US3687204A - Curved offshore well conductors - Google Patents

Curved offshore well conductors Download PDF

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Publication number
US3687204A
US3687204A US70101A US3687204DA US3687204A US 3687204 A US3687204 A US 3687204A US 70101 A US70101 A US 70101A US 3687204D A US3687204D A US 3687204DA US 3687204 A US3687204 A US 3687204A
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United States
Prior art keywords
conductor
platform structure
conductors
respect
downwardly
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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
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US70101A
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English (en)
Inventor
Peter W Marshall
Peter Arnold
Francis P Dunn
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Shell USA Inc
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Shell Oil Co
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    • 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
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • 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
    • E21B7/04—Directional drilling
    • E21B7/043—Directional drilling for underwater installations

Definitions

  • a platform structure is installed on the floor over the formation and well conductors are extended down the structure and penetrate into the floor of the body of water.
  • the conductors may include an upper vertical portion, then continually curve downwardly and outwardly through the structure above the floor in a manner maintaining a relatively smooth bore throughout the entire extent of the conductors.
  • the conductors are extended into the floor of the body of water and wells are drilled, via the conductors, down into communication with the formation. Formation fluids are then produced from the formation via the conductors.
  • FIG. 3 WELL WITH STRAIGHT VERTICAL CONDUCTOR INVENTOR PETER w. MARSHALL BY PETER ARNOLD 26 FRANCIS P. DUNN L IM,
  • the invention relates to the drilling of wells ofi'shore; and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from subterranean formations under the ocean floor.
  • An alternate type of arrangement in applying such straight-slant type conductors to deep water conditions is to keep the portion of the conductor which is above the mudline inside the framework of the platform by crisscrossing them in a vertical plane.
  • the wellhead for each well conductor is located at the top of the platform structure on one side thereof and the bottom well conductor platform support is located at the mudline near the opposite side of the pladorm structure.
  • Such an arrangement requires that a large part of the deck area of the platform structure be designed to accommodate the required slant drilling rig since the wellheads are not located together. Unless the layout of the platform structure is axisymmetric, this latter technique may result in an undesirable well conductor reach pattern. Moreover, a special slant drilling rig must be used rather than the conventional straight rig.
  • a platform structure on the floor of a body of water over a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation below the floor and extending well conductors down the structure and beneath the floor of the body of water.
  • the conductors may include an upper vertical portion, then continually curve downwardly and outwardly through the structure above the floor in a manner maintaining a relatively smooth bore throughout the entire extent of the conductors.
  • the conductors are extended into the floor beneath the structure and wells are drilled via the conductors down into the formation. Formation fluids are then produced from the formation via the conductors.
  • a further purpose in employing curved conductors is to minimize the possibility of inadvertently drilling into a previously drilled well. The further apart the conductors are spread at the bottom of the structure, the less likelihood there is of drilling into one wellbore while drilling another well.
  • FIG. 1 is a vertical view of a platform structure resting on the floor of a body of water and having well conductors installed thereon in accordance with the teachings of our invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the platform structure of FIG. 1 showing well conductor guides on the structure for accommodating the curvature of the well conductors in accordance with the teachings of our invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a vertical, partly graphic, view showing the advantages of the teachings of our invention over conventional prior art vertical riggings.
  • a conventional platform structure 10 resting on the floor 11 of a body of water 12.
  • Structure 10 includes a generally horizontal work platform 13 thereon supported above the water surface 14 by suitable framework 15.
  • Framework 15 preferably includes a plurality of legs 16 interconnected by a network of cross-bracing members 17. The lower ends of legs 16 extend into the floor 11 and are anchored therein by suitable piles 18.
  • conventional well equipment such as derricks, draw works, engines, etc., (not shown) may be installed on work platform 13.
  • a plurality of well conductors are extended from platform 13 along framework 15 to the floor 11 of the body of water 12.
  • conductor 22 may extend substantially vertical with respect to platform structure 10.
  • conductors i9, 20, 21, 23 and 24 extend first vertically downwardly with respect to platform structure then continually curve downwardly and outwardly in any desired pattern as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the curvature applied to conductors 19, 20, 21, 23 and 24 may be constant or varying; however, in either case, a smooth bore is provided throughout substantially the entire extent of the conductors thereby permitting sharper curvatures than may normally be permitted when drilling into the floor 11. In this manner, the early attainment of high angles of deviation increases the lateral reach of the well conductors while retention of conventional vertical drilling techniques is permitted by having the curved conductors vertical at their top ends.
  • the conductors are supported at intervals along platform structure 10 by conductor guides 25 (FIG. 2) built into the platform structure 10 so as to accommodate the curvature of the conductors.
  • These guides 25 have been omitted in FIG. 1 for convenience of illustration.
