US3589441A

US3589441A - Deep water operating and servicing system for operating and servicing marine wells

Info

Publication number: US3589441A
Application number: US717761A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter Brown; Warren S Messenger
Original assignee: North American Rockwell Corp
Current assignee: Boeing North American Inc
Priority date: 1968-04-01
Filing date: 1968-04-01
Publication date: 1971-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 1988-06-29
Also published as: NO129013B; JPS4839322B1; FR1598319A; DE1915414B2; DE1915414A1; NL6905074A; GB1199537A

Abstract

The invention is directed towards an underwater well operating and servicing module and a coupling assembly which can be connected to a number of underwater wells and which is also capable of sustaining human life within for repair and inspection. The module is shaped as an upright cylindrical shell which reduces abruptly to a smaller diameter providing a substantially horizontal ledge surface when the module is in position on the ocean bottom. A number of wells are positioned around the module at approximately equal radial distances. A flexible coupling assembly having both ends thereof directed downwards is secured by means of detachable connectors between the well and the module. Each of the connectors are guided to their respective receptacles at the well and module by means of guidelines and guidepins projecting upwards from the well and module to a surface vessel. The weight of the coupling assembly forces the connectors into position at their respective receptacles and they are then locked into position by hydraulic or electric means controlled from either within the module or from the surface vessel. Tools for servicing the particular well to which the coupling assembly has been attached are then inserted into the coupling assembly from within the module and from there into the well itself. This operation is usually performed at equal time intervals automatically.

Description

United States Patent [72] lnventors Walter Brown Long Beach; Warren S. Messenger, Canoga Park, both of, Calif. [21] Appl. No. 717,761 [22] Filed Apr. 1, 1968 [45] Patented June 29, 1971 I73] Assignee North American Rockwell Corporation [54] DEEP WATER OPERATING AND SERVICHNG SYSTEM FOR OPERATING AND SERVICING MARINE WELLS 16 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] 11.5. C1 166/.6, 166/75 [51] Int. Cl ..E21b 33/1133 [50] Field ofSearch 166/5, .6

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,111,692 11/1963 Cox 166/.5 X 3,326,285 6/1967 Coberly. 166/.6 3,331,437 7/1967 Jones 166/.6 3,353,364 11/1967 Blanding et al. 166/.5 X 3,363,683 1/1968 Corley et a1 166/,5 3,366,173 l/1968 Mclntosh 166/.5 3,380,520 '4/1968 Pease 166/.5 3,391,734 7/1968 Towsend 166/.5 3,419,071 12/1968 Williams et al. 166/.6

I swam 3,421,579 H1969 Manning ABSTRACT: The invention is directed towards an underwater well operating and servicing module and a coupling assembly which can be connected to a number of underwater wells and which is also capable of sustaining human life within for repair and inspection. The module is shaped as an upright cylindrical shell which reduces abruptly to a smaller diameter providing a substantially horizontal ledge surface when the module is in position on the ocean bottom. A number of wells are positioned around the module at approximately equal radial distances. A flexible coupling assembly having both ends thereof directed downwards is secured by means of detachable connectors between the well and the module. Each of the connectors are guided to their respective receptacles at the well and module by means of guidelines and guidepins projecting upwards from the well and module to a surface vessel. The weight of the coupling assembly forces the connectors into position at their respective receptacles and they are then looked into position by hydraulic or electric means controlled from either within the module or from the surface vessel. Tools for servicing the particular well to which the coupling assembly has been attached are then inserted into the coupling assembly from within the module and from there into the well itself. This operation is usually performed at equal time intervals automatically.

PATENTEDJUM29|97| 3589.441

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sum 3 0F 4 8 v g :5 g Q INVIJNTORS Q WALTER BROWN BYWARREN S. MESSENGER r- =r 1 2; A RNEY PATENTED JUN29 19?! 3,589,441

sum u [1F 4 INWL'NH RS WALTER BROWN WARREN S. MESSENGER 60k M. %VM

DEEP WATER OPERATING AND SERVICING SYSTEM FOR OPERATING AND SERVICING MARINE WELLS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to the field of oil or gas well operating and servicing modules and, more particularly, to a deep water servicing station for servicing a plurality of oil or gas wells without the frequent use of surface vessels.

