US3878662A

US3878662A - Method of constructing a remotely located drilling structure

Info

Publication number: US3878662A
Application number: US377242A
Authority: US
Inventors: Louis C Cernosek
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-07-09
Filing date: 1973-07-09
Publication date: 1975-04-22
Anticipated expiration: 1992-04-22

Abstract

A drilling structure and method of constructing same which can be located in remote areas including a foundation composed of permanent foundation units, a substructure mounted on the foundation and a derrick mounted on the substructure for drilling for oil or the like in such remote areas. The permanent foundation units, the substructure and the derrick are all comprised of members that can be transported to the remote area by means of a helicopter or the like.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 Cernosek 1 1 Apr. 22, 1975 METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING A REMOTELY LOCATED DRILLING STRUCTURE [76] Inventor: Louis C. Cernosek, 214 Winkler Dr.. Houston. Tex. 77017 [22] Filed: July 9, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 377,242

[52] US. Cl 52/745; 52/169 [51] Int. Cl. E04g 21/00 [58] Field of Search 52/741, 742, 745, 169; 61/46, 46.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.352.370 6/1944 Carruthers 61/46.5 2,583,072 1/1952 Wilson 52/741 X 2.598.088 5/1952 Wilson 61/46.5 3.001.595 9/1961 Lucas 61/46.5 3.091.937 6/1963 Thompson 61/46.5 3.094.847 6/1963 Pogonowski.. 61/46 3.176.470 4/1965 Stiff 61/46 3.209.544 10/1965 Barrmann 61/46.5

3.448.511 6/1969 Suter' 6l/46.5 X

3.511.057 5/1970 Suter 6l/46.5 3.575.005 4/1971 Summer 61/46.5 3.716.994 2/1973 Pogonowski... 6l/46.5 3.727.414 4/1973 Davies 6l/46.5

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 613.327 1/1961 Canada 52/745 835.804 5/1960 United Kingdom 61/50 Primary Examiner-Frank L. Abbott Assistant Examiner-Leslie A. Braun 5 7 1 ABSTRACT A drilling structure and method of constructing same which can be located in remote areas including a foundation composed of permanent foundation units. a substructure mounted on the foundation and a derrick mounted on the substructure for drilling for oil or the like in such remote areas. The permanent foundation units, the substructure and the derrick are all comprised of members that can be transported to the remote area by means of a helicopter or the like.

I 8 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING A REMOTELY LOCATED DRILLING STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of this invention is oil well drilling or the like.

The vast amount of oil reserves located across the world that are relatively accessible are being quickly consumed. There are other oil reserves. many of which are untouched as of now. that are located throughout the world. However. many of these remaining oil rcserves are located in areas which are inaccessible by means of conventional transporation. For the purposes of description herein. these inaccessible areas are defined as remote areas and may include oil-rich land that is surrounded by mountains. marshy or swampy land covered by relatively shallow water. or any other land located anywhere that is not easily reached by conventional ground transportation or conventional floating platforms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved drilling structure and method for constructing such a drilling structure which can be located at remote. areas throughout the world.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a drilling structure and method for producing same that is independent of a need for land vehicles during construction.

These and other objects of this invention are provided by a drilling structure which includes a foundation comprised of a plurality of foundation units. a substructure comprised of a plurality of interconnected frame members. and a derrick structure comprised of a plurality of derrick units which can be flown in to the remote area by helocoper or the like and are connected in a stacked arrangement by pin and sleeve connectors. The members or elements that comprise the permanent foundation units. the substructure and the derrick structure can all be flown into the remote area by means of a helicopter or the like.

The method of constructing such a derrick structure includes as a first step the construction of a temporary foundation for supporting a crane or other lifting apparatus. The temporary foundation is constructed by transporting by helicopter a plurality of temporary foundation units and positioning such units adjacently to support a crane thereon. The crane is then utilized to drive a series of pilings through jacket assemblies. which can be flown in by helicoper, in order to provide a solid. uniform permanent foundation'for the derrick substructure and the derrick itself.

