Gerald R Johnson

US Patent:

46663410, May 19, 1987

Filed:

Jan 8, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/817679

Inventors:

Almeron J. Field - Los Angeles CA
Gerald L. Johnson - Orange CA
Daniel G. Whyte - Orange CA

Assignee:

Santa Fe International Corporation - Alhambra CA

International Classification:

E02B 1700

US Classification:

405217

Abstract:

A mobile sea barge having a unitary lower hull which has sufficient buoyancy to float the entire barge, an upper hull spaced from the lower hull by a single, centrally-positioned, vertical member, and a movable stabilizing hull arranged about the central support member for controlled movement between the upper and lower hulls is provided. Controlled movement of the stabilizing hull permits the operational modes of submerging and emerging of the lower hull into or from a bottom-founded gravity-forced mode from which drilling operations can be carried out. In the bottom-founded mode on the sea floor the barge functions as a gravity platform. Movement of the stabilizing hull is provided by a plurality of jacking legs and jacking units which constitute the control devices. The barge can be quickly switched between the surface-floating and the gravity-forced, bottom-founded modes. Controlled vertical descent to the sea floor is provided by the static stability of the stabilizing hull.

US Patent:

46277676, Dec 9, 1986

Filed:

Jan 9, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/816993

Inventors:

Almeron J. Field - Los Angeles CA
Daniel G. Whyte - Orange CA
Gerald L. Johnson - Orange CA

Assignee:

Santa Fe International Corporation - Alhambra CA

International Classification:

E02B 1700

US Classification:

405196

Abstract:

A mobile sea barge having a unitary lower hull which has sufficient buoyancy to float the entire barge, an upper hull spaced from the lower hull by a single, centrally-positioned, vertical member, and a movable stabilizing hull arranged about the central support member for controlled movement between the upper and lower hulls is provided. Controlled movement of the stabilizing hull permits the operational modes of submerging and emerging of the lower hull into or from a bottom-founded gravity-forced mode from which drilling operations can be carried out. In the bottom-founded mode on the sea floor the barge functions as a gravity platform. Movement of the stabilizing hull is provided by a plurality of jacking legs and jacking units which constitute the control devices. The barge can be quickly switched between the surface-floating and the gravity-forced, bottom-founded modes. Controlled vertical descent to the sea floor is provided by the static stability of the stabilizing hull.