Method and apparatus for drilling multiple wells from a low load platform

摘要

A low facility offshore platform (11) having a limited number of circular well-drilling slots (3) is converted to provide additional well-drilling locations on the platform (11) while protecting the platform (11) from the hoisting and lowering loads normally required to drill deep water wells. The additional well-drilling locations are provided by placing multiple wells in individual slots (3). Load protection is accomplished by transferring such loads to an underwater competent earth formation (15) with a thick-walled shroud (12). The shroud (12) surrounding the multiple wells carries a plurality of internal centers through which the wells pass for assuring separation of the multiple wells and transmitting loads to the shroud (12).