GB2601199A

GB2601199A - Conductor lifting apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: GB2601199A
Application number: GB2019067.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: C Fabre Jason; John Greeves E; R Todd Ian; S Rundle Philip
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-11-23
Filing date: 2020-12-03
Publication date: 2022-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2040-12-03
Also published as: GB202019067D0; GB2601199B

Abstract

A method and apparatus for lifting conductor strings as part of decommissioning an offshore oil and gas well drilling platform including lowering one or more lift pipe sections 13 within a conductor (6) , each lift pipe section positioned to bridge a connector 9 (e.g., threaded, cam-lock or welded) used to join one conductor pipe section 11 to another conductor pipe section 12. At each connector, the lift pipe section extends above and below the connector. Openings, holes or transverse bores 18, 19are cut/drilled through both conductor pipe and lift pipe section above and below the connector. Lift pins 25 are then inserted into each opening, hole or transverse bore. A lifting mechanism is used to lift the conductor string, the lift pins carry a tensile load in addition to any tensile load carried by the connector.

Description

CONDUCTOR LIFTING APPARATUS AND METHOD

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas well conductor strings comprised of multiple conductor pipes joined together end to end with connectors. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved method of decommissioning offshore or marine oil and gas well conductor strings comprised of conductor pipes connected end to end with connectors (e.g., threaded, cam lock, welded or other) wherein the connectors are (or have become) too weak to develop the tensile strength required to pull the conductor strings from the seabed. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a section of internal pipe is placed at each connector and pinned into place after holes, openings or transverse bores are formed in the internal pipe section, conductor string and any other tubulars or grout that may be positioned in between the internal pipe section and conductor string. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, holes, openings or transverse bores are formed in the conductor string and any other tubulars or grout that may be positioned in between an internal well string and conductor string and wherein pins are placed in the holes.

2. General Background of the Invention

[0002] Connectors have historically been used in North Sea platforms when making up conductor strings. Threaded connectors (e.g., Talone) perform well in compressor but not in tension. A lack of tension capacity presents a problem when pulling the conductor from the jacket during the decommissioning process. Such connectors that join one conductor pipe section to another conductor pipe section have parted/failed in the past during removal activities. An external method to remedy the problem is not practical as the conductor needs to be pulled through conductor guides.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] An apparatus of the present invention solves the problems confronted in the art in a simple and straightforward manner. The present invention provides is a method of >bridging= the connector with a snug fitting internal pipe section. The outside diameter of the internal pipe section can be about the same diameter (or a slightly smaller diameter) as the internal diameter of the inner most tubing or casing section. There should be enough of a gap in between the internal pipe section and the inner most tubing or casing section so that the internal pipe section can slide relative to inner most tubing/casing during placement. Once a section of internal pipe has been lowered/inserted into the conductor/well string bore it can bridge the connector, extending above and below the connector preferably by a number of feet (e.g., ten feet above the connector and ten feet below the connector). A cutting/boring tool will be lowered to a position at the newly positioned internal pipe section and holes can be generated preferably several feet above and below the connector, preferably through the internal pipe section, well strings and conductor outer casing.

[0004] A method of the present invention is specifically to reinstate the tensile capacity of a conductor, with or without internal casings. It may just have a conductor pipe only with no internals, by bridging a conductor connector with suspect tensile capacity. The internal lift pipe section preferably bridges the conductor connectors (pinned above and below) to provide tensile capacity over that connected section of conductor. The only tensile load the lift pipe string can support will be that induced upon it when recovering the conductor independently from the structure (i.e., pulled from the structure from surface -tower, drill, rig, derrick barge, jackets, etc.) or with the structure (i.e., supported within/from the top of the substructure and removed with the substructure). Multiple lift pipe strings can be installed along the length of a conductor (one per connector) where there are multiple conductor connectors.

