Claims
- 1. A method of installing an offshore oil/gas well with a mobile drilling rig having a lifting device thereon that is transported to an offshore well site, comprising the steps of:
- a) installing an upstanding conductor pipe with the drilling rig at the well site in a first well drilling position;
- b) transporting a jacket truss to the well site using a floating barge-like vessel, the truss including a pair of elongated hollow legs;
- c) preliminarily installing drive piles in each leg of the jacket truss;
- d) lifting the jacket truss from the barge using the lifting device on the drilling rig and wherein the drilling rig remains in said first well drilling position;
- e) positioning the jacket truss adjacent the conductor pipe using the drilling rig and its lifting device in said first position;
- f) securing the jacket truss to the conductor pipe using one or more removable clamps each spaced substantially above the sea bed; and
- g) securing the jacket legs to the sea bed by driving the drive piles with the mobile drilling rig.
- 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of installing mud mat means extending along the sea bed and defining an extended load transfer surface with connects at one edge portion to the bottom portion of the truss and at least partially projects from the truss toward the conductor pipe a distance, the mud mat means defining a load transfer surface for supporting the bottom end portion of the truss at the sea bed during installation.
- 3. The method of claim 1, wherein:
- the truss further comprises a first plurality of structural chord members.
- 4. The method of claim 3, wherein:
- a second plurality of structural chord members interconnects the truss and the conductor pipe.
- 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of installing mud mat means extending along the sea bed and defining an extended load transfer surface which connects at one edge portion to the bottom portion of the truss and at least partially projects from the truss toward the conductor pipe a distance, the mud mat means defining a load transfer surface for supporting the bottom end portion of the truss at the sea bed during installation.
- 6. The method of claim 1, wherein:
- a plurality of structural chord members interconnects the truss and the conductor pipe.
Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 07/428,485, filed Oct. 31, 1989 and now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 07/236,637, filed Aug. 25, 1988 and now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (13)
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
"Tripod Feasibility Study: South Timbalier Block 50", Giley & Assoc., Gretna, La., Feb. 19, 1981. |
Continuations (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
428485 |
Oct 1989 |
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Parent |
236637 |
Aug 1988 |
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