US2750750A - Deep water well drilling system - Google Patents

Description

June 19, 1956 r. M. Kuss ET AL 2,750,750

DEEP WATER WELL DRILLING SYSTEM Filed Oct. 18. 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATRDRNEYS June 19, 1956 T. M. Kuss ET AL DEEP WATER WELL DRILLING SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 001;. 18. 1948 ll l I l l ll IN VEN TORS THEODORE M. KUS S RAL-PH D. RUSSELL BY WA ma ATT-O RN EY June 19, 1956 Filed OCT..

T. M. Kuss ET A1,

DEEP WATER WELL DRILLING SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TORS THEODORE M. KUSS BY RALPH D. RUEL-L.

z,mymz7 ATTORNE Y June 19, 1956 r. M. Kuss ETAL DEEP WATER WELL DRILLING SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 18. 1948 M, M? M ATroRNEYs NTI DEEP WATER WELL DRILLING SYSTEM Theodore M. Kuss, San Francisco, and Ralph D. Russell, Oakland, Calif.

This invention relates to a structure which may be employed to remove oil from the soil under the ocean bed.

Heretofore oil has been recovered for the most part by drilling through the surface of the earth. Successful attempts have been made to drill for oil in the tidelands at depths of about 50 or 60 feet and although it has been definitely established that rich oil deposits exist in the ocean bed many miles olf the shores of the United States, no method nor means has been devised for successfully obtaining oil at ocean depths of 500 or 600 feet.

The present methods of drilling for oil from the platforms erected on piles cannot be employed when depths of lve or six hundred feet are encountered because of the inherent disadvantages in the structures employed. For example the derricks employed must be made as high as possible to accommodate efficient lengths of drill shaft sections. The weight of such structures makes any method requiring the use of piles unsatisfactory because of the inherent weakness of long slender columns.

Another disadvantage of prior drilling installations has been the lack of facilities available for eifectively storing the crude oil after it has been brought to the surface. The method now employed where wells are at shallow depths of immediately filling barges or tankers with the crude oil has the obvious disadvantage that the rate of pumping is controlled by the availability of barges. The present method of using piles at shallow depths is also inefficient and uneconomical since a substantial portion of the structure must be left in position if the location proves to be economically unsatisfactory.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of an economically built structure for oil drilling at sea at greater depths than heretofore which has the inherent strength required to support a working platform, a plurality of derricks and other necessary well drilling equipment.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a structure for oil drilling at `sea which permits the use of shorter derricks than have heretofore been used or which will permit the use of conventional derricks with longer drill shaft sections.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a structure having means for storing large quantities of crue oil within the structure itself, thereby minimizing the total weight of the structure.

And yet another object of this invention is the provision of a structure which may be completely fabricated on land and which may be easily assembled at the location at which the drilling operation is to be performed.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a structure which may be readily moved from .one location to another to suit economically satisfactory oil recovery.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a structure which may be employed to drill for oil through nited States Fatent CII t iC

Water having a depth greater than heretofore penetrated for such purposes.

Still another object of the invention is an improved method of drilling for oil at sea or offshore.

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one caisson in a horizontal floating position adapted to be towed to the drilling location.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of one caisson after it has been rotated to a vertical position.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of two caissons in a vertical position before they are secured together.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the completed structure showing the two caissons secured together with a platform and derricks erected on the caissons.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational View of the completed structure in a raised position for towing the same.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the structure showing the platform and oil will drilling derricks.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of the caissons with connecting means therebetween.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional plan View of the caissons and connecting means shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the caissons only taken at the juncture between tubular portions thereof showing the means for connecting the same.

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view partially in section of a portion of one of the caissons.

Fig. ll is a horizontal sectional view of the caissons showing the means for connecting the same.

Fig. l2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through one of the caisson units showing internal structure with associated conduits shown diagrammatically.

