(19)

(11)

EP 3 271 542 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 24.01.2018 Bulletin 2018/04 (21) Application number: 16769435.5 (22) Date of filing: 18.03.2016

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  E21B 15/02(2006.01) B63B 35/44(2006.01) E21B 7/12(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2016/023222 (87) International publication number: WO 2016/154035 (29.09.2016 Gazette 2016/39)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR Designated Extension States: BA ME Designated Validation States: MA MD (30) Priority: 20.03.2015 US 201514663698 (71) Applicant: Ensco International Incorporated Wilmington, DE 19801 (US)	(72) Inventors: ROPER, Richard Robert Houston, Texas 77057 (US) STEWART, Christopher Scott Houston, Texas 77057 (US) ALCORN, Justin Dow Houston, Texas 77057 (US) LEPPARD, Steven Andrew Houston, Texas 77057 (US) (74) Representative: Smee, Anthony James Michael  AMS IP Limited 119 Valley Road Rickmansworth, Herts. WD3 4BN Rickmansworth, Herts. WD3 4BN (GB)