Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A deep water offshore drilling platform having a jacket secured to driven skirt piles at an elevation above the sea floor of at least 100 feet and upwards of 300 feet. A series of connecting plates transfer the structural forces of the platform from the jacket to the skirt piles at these elevated connections. Due to the transfer of these forces, the size and weight of the jacket below this elevation may be significantly reduced to lower the cost of the platform. Additionally, the well casing is an integral component of the supporting members of the platform and the upper region of this well casing is expanded and oriented vertically to provide spacing for the well head and to eliminate the need for more costly slant-well drilling.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim