Patent ID: 9567041
Date: 2017-02-14
CPC Classifications: B63B,E21B

Claim:
1. A method of providing a sea vessel exploration and production system used with a sub-sea well, the method comprising: a) providing a drilling station configured to supply fluids in a drilling process from the sub-sea well, wherein the drilling station comprises at least one section of a first sea vessel hull having a moon pool formed therein, wherein the drilling station further comprises a drilling rig configured for supporting, moving and handling a self-standing riser (SSR) having a riser pipe passing through the moon pool, wherein the drilling station further comprises a void space for storing at least one buoyancy device to be positioned on the self-standing riser (SSR), the void space being configured with a gantry to transport the at least one buoyancy device towards the moon pool, and the moon pool being configured with retractable guide rails to guide the at least one buoyancy device below the hull; b) providing a docking station configured for at least separating, treating and storing the fluids obtained from the sub-sea well in the drilling process, wherein the docking station comprises at least one section of a second sea vessel hull having production, testing and injection facilities; c) providing a plurality of anchor lines; d) preinstalling the plurality of anchor lines between a seabed and at least one workboat; e) moving the docking station in the vicinity of the preinstalled anchor lines; f) using the at least one workboat to attach at least some of the preinstalled anchor lines between the seabed and the docking station; g) transporting and connecting the drilling station to the docking station; h) using another workboat, attaching other of the plurality of anchor lines between the seabed and the drilling station; i) transporting the at least one buoyancy device on the gantry for attachment to the self-standing riser (SSR); j) guiding the self-standing riser (SSR) with the at least one buoyancy device attached thereto through the guide rails below the hull of the drilling station; and k) connecting the self-standing riser (SSR) to a wellhead on the seabed so that fluids from the sub-sea well are supplied in the drilling process on the drilling station, and then separated, treated and stored in the docking station.