  • guides 25 may take the form of ring elements or the like secured to the legs 16 or framework of platform structure 10 at a plurality of staggered offset locations. These guides 25 provide guidance and support for the conductors. Curvature may be imparted to the conductors by performing the conductors and/or by elastically bending the conductors during installation through the series of slightly offset guides 25.
  • the preformed or plasticallybent conductors may be used to continue building angle below the bottom conductor guides 25 (generally at the mudline or floor 11). Conventional drilling, jetting, driving, or a combination of these techniques may be used to install the conductors through floor 11. Further, the curved well conductor provides continu ous support for casing and tubing which can be conventionally drilled into communication with subterranean reservoir 26 shown schematically in FIG. 3. Additionally, conductors 19 through 24 may or may not double as piling, as is well known in the drilling art, to support platform structure l0.
  • ductor of FIG. 3 which is shown as having been driven to 150 foot penetration with the wellbore deviated horizontally from that point, curved conductor 24, having a moderate curvature of, for example, six degrees every 100 feet or so, nearly doubles the acreage that can be reached from the single platform structure 10.
  • a slant rig is not required since the wells may be drilled using conventional vertical-type equipment. Additional deck space on platform 13 which may be necessary to move and operate a slant rig is not required nor is special designing of platform 13 to accommodate such a rig necessary.
  • conventional wellhead equipment 27 through 31 may be associated with conductors 19, 20, 21, 23 and 24 (the equipment associated with conductor 22 not being visible in FIG. 1) for recovering formation fluids produced from the reservoir 26 of FIG. 3.
  • one of the curved conductors (e.g., conductor 24) is shown adjacent a conventional prior art straight vertical conductor.
  • the lateral reach capability of the well conductors is increased when such conductors are continually curved when drilled with respect to a single platform structure 10.
  • the techniques of our invention are particularly well suited for combined conditions of deep water (i.e., a water depth or W.D. of between 200 and 400 feet or so) and shallow reservoir depth (i.e., a reservoir depth or RD. of about 5,000 feet more or less).
  • the straight vertical con- This equipment may be clustered in a central location on the platform 13 of platform structure 10 of the same spacing and shape as is conventionally required for producing formation fluids from Straight" vertical conductors.
  • the curved conductors of our invention may be designed to nearly match or exceed (depending on water depth) the reach capability of conventional slant conductors without the inherent disadvantages of the latter, i.e., the conductors and guides may be framed inside the platform structure, the framing at the mudline may economically be designed to enable the curved conductor to function as part of the platform foundation system and so as not to interfere with the installation, the well head equipment may be centrally located, and any desired reach pattern may be achieved. Further, the curved conductors may be installed and wells may be drilled using conventional vertical-type equipment and techniques.
  • the curved conductor may be installed and operated without significantly altering the design or operation of the platform from that which is conventionally used for straight-vertical conductors.
  • the curved conductors of our invention may be used in combination with straight vertical conductors to greatly increase the number of wells which can be drilled from a single platform structure.
  • a method for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation located beneath the floor of a body of water comprising the steps of:
  • step of curving said conductor includes the steps of:
  • step of extending at least one well conductor downwardly with respect to said platform structure includes the step of extending a plurality of well conductors downwardly with respect to said platform, at least some of said well conductors being extended outwardly and downwardly with respect to said platform structure in a direction different from that of an adjacent well conductor in a predetermined pattern with respect to said platform structure.
  • step of curving said conductor includes the step of continually curving said conductor up to approximately 6 every 100 feet.
  • step of curving said conductor includes the step of pre-forming the desired curvature in said conductor prior to the step of extending said conductor downwardly with respect to said platform structure.
  • step of extending said well conductor downwardly with respect to said platform structure includes the step of extending the upper portion of said conductor first vertically downwardly with respect to said platform structure, then curving said conductor.
  • Apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation located beneath the floor of a body of water comprising:
  • a platform structure disposed on the floor of said body of water
  • At least one well conductor extending downwardly with respect to said platform structure, then curved outwardly and downwardly through said platform structure above the floor of said body of water, said conductor having a relatively smooth bore throughout substantially the entire extent thereof;
  • formation fluids recovery means associated with said conductor for recovering formation fluids produced from said formation via said conductor.
  • said platform structure includes a plurality of conductor guide means disposed vertically thereof for curving said conductor and said conductor engages said guide means in a manner curving said conductor.
  • the apparatus of claim 7 including a plurality of said conductors extending downwardly with respect to said platform structure, at least some of said conductors extending outwardly and downwardly with respect to said platform structure in a direction different from that of an adjacent well conductor in a predetermined pattern with respect to said platform structure.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
  • Details Of Television Scanning (AREA)
US70101A 1970-09-08 1970-09-08 Curved offshore well conductors Expired - Lifetime US3687204A (en)