In the art of servicing and operating oil or gas wells, it has been standard practice to lower tools from a surface vessel along guidelines into the well shaft for various purposes such as cleaning wax from the inner walls of the oil pipe, setting chokes, opening and closing gas valves, etc. In shallow water, divers have been used in combination with surface vessels, fixed platforms or shore stations to provide the same servicing function. The amount of servicing that a well may require is primarily determined by its location and by the impurities found. If, for example, weekly servicing is required for a deep water well, the expense and time involved in hooking up a surface vessel and performing the necessary servicing is prohibitive.

Various means have been devised to service these deep wells efficiently. One such method is the TFL (Through the Flowline) method. This method uses hydraulic pressure to drive a variety of tools through a portion of the production tubing. It uses another line called the service line to bypass the production line, during well servicing, to allow a continued product output from the well. The service line can also be utilized to supply pressure to return the tool up through the production tubing.

A new concept has thus evolved which consists of positioning a well operating and servicing module, herein after referred to as a module, in close proximity to a plurality of wells and providing a coupling means which couples the module to the wells. Contained within the module is all the equipment necessary to control, to meter individual well production, to collect the total well production, to collect the total well production, to automatically service the wells and to sustain human life as required. The use of the TFL method with the module concept requires that the bending radius for any linkage between the module and the wells be relatively large to allow the tool to negotiate the bend without jamming. It would, therefore, be highly advantageous to have a self-contained system wherein periodic servicing could be carried on automatically for each well without having to move or position a surface vehicle or submersible vehicle into the area each time one of the wells needed servicing. It would also be highly desirable to have a quick disconnect coupling assembly between the module and the wells to allow for the removal of one tubing loop if rework on one well is required, while the other wells continue producing, or toremove the module if it needs major repair or if the wells are exhausted and the module could be used for another group of wells. Although the invention will be described in connection with an oil well, it is to be understood that all equivalent materials such as gas and liquid sulfur will work as well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a preferred embodiment of this invention, a module capable of being immersed under water is radially positioned from a plurality of underwater oil or gas wells. A substantially horizontal surface is provided on the module when the module is positioned on the ocean bottom. A number of receptacles pass vertically through this horizontal surface into the interior of the module. A loop of flexible tubing having connectors attached to each end thereof, is aligned with each receptacle on the module and a receptacle mounted to the well, by means of guide pins positioned on the module and the well. Substantially rigid members maintain the relative alignment of the flexible tubing such that the respective connectors meet with the receptacles on the module and well. Slight misalignments are corrected for, by limited movements of the substantially rigid members. The mating of the connectors and receptacles is accomplished through the weight of the connectors, flexible tubing, and rigid alignment assembly. Hydraulic, or other remote control means are provided for locking the connectors to the receptacles and for unlocking them when the entire assembly is to be removed for either servicing or attachment to another group of wells.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for operating and servicing underwater oil or gas wells.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable module for the protection of automation equipment and for underwater servicing and operation of wells.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a self-contained module system which may be moved from one location to another.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a unique coupling arrangement between a module and a plurality of wells.

The aforementioned and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent and better understood when taken in conjunction with the following description and drawings, throughout which like characters indicate like parts, and which drawings form a part of this application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the module centrally located and surrounded by a plurality of underwater wells which are coupled to the module for servicing by means of a coupling assembly;

, FIG 2 is a partially sectioned enlarged view of a portion of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the section lines 44 of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. Sis a sectioned view of a portion ofthe apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a sectioned view taken along the section lines 6-6 of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. I, a base structure 10, is positioned on the floor of the Ocean 12. The base structure may have any desired shape, but, it is generally more convenient to have it circular, so that a plurality of well heads 14 may be positioned uniformly around the circumference, equally spaced from a central point. Using modern directional drilling methods, the bottom of each well which collects the oil or gas can be located in a horizontal projection far away from the well head. A module 16 is shown lowered into position substantially on the center of the base structure 10. The module is hollow, and conditioned to support life therein. Its main function is to house the equipment necessary for automatic periodical well servicing, for separating of petroleum products, for controlling the flow from the wells and for providing life support for men sent down occasionally by submarine for servicing of the equipment inside of the module. A coupling assembly 18 couples selected wells to the module 16. During the lowering operation a plurality of

