Abstract:
A method and apparatus for removing abandoned or obsolete fixed platforms in a marine environment is provided. The apparatus includes a frame carrying an explosive charge. The frame includes a linear and a curved section which are adjustable moved relative to one another for fitting the explosive charge member to the inside bore of a vertical leg section of the rig. A shaped charge arrangement focuses an explosive charge at a desired location on the rig leg so that when the explosive charge detonates, the rig is cut with minimal invasion of the surrounding environment.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A &#34;MICROFICHE APPENDIX&#34; 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to improved method and apparatus for removing abandoned marine platform jackets and like fixed platforms from the seabed. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to improved method and apparatus for removing jackets and like fixed platforms from the seabed by employing a specially configured explosive charge that is place inside of the hollow legs of an abandoned jacket or fixed platform, (e.g. oil well, oil production platform or the like) wherein the apparatus is adjustably positioned inside legs of differing diameters and wherein a partial angular segment of the leg is cut at a time. 
     2. General Background of the Invention 
     In the offshore oil and gas well drilling industry, there are a large number of fixed platforms that have been installed over the years in the fragile marine environment. These platforms typically involve the use of a structural steel frame or &#34;jacket&#34; that is comprised of a plurality of hollow tubular members, many of which are vertically oriented. In order to anchor the jacket to the seabed during installation, elongated hollow piling members are place through the vertical leg portions of the jacket and thrust downwardly into the seabed. 
     After a number of years of use, these offshore oil and gas well drilling platforms and production platforms can become obsolete. Under relevant laws, they are necessarily removed since they are a hazard to navigation. One of the methods of removing offshore oil and gas well drilling platforms and production platforms requires that the legs of the jacket or platform be severed well below the mud line. The remaining portion above the cut can be lifted from the seabed using a crane. The jacket or platform can be placed on a barge for later disposal at a suitable scrap yard or like site. 
     One of the problems that has faced the offshore oil and gas well drilling industry is the removal of obsolete or abandoned platforms without adversely effecting the surrounding marine environment. Typically, offshore marine environments are very delicate and should necessarily be minimally impacted by a method that is used to remove a fixed platform or production platform. 
     Another problem that faces a salvage company is excess expense and danger if a diver must cut the legs one at a time with an underwater cutting torch. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an improved method for removing an offshore fixed platform from the marine environment. In such a situation, the platform typically has a plurality of legs that extend below the seabed, each leg being hollow and having a leg wall with an inside surface. 
     The method of the present invention first places a frame within a leg at the seabed area. The frame includes a curved portion that tracks the curvature of the platform leg at an area to be severed. 
     An explosive charge is then positioned in between the frame and the inside wall surface of the leg at a desired location. 
     A portion of the wall of the leg is then severed by detonating the explosive charge that has been supported with the frame. 
     The frame is then repositioned and another portion of the wall of the leg is severed by detonating a second charge. 
     These steps are repeated until all of the legs have been severed. The platform is then lifted from the seabed so that it can be placed on a transport barge for disposal at a fabrication yard, salvage yard, or scrap yard. 
     The method of the present invention further comprises the step of focusing the charge by shaping the charge at the interface between the leg and frame. 
     A block of rubber material having surfaces that form acute angles with vertical are placed in between the frame and the leg. 
     The block of material can have a trapezoidal transverse cross section. 
     With the method of the present invention, the curved portion of the frame is preferably used to support the explosive charge against the leg to be severed. 
     The frame preferably includes a curved section that is adjustable into multiple curvatures and further comprising the step of supporting the explosive charge with the curved section of the frame that has been adjusted to fit the curvature of the leg to be severed. 
     In the preferred method, the frame includes a curved section that extends less than 360 degrees about the leg during use. 
     The frame can includes a pair of turnbuckles that can used to change the curvature of the curved section. The frame also includes a telescoping strut member having one end portion that affixes to the curved part of the frame. The user turns the turnbuckles in order to change the curvature of the curved section. The turnbuckles extend in between the telescoping strut member and end portions of the curved section of the frame. 
     In a second embodiment, a fixed frame member is used that does not employ the turnbuckles. Rather, the fixed frame portion includes a curved section of a smaller curvature so that adjustment of the curvature is not required. The present invention also provides an apparatus for severing the legs of abandoned offshore fixed platforms. The apparatus includes a frame having an elongated shaft portion and a curved portion. An explosive charge is positioned in between the curved portion and the leg to be severed. An adjustment mechanism is provided for fitting the frame to the leg. 
     The curved portion extends less than 360 degrees around the leg interior surface during use. 
     The curved portion preferably extends between about 120 degrees and about 180 degrees about the inside surface of the leg to be severed. 