Fig. i3 is a fragmentary sectional plan view of a portion of a caisson as taken along line 13-13 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional plan view of a portion of a caisson as taken along line 14-14 of Fig. l2.

The invention comprises in part a pair of caissons 1, 2 which may be built of reinforced concrete or the like and constructed on a ship ways or drydock. Said caissons are formed from a plurality of generally cylindrical columns 7 which are integrally secured together at their adjacent walls 3. These columns 7 are hollow except for watertight floors 4, 5, 6 which are positioned transversely within each column for purposes to be later described in detail. These oors may also be integral parts of the caissons.

By virtue of the watertight cells between floors 4, 5, 6 the caissons may be iloated horizontally on water as shown in Fig. l when these cells are filled with air. When the caissons have been towed to the location at which the drilling operation is to be performed each caisson may be rotated to a vertical position by flooding one of the cells in each column in a manner to be described. The two vertically disposed floating caissons may then be rigidily but releasably connected together without the use of divers by the means shown in Figs. 3 and 9.

As best seen in Figs. 9 and 11 a plurality of compression beams 10 may be rigidly or swingably connected to one caisson 2 and are adapted to space the caissons apart in the completed structure. Members 8 may be connected at right angles to said beams to act as spacers and diagonal bracing may be employed if required. These beams 19 are preferably positioned in two horizontal rows so that the lower row is positioned adjacent and above the bed of the ocean and the upper row is under the surface of the ocean when theA structure is in operating position. As best seen in Fig. 11 one beam 10 of each row is preferably positioned between each column 7 and one beam is positioned at each longitudinal side of the caisson.

I The beams 10 may be rigidly secured to one caisson 2 but are preferably hinged as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 so 9 to increase resistance to bearing stresses. To secure each beam 10 in a horizontal position rope 13 is employed which may be connected to beam 10 by means of shackle V14 and apertured plate 15 and which may be secured to caisson 2 at a point spaced upwardly from said beam by means of plate 16 (Fig. 9).

As best seen in Fig. 9 the two caissons are effectively secured together by means of diagonal ropes 17 which are secured to the caissons 1, 2 above the lower row of beams 10 by plates 13 and are secured below the upper row of beams 10 by plates 19. Adjustable falls 20 are positioned adjacent the upper end of ropes 17 so that .the desired mechanical advantage may be secured to create the necessary tension in ropes 17. Said falls are actuated by ropes 21-Which are secured to a power means at the upper end of caissons 1, 2 which will later be described in detail.

Thus is it apparent that the two caissons may be floated to the desired location as separate units and connected together without the services of a diver. It should be noted in this connection that the present invention is particularly adapted to be used at depths in excess of 500 feet which depths are beyond the limit reached by divers in the past. It is, of course, understood that necessary connections such as the connection of rope 17 with plate 18 are performed while the caissons are still aoat so that no underwater work need be done to assemble the structure.

As hereinbefore explained the beams 10 are preferably hinged to caisson 2 and for this purpose hinge pad 24 is provided on caisson 2 and said hinge pad 24 is connected to beam 10 by means of pin 25. For the purpose of swinging these beams into a horizontal position ropes 22 are employed and are angularly connected to beams 10 by means of plates in a similar manner as ropes 13. Sheaves 25 secured to caisson 2 are employed to direct the lower ropes 22 upwardly along column 7 to a source of power to be later described in detail.

Main hauling line 26 extending transversely of the space between the caissons may be connected to caisson 2 by means of plate 27 and said hauling line 26 may be redirected upwardly by sheave 2S so that tension may be imparted to said line from the top of caisson 1.

The construction of each caisson will now be described in detail by considering only one of the columns which are connected together to form one caisson. it being understood that all columns 7 are substantially similar except for certain minor differences which will be explained. Between oor 6 and the top of each column is a non-watertight cell 30 open at its upper end. Between floors 6 and 5 is a watertight cell 31 and between floors 5 and 4 is a watertight cell 32. Non-watertight cell 33 is positioned between door 4 and the lower end of the caisson and is open at its lower end. Positioned within ` cells 30, 31, 32 are relatively small watertight compartments 34, 35, 36 respectively which compartments contain certain machinery which will later be described in detail.

