GB1071014A - Apparatus for offshore drilling and well completion - Google Patents

Abstract

1,071,014. Boring earth &c. CHEVRON RESEARCH CO. May 31, 1965 [June 2, 1964]. No. 23181/65. Heading E1F. A telescopic joint between the upper and lower parts 101, 51a of a marine conductor has a connection 123 so that fluid, preferably at constant pressure, may be supplied to the joint to place the conductor under axial tension to prevent buckling of the conductor due to the weight of drilling mud contained in the conductor. The part 101 has a mud return pipe 57, and is supported from a structure 6 on a vessel by a gimbal. The gimbal comprises a substantially rectangular framework formed by pairs of members 154, 155 carrying hollow spindles 158 and pairs of members 161, 162 carrying hollow spindles 169, each of the spindles 158, 169 respectively rotating in a bearing 157, 165 respectively carried by the part 101 and the structure. The bearings may be thrust bearings, or thrust bearings may be interposed between the plates 161 and the beams 142, 143 of the structure. Instead of the gimbal the part 101 may carry a ball member 253 (Fig. 8, not shown) engaging a socket 252 supported by the structure. The lower end of the conductor has a universal joint (48) (Fig. 2A not shown) above a connector attaching it to a stack of blowout preventers at the well head (20), and the lower end of the conductor may carry a heavy annular weight (155) surrounding the joint (48).