Cooper Industries, Inc.

Mcdermott International, Inc.

Roger S Osborne

James Allan Haney

Robert J Diehl

Dennis E Calkins

Robin M Converse

Jeff Elwood

Charles E Kindel

Raymond J Serpas

A fixed, non-compliant, non-floating offshore platform subject to lower wave, wind, current, and rig loadings resulting from a configuration that supports the portion of the well casings that extend from near the seafloor to a deck level above the water surface using tension instead of intermediate lateral supports. Only the smallest one or two well casings among all those that comprise the well casing system are extended back from the seafloor, which further reduces the lateral loadings on the structure.

Fixed offshore platform structures, using small diameter, tensioned,

A self-actuating, releasable weight support system includes a structural support member with a central bore therethrough. The bore has a recessed load support surface therein and a no-go shoulder on the inner periphery of the load support surface. A weight support member is insertable within the bore, and includes an expandable load ring disposed thereon for landing on the no-go shoulder and expanding onto the load support surface as the weight support member is inserted further into the bore.

Expanding load shoulder

An enclosed protective chamber for a subsea wellhead assembly includes a main body installed on the sea floor. Subsea wellhead apparatus is mounted in the chamber on top of a well. A pressure-containing lid is mounted on and sealed with respect to the main body such that chamber pressure is isolated from the subsea hydrostatic head. An inflatable, elongated, flexible storage tank or dracon is attached to the chamber through a conduit having a pressure-balanced relief valve therewithin. The dracon is attached to the conduit through a quick disconnect coupling and closure valve which permit ready attachment, removal, or replacement of the dracon. Under normal operating conditions the dracon is deflated. The dracon is preferably anchored to the sea floor. When a leak in the subsea wellhead assembly occurs, excess chamber pressure permits surplus fluid to enter and fill the dracon. The dracon may then be disconnected from the conduit, the anchor released, and the dracon removed to the surface for retrieval or disposal of the fluid contents. Substantially no well or chamber fluids ar released into the sea during the dracon removal and reinstallation processes. A pop-off cap and expandable conduit may be mounted on top of the chamber.

Environmental protection for subsea wells

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Roger S Osborne