbeiten durchzuführen, ohne die Förderung zu unterbrechen.
  6. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, das weiter den Schritt umfaßt, eine oder mehrere feste Steigleitungen (28) ausreichender Länge einzusetzen, um eine durch Wellen beeinflußte Zone zwischen der Plattform und der wenigstens einen flexiblen Steigleitung (26) zu überbrücken.
  7. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, das weiter den Schritt umfaßt, das wenigstens eine von der zweiten Schablone (18) ausgehende fertiggestellte Bohrloch mit der schwimmenden Plattform (12) unter Verwendung einer oder mehrerer flexibler Steigleitungen (26) zu verbinden.
  8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 7, in dem die wenigstens eine flexible Steigleitung in einer Schleife geführt ist.
  9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 8, in dem die wenigstens eine flexible Steigleitung (26) mit dem wenigstens einen fertiggestellten Bohrloch der zweiten Schablone (18) unter Verwendung einer rücklaufenden Schleifenanordnung verbunden ist.
  10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 7, 8 oder 9, das weiter den Schritt umfaßt, eine oder mehrere feste Steigleitungen (28) ausreichender Länge einzusetzen, um eine durch Wellen beeinflußte Zone zwischen der schwimmenden Plattform (12) und der wenigstens einen flexiblen Steigleitung (26) des wenigstens einen fertiggestellten Bohrlochs der zweiten Schablone (18) zu überbrücken.
  11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 7, 8, 9 oder 10, in dem die Plattform (12) gleichzeitig als Förder- und Wartungsplattform verwendet wird, welches Verfahren weiter umfaßt: Herabsetzen der Förderung von der zweiten Schablone (18), Durchführen von Wartungsarbeiten an dem wenigstens einen Bohrloch der zweiten Schablone (18), ohne die Förderung von dem wenigstens einen Bohrloch der ersten Schablone (16) zu unterbrechen, und Ingangsetzen des wenigstens einen Bohrlochs der zweiten Schablone (18) zur Förderung.
  12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 11, das weiter die Schritte umfaßt: Einholen und Fieren der Ankertrossen (14) der Plattform (12), um die Plattform (12) direkt über der ersten Schablone (16) zu Positionieren, Herabsetzen der Förderung des wenigstens einen Bohrlochs der ersten Schablone (16), Durchführen von Wartungsarbeiten an dem wenigstens einen Bohrloch der ersten Schablone (16), ohne die Förderung von dem wenigstens einen Bohrloch der zweiten Schablone (18) zu unterbrechen, und Ingangsetzen des wenigstens einen Bohrlochs der ersten Schablone (16) zur Förderung.
  13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10 oder 11, das weiter die Schritte umfasst, die halbtauchfähige Plattform (12) während Perioden ruhigen Wetters zu entballasten, so daß Abschnitte der Plattform (12), die normalerweise Positionen unter Wasser einnehmen, über die Oberfläche aufsteigen können, um erforderlichenfalls Inspektions- und Wartungsarbeiten durchzuführen, ohne die Förderung zu unterbrechen.
  14. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, worin die Plattform (12) in Wasser von 303 bis 915 m (1000-3000 Fuß) Tiefe verankert ist.
EP87303005A 1986-06-20 1987-04-07 Schwimmende Tiefwasserbohr- und -produktionseinrichtung mit biegsamen Produktionsrisern Expired - Lifetime EP0250069B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US87657686A 1986-06-20 1986-06-20
US876576 1986-06-20

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0250069A2 EP0250069A2 (de) 1987-12-23
EP0250069A3 EP0250069A3 (en) 1989-03-29
EP0250069B1 true EP0250069B1 (de) 1993-06-30

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP87303005A Expired - Lifetime EP0250069B1 (de) 1986-06-20 1987-04-07 Schwimmende Tiefwasserbohr- und -produktionseinrichtung mit biegsamen Produktionsrisern

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Country Link
EP (1) EP0250069B1 (de)
JP (1) JPS634193A (de)
CA (1) CA1294495C (de)
DE (1) DE3786374D1 (de)
DK (1) DK312487A (de)
NO (1) NO872588L (de)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4819730A (en) * 1987-07-24 1989-04-11 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Development drilling system
NO307210B1 (no) * 1996-11-27 2000-02-28 Norske Stats Oljeselskap System for utvinning av olje eller gass
NO313794B1 (no) * 1997-01-07 2002-12-02 Lund Mohr & Gi Ver Enger Marin Anordning ved bore- og produksjonsskip
GB0124610D0 (en) * 2001-10-12 2001-12-05 Alpha Thames Ltd Early hydrocarbon extraction system
WO2012152278A1 (en) * 2011-05-06 2012-11-15 National Oilwell Varco Denmark I/S An offshore system
US10633063B2 (en) * 2015-11-30 2020-04-28 Neptunetech Ltd Renewable energy barge

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3327780A (en) * 1965-03-15 1967-06-27 Exxon Production Research Co Connection of underwater wells

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2097358A (en) * 1981-04-29 1982-11-03 Taylor Woodrow Const Ltd Flow line for use in the trasnfer of fluid to or from under-water sites
GB2182083B (en) * 1985-10-24 1988-12-14 Shell Int Research Method of conducting well operations from an offshore platform

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3327780A (en) * 1965-03-15 1967-06-27 Exxon Production Research Co Connection of underwater wells

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO872588D0 (no) 1987-06-19
CA1294495C (en) 1992-01-21
JPS634193A (ja) 1988-01-09
DK312487A (da) 1987-12-21
EP0250069A2 (de) 1987-12-23
DE3786374D1 (de) 1993-08-05
DK312487D0 (da) 1987-06-19
NO872588L (no) 1987-12-21
EP0250069A3 (en) 1989-03-29

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