[0005] A method of the present invention provides for a mechanical/pinned connection which eliminates reliance upon the internal well string/grout integrity or knowing the condition of the inside surface of the conductor/well bore to form a bond. A cutting tool (for the pin holes) may, or may not, be pre-staged in the lift pipe string. A method of the present invention can start at the lowest connector and work up to the next connector. A remotely operated vehicle or R.O.V. can be utilized to install an engineered pin through the newly generated holes, thereby preferably tying all of the strings together and providing tensile capacity to the entire well string by bridging the connector (weak link). In one embodiment, the R.O.V. can cut the openings, holes or transverse bores. The pin hole location can be determined to facilitate R.O.V. access within the jacket. This approach can be used for multiple connectors on the same conductor/well string, preferably starting with the lowest connector and working up the well string to the next connector. Once all connectors in a particular string have been bridged, a typical removal process can be adopted for the removal of the conductor (removal tower, jacks, derrick barge, etc.).

[0006] A method of the present invention includes decommissioning underwater oil well conductor strings comprised of multiple conductor pipe sections that are joined end to end preferably with connectors that couple each conductor pipe section to one or more other conductor pipe sections.

[0007] Each connector is preferably bridged with an internal lift pipe section, wherein the internal pipe section preferably extends above and below the connector, the pipe section preferably having an upper end above the connector and a lower end below the connector.

[0008] A tool is preferably lowered to an underwater location that preferably enables the tool to form openings in the conductor string and lift pipe section above and below the connector.

[0009] Openings are preferably formed in the lift pipe section and conductor string with the tool, the openings preferably including one or more openings above the connector and one or more openings below the connector.

[0010] A pin is preferably placed through each formed opening.

[0011] The conductor string is preferably pulled with a lifting apparatus, wherein the lift pipe section and pins that are located above and below a connector preferably carry a tensile load in addition to any tensile load carried by the connector.

[0012] In one or more preferred embodiments, there is preferably a conductor string and a well string inside the conductor string, wherein the internal lift pipe section is preferably positioned inside the well string and the openings preferably extend through the internal lift pipe section, well string and conductor string.

[0013] In one or more preferred embodiments, the openings preferably extend through the lift pipe section and conductor string at two circumferentially spaced apart positions.

[0014] In one or more preferred embodiments, the conductor string preferably has multiple connectors and wherein a section of the conductor string above and below a first, lowermost connector is preferably first fitted with the internal lift pipe section and pins followed by then preferably fitting a second internal lift pipe section and pins to a section of the conductor string above and below a second connector that is preferably above the first, lowermost connector for the second internal lift pipe section, conductor string and pins above and below the second connector.

[0015] In one or more preferred embodiments, a section of the conductor string above and below a third connector is preferably fitted with a third internal lift pipe section and pins by repeating steps of a preferred method of the present invention.

[0016] In one or more preferred embodiments, preferably including a step of pulling the conductor string through one or more conductor guides.

[0017] In one or more preferred embodiments, each of the connectors preferably includes a threaded portion, cam lock portion or welded portion.

[0018] In one or more preferred embodiments, the connectors are preferably unable to develop the tensile strength of the conductor pipe sections during the pulling step of a preferred method of the present invention.

[0019] In one or more preferred embodiments, there are preferably one or more tubulars in between the conductor string and the lift pipe section including an intermediate casing.

[0020] A method of the present invention includes decommissioning underwater oil well conductor strings comprised of multiple conductor pipe sections that are preferably joined end to end with connectors that couple each conductor pipe section to one or more other conductor pipe sections preferably comprising the steps of: a) placing a lift pipe section inside the conductor string bore wherein the lift pipe section preferably extends above and below the connectors; b) lowering a tool to an underwater location that preferably enables the tool to form openings in both conductor string and lift pipe section above and below the connector; c) forming openings in the lift pipe section and conductor string preferably with the tool of step "b", the openings including one or more openings above the connector and one or more openings below the connector; d) placing a pin through each formed opening of step "c" and e) pulling the conductor string upwardly with a lifting apparatus, wherein the lift pipe section and pins that are located above and below a connector preferably transfer load to portions of the conductor string that are above and below the connector.

[0021] In one or more preferred embodiments, there are preferably one or more tubulars in between the conductor string and the lift pipe section preferably including an intermediate casing.

[0022] In one or more preferred embodiments, the lift pipe section preferably closely abuts an intermediate casing.

[0023] In one or more preferred embodiments, the one or more tubulars preferably include the intermediate casing and one or more surface casings.

