Global Patent Index - EP 1659257 A1

EP 1659257 A1 20060524 - Offshore exploration and production system having an adjustable buoyancy chamber

Title (en)

Offshore exploration and production system having an adjustable buoyancy chamber

Title (de)

Offshore Forschungs- und produktionssystem mit verstellbaren Auftriebskammer

Title (fr)

Système d'exploration et de production de pétrole en mer ayant une chambre de flottaison reglable

Publication

EP 1659257 A1 20060524 (EN)

Application

EP 04030599 A 20041223

Priority

US 99479904 A 20041122

Abstract (en)

A system and method of establishing an offshore exploration and production system is disclosed, in which a well casing (2) is disposed in communication with an adjustable buoyancy chamber (9) and a well hole (3) bored into the floor of a body of water. A lower connecting member (5) joins the well casing (2) and the chamber, and an upper connecting member (12) joins the adjustable buoyancy chamber (9) and a well terminal member (14). The chamber's adjustable buoyancy enables an operator to vary the height or depth of the well terminal member (14), 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 (4), lateral stabilizers (6) and anchoring means (8), as well as several methods of practicing the invention, are also disclosed.

IPC 8 full level

E21B 17/01 (2006.01)

CPC (source: BR EP)

E21B 17/012 (2013.01 - BR EP)

Citation (applicant)

Citation (search report)

Designated contracting state (EPC)

AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

DOCDB simple family (publication)

EP 1659257 A1 20060524; EP 1659257 B1 20100127; AP 2005003228 A0 20050331; AP 2054 A 20091009; AR 050592 A1 20061108; AT E456727 T1 20100215; AU 2004317502 A1 20060608; AU 2004317502 B2 20080529; BR PI0500381 A 20060718; BR PI0500381 B1 20160216; CA 2491273 A1 20060522; DE 602004025356 D1 20100318; DK 1659257 T3 20100503; EA 006866 B1 20060428; EA 200500308 A1 20060428; ES 2338651 T3 20100511; OA 13023 A 20061110; WO 2006057646 A2 20060601; WO 2006057646 A3 20070301

DOCDB simple family (application)

EP 04030599 A 20041223; AP 2005003228 A 20050215; AR P050101960 A 20050513; AT 04030599 T 20041223; AU 2004317502 A 20041216; BR PI0500381 A 20050210; CA 2491273 A 20041230; DE 602004025356 T 20041223; DK 04030599 T 20041223; EA 200500308 A 20050303; ES 04030599 T 20041223; OA 1200500222 A 20050805; US 2004042322 W 20041216