The derrick substructure is then assembled on the permanent foundation units by flying in substructure frame members and mounting same onto the permanent foundation units by lug and bolt connections.

A series of derrick modules or units are then flown in and stacked and interconnected by pin and sleeve connections in order to provide a derrick for drilling operations or the like. The derrick is an open type of derrick having a general U-shape. The interconnection I of the stacked derrick units is provided by means of connector joints wherein each connector joint includes a pin inserted into a sleeve and locked in such connected position by a lock pin. Each of the connecting sleeves further includes a frustro-conical guide sleeve for positioning the sleeves about the connector pins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an isometric view of the completed drill structure ofthe preferred embodiment of this invention which has been constructed according to the method set forth herein;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a partially completed temporary crane platform:

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the temporary crane platform with a crane supporting base thereon:

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the completed temporary crane platform and the crane utilized to construct the permanent foundation units of this invention:

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the. construction of a first set of permanent foundation units;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view further illustrating the re placement of the temporary crane foundation with a permanent foundation unit;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the completed foundation:

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the derrick substructure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating the lug and bolt connection used in the derrick substructure:

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the completed. stacked derrick: and

FIG. 11 is a partially schematic and partially sectional view of the pin and sleeve joint connection utilized to secure the stacked derrick units.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings. the letter 0 generally designates the drilling platform of the preferred embodiment of this invention which is constructed in a remote area A according to the method of the preferred embodiment of this invention. By definition herein. the remote area A includes almost any area which is inaccessible by conventional land transportation or by conventional water vehicles. including floating drill platforms. That is. the remote area A includes regions which are mainly accessible by air transportation. In the embodiment of this invention illustrated in the drawings. the remote area A is a swampy region covered with shallow water W and having a bottom schematically designated B.

Basically. the drill structure 0 includes a foundation F comprised of a plurality of foundation units 10. A derrick substructure S is mounted onto permanent foundation platform 11 and a derrick D is mounted onto the derrick substructures in order to provide a complete drill structure 0 for drilling for oil or the like in the remote area A. The oil well drill structure 0 of this invention is constructed entirely of members which have been flown into the remote area A by means of a helicopter H.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 2-4, the initial step in the method of constructing the drilling platform 0 is to assemble a temporary crane platform or foundation generally designated as 12. The temporary crane platform 12 is assembled utilizing the helicopter H. The helicopter H is used to fly in four temporary foundations units or modules 14. Each of the modules 14 is identical in structure and thus like numbers and letters will be used to describe like parts.

Each ofthe units 14 include fourjacket legs 14a. 14b. 14c and 14d. Each of the jacket legs Mil-14d are hollow. tubular members or pipes which are intercon nected by bracing 140. The bracing 140 includes hori zontal brace members such as 14/ and cross-brace members such as Hg. These brace members Hf and 14g are welded onto the legs such as 14a and 14b in order to properly support the legs Mud-id in a square configuration or lattice. Jacket legs l-lu-Hzl have mounted at the bottom thereof a support flange 14/1. The support flange 14/: is an annular flange welded or otherwise mounted onto the outside wall of the jacket legs l4al4d in order to provide additional support for the temporary foundation unit 14 and the crane C to be mounted thereon.

The temporary crane platform 12 includes four of these temporary foundation units 14 which are flown in by the helicopter H and are positioned in a proximity to each other in order to provide an approximately square-shaped base to support the crane C. The annular flanges or pads 14/1 rest on the bottom B of the remote area H and thus serve to provide additional support and stability to the entire unit 12.