     The curved portion preferably continually engages the explosive charge prior to detonation. 
     A third embodiment can be used to sever legs with an externally positioned apparatus. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a typical offshore oil and gas well drilling platform prior to removal; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4--4 of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention; 
     FIG. 7 is perspective cutaway view illustrating the method the present invention and showing the apparatus of the present invention during installation; 
     FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing destination of the explosive portion; 
     FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view illustrating the leg of a fixed platform after it has been severed using the method and apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a top, plain view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the first step of the method of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a top, plain view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the second of the method of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a top, plain view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is an elevational view illustrating the final method step of the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 16 is a sectional, elevational, partially cut away view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 
    
    
     For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In FIG. 1, there can be seen a typical fixed platform 10 anchored to the seabed 12 in an offshore marine environment. The fixed platform 10 typically includes a plurality of vertical leg members 14, 15 and a number of transversely extending structural members 16. In keeping with good engineering practice, the vertical members 14, 15 are extended well into the seabed 12 a minimum dimension &#34;A&#34; as shown in FIG. 1, typically at least 16 or more feet. 
     The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing abandoned platforms 10 that are no longer used in oil or gas well drilling or production or other related use. This is accomplished by providing an explosive apparatus 20 that is placed within the interior 17 of a selected vertical leg member 14, 15 with the help of a diver 18 that is supported by a plurality of life support cables 19 tethered from a tending vessel floating above. 
     In FIGS. 3 and 4, explosive apparatus 10 includes a telescoping strut member 21 that has end portions 22, 23. The telescoping strut member 21 forms a connection at end portion 22 with curved member 24. A pair of turnbuckles 25, 26 extend between telescoping member 21 and curved member 24 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. 
     Extension and retraction of turnbuckles 25, 26 enables the user to change the curvature of the curved member 24. 
     The telescoping member 21 includes a telescoping threaded shaft portion 27 having external threads 28 thereon (see FIG. 5). The threads 28 engage and move with respect to correspondingly shaped internally threaded barrel 31 of strut member 21. A transverse bar 34 is affixed to threaded shaft portion 27. Handles 33 can be rotated by a user in order to extend or retract the shaft 27 relative to barrel 31. 
     During use, a user rotates the handles 33 until the threaded shaft 27 has extended fully, wherein the bar 34 engages the inside wall surface 35 of a vertical leg member 14, 15. During use, a user also moves the turnbuckles 25, 26 in or out as shown by the curved arrows 29, 30 in FIG. 6 in order to change the curvature of curved member 24. In FIG. 6, the phantom lines show a smaller curvature for the curved member 24 and the hard lines show a larger curvature thereof. 
     Once the explosive apparatus 20 has been positioned as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 against the inside surface 35 of a selected vertical member 14 or 15, an explosive charge 40 can be detonated to partially sever the leg 14 or 15. Explosive charge 40 is pressed against inside wall surface 35 of a jacket leg or vertical member 14, 15 as shown in FIG. 8. The explosive charge 40 is preferably about 5 pounds of explosives or less. The explosive 40 can be a plastic bonded explosive (PBX) in sheet form such as a manufactured Ensign Bickford Company or Hi Tech so that it can be layered. The curved member 24 engages and presses against the explosive charge 40 holding it against the inside surface 35 of the selected vertical member 14 or 15 (see FIGS. 4 and 8). 
     A rubber block 36 that is prefereably trapezoidally shaped in cross section is positioned in between the explosive material 40 and the inside surface 35 of the selected vertical member 14 of 15. The block 36 thus provides a flat surface 37, and a pair of inclined surfaces 38, 39 that form an angle with the surface 37. The angle formed by surfaces 38 and 39 is preferably between about 100 and 160 degrees. Additionally, a flat surface 41 is provided in between the inclined surfaces 38, 39. The surface 41 is preferably parallel to the surface 37. Fuse 42 can be used to detonate the explosive charge 40. Multiple fuses 42 can be employed as shown in FIG. 11. In FIG. 9, lines of force 43 are shown demonstrating the focusing of explosive force to a focal point at the leg wall, using the apparatus 20 of the present invention to sever the vertical members 14 or 15. In FIG. 10, the numeral 44 indicates this focal point, namely the fracture site. 