guidelines

19 and 20 extended upwards, from the wells and the module respectively, towards a surface vessel (not shown for purposes of clarity) provide alignment for the coupling assembly 18 as it is lowered from the surface vessel into place between the module 16 and the wells 14. In case one of the coupling assemblies has been damaged, it can be released from well and module, raised up to the surface, repaired and lowered down again as described above. If major repair work on the module or its contents should be required, all coupling assemblies 18 can be raised up (after the valves in well heads 14 are closed). The module and placed near newly drilled wells. The

guidelines

19 and 20 may be attached and disconnected from guide pins 50 and 23, respectively, by means of a submarine 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 for a more detailed view of the coupling assembly 18. After a well is drilled a conductor pipe 21 sticks up through an opening in the baseplate 10. A guide frame 22 with a number of upright guide pins 23, along with a casing hanger 24, is mounted on and supported by the conductor pipe 21. A lower collet connector 25, which is secured to a valve assembly 26, is guided into position from a surface vehicle initially by the guidelines 19 and finally by the guide pins 23 and secured to the casing hanger 24. Guide sleeves 27, which are adapted to slide onto the guide pins 23, are secured to the lower collet connector 25 by braces 28. When connector 25 is in place, all lines coming from the well, the production line 33, the service line 34, and the gas line 35, are checked by valves 29. Valves 29 may be remotely controlled through temporary hydraulic connectors, connected between the valves and the surface vehicle, or between the valves and a hydraulic modular unit 81 positioned adjacent the oil well but controlled from the surface. The valves could also be mechanical and operated by the submarine manipulator.

The module 16 is comprised of an upper and a lower vertical cylinder 31 and 36 respectively, which are thick walled in order to withstand the large pressures of deep ocean operation. The lower vertical cylinder steps into the smaller diameter upper cylinder 31 forming at the step a substantially horizontal surface 32 extending in a ringlikc manner around the outside diameter of the module. A work platform 51 is positioned on this step and secured to the module. The inner chambers of the module may be conditioned to support life or a completely automatic system. The automatic sampling system can be used to determine the operating quality of the well and provide corrective service to the wells. A combination of the life support capacity along with an automatic servicing capability may be used. The particular systems for automatically performing these functions are well within the state of the art and would vary from mission to mission, therefore, they are not shown for purposes of clarity. A plurality of vertical connectors 40, having fixed ends, project through the wall of the lower cylinder 30. The upper face of each connector 40 contains a plurality of female receptacles (shown by dotted lines) corresponding in number and location to the male ends 37 which are attached to the detachable connector 41. A number of

tubing loops

44a, and 44b, (two are shown here) having a radius bend at each end thereof which is directed downward and which is great enough to allow for the passage of a well servicing tool and materials are fixedly connected at one end to the connector 41 and at the other end to a Y-spool 45. The number of tubes used will depend upon the specific needs of the system. The Y-spool 45 is in turn attached to the valve assembly 26 by an upper collet connector 46. The upper collet connector 46 is lowered into position, with the coupling assembly 18, and forms a part of the coupling assembly. Guide sleeves 47 are fixed to the upper collet connector 46 by means of braces 48. The sleeves 47 guide the collet assembly and in turn one entire end of the coupling assembly 18 onto the guide pins 23 and the upper portion of the oil well pipes that are kept with the valve assembly 26. A tree extension 60 is fixed to the Y-spool 45 to support a rotating sleeve 61 which is constrained by the tree except for rotational motion around the tree. A hydraulic cylinder 62 is positioned on the tree, near its top, and is provided with a limited degree of sliding motion. The cylinder 62 is limited in its lower range of travel by the spacer 66 when it bottoms against the ledge 38, (FIG. 2) and at the upper end by the collar 91 which is fixed to the top of the tree 60. A double linkage 63, more clearly seen in the FIG. 3 view, is pivotally mounted to the sliding cylinder 62 by means of trunnions 65 and to a second pair of linkages 64 by means ofa pine and collar connection 68, (FIG. 4). The dou I ble linkages 64 are connected to the rotating sleeve 61 by means of trunnions 69 and to the connector 41 by means of a clevis and trunnion assembly 70, more clearly shown in FIG. 4. The length of linkages 63 are such that if the cylinder 62 is in its uppermost position the connector 41 is entirely disenegaged from the receptacle on the vertical connectors 40. Means are thus provided for connecting and disconnecting the coupling assembly from the receptacle at controlled times without disconnecting the connector from the wells. The relative alignment between the connector and receptacle is still maintained even though they are disengaged by guide pins 50 which are affixed to and project vertically from the platform 51. A pair of guide sleeves 72 are fixedly attached to the connector 41 by means of braces 71. The angular indexing of connector 41 is controlled by the two sleeves 72.