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US7010170A 1970-09-08 1970-09-08

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US (1) US3687204A (de)
JP (1) JPS5529235B1 (de)
CA (1) CA953519A (de)
DE (1) DE2144570C3 (de)
ES (1) ES200818Y (de)
FR (1) FR2107299A5 (de)
GB (1) GB1360101A (de)
NL (1) NL171181C (de)
NO (1) NO132766C (de)
OA (1) OA03787A (de)

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3899032A (en) * 1974-03-15 1975-08-12 Cities Service Oil Co Method and apparatus for deviating conductor casing
US3987639A (en) * 1975-06-26 1976-10-26 Brown & Root, Inc. Methods and apparatus for installing a drill conductor from an offshore tower
US4027734A (en) * 1975-12-11 1977-06-07 Hebert & Co., Inc. Gurtler Deviated conductor driving system
US4339005A (en) * 1980-07-10 1982-07-13 Atlantic Richfield Company Curved well conductors for offshore platform
US4773488A (en) * 1984-08-08 1988-09-27 Atlantic Richfield Company Development well drilling
EP1546505A2 (de) * 2002-08-22 2005-06-29 CDX Gas, LLC System und verfahren zum unterirdischem zugang
US7207395B2 (en) 2004-01-30 2007-04-24 Cdx Gas, Llc Method and system for testing a partially formed hydrocarbon well for evaluation and well planning refinement
US7222670B2 (en) 2004-02-27 2007-05-29 Cdx Gas, Llc System and method for multiple wells from a common surface location
US7264048B2 (en) 2003-04-21 2007-09-04 Cdx Gas, Llc Slot cavity
US7360595B2 (en) 2002-05-08 2008-04-22 Cdx Gas, Llc Method and system for underground treatment of materials
US7571771B2 (en) 2005-05-31 2009-08-11 Cdx Gas, Llc Cavity well system
US20100258320A1 (en) * 2009-04-14 2010-10-14 Shnell James H Ocean floor deep-sea submerged deck
US8291974B2 (en) 1998-11-20 2012-10-23 Vitruvian Exploration, Llc Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface and tools therefor
US8297350B2 (en) 1998-11-20 2012-10-30 Vitruvian Exploration, Llc Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface
US8333245B2 (en) 2002-09-17 2012-12-18 Vitruvian Exploration, Llc Accelerated production of gas from a subterranean zone
US8376052B2 (en) 1998-11-20 2013-02-19 Vitruvian Exploration, Llc Method and system for surface production of gas from a subterranean zone
US8376039B2 (en) 1998-11-20 2013-02-19 Vitruvian Exploration, Llc Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface and tools therefor
US8434568B2 (en) 1998-11-20 2013-05-07 Vitruvian Exploration, Llc Method and system for circulating fluid in a well system
CN111188596A (zh) * 2019-12-30 2020-05-22 中海石油(中国)有限公司 海上石油平台隔水导管扶正孔布置方法

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA1114624A (en) * 1977-06-09 1981-12-22 Michael G. Schaafsma Offshore structure carrying a plurality of curved conductor casings and method of installing a curved conductor casing on an offshore structure

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1900163A (en) * 1931-05-02 1933-03-07 Dana Drexler Method and apparatus for drilling oil wells
US3004612A (en) * 1956-11-05 1961-10-17 Richfield Oil Corp Submerged elevated well head structure
US3380520A (en) * 1966-02-08 1968-04-30 Offshore Co Drilling and production platform
US3390531A (en) * 1967-04-14 1968-07-02 Shell Oil Co Offshore drilling platform
US3451493A (en) * 1967-03-29 1969-06-24 James C Storm Drilling apparatus and method
US3542125A (en) * 1968-11-12 1970-11-24 Otis Eng Corp Well apparatus
US3595312A (en) * 1969-09-18 1971-07-27 Exxon Production Research Co Method and apparatus for installing offshore flow lines

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1900163A (en) * 1931-05-02 1933-03-07 Dana Drexler Method and apparatus for drilling oil wells
US3004612A (en) * 1956-11-05 1961-10-17 Richfield Oil Corp Submerged elevated well head structure
US3380520A (en) * 1966-02-08 1968-04-30 Offshore Co Drilling and production platform
US3451493A (en) * 1967-03-29 1969-06-24 James C Storm Drilling apparatus and method
US3390531A (en) * 1967-04-14 1968-07-02 Shell Oil Co Offshore drilling platform
US3542125A (en) * 1968-11-12 1970-11-24 Otis Eng Corp Well apparatus
US3595312A (en) * 1969-09-18 1971-07-27 Exxon Production Research Co Method and apparatus for installing offshore flow lines