Air supply conduit 37 communicates between cell 30 and cell 32 and has at its lower end a water check valve 38 of the conventional type which permits passage of air upwardly past the valve but excludes water from conduit 37.

Valve 39 is positioned in conduit 37 and is adapted to be opened and closed by a reversing motor 4t) which in turn may be controlled from the top of the caisson. Connected to conduit 37 and adapted to by-pass air between cells 31 and 32 is conduit 41. Said conduit may be opened and closed by valve 42 actuated by a reversing motor 43 controllable from the top of the caisson. Valves 39 and 42, including motors 4t), 43, and their associated mechanisms are positioned Within watertight compartment 3S.

Communicating between cells 30 and 31 is air by-pass conduit 44 having at its lower end that is in cell 31 a water check valve 45 similar in structure and function to check valve 38. Conduits 44 and 37 are interconnected within watertight compartment 34 by valve 46 which valve is actuated by a reversing motor 47 controllable from the caisson top. The by-pass conduit 44 may be opened and closed by valve 48 and motor 49. This arrangement of conduits and valves provides a means for interconnecting cells 30, 31 and 32 for the passage of air therebetween and also for supplying air to the said cells from a source of air above the surface of the Water. The water check valves 38 and 45 provide a means for preventing water from entering the air conduits.

As best seen in Figs. 12 and 13 a pump 5S is positioned Within compartment 35 for the purpose of pumping water out of cell 31. Suction conduit S6 communicates between pump 55 and sump 57 which sump is positioned in floor 5. Discharge `conduit 58 communicates between pump 55 and the exterior of column 7. Conduit 59 communicates between conduit 58 and cell 31 so that when said conduit is Vopened water is permitted to flood cell 31. Valves 60 and 61 are adapted to open and close conduits 58 and 59 respectively. Pump 55 and valves 6i) and 61 are actuated by motors 62, 63, 64 respectively which in turn are operable from the top of the caisson.

Pump 70 is positioned in `compartment 36 and functions in an identical manner to pump 55. Since pump 70 and its associated mechanism is identical to pump 55 a detailed description of said pump is omitted.

Thus it is seen that means is provided for permitting water to enter cells 31 and 32 and also for permitting any water in said cells to be pumped out.

Positioned within cell 3i) are hoisting drums 71 driven by motor 72 and adapted to actuate ropes 21, 22 for the purposes hereinbefore described. This apparatus need not be installed until the caisson is upended. Sheaves 73, 74 are positioned on top of caisson 2 so that the direction of ropes 21, 22 may be appropriately changed. Valve 75 adapted to be actuated by shaft 76 from the top of the caisson is positioned adjacent floor 6 for draining cell 30 while the caisson is being brought to a vertical position.

The operation required to position the structure on the ocean bed is best seen 'by reference to Figs. l through 5 and Fig. l2.

When the caisson 2 arrives at the desired location, valve 61 in compartment 36 is opened permitting water to enter cell 32 thus causing the caisson to rotate to the position shown in Fig. 2. While in this position the submergence of the caisson may be controlled by ooding cell 31 in a similar manner if required. Caisson 1 is rotated and submerged in a like manner, ropes 17 having been previously connected to pad 18 as hereinbefore described. Beams 10 may then be swung into a horizontal position and the caissons drawn together by means of hauling lines 26 and ropes 17. In this connection itis important to note` that the control of submergence of the caissons permitted by the use of pumps 55 and 7i) may be employed effectively to align the beams 10 with the depressions 12 on caisson 1. Thus if the registration of the free ends of beams 10 is accomplished with respect to the upper beams when the caissons are vertical and the upper beams are above the surface of the water it is obvious that a similar registration of lower beams 10 with the lower depressions 12 is insured (Fig. 3).