A connector control pod 49 which is comprised of a lower portion that is fastened in a standard manner to sleeves 47 by suitable braces (not shown) and an upper portion 81 which is connected to sleeves 83 by braces 84 (FIG. 3 )is held in position by guide pins 23. The control pod is used to supply hydraulic power for the upper collet connector 46, the hydraulic cylinder 62, the connector 41, via hydraulic lines A, B, and C, respectively. The control pod is controlled from the surface through control lines 82. A pod which may be used with this invention is manufactured by Payne Manufacturing Company, Houston Texas and is disclosed in their sales brochure on pages 4020 and 4021. The hydraulic cap 90, which fits on the top ofthe tree assembly 60, provides connections for the drill pipe and hydraulic lines leading up to the barge, or storage vessel, which is used for the removal or the setting of the well head connections that run from collet connector 25.

. Referring now to FIG. 4, the collet connector 41 is connected to the yoke assembly 70 having slots located in each of its arms 75. Pins 74 support the connector within the slots. Within a limited range, the connector 41 may be rotated around the axis of the pins 74 or back and forth within the limits of the slots 75. The guide sleeves 72, affixed to the connector 41 by the braces 71, control the orientation (indexing) of the connector when the sleeves engage the guide pins 50, as previously discussed. Additional fore and aft, or extension, motion is provided by the shaft 76 which extends from the clevis 73. The shaft can rotate about its axis on bearings 77 which are attached to a housing member 79, which in turn is attached to the pair of lower linkage elements 64. Aside from the rotational motion, the clevis 73 may be moved in and out along the axis of the bearings up to the limits of the stop 78. This semifiexible mounting for the connector 41 compensates for any misalignment angles that may occur due to the impositioning of the module 16 or to the angles of inclination of the wells with respect to the module.

Referring now to FIG. 5, which is a cutaway view of the hydraulic cylinder 62. The hydraulic cylinder 62 is attached to the spacer 66 which also provides a hydraulic seal with the surface of the tree extension 60. A stationary piston 92 fixedly attached to the tree extension at approximately a midway point between the two ends of the cylinder 62. A hydraulic inlet port 93 is provided at one end of the cylinder with second hydraulic inlet port 97 being provided at the other end. Attached to the upper portion of the cylinder are two double lugs 94 which are locked by a sheer pin 95 to lugs 96, which are in turn fixed to a collar 91 that is in turn fixed to the top portion of the tree extension 61). By applying a hydraulic pressure at the hydraulic port 93, the cylinder with trunnion 65 will be forced downward and if the downward force overcomes the strength of the shear pin 95, the cylinder will move down until the spacer 66 reaches its lower limit of travel. When the cylinder moves down, it allows the connector 41 to engage the receptacle 40.

Referring to FIG. 6, it is a sectioned view of a typical collet connector 46 which may be used with the invention. The locking and unlocking structure of connector 41 is identical to that of connector 46, therefore, it is not shown for simplicity. The collet connector is fixedly attached to the Y-spool .5. The lower portion of the Y-spool has a projecting lip 111 corresponding to a projecting lip l on the valve assembly 26. A plurality of locking cylinders 120 are uniformly positioned around the lips llllll and lllll. A plurality of locking bars 1112 are provided which in the closed position squeeze and seal the two lips together. The piston 121 is actuated through hydraulic ports 1123 and 112 1 to either lock or unlock the locking bars. An end cap 122 is fixedly attached to the piston 11211 and to a wedge bar 1114. in the uppermost position, the wedge bar presses against a projection on the locking bar lll2 disengaging the locking bar from the lips. in the lower position, the wedge bar forces the locking bar into engagement with the lips. Collet connectors, whichmay be used with this invention, are disclosed manufactured by the Cameron Iron Works, Inc. Houston, Texas.

