Abstract

A system for drilling a subterranean bore at a subsea location is provided, the system comprising a drilling unit for location on the seabed and remotely operable from the water surface to drill a bore using a drill string; a transport assembly moveable between the water surface and the drilling unit when at the location on the seabed, wherein the transport assembly comprises a receptacle for receiving a downhole tool; first transfer means for transferring a first downhole tool from the drill string to the transport assembly; and second transfer means for transferring a second downhole from the transport assembly to the drill string; whereby the first and second transfer means are operable to recover from the drill string a first downhole tool and deliver to the drill string a second downhole tool in a single deployment of the transport assembly from the water surface to the drilling unit. A method for drilling a subterranean bore at a seabed location comprises providing a drilling unit on the seabed; conducting a drilling operation using a drill string by remote operation of the drilling unit from a surface location, the drill string having therein a first downhole tool; transporting a second downhole tool from the surface to the drilling unit by means of a transport assembly; recovering the first downhole from the drill string to the transport assembly; transferring the second downhole tool from the transport assembly to the drill string; transporting the first downhole tool to the surface by means of the transport assembly; and continuing the drilling operation using the second downhole tool. The system and method are especially useful in the recovery, transport and deployment of an inner tube for holding a core sample.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 7/124 - Underwater drilling with underwater tool drive prime mover, e.g. portable drilling rigs for use on underwater floors
• E21B 7/128 - Underwater drilling from floating support with independent underwater anchored guide base

Abstract

A jack-up vehicle having a hull including at least two hull sections (2, 3) interconnected in such manner as to be positionable in an end-to-end relationship having a first vehicle width and for the purpose of movement of the vehicle from one location to another location and to be positionable in a side-by- side configuration having a second vehicle width when at said another location, wherein the first vehicle width is less than the second vehicle width. A jack-up vessel such as this can maintain stability when elevated with square positioning of supporting legs and yet reposition the hull sections to achieve a preferred hull shape for transit from location - to - location at more than twice the usual speed of known jack-up vessels.

IPC Classes  ?

• B63B 7/04 - Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels comprising only rigid parts sectionalised
• B63B 35/00 - Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
• E02B 17/04 - Equipment specially adapted for raising, lowering, or immobilising the working platform relative to the supporting construction

Abstract

A method of drilling a bore at a subsea location is provided, the method comprising providing a remotely operated drilling assembly at a subsurface location; providing a conduit (2) extending from the surface of the water to the remotely operated drilling assembly; and drilling the bore at the subsea location using the remotely operated drilling assembly. An apparatus for conducting a drilling operation at the seabed comprises a remotely operable drilling assembly deployed at a subsea location; and a conduit extending from the drilling assembly to the surface of the water.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 7/124 - Underwater drilling with underwater tool drive prime mover, e.g. portable drilling rigs for use on underwater floors

Abstract

An installation for handling a pile or column (14) for its erection at a predetermined location from the bed (SB) of a volume of water, including means (3) for locating the pile or column at said predetermined location, gripper/support means/units (11, 12) for physically engaging with the pile or column (14) at a position offset from the region (17) of the centre of gravity of the pile or column whilst the pile or column is floating in the water, and means for enabling the pipe or column to tilt to a required orientation with respect to the said bed (SB).

IPC Classes  ?

• E02D 15/08 - Sinking workpieces into water or soil
• E02D 23/02 - Caissons able to be floated on water and to be lowered into water in situ

Abstract

A method of establishing a tubular slot (14) in a support medium (13) for receiving a tubular pile/column (1) in which the need to remove a central core of material from the interior of the pile/column (1) is avoided by drilling in the medium a downwards directed tubular slot (14) having internal and external diameters that allows the pile/column (1) to be introduced into the annular slot down to a required depth (15) to which it is required to introduce the lower end (2) of the pile/column into the medium (13) the drilling being effected either in the absence of the pile/column or after the latter has been positioned at the location at which it is to be erected, and following drilling enabling the lower end of the pile/column to reach the required depth (15).

IPC Classes  ?

• E02D 5/40 - Concrete or concrete-like piles cast in position making by use of mould-pipes or other moulds in open water
• E02D 27/52 - Submerged foundations
• E02D 7/28 - Placing of hollow piles or mould-pipes by means arranged inside the piles or pipes