     In FIGS. 11 and 12, the sequence of the method of the present invention is shown more particularly. In FIG. 11, the apparatus 20 is first positioned to cut one-half of the leg when explosive forces follow the pattern of arrows 45. In FIG. 12, a fracture 44 has been made extending about 180 degrees around a selected vertical member 14 or 15. In FIG. 12, the apparatus 20 has been repositioned as shown to fracture the remaining 180 degrees of the selected leg 14 or 15. The arrows 46 indicate the direction of force applied by the explosive charge in FIG. 12 as the second one-half portion (i.e. 180 degrees) of the selected leg or vertical member 14, 15 is cut. The platform vertical members such as 14, 15 can be cut one at a time. Alternatively, multiple vertical members or legs 14, 15 can be rigged with the apparatus 20 of the present invention so that charges can be detonated on multiple legs at one time which becomes an efficient procedure when dealing for example with very large offshore platforms 10. 
     FIG. 13 shows an alternate version of the apparatus of the present invention, designated generally by the number 20A. In the embodiment of FIG. 13, the telescoping member 21 is constructed like the embodiment of FIGS. 1-12. However, the curved member 24 is replaced by the curved member 24A that extends about 120 degrees as shown by the angle alpha in FIG. 13. With the embodiment of FIG. 13, the turnbuckles 25, 26 are replaced with rigid struts 47, 48. The curved member 50 holds and explosive charge 49 as configured like the embodiment of FIGS. 1-12, however it is shorter in length, extending a measure of about 120 degrees. With the embodiment of FIG. 13, three positionings of frame 20A are required rather than the two positionings required for apparatus 20 as show in FIGS. 11 and 12. 
     In FIG. 14, a crane 51 is shown having a crown block 52 for lifting platform 10 once it has been severed below the seabed 11. Once severed, the platform 10 can be lifted, leaving remnants of the legs 14, 15 well below the mud line in an environmentally less harmful position. The platform 10 can be lifted upwardly as shown by arrow 53 in FIG. 14. The salvaged platform 10 is placed upon barge 54 for transport to a remote location such as a salvage yard, fabrication yard, scrap yard or the like. Some platforms are reusable. The present invention is minimally invasive of the platform structure so that reuse is not compromised by the method of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 15 and 16 show a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral 55 in FIGS. 15 and 16. 
     Explosive apparatus 55 can be used on a leg member 56 by placing the apparatus 55 on the outer surface 39 of the leg member 56 as shown in FIG. 16. The leg member 56 has a hollow interior 57 surrounded by inner surface 58 of leg member 56. 
     In FIGS. 15 and 16, a generally circular strap member 60 has an inner surface 61 that is cylindrically shaped to conform generally to the cylindrically shaped outer surface 71 of explosive charge 69. The strap member 60 has a pair of flanges 62, 63 the form a closure when the strap member 60 is placed around leg 56 as shown in FIG. 16 and encircling wave shaper 73 and explosive charge 69. 
     The flanges 62, 63 are secured together during use, tightening the strap member 61 in position using threaded fastener 64 and wing nut 65. Slot 66 on flange 63 receives threaded fastener 64. The assembly is tightened with wing nut 65 once in position on leg 56. 
     The explosive charge 69 provides an inner surface 72 that is placed against wave shaper 73 and an outer surface 71 that is placed against surface 61 of strap member 60. 
     A beam that is comprised of pair of flanges 67, 68 can be placed at 90 degrees with respect to each other (e.g. welded) as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 and welded to strap member 60 for reinforcing strap member 60. 
     Wave shaper 73 includes a cylindrically shaped inner surface 74 and a plurality of outer surfaces 75, 76, 77. The outer surface 77 is generally cylindrically shaped for engaging the flat inner surface 72 of explosive charge 69. A pair of beveled annular surfaces 75, 76 are inclined with respect to each other and with respect to inner surface 74 as shown in FIG. 16. 
     The following table lists the parts numbers and parts descriptions as used herein and in the drawings attached hereto. 
     
         ______________________________________PARTS LISTPart Number      Description______________________________________10               fixed platform11               mud line12               seabed13               water surface14               vertical leg member15               vertical leg member16               transverse leg member17               interior18               diver19               support cables20               explosive apparatus20A              explosive apparatus21               telescoping strut member22               end23               end24               curved member24A              curved member25               turnbuckle26               turnbuckle27               telescoping rod28               threads29               arrow30               arrow31               barrell32               interval threads33               handle34               bar35               inside wall surface36               block37               large flat surface38               inclined surface39               inclined surface40               explosive change41               small flat surface42               fuse43               force lines44               fracture45               arrow46               arrow47               strut48               strut49               explosive charge50               curved member51               crane52               crown block53               arrow54               barge55               explosive apparatus56               leg member57               hollow interior58               inner surface59               outer suface60               strap member61               inner surface62               flange63               flange64               threaded fastener65               wing nut66               slot67               flange68               flange69               explosive charge70               fuse71               outer surface72               inner surface73               wave shaper74               cylindrical inner75               annular surface76               annular surface77               annular surface______________________________________ 
    
     The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.