[0024] In one or more preferred embodiments, a remotely operated submersible preferably forms the openings [0025] In one or more preferred embodiments, in step "c" a tool lowered into the lift pipe section forms the openings.

[0026] In one or more preferred embodiments, the pins preferably extend through two (2) opposed positions of the lift pipe section, conductor string and one or more intermediate tubular members.

[0027] In one or more preferred embodiments, the tool is preferably a cutting tool.

[0028] In one or more preferred embodiments, the tool is preferably a drilling tool.

[0029] In one or more preferred embodiments, the conductor string has multiple connectors and wherein a first, lowermost connector is preferably first fitted with a lift pipe section followed by then preferably fitting a second connector that is above the first, lowermost connector with a second lift pipe section for the second connector.

[0030] A method of the present invention includes decommissioning underwater oil well conductor strings comprised of multiple conductor pipe sections that are preferably joined end to end with connectors that couple each conductor pipe section to one or more other conductor pipe sections. Preferably lowering an internal section into the conductor string, wherein the internal section preferably extends above and below the connector for multiple connectors. Preferably lowering a tool to an underwater location that enables the tool to form openings in the conductor string and internal section above and below the connector. Preferably forming openings in the internal section, conductor string and one or more tubulars that are preferably inside the conductor string bore and using the tool, the openings preferably including one or more openings above the connector and one or more openings below the connector. Preferably placing a pin through each formed opening.

Preferably pulling the conductor string and one or more tubulars with a lifting apparatus, wherein the internal section and pins that are located above and below a connector preferably carry a tensile load in addition to any tensile load carried by the connector.

[0031] In one or more preferred embodiments, the connector is preferably only provided on the conductor string.

[0032] In one or more preferred embodiments, wherein the conductor string further comprises an inner well string.

[0033] A method of the present invention includes decommissioning underwater oil well conductor strings comprised of multiple conductor pipe sections that are joined end to end preferably with connectors that couple each conductor pipe section to one or more other conductor pipe sections. The conductor string including an inner well string. A tool is preferably lowered to an underwater location that preferably enables the tool to form openings in the conductor string and inner well string above and below the connector. Openings are preferably formed in the conductor string and inner well string with the tool, the openings preferably including one or more openings above the connector and one or more openings below the connector. A pin is preferably placed through each formed opening. The conductor string and inner well string are preferably pulled with a lifting apparatus, wherein the pins that are located above and below a connector preferably carry a tensile load in addition to any tensile load carried by the connector.

[0034] The present invention includes a method of decommissioning underwater oil well conductor strings comprised of multiple conductor pipe sections that are joined end to end with connectors that couple each conductor pipe section to one or more other conductor pipe sections. In a method of the present invention, there are one or more casing strings inside the conductor string bore. A tool is preferably lowered to an underwater location that enables the tool to form openings in the conductor string and the one or more casing strings above and below the connector. Openings are preferably formed in the conductor string and the one or more casing strings and using the tool, the openings preferably include one or more openings above the connector and one or more openings below the connector. A pin is preferably placed through each formed opening. The conductor string and the one or more casing strings is preferably pulled with a lifting apparatus, wherein the pins that are located above and below a connector carry a tensile load in addition to any tensile load carried by the connector.

[0035] In one or more preferred embodiments, the oil well conductor strings are preferably connected to a jacket with a frame.

[0036] In one or more preferred embodiments, further comprising connecting the frame to the jacket and the conductor strings and lifting the frame, jacket and conductor strings with a lifting apparatus.

[0037] In one or more preferred embodiments, the frame is preferably connected to the conductor strings with l-beams, tubulars or other structural members that can support the weight of the conductor during removal.

