Patent ID: 6601656
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A method of drilling an offshore underwater well, the method comprising the steps of:installing a drilling riser conduit so that it is substantially vertically supported at a production deck situated substantially at the sea surface and deviates progressively further from the vertical with increasing sea depth; fixing the drilling riser conduit at the seabed in a non-vertical orientation remote from the production deck; and drilling the well into the seabed at an angle to the vertical, wherein installing the drilling riser conduit further comprises: running the drilling conduit vertically from an installation vessel with a skid attached, pivotally connecting the drilling riser conduit at the seabed, moving the installation vessel to the production deck while the riser conduit is fed out from the installation vessel, and transferring the riser conduit to the production deck.