Subsea Equipment Associates Limited

Robert Edouard Schappel

Michel Georges Curtis

Roger Andre Marquaire

Roger Marie Marquaire

A method and apparatus for connection of a central undersea station to a group of wells and outflow pipes is disclosed. The undersea station locks onto a platform which has a series of guides and locking devices to receive and lock the station relative to itself as well as to other locations for the installation of wellheads which are to be ultimately serviced by the station. The method essentially comprises that prior to the connection of the wells and the pipes a guide member is installed on the platform between the location of the station and each of the locations of the wells or pipes and then the central station is lowered and is provided a lateral connection device such that when the platform is locked into position, the lateral connection device is opposite the guide on the platform. Placing structures are lowered onto other locations and a connecting structure is generally lowered by means of a diving bell which rests in a watertight manner on a bearing surface of a connecting structure which orientates the bell so that the structure presents a lateral connection cooperating between the guide means of the platform and a connector which insures the water tightness of the well or pipe. Manual connections inside the bell of a subassembly to the lining of the well or pipe are achieved and at least one pipe system between the subassembly and the lateral connection on the structure to insure continuity of the lining or of the pipe with the lateral connection means is disclosed. When this lateral connection device has been joined with the connection structure of the station, the bell is then brought to the surface.

Method of connecting of an undersea central station to a group of

In the connection of a relatively inflexible pipe to a submerged well head at a depth which may be greater than that to which divers can descend, a pipe placing structure is first locked onto the well head and the pipe is then lowered and automatically connected to the placing structure, a bell housing a sub-assembly including the master valve is next lowered onto the well head and locked thereon by a bearing structure to which the bell is attached. A crew is transferred to the bell to connect the sub-assembly to the well head and to a connector which is automatically connected to the pipe.

Method for connecting a submerged well head to a pipe consisting of

In the connection of a flexible outflow pipe to a submerged well head situated at a depth greater than that which can be reached by a diver, the pipe is connected to a bearing structure for bearing on and connection to the well head and on which a diving bell bears, the bell being made fast to the bearing structure and housing a sub-assembly for connection to the well head, the assembly of bell, bearing structure and attached pipe is lowered onto the well head and automatically connected thereto, thereafter a crew is lowered in a crew carnes to the bell and the crew effects connection of the sub-assembly to the well head and the pipe connector to the sub-assembly while in the bell.

Growing community of inventors

London, United Kingdom

Robert Edouard Schappel