The temporary foundation units 14 are interconnected by two l-beams I51: and 15h which are mounted onto some of the top. horizontal bracing members 14f. Each of the l-bcams 15a and 15b extend across two of the units 14 and are positioned parallel with respect to each other. The beams 15a and 15b support transverse l-beams 16a and 16h which extend between and are connected to the beams 15a and 15b. The beams 16a and 16h cooperate with shorter. support l-beams 17a and 17h. which are connected to the beam 16:! and 16b. to support the crane center base member 18. A crane platform l9 of planks and the like are mounted onto the rectangular frame defined by beams 15a. 15b. and the side beams 15c and 15:1.

The helicopter is then used to fly in the various components of the crane C. which may be a crane of any variety so long as the crane C is suitable for constructing the remainder of the oil well drilling platform 0. The crane C includes a boom 20a mounted in a conventional manner and a pile driving apparatus 201). also of conventional construction. The pile driving apparatus 20b operates in a well known manner and may be diesel-driven. The pile driving apparatus 201; includes a pile driving hammer 206. the entire pile driving assembly being suspended from the boom 20a in order to drive piles such as the pile P illustrated in FIG. 4.

Using the helicopter H and the crane C operating from the temporary platform 12, the permanent foundation F is then constructed. The permanent foundation F includes the plurality of permanent foundation units 10. Each permanent foundation unit 10 includes a jacket module or unit 21 that is substantially identical in size and structure of the temporary foundation units 14. Thus. the jackets 21 include four hollow tubular jacket legs or pipes 2lu-2lr1 which are interconnected by bracing generally designated as 212 to form a square-shaped module. The jacket modules 21 are flown in by means of the helicopter H one-by-one and are positioned about the temporary crane platform 12.

Referring to FIG. 4. the first permanent foundation unit 100 is constructed by utilizing the helicopter H and the crane C to position the jacket module 21 substantially adjacent to the temporary crane platform 12. Then. the crane C and the pile driving apparatus 20b is utilized to drive piling P through each of the tubular or pipe members 2lu21d into the bottom B. Thus. pilings P. which maybe steel piles or of other suitable material. are driven into each of the jacket legs 2la-2lrl in order to provide one of the permanent foundation units 10. The hollow jacket legs 2la-2ld serve as guides to the pilings they are driven into the bottom B.

The first permanent foundation unit 10a is completed by cutting off (or driving) the pilings P to a certain. design elevation. A rectangular frame 2lg is then mounted onto the pilings P extending upwardly from the jacket legs 2la-2ld. The frame 21 is a squareshaped frame which serves as a sub-platform to the permanent platform 11. Thesquare-shaped frame 21g can be constructed elsewhere and flown as a unit or module by the helicopter H to the remote area A and mounted on the pilings P by welding or other suitable means. Of course. any suitable materials may be utilized to construct the square-shaped frame 21g.

Thus. each of the permanent foundation units 10 (including the first unit 10a) consist of a jacket assembly 21 having piling P driven through the legs 21a-2ld thereof and a frame assembly 21g mounted on the top thereof to form the subplatform for the platform 11. The crane C. operated from the temporary crane platform 12, is actually used to construct an entire ring or set R of permanent foundation units 10 (which includes the first permanent foundation unit 10a) about the temporary crane platform 12. Then. a platform section 23 is mounted on top of the permanent foundation unit 10h. which is positioned across the first unit 10a. The crane C is then moved or skidded onto the platform 23 of the permanent foundation unit 10b. The crane. in its new location on the permanent foundation unit 10b. is utilized to construct a second set. herein designated as R2. of permanent foundation units about second crane platform 2312. After the crane C from the permanent foundation unit 10b has constructed all the permanent foundation units R2 that may be constructed from that point. the crane C is then moved to another location and another group or set of permanent foundation units are constructed. This process of moving the crane to new locations to give it a new range for cooperating with the helicopter H to construct permanent foundation units 10 is continued until the complete foundation F is provided for as illustrated partly in FIG. 7.

