SYSTEM AND METHOD OF INSTALLING AND MAINTAINING AN OFFSHORE EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SYSTEM HAVING AN ADJUSTABLE BUOYANCY CHAMBER

摘要

A system and method of establishing an offshore exploration and production system is disclosed, in which a well casing (2) is disposed in communication with an adjustable buoyancy chamber (9) and a well hole bored into the floor of a body of water. A lower connecting member (5) joins the well casing and the chamber, and an upper connecting member (12) joins the adjustable buoyancy chamber and a well terminal member. The chamber's adjustable buoyancy enables an operator to vary the height or depth of the well terminal member, and to vary the vertical tension imparted to drilling and production strings throughout exploration and production operations. Also disclosed is a system and method of adjusting the height or depth of a wellhead while associated vertical and lateral forces remain approximately constant. A variety of well isolation members, lateral stabilizers and anchoring means, as well as several methods of practicing the invention, are also disclosed.