The right side of the H6. shows the collet connector, in locked position and the left side in the unlocked position. The locked and unlocked view is only for the purposes of clarity, in actuality the connector is either all open or all closed.

OPERATING SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION After the well is established with a well head, the lower collet connector 25 and the valve assembly 26 is secured in place and the module 116 is secured to the base 110. The guidelines are connected via the detachable connectors lltll to the guide pins50, by a submarine llllll, which then moves out from the center of the module to the wells and positions the guidelines 19 onto the guide pins 23 via the connectors lltlll. The innermost lines 2 1) should be attached'first to avoid fouling of the propeller and control systems of the submarine. With the hydraulic cylinder 62 locked in its upper position by the shear pin 95, the well head, including the collet connector 46 is lowered from the vessel, and guided by lines 19 to the guide pins 23, while at the same time the detachable connector 41 follows the guide line 20 to the guide pins 50. The upper part of the connector control pod 31 is attached to the lower part 80 and both are guided down along lines 2 0 along with hose lines 82 connected to the surface ship, until the sleeve assemblies 83 butt against the sleeve assemblies 417. The collet connector 46 is then locked in place from the surface ship under hydraulic control by way of pod 43. Consequently, the hydraulic cylinder 62 is pressurized and, after building up suf ficient force for shearing the pin 95, the cylinder moves down to the engaging position. In this stage, the cylinder force plus the weight of the detachable connector end 41, along with the weight of the connector linkages, produces the force necessary for engagement of the connector 4i with fixed connector 40. The operation of cylinder 62 and the engagement of

connectors

46 and 41 are actuated by hydraulic pressure from the ship via the connector control pod 49. After pressure testing, the upper part 811 of the connector control pod $9 is removed along with the hydraulic lines 82 and sleeves 83, brace 84}, and guidelines 19. The drill pipe and hydraulic lines can at this time be disconnected from the hydraulic cap 90. With the flexible tubes 441a and Mlb, now in place, a servicing tool such as a dewaxer may be inserted into the production line 33 from within the satellite 16 through the tubing 44a, in order to remove the coupling assembly 118 it is only necessary to reverse the above procedure.

While there has been shown what is considered to be the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be manifest that many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, in the annexed claims, to cover all such changes and modifications as may fall within the true scope of the invention.

We claim:

11. In combination:

an underwater well operating and servicing module adapted to be positioned in proximity to at least one underwater well;

a flexible tubing assembly having (ends) tubes with the respective openings extending in the same direction;

a module connector disposed at one end of said tubing assembly and a well connector disposed at the other end, first means disposed on said module to receive said module connector, and

third means on said tubing assembly for adjusting the spacing between said first and second means.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said third means is comprised of;

a. a tree member extending vertically from said well connector which connects to the receptacle on said well;

b. a first linkage member extending between said connectors;

c. a sleeve attached to said tree member a distance from said well connector; and

d. a second linkage member extending from said sleeve to said module connector.

3. The invention according to claim 2 and further comprising:

a. a means for moving said sleeve up and down on said tree member to control the engagement of said module connector'with said first means.

4. The invention according to claim 2 and further comprisa. a yoke means interposed between said module connector and both of said linkage members to provide said module connector with limited degrees of movement to compensate for slight misalignments between said module connector and said first means.

5. The invention according to claim 1 and further comprising:

a. a guide means positioned on said module and said well to guide said flexible tubing assembly with said connector, from the surface of said water to said first means the receptacles on said module and said second means on said respective well, said guide means also indexing said connectors to said first and second means.

6. The invention according to claim 5 and further comprising locking means attached to said connectors for locking and unlocking said connector from said first and second means.

7. The invention according to claim 11 and further comprising:

A system for servicing a plurality of deep water wells comprising:

a well head on each of said wells and positioned substantially in a circle:

a portable well operating and servicing module positioned at the center of said well heads, said module being hollo and conditioned to support life; number of flexible coupling assembly means each connecting said module to a respective well head, said coupling assembly means being hollow to allow access to said wells from said module; and

guide means affixed to said well heads and said module and extending to the surface of said water guide each of said coupling assembly means into position on said module and said respective well head.