Cited By (30)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3899032A (en) * 1974-03-15 1975-08-12 Cities Service Oil Co Method and apparatus for deviating conductor casing
US3987639A (en) * 1975-06-26 1976-10-26 Brown & Root, Inc. Methods and apparatus for installing a drill conductor from an offshore tower
US4027734A (en) * 1975-12-11 1977-06-07 Hebert & Co., Inc. Gurtler Deviated conductor driving system
USRE29929E (en) * 1975-12-11 1979-03-13 Gurtler, Hebert & Co., Inc. Deviated conductor driving system
US4339005A (en) * 1980-07-10 1982-07-13 Atlantic Richfield Company Curved well conductors for offshore platform
US4773488A (en) * 1984-08-08 1988-09-27 Atlantic Richfield Company Development well drilling
US8434568B2 (en) 1998-11-20 2013-05-07 Vitruvian Exploration, Llc Method and system for circulating fluid in a well system
US8297350B2 (en) 1998-11-20 2012-10-30 Vitruvian Exploration, Llc Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface
US9551209B2 (en) 1998-11-20 2017-01-24 Effective Exploration, LLC System and method for accessing subterranean deposits
US8813840B2 (en) 1998-11-20 2014-08-26 Efective Exploration, LLC Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface and tools therefor
US8464784B2 (en) 1998-11-20 2013-06-18 Vitruvian Exploration, Llc Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface and tools therefor
US8511372B2 (en) 1998-11-20 2013-08-20 Vitruvian Exploration, Llc Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface
US8505620B2 (en) 1998-11-20 2013-08-13 Vitruvian Exploration, Llc Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface and tools therefor
US8291974B2 (en) 1998-11-20 2012-10-23 Vitruvian Exploration, Llc Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface and tools therefor
US8297377B2 (en) 1998-11-20 2012-10-30 Vitruvian Exploration, Llc Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface and tools therefor
US8469119B2 (en) 1998-11-20 2013-06-25 Vitruvian Exploration, Llc Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface and tools therefor
US8316966B2 (en) 1998-11-20 2012-11-27 Vitruvian Exploration, Llc Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface and tools therefor
US8479812B2 (en) 1998-11-20 2013-07-09 Vitruvian Exploration, Llc Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface and tools therefor
US8371399B2 (en) 1998-11-20 2013-02-12 Vitruvian Exploration, Llc Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface and tools therefor
US8376052B2 (en) 1998-11-20 2013-02-19 Vitruvian Exploration, Llc Method and system for surface production of gas from a subterranean zone
US8376039B2 (en) 1998-11-20 2013-02-19 Vitruvian Exploration, Llc Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface and tools therefor
US7360595B2 (en) 2002-05-08 2008-04-22 Cdx Gas, Llc Method and system for underground treatment of materials
EP1546505A2 (de) * 2002-08-22 2005-06-29 CDX Gas, LLC System und verfahren zum unterirdischem zugang
US8333245B2 (en) 2002-09-17 2012-12-18 Vitruvian Exploration, Llc Accelerated production of gas from a subterranean zone
US7264048B2 (en) 2003-04-21 2007-09-04 Cdx Gas, Llc Slot cavity
US7207395B2 (en) 2004-01-30 2007-04-24 Cdx Gas, Llc Method and system for testing a partially formed hydrocarbon well for evaluation and well planning refinement
US7222670B2 (en) 2004-02-27 2007-05-29 Cdx Gas, Llc System and method for multiple wells from a common surface location
US7571771B2 (en) 2005-05-31 2009-08-11 Cdx Gas, Llc Cavity well system
US20100258320A1 (en) * 2009-04-14 2010-10-14 Shnell James H Ocean floor deep-sea submerged deck
CN111188596A (zh) * 2019-12-30 2020-05-22 中海石油(中国)有限公司 海上石油平台隔水导管扶正孔布置方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA953519A (en) 1974-08-27
NL171181B (nl) 1982-09-16
GB1360101A (en) 1974-07-17
FR2107299A5 (de) 1972-05-05
DE2144570A1 (de) 1972-03-16
NO132766C (de) 1976-01-07
JPS5529235B1 (de) 1980-08-01
NL7112219A (de) 1972-03-10
OA03787A (fr) 1971-12-24
ES200818Y (es) 1976-02-16
NL171181C (nl) 1983-02-16
NO132766B (de) 1975-09-22
DE2144570B2 (de) 1980-07-24
ES200818U (es) 1975-11-01
DE2144570C3 (de) 1981-06-25

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