Patent ID: 6047781
Filing Date: 2000-04-11
Classification: B63B,E21B

Abstract:
A drillship having a bow, a stern and an intermediate moon pool between the bow and stern and being fitted to conduct offshore drilling operations through the moon pool and into the bed of a body of water, said drillship including:a derrick positioned upon the drillship and extending above the moon pool for simultaneously supporting drilling operations and operations auxiliary to drilling operations through the moon pool;a first means connected to said derrick for advancing tubular members through the moon pool, to the seabed and into the bed of the body of water;first means, connected to said derrick, for handling tubular members as said tubular members are advanced through the moon pool by said first means for advancing;a second means connected to said derrick for advancing tubular members through the moon pool, to the seabed and into the bed of the body of water;second means, connected to said derrick, for handling tubular members as said tubular members are advanced through the moon pool by said second means for advancing for conducting operations extending to the seabed auxiliary to said drilling operations; andmeans positioned within said derrick for transferring tubular assemblies between said first means for advancing tubular members and said second means for advancing tubular members to facilitate simultaneous drilling operations and operations auxiliary to said drilling operations, wherein said drilling activity can be conducted from said derrick by said first or second means for advancing and said first or second means for handling tubular members and auxiliary drilling activity can be simultaneously conducted from said derrick by the other of said first or second means for advancing and the other of said first or second means for handling tubular members.