[0038] In one or more preferred embodiments, the frame is preferably welded or pinned to the jacket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: Figure 1 is an elevation view showing a typical offshore oil platform and conductor arrangement; Figure 2 is a partial, perspective view showing a typical conductor arrangement; Figure 3 is an elevation view showing a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating a method of the present invention; Figure 4 is an elevation view showing a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating a method of the present invention; Figure 5 is an elevation view showing a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating a method of the present invention; Figure 6 is an elevation view showing a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating a method of the present invention; Figure 7 is an elevation view showing a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating a method of the present invention; Figure 8 is an elevation view showing a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating a method of the present invention; Figure 9 is an elevation view showing a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating a method of the present invention; Figure 10 is an elevation view showing a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating a method of the present invention; Figure 11 is an elevation view showing an alternate preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating a method of the present invention; Figure 12 is a partial, perspective view showing an alternate preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating a method of the present invention; and Figure 13 is an elevation view showing an alternate preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating a method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] Figures 1-2 show a typical offshore oil platform 1 and conductor arrangement. A jacket 2 is preferably placed at the mud line 3. Jacket 2 can extend above and below water line or water surface 4. Jacket 2 can provide multiple conductor guides 5. Conductor strings 6 preferably extend downwardly from platform 1 deck area 7 through each guide 5 and into the seabed 8. As an example, Figures 1-2 show twenty-four (24) conductor strings 6.

[0041] Each conductor string 6 can be comprised of one or more conductor pipes. If a conductor string 6 is comprised of multiple conductor pipes, they are attached one to another end to end. A connector 9 joins one conductor pipe 11 to another conductor pipe 12 as seen in Figures 1, 3-10. There can be a number of such pipes 11, 12 making up each conductor string. Each pair of pipes are preferably joined with a connector 9. Thus, a string 6 can have preferably one or more connectors 9, and more preferably 10 or more connectors. Such a connector 9 can preferably be a threaded connector (e.g., Talon® brand threaded connector), a cam lock connector or welded connector (all commercially available and known). After a useful life span, the platform 1 and conductor strings 6 are to be abandoned which requires removal. As part of this removal or decommissioning, each conductor string 6 is preferably cut a selected distance above or below the mud line 3. A lifting device on platform 1 deck area 7 (e.g., crane, jacking mechanism, removal tower) or a floating lifting apparatus (e.g., derrick barge or other removal asset) can then pull each conductor string 6 from the seabed 8. After many years, connectors 9 can become weak (e.g., corrosion). In some cases, the connectors 9 are weak in tension and unable to carry the load from one pipe section to another.

[0042] In Figures 1 and 3-10 a method and apparatus 10 of the present invention preferably employs a section of pipe 13 that has an upper end 14 and a lower end 15. Lift pipe section 13 is preferably lowered into bore 22 of conductor string 6 using a lift line 16 and tool 17. Lift pipe section 13 preferably has bore 26 which is occupied by tool 17 in Figure 3. Tool 17 can be any suitable rigging, such as gusset plate or plates or a padeye connection. Tool 17 can be for example a plate welded to the inside of pipe 13. In Figures 3-4, pipe section 13 is preferably positioned so that upper end 14 is above connector 9 while lower end 15 is below connector 9. As an example, if pipe section 13 is twenty feet (20') long, upper end 14 can be placed about ten feet (10') above connector 9 while lower end 15 can be placed about ten feet (10') below connector 9.

[0043] After placement of pipe section 13 in bore 22 spanning across connector 9 as seen in Figures 3-4, holes or openings or transverse bores 18, 19 are preferably formed above and below connector 9. These holes, openings or transverse bores 18, 19 can be formed preferably by cutting or drilling. In Figures 5-6, a cutting tool 20 lowered into pipe 13 can be used to form the holes, openings or bores 18,19. In Figures 7-8, a remotely operated underwater vehicle 21 (or R.O.V.) can be used to cut or drill the openings, holes, or transverse bores 18, 19 preferably using cutting tool 20. Such cutting tool 20 can be abrasive, explosive or energetic systems, and are commercially available, such as from Oceaneering (www.oceaneering.com) or SPEX (www.spex-innovation.com).

[0044] In Figures 3-7 and 9-10, conductor string 6 preferably has a bore 22 that can contain intermediate casing (or casings) 23 and grout 24. As seen in Figures 6-10, the transverse bores, openings or holes 18, 19 are preferably cut through conductor pipes 11, 12 and each lift pipe section 13 but also preferably through any intermediate casings 23 or grout 24.

