System and method of installing and maintaining an offshore...

Details System and method of installing and maintaining an offshore... System and method of installing and maintaining an offshore...

2004-11-22

2008-12-02

Beach, Thomas A (Department: 3671)

Wells

Submerged well

Means removably connected to permanent well structure

C166S350000, C166S367000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07458425

ABSTRACT:
A system and method of establishing an offshore exploration and production system is disclosed, in which a well casing is disposed in communication with an adjustable buoyancy chamber and a well hole bored into the floor of a body of water. A lower connecting member joins the well casing and the chamber, and an upper connecting member joins, the adjustable buoyancy chamber and a well terminal member. The chamber's adjustable buoyancy enables an operator to vary the height or depth of the well terminal member, and to vary the vertical tension imparted to drilling and production strings throughout exploration and production operations. Also disclosed is a system and method of adjusting the height or depth of a wellhead while associated vertical and lateral forces remain approximately constant. A variety of well isolation members, lateral stabilizers and anchoring means, as well as several methods of practicing the invention, are also disclosed.

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