Patent GB-1071157-A (GB)
Title: Method and apparatus for working submerged wells
IPC: E21B43/013
Filed: 1963-11-05
Abstract: 1,071,157. Wells &c. CHEVRON RE-SEARCH CO. Nov. 5, 1963 [Nov. 5, 1962], No. 43603/63. Heading E1F. [Also in Division F2] Tools are guided to submerged well apparatus by parallel guides extending from a platform above the water to the well, each of the tools having a guide member engaging at least two of the guides a wellhead comprises a fixed base 46 having posts 72, 74, (76) for guiding a base 60 which is removably secured to the base 46 and carries guide posts 64, 68, (70) secured to the vessel 30 by guide lines 54, 56, (58). A tool comprising a guide member 78 engaging at least two of the lines is lowered from the vessel by means of a drill string 88, the end of the string being fixed to a member (86) (Fig. 2, not shown) rotatable in the guide member. The string includes a sliding joint 104, and a weight 114 which reduces curvature in the lower part of the string. The guide member which has a television camera 128 ensures that the member 86 engages an actuator (100) of a connector or control means, the actuator being rotated when the string is turned from the vessel. In a modification the member 86 extends below the guide member and includes a universal joint to compensate for lack of alignment between the string and the actuater. In the modified arrangement (Figs. 5, 8 not shown) the vessel has a carriage (180) movable about a circular well (34), the carriage having a winch so that the string may be curved to enable the lower part of the string to remain vertical in spite of drifting of the vessel relative to the wellhead. Fig. 9 shows the lowering of wellhead control apparatus 52 onto the wellhead, the control apparatus comprising a vertical member 232, a production pipeline 234, a control valve 236, an operating line 238 for the valve, and the upper part 240 of a coupling which engages a portion 292 fixed to a fitting 50 fixed to the wellhead casing. The apparatus 52 is releasably attached to the lower end of a drill string which is guided by a three armed member 230 engaging the lines, the guiding being observed by means of a television camera 342. When the apparatus is positioned fluid is supplied to the bore of the string to retract latch (304) so that the string and member 230 may be removed. After removal of the string and member 230 a further guide member is lowered from the vessel and its rotary member is engaged with and rotates the actuator 242 of the coupling. Rotation of the actuator rotates worm and wheel (280). (278) (Fig. 15, not shown) which turns a screw having right and left hand threads engaged by nuts in the end segments of a series of articulated segments (250) to tighten the segments about the fitting (292) and a member (262) attached to the apparatus (52) the arrangement being that a steel packing (296) is tightened between the members (262), (292). Fig. 22 shows a modified coupling in which a segmented ring is pressed on the parts to be coupled by a ring shaped wedge member 402 moved by a series of pistons and rods 410, 412. As shown the coupling is being opened by screwing a coupler 424 on a connector 422 on the coupling by means of a guide member 442 with a rotary member 444 attached to a drill string, screwing a device 464 on a connector 428 by means of a fitting 474 on the guide member to open a valve 438, and supplying fluid to the bore 448 and the lower parts of the pistons. The coupling may be engaged by reversing the positions of the coupler and the device. The base 60 may be disconnected by means of tools having guide members such as (375) (Figs. 19, 21 not shown) provided with rotary members (377) which undo latches (366), the base being raised by the guide lines. When the well has been completed, a pilot line 382 and marker buoy 384 is attached to the post 72 on the fixed base 46. The rotary member on the tool may be rotated by a motor on the guide member instead of by the drill string.