3. A system for servicing a plurality of deep water wells positioned along substantially equal radii from a central position comprising in combination:

a. an operating and servicing module comprised of two hollow cylindrical sections, the lower one of which has a greater diameter than the upper, with the juncture of said sections forming a substantially horizontal surface, said module positioned at said central position;

b. a plurality of receptacles projecting upward through said horizontal surface from within said module;

c. a plurality of first means corresponding in number to said plurality of wells affixed to said wells respectively;

d. a plurality of second means including at least one flexible tubing, the ends of which are directed downward and a pair of connectors, one of said connectors communicating with one end of said tubing and the other of said connectors communicating with the other end of said tubing,

e. guide means affixed to said module and adapted to be affixed to said wells for guiding said pair of connectors on each of said second means from the surface of said water to one of said respective receptacles and one of said respective first means.

9. The invention according to claim 8 wherein the bend in said tubing is large enough to allow for the passage of a tool from said module to said wells and back.

10. The invention according to claim 9 and further comprising:

substantially rigid linkage connected between said connec tors, for maintaining the spacing of said connectors to correspond to the spacing between a respective one of said receptacles on said module and a respective one of said first means.

11. The invention according to claim 10 and further com prising:

a. locking means attached to said connectors for locking and unlocking said connectors to and from said respective receptacle and said respective first means.

12. A system for servicing a plurality of deep water wells positioned along substantially equal radii from a central position comprising in combination:

an operating and servicing module comprised of two hollow sections the lower one of which has a greater diameter than the upper, with the juncture of said sections forming a substantially horizontal surface, said module positioned at said central position;

b. a plurality of receptacles projecting upward through said substantially horizontal surfaces from within said module;

c. first means connected to each of said wells to be serviced;

d. at least one Y-spool member having at least one arm connected to one of said first means for allowing access to said well from at least two directions;

f. a tree extension member projecting upward from and connected to said one arm of said Y-spool;

g. a module connector connected to each of said receptacles; and

h. at least one substantially flexible tubing having the ends thereof diverted downward connecting said module connector to one of the other arms of said Y-spool for allowing access to said well from said module.

13. The invention according to claim 12 and further comprising substantially rigid linkage means connected between said tree extension and said module connector for maintaining the spacing between said one arm and said connector approximately equal to the spacing between a respective one of said receptacles and a respective one of said first means.

14. The invention according to claim 13 and further comprising:

a. a yoke means interposed between said module connector and said linkage members to provide said module connector with limited degrees of movement to compensate for slight misalignments between said first means and said respective receptacle.

15. The invention according to claim 13 wherein said substantially rigid linkage means is comprised of:

a. substantially horizontal linkage member extending from said tree member to said module connector;

b. a sleeve attached to said tree member a distance from said horizontal linkage member;

c. a rigid linkage member, having a length greater than said horizontal member, extending from said module connector and connected to said sleeve; and

d. hydraulic means connected to said sleeve to move said sleeve up and down on said tree, and in turn moving said module connector into and out of engagement with said module connector into and out of engagement with said module receptacle.

16. The invention according to claim 15 and further comprising:

a. means for moving said sleeve up and down on said tree member to control the engagement of said module connector with said module receptacle.

23533 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE (IETIFECATE OF CGRRECTION Patent NO. ,589,M+l Dated June 29, 1971 Inventor) Walter Brown and Warren S. Messenger It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

COLUMN 1:

In line 12, following "operating" and before "oil" insert -underwater--.

COLUMN 2:

In line 36, "sectional should be --sectioned--.

COLUMV 6:

In line 10 "which connects to the receptacle on said well" should be deleted,

In lines 33 and 3 the receptacles" should be deleted.

In lines MO and ll "The invention according to claim ll and ther comprisingz" should be deleted.

COLUMN T:

line 2 "a." should precede "an operating".

COLUMN 8:

Line 3l module connector into and out oi engagement with said" is duplication of the previous line and should be deleted.

Signed and sealed this 15th day of February 19?.2.

