GB842434A - Improvements in floating oil well drilling equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

842,434. Apparatus for sub-aqueous boring. MOORE CORPORATION, L. C. Oct. 7, 1958 [April 8, 1958], No. 32010/58. Class 85. [Also in Group XXXIII] A barge for transporting a well drilling mast 11 comprises a hull 8 which has two pairs of frames 9 and 10 in each of which cables 13 pass over sheaves 14 and support a cross-beam 12. A winch 15 is provided for raising each cross-beam and hence the mast 11. A marine platform on which the mast is to be erected comprises a base 1 on which are mounted the draw-works 6 and two pairs of shoes 3 and 4 to which are attached the legs of a gin 5. The front pair of shoes 4 have additional holes through which will pass pins connecting the mast to the base. Also mounted on the base 1 are a pair of arms 20a each of which has a slot 21a in its lower end which embraces a pivot pin 23. The arms pass through tapered slots in the base. The freedom of movement allowed the arms facilitates their connection by hollow pins 25 to the foot of the mast which has previously been raised by the winches 15 to a convenient height. As the mast is then pulled towards the gin by the draw-works 6 and the cables 17 and 19, the arms 20a swing backwards and when the hollow pins 25 register with the holes in the shoes 4, solid pins 26 are inserted. In a modification there is no provision for raising and lowering the mast which has rollers fastened to it lengthwise (not shown - see Fig. 6), resting on rollers mounted transversely of the barge in place of the cross-beams 12.