Patent ID: 8087466

Claim:
A centralization and running tool (CRT) for use in a subsea installation in connection with offshore oil and gas exploration, where the subsea installation is configured for placement on the ocean bottom or a drilling template and includes an elongated tubular body that is at least partially open at the top for receiving and passing a drill stem depending from a drilling rig or a drilling vessel, the CRT comprising a rotary packing housing which is mounted for rotation with the drill stem, a plurality of packer seals that contact the drill stem, said packing housing being mounted for rotational movement in response to angular deviations of the drill stem from a generally vertical axis, the CRT being configured and dimensioned to surround the drill stem and be positioned within the tubular body of the subsea installation, and to provide a fluid-tight seal against the drill stem and against surrounding seawater in the subsea installation.