Before the crane C is moved from. the permanent foundation unit at 10b. the crane C is used to disassemble the temporary crane platform 12 and put in its place one permanent foundation unit which is aligned with the other permanent foundation units in the peripheral ring of units R. Thus. the spacing of the permanent foundation units 10 is such that four jacket assemblies 14 can be mounted in proximity at the center for the temporary crane platform 12 and later removed and replaced with a single jacket assembly 21, pilings P and a rectangular frame 21g to form one permanent foundation unit 10c.

Referring to FIG. 7. upon completion. the permanent foundation units 10 are arranged in evenly spaced columns 10d for providing uniform support for a platform 11. A plurality of longitudinal frame members or beams are mounted onto the unit frame tops 21g and extend throughout the foundation F along the columns 1011. The individual planks which form the platform 11 for the permanent foundation F are mounted onto these beams lliu. hi this manner. the permanent foun dation units W are interconnected and the platform H is mounted on top of them such that the units cooper ate to stabilize and support the substructure S and the derrick D and all the necessary drilling equipment. ()nc further comment should be made with regard to control of elevation. Since the pilings l are cut off or simply driven to a certain design elevation. the rectangular frame members Zlg mounted on eaclt set of four piles of a permanent foundation unit H) are also at a specific design elevation. which may he equal to or above the elevation of the individual pilings P. Thus. the permanent platform ll mounted on the plurality of permanent foundation units Ill is also at a specific design elevation.

The derrick substructure S is then mounted onto the platform ill of the permanent foundation F. The substructure S is a generally inverted U-shapcd frame which is capable of supporting the derrick D. The substructure S consists of opposing. vertical composite side walls 25 having a horizontal platform section 26 extending therebctween. Each of the side walls 25 is composed of sis frame units 25a which are stacked in two groups of three frame units each. The stack frame units 25a are interconnected by lug and pin connections 25b. The lugs ofeach connector 25h are mounted on one of the frame units 25a and extend to a point adjacent to another of the frame units 25a and a pin is mounted therethrough in order to secure the two frame units together. The helicopter H may be used to fly in each of the individual frame units 250 separately and the helicopter H and the frame C can cooperate to stack the frame units in the stacks of three.

Horizontal frame sections 26a are mounted onto and extend between the two side walls 25 in order to provide a generally inverted U-shaped structure. Connection between the horizontal frame units 260 and the side frame units 25a forming the side walls 25 is made by lug and bolt connections or joints designated as 27 (FlG. 9). Referring to FIG. 9, the portion of the horizontal frame section 26a illustrated has a male lug 26h extending therefrom into a recess formed by two lugs 27a and 27h mounted onto the side wall frame units 25a. A bolt 270 extends through aligned openings in the lugs in order to secure a firm connection therebetween. The lug and bolt connection 27 is utilized wherever necessary between the horizontal frame members 26a and the side frame members 25a to provide connection therebetween. A series of plates 28(1-283 of steel or other material are mounted onto the tops of side frame members 25a and the horizontal frame sections 26a in order to provide a sturdy operating floor for the oil well derrick D. Such an operating floor would include the conventional features of such an operating platform including an opening 29a for the drill string and perhaps the rotary table. as well as platform sections such as 29b for stand pipe or thelike. The various oil well drilling equipment such as mud tanks and the like can be positioned within or about the substructure S. itself.

A set 34 offour raised feet 30a are mounted onto the plate 230; and. another set 31 of feet 310 are mounted onto the plate 28f. Each of the feet 300 and 310 include bolt holes adapted to receive matching feet on the derrick D.

The derrick D includes a base section 35, an intermediate section 36 and an upper or top derrick section 37. The general shape of the base, intermediate and top sections of the derrick cooperate to provide an open ended derrick l). a configuration which is familiar to the art.