After Vthe two caissons are effectively secured together by beams 10 and ropes 17, cells 31 and 32 may be completely flooded causing the caissons to be securely imbedded in the ocean bottom (Fig. 4). It should be noted that the soil on which the caissons rest may be preloaded by completely lling cells 32 and 31 causing the caissons to sink into the ocean bed. Pressure on the said soil may then be relaxed by pumping water out of cell 31 to obtain a suitable bearing pressure commensurate with the type of soil encountered.

It is well known that different types of soil have different allowable bearing pressures and to prevent settling of an object resting on the soil the bearing pressure should not approach that pressure which will cause the object to penetrate into the soil. The process of preloading the soil as herein explained is essential to avoid excessive settling of the structure after the oil drilling operation has been commenced.

It should also be noted in this connection that unlevelness in the ocean bed may be overcome by flooding one caisson more than the other and by unequally flooding the columns of one caisson.

After the caissons are securely positioned on the ocean bottom, construction of the platform and oil well derricks 81 as shown in Figs. 4, 5 may be commenced. Girders 82 may be secured to caissons 1, 2 and platform 80 constructed thereon. A plurality of oil derricks 81 are shown on Fig. 6 but it will be readily apparent that other appropriate structures required for the oil drilling operation may be positioned on said platform.

For the purpose of permitting the drill shafts to reach the soil on the ocean bed, watertight pipes 83 are provided between cells 30 and cells 33 running through cells 31 and 32. Such pipes are of sufficient diameter so that operators may descend an appropriate distance through the same for servicing the drill shafts. To permit the operators to thus work below the surface of the ocean a transverse platform 84 is positioned in said pipe at any desired position. Said platform is provided with a hole 85 through which the drill shafts may be dropped and through which water or mud entrapped in the bottom of the caisson may be removed therefrom.

To provide storage for any oil which may not be readily removable by barges or tankers, pipes 86 (Fig. l2) are employed to direct such oil into cell 31 or to remove oil from said cell. It is understood of course that the oil in cell 31 will lie above any water which is in said cell because the oil has a lesser density than the water.

Pump 55 may be employed to pump water in or out of cell 31 depending upon the amount of oil to be stored.

It is to be clearly understood that many variations in design or arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the present invention. For example pump compartments 35, 36 need not be provided in each column. Only one column need contain such pump compartments, and holes 87 may be made in walls 3 adjacent the top and bottom of such cell so that all cells in one caisson may be flooded together or emptied together. Preferably the pump compartments should be positioned so as to serve two or three so that the effect of flooding may be balanced.

The use of the words sea or ocean in the claims and description are not necessarily words of limitation but are intended to refer to bodies of water of fairly great depth, such as up to 500 feet and even greater, where the present system is suitable.

We claim:

l. An offshore drilling and pumping system comprising a pair of elongated caissons respectively adapted to be floated horizontally to the desired site for up-ending onto the bed of the sea, each of said caissons being formed with hollow cells adjacent opposite ends and means for selectively admitting and expelling air and water to said cells for causing movement of said caissons from horizontal position to up-ended position in water and vice-versa and for increasing and decreasing the buoyancy of said caissons when in vertical up-ended position as desired, means connected with said caissons respectively for securing them rigidly together when in up-ended position in water', said means including a connector adjacent the' lower ends of said caissons when the latter are in said vertical position, means securing said connector to one of said caissons for movement to and from a position extending between the said lower ends of said caissons spacing them apart, and means connected with said connector extending upwardly to a point adjacent their upper ends for manipulation at said point for causing said movement.

