Patent ID: 6457526
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
An underwater change out system for changing out well construction components in a well being drilled from the surface of a body of water, comprising:a blowout preventer adapted to be positioned near a mud line in said body of water for maintaining pressure control in said well, a tubular riser assembly extending from said blowout preventer toward said surface of said body of water, an underwater storage chamber connected with said tubular riser assembly in an area between said blowout preventer and said surface of said body of water, a closeable entry between said storage chamber and said tubular riser assembly for selectively communicating or isolating said storage chamber and an internal area of said tubular riser assembly, and a transfer mechanism for moving well construction components between said internal area of said tubular riser assembly and said storage chamber.