The derrick base 35 includes derrick base units 3511 and 35h which are identical in structure. Each of the base units 3511 and 35h includes legs 35(- interconnected by horizontal and cross-bracing generally designated as 351/. Feet 350 are mounted onto each of the

base units

35a and 35b. The feet 350 for the

base units

35a and 35h are adapted for placement directly over the substructure feet 30a and 3111 such that the base sections 3511 and 35/) can be mounted on the feet 30:! and 31a by bolts or other suitable means. The top of each of the

base sections

35a and 35b is formed by a triangular framework 351' which includes converging side members 35;; which converge to an apex or top points generally designated as 35/1. A male connector pin 38a is mounted onto each of the two top points 35/: on each of the

base sections

35a and 35/1. The flow connector pin 38! (FIG. 11) extends vertically upwardly from the top or apex portions 35a and includes an opening 3811. An annular. horizontal shoulder 381' forms the base for the connector pin.

The intermediate derrick section 36 includes two derrick frame units 36a and 36b which are identical ex cept, of course. for position. The derrick unit 36a is mounted onto the tops 3511 of the base units 3511 and 35b. and the derrick unit 36his mounted or stacked onto the unit 36a. Each of the intermediate section derrick units 36a and 36h are U-shaped and include a rear portion 36c and

side portions

36d and 360. Four. vertical tubular legs 36;: are interconnected by bracing members generally designated as 36/: in order to form the

side portions

36d and 360 and the rear portion 36/1. The bracing generally designated as 3611 may include horizontally positioned frame members and cross braced members which interconnect the four legs 36g as illustrated.

Referring now in particular to the legs 36g which form the U-shaped frame units 36a and 36h. the bottom end of the legs include connector sleeve portions 38:1. The connector sleeve portions 38d may actually be integrally formed with the legs themselves if the legs are in fact tubular members or pipes of sufficient inner diameter to fit over the connector pins 38a. In either event. the bottom of the legs 36g for each of the units 3611 and 36b have hollow, circular recesses therein adapted to be mounted over connector pins 38a. Each of the connector sleeves 38d includes a guide means 38c mounted on the bottom thereof. The guide means 382 is a frustro-conically shaped sleeve section which converges to a top 38c having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the connector sleeve portion 38d. The frustro-conically shaped sleeve section 381 is welded or otherwise attached to the bottom of the connector sleeve 38:1. The frustro-conically shaped sleeve section 38a converges from the bottom or widest portion 38f to the top portion 38e' of minimum diameter in order to serve as a guide for centering the pin 38b.

Each of the guide sleeves 38d includes openings 38g in the wall thereof which are positioned to align with the opening 38b in the connector pin in order to receive a lock pin 50.

Thus. with respect to the intermediate section frame unit or module 36a. each of the legs 36g thereof have mounted on the bottom ends thereof connector sleeves 38d having guide sleeves 38c mounted thereon. In this manner. the crane C (or the helicopter H) can easily lower the frame unit 36a onto the connector pins 38:: mounted at the tops 35h of the base section 35 u and 35b. Lock pins 50 then secure the pins 38a in the sleeves 3841 in order to provide pin and sleeve connecting joints. which may be generally designated 38. Cow nector pins 38a are mounted on the top of each of the legs 36g for the intermediate section frame unit 36a.

Referring to the frame section 36b. connector sleeves 38d and guide sleeves 380 are mounted onto the bottoms of each of the vertical legs 36g and connector pins 38a are mounted on the tops of each of the legs. Thus. the crane C or helicopter can be utilized to lower the frame unit 36/) onto the frame unit 3611. with the guide sleeves 38c functioning to center the connector pins 380 mounted on the top of the frame unit 36a into the sleeve portions 38d. Connector pins 38b are mounted onto the tops of the vertically positioned legs 36g for the frame unit 36b.

The top derrick section 37 includes four stacked top units 37a. 37b. 37c and 3711. The first top frame unit 37a includes a rear portion 40a and side portions 40b and 400. The side portions 40b and 401' converge toward each other rather than being parallel. The derrick unit 37a is formed of tubular frame members 4011 which are interconnected by any suitable bracing to form the rear section 4011 and the

side portions

40b and 40c. The tubular members or legs have connector sleeves 38d and guide sleeves 380 mounted at the bottom thereof and connector pins 38b mounted at the top thereof.