2. An offshore drilling and pumping system comprising a pair of elongated caissons respectively adapted to be floated horizontally to the desired site for up-ending onto the bed of the sea, each of said caissons being formed with hollow cells adjacent opposite ends and means for selectively admitting and expelling air and water to said cells for causing movement of said caissons from horizontal position to up-ended position in water and vice-versa and for increasing and decreasing the buoyancy of said caissons when in vertical up-ended position as desired, means connected with said caissons respectively for securing them rigidly together when in up-ended position in water, said means including horizontal beams hingedly secured at one of their ends to one caisson of said pair for swinging from positions alongside said one caisson to horizontally extending positions engaging the other caisson at their outer ends, movable means extending between said caissons and connected with the latter accessible for manipulation at the upper ends of said caissons for moving said caissons toward each other when said beams are in horizontally extending position for tight engagement of said other caisson with said outer ends of said beams.

3. An offshore drilling and pumping system comprising a pair of elongated caissons respectively adapted to be floated horizontally to the desired site for 11p-ending onto the bed of the sea, each of said caissons being formed with hollow cells adjacent opposite ends and means for selectively admitting and expelling air and water to said cells for causing movement of said caissons from horizontal position to up-ended position in water and vice-versa and for increasing and decreasing the buoyancy of said caissons when in vertical up-ended position as desired, means connected with said caissons respectively for securing them rigidly together when in up-ended position in water, said means including horizontal beams hingedly secured at one of their ends to one caisson of said pair for swinging from positions alongside said one caisson to horizontally extending positions engaging the other caisson at their outer ends, movable means extending between said caissons and connected with the latter accessible for manipulation at the upper ends of said caissons for moving said caissons toward each other when said beams are in horizontally extending position for tight engagement of said other caisson with said outer ends of said beams, said other caisson being formed with recesses for receiving the said outer ends of said beams.

4. An offshore drilling and pumping system comprising a pair of elongated caissons respectively formed of a plurality of integrally united parallel hollow cylinders in side by side relationship extending longitudinally of each caisson, partitions within said cylinders extending transversely thereacross dividing each of said cylinders into cells with one of said cells being adjacent each of the opposite ends of said cylinders, pump means on each caisson for admitting water into and expelling water from the corresponding cells at one of the ends of said cylinders to effect up-ending of said caissons in water from horizontal floating positions to vertical positions, means for rigidly securing said caissons together in spaced relation when said caissons are in said vertical up-ended position, and separate means accessible from the upper ends of said caissons when the latter are so secured together for disconnecting said caissons and for actuating said pump means for expelling the water from the lowermost cells as desired to increase the buoyancy of said caissons.

(References 0n following page) References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Griesser Aug. 21, 1923 Bradshaw May 3, 1932 5 Griesbach Aug. 9, 1932 Plummer Sept. 5, 1939 8 Kirby lune 10, 1947 Travers June 14, 1949 Hackett July 2, 1949 Manes May 15, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS France 1935

Claims (1)

1. AN OFFSHORE DRILLING AND PUMPING SYSTEM COMPRISING A PAIR OF ELONGATED CAISSONS RESPECTIVELY ADAPTED TO BE FLOATED HORIZONTALLY TO THE DESIRED SITE FOR UP-ENDING ONTO THE BED OF THE SEA, EACH OF SAID CAISSONS BEING FORMED WITH HOLLOW CELLS ADJACENT OPPOSITE ENDS AND MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY ADMITTING AND EXPELLING AIR AND WATER TO SAID CELLS FOR CAUSING MOVEMENT OF SAID CAISSONS FROM HORIZONTAL POSITION TO UP-ENDED POSITION IN WATER AND VICE-VERSA AND FOR INCREASING AND DECREASING THE BUOYANCY OF SAID CAISSONS WHEN IN VERTICAL UP-ENDED POSITION AS DESIRED, MEANS CONNECTED WITH SAID CAISSONS RESPECTIVELY FOR SECURING THEM RIGIDLY TOGETHER WHEN IN UP-ENDED POSITION IN WATER, SAID MEANS INCLUDING A CONNECTOR ADJACENT THE

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