{SEAL} Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETC HER, JR. ROBERT GOTTSGHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. In combination: an underwater well operating and servicing module adapted to be positioned in proximity to at least one underwater well; a flexible tubing assembly having (ends) tubes with the respective openings extending in the same direction; a module connector disposed at one end of said tubing assembly and a well connector disposed at the other end, first means disposed on said module to receive said module connector, and third means on said tubing assembly for adjusting the spacing between said first and second means.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said third means is comprised of; a. a tree member extending vertically from said well connector which connects to the receptacle on said well; b. a first linkage member extending between said connectors; c. a sleeve attached to said tree member a distance from said well connector; and d. a second linkage member extending from said sleeve to said module connector.

3. The invention according to claim 2 and further comprising: a. a means for moving said sleeve up and down on said tree member to control the engagement of said module connector with said first means.

4. The invention according to claim 2 and further comprising: a. a yoke means interposed between saId module connector and both of said linkage members to provide said module connector with limited degrees of movement to compensate for slight misalignments between said module connector and said first means.

5. The invention according to claim 1 and further comprising: a. a guide means positioned on said module and said well to guide said flexible tubing assembly with said connector, from the surface of said water to said first means the receptacles on said module and said second means on said respective well, said guide means also indexing said connectors to said first and second means.

7. The invention according to claim 11 and further comprising: A system for servicing a plurality of deep water wells comprising: a well head on each of said wells and positioned substantially in a circle: a portable well operating and servicing module positioned at the center of said well heads, said module being hollow and conditioned to support life; a number of flexible coupling assembly means each connecting said module to a respective well head, said coupling assembly means being hollow to allow access to said wells from said module; and guide means affixed to said well heads and said module and extending to the surface of said water guide each of said coupling assembly means into position on said module and said respective well head.

8. A system for servicing a plurality of deep water wells positioned along substantially equal radii from a central position comprising in combination: a. an operating and servicing module comprised of two hollow cylindrical sections, the lower one of which has a greater diameter than the upper, with the juncture of said sections forming a substantially horizontal surface, said module positioned at said central position; b. a plurality of receptacles projecting upward through said horizontal surface from within said module; c. a plurality of first means corresponding in number to said plurality of wells affixed to said wells respectively; d. a plurality of second means including at least one flexible tubing, the ends of which are directed downward and a pair of connectors, one of said connectors communicating with one end of said tubing and the other of said connectors communicating with the other end of said tubing, e. guide means affixed to said module and adapted to be affixed to said wells for guiding said pair of connectors on each of said second means from the surface of said water to one of said respective receptacles and one of said respective first means.

10. The invention according to claim 9 and further comprising: substantially rigid linkage connected between said connectors, for maintaining the spacing of said connectors to correspond to the spacing between a respective one of said receptacles on said module and a respective one of said first means.

11. The invention according to claim 10 and further comprising: a. locking means attached to said connectors for locking and unlocking said connectors to and from said respective receptacle and said respective first means.

12. A system for servicing a plurality of deep water wells positioned along substantially equal radii from a central position comprising in combination: an operating and servicing module comprised of two hollow sections the lower one of which has a greater diameter than the upper, with the juncture of said sections forming a substantially horizontal surface, said module positioned at said central position; b. a plurality of receptacles projecting upward through said substantially horizontal surfaces from within said module; c. first means connected to each of said wells to be serviced; d. at least one Y-spool member having at least one arm connected to one of said first means for allowing access to said well from at least two directions; f. a tree extension member projecting upward from and connected to said one arm of said Y-spool; g. a module connector connected to each of said receptacles; and h. at least one substantially flexible tubing having the ends thereof diverted downward connecting said module connector to one of the other arms of said Y-spool for allowing access to said well from said module.

14. The invention according to claim 13 and further comprising: a. a yoke means interposed between said module connector and said linkage members to provide said module connector with limited degrees of movement to compensate for slight misalignments between said first means and said respective receptacle.

15. The invention according to claim 13 wherein said substantially rigid linkage means is comprised of: a. substantially horizontal linkage member extending from said tree member to said module connector; b. a sleeve attached to said tree member a distance from said horizontal linkage member; c. a rigid linkage member, having a length greater than said horizontal member, extending from said module connector and connected to said sleeve; and d. hydraulic means connected to said sleeve to move said sleeve up and down on said tree, and in turn moving said module connector into and out of engagement with said module connector into and out of engagement with said module receptacle.

16. The invention according to claim 15 and further comprising: a. means for moving said sleeve up and down on said tree member to control the engagement of said module connector with said module receptacle.