Exxon Production Research Company

Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling Inc.

James N Brekke

Terry N Gardner

Momen A Wishahy

Lawrence P Krolikowski

Raymond E Dextraze

The invention is directed to a method for increasing the overturning moment resistance of a jack-up drilling rig that includes the step of attaching at least one lateral leg support to at least one jack-up leg, wherein the jack-up leg is secured and has a lattice framework. The invention is also directed to a system and apparatus for increasing the overturning moment resistance of a support member with a lattice framework.

Method and apparatus for improving the lateral support provided by the legs of a jack-up drilling rig

A vibration-isolating apparatus for protecting equipment from excessive vibrations. The apparatus discloses an equipment-carrying frame attached by shock-absorbing members to a guide member. The guide member is loosely fastened in operational relationship wth a drillpipe or casing to permit movement of the apparatus. The apparatus is lowered along the drillpipe or casing by a cable or other locomotive means controlled from the surface. Vibration of the drillpipe created by ocean currents or waveloading forces causes the drillpipe to impact and vibrate the guide member of the apparatus. The shock-absorbing members protect equipment attached to the frame by attenuating the excessive vibrations induced by the drillpipe on the apparatus. Shock-absorbing members of varying stiffness can be substituted to attenuate the differing vibrational forces exerted by each particular drillpipe. The stiffness of the shock-absorbing members is preferably selected to provide the optimal combination of rigidity and damping properties necessary to protect the equipment.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

James N Brekke