A second top frame unit 37b is mounted onto the first top frame unit 370 and includes similar side and rear portions 4141-410. The side portions 41:! and 41b are in alignment with the side portions 40b and 40(- for the derrick frame unit 37a. The third and fourth top derrick frame units are basically identical in construction to the units 3711 and 3711 except that the side walls thereof converge such that the derrick D is provided with continuously converging side walls which converge to the top 44. wherein the crown block and other rigging may be mounted.

Thus. each of the sections of the derrick D including the base frame units 3511 and 35h, the intermediate frame units 36a and 36b. and the top frame units 3711-371! may be flown in by helicopter H and stacked on top of each other and secured by the pin and sleeve connection means generally designated as 38 in FIG. 11. which is utilized to secure and assemble the entire network derrick D.

OPERATION AND USE In operation and use of the method of assembling the oil well derrick platform of the preferred embodiment of this invention. the helicopter H is first used to fly in the temporary platform units 14. The temporary platform units 14 are positioned in proximity to each other and rest on the bottom B. The annular flanges or pads 14a serve to stabilize and support the legs l4u-14z1 of each of the temporary platform units 14. The crane C is then mounted on the top thereof as previously described. The crane C is then used to assemble the first unit a of the permanent platform units 10. As previously mentioned, each of the permanent platform units 10 include piling P which is driven through the individual hollow tubular legs of the jackets 21. The pilings are cut off at design elevation and a square or rectangular top frame 21g is mounted on the top of the piles.

The crane C is then used to construct the'remainder of the permanent foundation units 21 in a ring R about the temporary crane platform 12. The permanent unit 10:- is assembled after the temporary crane platform 12 is removed. Since the jackets l4 and 21 are identical, one of the temporary jackets 14 can be repositioned and used to form the permanent unit 10c. The crane is then moved to another location such as the permanent foundation unit designated by the number 1017. From the unit 1012. more units. such as a second set R2 of the permanent foundation units. are constructed. This procedure is continued until the entire plurality of permanent foundation units 10 'are constructed and arranged in adjacent columns 10d illustrated in FIG. 7. The platform ll is then mounted onto the frame members 21g thus completing the foundation F.

The substructure S is then positioned on top of the platform 11. Each of the side frame units 250 are flown in by helicopter and the crane C, operating on the platform 11, is utilized to assemble the frame units 250 into the inverted. U-shaped configuration illustrated in FIG. 8. As previously mentioned. the connections between the various frame units 25a and the horizontal frame units 26a is provided by lug and bolt connections 27.

The derrick D is then mounted on the top thereof. The derrick D is constructed by first flying in the two base units 350 and 35b and mounting them on the feet 30a and 31a on the platform plates 30 and 31. respectively. The first intermediate frame unit 3611 is then mounted onto the pins 38a mounted at the tops 35/1 of the base units 354 and 35b. The guide sleeves 38v serve to center the sleeve portions 38d over the pins 38a as previously described. Lock pins are then mounted into the aligned openings 38b and38g in order to lock the pin connections and form joints generally designated as 38. The second intermediate frame unit 36b is then stacked onto the first intermediate frame unit 3611.

The top frame units 37(1-371! are then stacked together to form the upper frame section 37, which has sides which converge to the top 44. The helicopter H is then used to fly in the standard oil well drilling equipment necessary to operate the oil well drilling platform 0.

After the drilling operation is completed, the entire drilling platform 0 can be removed by helicopter H and reused at another location. That is, all the elements of the derrick D, the substructure S and the foundation F can be removed. including the jackets 21, and even the pilings P if desired.

Although certain configurations such as l-beams and tubular members have been described herein. it should be understood that any configuration for these elements may be utilized so long as they are of sufficient strength to support the weight of the entire platform.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size. shape, and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A method of constructing a drilling platform in remote areas. comprising the steps of:

assembling a temporary crane platform in the remote area said step of assembling said temporary crane platform including: transporting by air a plurality of temporary foundation units; setting said temporary foundation units in proximity to each other: and interconnecting said temporary foundation units with a temporary crane platform for supporting a crane only during an early phase of constructing said drilling platform: assembling a crane on said temporary crane platform; building a plurality of permanent foundation units. said step of building said plurality of permanent foundation units including: utilizing said crane to build a first set of permanent foundation units surrounding said temporary crane platform; moving said crane to one of said permanent foundation units in said first set; replacing said temporary crane platform with a permanent foundation unit: and utilizing said crane to building other of said permanent foundation units; utilizing said crane to assemble a derrick substruc ture on said permanent foundation units; and assembling a derrick substructure for drilling oil or the like in the remove area. 2. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said derrick substructure is assembled by the steps of:

transporting by air to said remote area substructure frame units; and connecting said substructure frame units together to LII form a support base for said derrick. 3. The method set forth in claim 1. wherein a permanent foundation unit is built by the following steps:

transporting a foundation jacket to said remote area and locating said foundation jacket near said crane; and using said crane. with hollow portions of said jacket serving as guides. to drive piling into the bottom of said remote area. 4. The method set forth in claim 3., including the step of:

cutting off said piling to desired elevation. 5. The method set forth in claim 1. wherein said permanent foundation unit is built by the steps of:

using said crane to drive piling for said permanent foundation units. 6. The method set forth in claim 5 including the steps of:

driving said piling in a plurality of groups; and mounting a top frame assembly on each pile in each of said groups to form a plurality of permanent foundation units. 7. The method set forth in claim 1. including the step of:

arranging said plurality of permanent foundation units in substantially adjacent columns to provide uniform support for said derrick. 8. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said derrick is assembled by the step of:

transferring derrick units to said remote area: stacking said derrick units: and securing said derrick units by connector pins.

Claims

1. A method of constructing a drilling platform in remote areas, comprising the steps of: assembling a temporary crane platform in the remote area said step of assembling said temporary crane platform including: transporting by air a plurality of temporary foundation units; setting said temporary foundation units in proximity to each other; and interconnecting said temporary foundation units with a temporary crane platform for supporting a crane only during an early phase of constructing said drilling platform; assembling a crane on said temporary crane platform; building a plurality of permanent foundation units, said step of building said plurality of permanent foundation units including: utilizing said crane to build a first set of permanent foundation units surrounding said temporary crane platform; moving said crane to one of said permanent foundation units in said first set; replacing said temporary crane platform with a permanent foundation unit; and utilizing said crane to building other of said permanent foundation units; utilizing said crane to assemble a derrick substructure on said permanent foundation units; and assembling a derrick substructure for drilling oil or the like in the remove area.

2. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said derrick substructure is assembled by the steps of: transporting by air to said remote area substructure frame units; and connecting said substructure frame units together to form a support base for said derrick.

3. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein a permanent foundation unit is built by the following steps: transporting a foundation jacket to said remote area and locating said foundation jacket near said crane; and using said crane, with hollow portions of said jacket serving as guides, to drive piling into the bottom of said remote area.

4. The method set forth in claim 3, including the step of: cutting off said piling to desired elevation.

5. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein said permanent foundation unit is built by the steps of: using said crane to drive piling for said permanent foundation units.

6. The method set forth in claim 5 including the steps of: driving said piling in a plurality of groups; and mounting a top frame assembly on each pile in each of said groups to form a plurality of permanent foundation units.

7. The method set forth in claim 1, including the step of: arranging said plurality of permanent foundation units in substantially adjacent columns to provide uniform support for said derrick.