[0045] Pins 25 are preferably inserted into each transverse bore, opening or hole 18, 19 as seen in Figure 10. Each end 27, 28 of pin 25 is preferably flush with outside surface 29.

In this fashion, each conductor string 6 can be pulled upwardly through a conductor guide as there are preferably no projecting parts beyond outer surface 29 of casing string 6. A lifting mechanism on the platform 1 (e.g., crane, jacking mechanism) or a floating lifting apparatus (e.g., derrick barge) can be used to lift each conductor string 6. As an example, a conductor string 6 could be comprised of as many as two or more conductor pipes joined by connectors 9 so that one or more lift pipe sections would be used. The number of conductor pipes varies by platform water depth amongst other things.

[0046] If there are one or more casings 23 in conductor string Sand the casings 23 have sufficient strength, pipe section 13 is not required, as seen in Figure 11. Transverse bore, opening or hole 18, 19 are preferably drilled or cut above and below each connector 9. As seen in Figure 11, the transverse bores, openings or holes 18, 19 are preferably cut through conductor pipes 11, 12 and preferably through casings 23. Pins 25 are preferably inserted into each transverse bore, opening or hole 18, 19. A lifting mechanism on the platform 1 (e.g., crane, jacking mechanism) or a floating lifting apparatus (e.g., derrick barge) can be used to lift each conductor string 6.

[0047] Figures 12 and 13 show an alternative removal method of the present invention using a support frame 30. Support frame 30 preferably connects to jacket 2 and conductors 6 to lift jacket 2 and conductors 6 together. Conductors 6 can be secured to jacket 2, preferably by installing support frame 30 on top of jacket 2 (for example, by welding). Frame 30 can be connected to conductors 6 by welding, pins, linked plates, or another suitable connection. Preferably, frame 30 includes I-beams, connectors, tubulars or other structural members 31 that can connect top of conductor string 6 to frame 30 (for example, by welding).

[0048] Once conductors 6 are secured, jacket 2 can then be removed preferably with some or all of conductors/well strings 6 remaining in place. Frame 30, jacket 2 and conductor strings 6 can preferably be removed all together with one or more derrick barges or other suitable lifting apparatus. The tensile load is preferably imparted to conductors 6. Conductors 6 are preferably required to support their own weight and any additional loads as they are pulled from the seabed 8 during the removal process.

[0049] Conductors 6 as seen in Figures 12-13 can be rigged with the pins 25 above and below connector 9 as seen in any of the previous embodiments disclosed. This embodiment can use internal pipe 13 located above and below a connector 9. If there is internal casing 23, the internal pipe 13 can be eliminated as seen in Figure 11.

[0050] The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention: PARTS LIST:

PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION

1 offshore platform/oil and gas well drilling platform 2 jacket 3 mud line 4 water surface/water line conductor guide 6 conductor string 7 deck area 8 seabed 9 connector conductor lift apparatus/method 11 conductor pipe 12 conductor pipe 13 insert pipe/lift pipe section/lift pipe string 14 upper end lower end 16 lift line/cable 17 tool 18 transverse opening/hole/bore 19 transverse opening/hole/bore cutting tool/drilling tool 21 remotely operated vehicle (R.O.V.) 22 conductor string bore 23 intermediate casing 24 grout pin/lift pin 26 lift pipe bore 27 pin end 28 pin end 29 casing string outer surface frame/conductor support frame 31 l-beams, connectors, tubulars or other structural members [0051] The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A method of decommissioning underwater oil well conductor strings comprised of multiple conductor pipe sections that are joined end to end with connectors that couple each conductor pipe section to one or more other conductor pipe sections, comprising the steps of: a) bridging each connector with an internal lift pipe section, wherein the internal pipe section extends above and below the connector, said pipe section having an upper end above the connector and a lower end below the connector; b) lowering a tool to an underwater location that enables the tool to form openings in the conductor string and lift pipe section above and below the connector; c) forming openings in the lift pipe section and conductor string with the tool of step "b", said openings including one or more openings above the connector and one or more openings below the connector; d) placing a pin through each formed opening of step "c"; and e) pulling the conductor string with a lifting apparatus, wherein the lift pipe section and pins that are located above and below a said connector carry a tensile load in addition to any tensile load carried by said connector.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein in step "a" there is a conductor string and a well string inside the conductor string, wherein the internal lift pipe section is positioned inside the well string and in step "c" the openings extend through the internal lift pipe section, well string and conductor string.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the openings of step "c" extend through the lift pipe section and conductor string at two circumferentially spaced apart positions.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the conductor string has multiple connectors and wherein a section of the conductor string above and below a first, lowermost connector is first fitted with the internal lift pipe section and pins using steps "a" through "d" followed by then fitting a second internal lift pipe section and pins to a section of the conductor string above and below a second connector that is above the first, lowermost connector by repeating steps "a" through "d" for the second internal lift pipe section, conductor string and pins above and below said second connector.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein a section of the conductor string above and below a third connector is fitted with a third internal lift pipe section and pins by repeating steps "a" through "d".
6. The method of claim 1 wherein step "e" includes pulling the conductor string through one or more conductor guides.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the connectors includes a threaded portion, cam lock portion or welded portion.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the said connectors are unable to develop the tensile strength of the conductor pipe sections during the pulling of step "e".
9. The method of claim 1 wherein there are one or more tubulars in between the conductor string and the lift pipe section including an intermediate casing.
10. A method of decommissioning underwater oil well conductor strings comprised of multiple conductor pipe sections that are joined end to end with connectors that couple each conductor pipe section to one or more other conductor pipe sections comprising the steps of: a) placing a lift pipe section inside the conductor string bore wherein the lift pipe section extends above and below the connectors; b) lowering a tool to an underwater location that enables the tool to form openings in both conductor string and lift pipe section above and below the connector; c) forming openings in the lift pipe section and conductor string with the tool of step "b", said openings including one or more openings above the connector and one or more openings below the connector; d) placing a pin through each formed opening of step "c"; and e) pulling the conductor string upwardly with a lifting apparatus, wherein the lift pipe section and pins that are located above and below a said connector transfer load to portions of the conductor string that are above and below the connector.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein there are one or more tubulars in between the conductor string and the lift pipe section including an intermediate casing.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the lift pipe section closely abuts a said intermediate casing.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the one or more tubulars include said intermediate casing and one or more surface casings.
14. The method of claim 10 wherein in step "c" a remotely operated submersible forms the openings.
15. The method of claim 10 wherein in step "c" a tool lowered into the lift pipe section forms the openings.
16. The method of claim 10 wherein the pins of step "d" extend through two (2) opposed positions of the lift pipe section, conductor string and one or more intermediate tubular members.
17. The method of claim 10 wherein the tool of step "b" is a cutting tool.
18. The method of claim 10 wherein the tool of step "b" is a drilling tool.
19. The method of claim 10 wherein the conductor string has multiple connectors and wherein a first, lowermost connector is first fitted with a lift pipe section using steps "a" through "d" followed by then fitting a second connector that is above the first, lowermost connector with a second lift pipe section by repeating steps "a" through "d" for said second connector.
20. A method of decommissioning underwater oil well conductor strings comprised of multiple conductor pipe sections that are joined end to end with connectors that couple each conductor pipe section to one or more other conductor pipe sections, said conductor string having a string bore, and wherein there are one or more casing strings inside the conductor string bore, comprising the steps of a) lowering a tool to an underwater location that enables the tool to form openings in the conductor string and the one or more casing strings above and below the connector; b) forming openings in the conductor string and the one or more casing strings and using the tool of step "a", said openings including one or more openings above the connector and one or more openings below the connector; c) placing a pin through each formed opening of step "b"; and d) pulling the conductor string and the one or more casing strings with a lifting apparatus, wherein the pins that are located above and below a said connector carry a tensile load in addition to any tensile load carried by said connector.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the oil well conductor strings are connected to a jacket with a frame.
22. The method of claim 21 further comprising connecting the frame to the jacket and the conductor strings and lifting the frame, jacket and conductor strings with a lifting 10 apparatus.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the frame is connected to the conductor strings with I-beams, tubulars or other structural members.
24. The method of claim 21 wherein the frame is welded to the jacket.
25. The invention(s) substantially as shown and/or described herein.