SUBSEA DRILLING MODULE FOR USE IN DRILLING OF OIL AND GAS WELLS

摘要

A drilling module for use in drilling of oil and gas wells, where the drilling module is placed directly on the seabed with energy and control cables (5) supplied from a light surface vessel (21) on the surface (23) of the sea. This is realised by constructing a drilling derrick structure 10 on a frame structure (12) having buoyancy elements (13) arranged in each corner, and with anchors (16) against a frame structure (24) positioned on the seabed (15). On the drilling derrick (10) are arranged hoisting machinery and a drilling machine (9) for hoisting and rotating the drill string. Pipe stands used to assemble a drill string are placed in pipe cassettes (4) that can be transported between the surface and the drilling module. Cassettes of pipe stands are inserted into guide elements (8) on the drilling module. A pipe handling device consisting of a vertical structure (19) with gripping means (7) is provided to facilitate handling of pipe stands between the pipe cassette (4) and the drilling machine (9). The structure (19) is fixed to the frame (12) with guide elements (18).