Method and system for building modular structures from which oil and gas wells are drilled

Abstract

A method and system for building modular platform structures from which oil and gas wells are drilled and maintained is disclosed, wherein a plurality of easily transportable, multifunctional platform modules are interconnected on-site to form a unitary platform structure. The interconnected platform modules are elevated above a ground surface on one or more legs coupled to at least one of the platform modules. The elevated, interconnected platform modules support both drilling and production operations in land-based, arctic, inaccessible, near-offshore and environmentally sensitive locations.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of drilling a plurality of wells, which comprises: 
 constructing a plurality of at least partial drilling platforms at geographically spaced apart locations;    installing a set of drilling equipment on a first of said drilling platforms; and,    drilling a well from said first drilling platform.    
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , including the steps of: 
 transporting said set of drilling equipment from said first drilling platform to a second of said drilling platforms;    installing said set of drilling equipment on said second drilling platform; and,    drilling a well from said second drilling platform.    
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 2 , including: 
 transporting said set of drilling equipment from said second drilling platform to a third of said drilling platforms;    installing said complete set of drilling equipment on said third drilling platform; and,    drilling a well from said third drilling platform.    
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said step of constructing said plurality of at least partial drilling platforms includes: 
 transporting at least one platform module to at least one of said locations; and,    elevating said at least one platform module over said at least one of said locations.    
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said step of elevating said at least one platform module includes: 
 transporting at least one leg to said at least one of said locations; and, raising said at least one platform module on said at least one leg.    
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said step of elevating said at least one platform module includes: 
 inserting said at least one leg into the earth beneath said location.    
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said step of inserting said at least one leg into said earth includes driving said at least on leg into said earth.  
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said step of inserting said at least one leg into said earth includes: 
 forming a bole in said earth; and,    inserting said at least one leg into said hole.    
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 6 , including injecting a fluid into said at least one leg.  
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said fluid includes cement.  
     
     
         11 . A drilling platform, which comprises: 
 a plurality of interconnected platform modules;    a plurality of legs coupled to at least some of said platform modules to support said interconnected modules above a surface; and,    drilling equipment supported by said interconnected platform modules.    
     
     
         12 . The drilling platform as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein each of platform modules is transportable by aircraft.  
     
     
         13 . The drilling platform as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein at least some of said platform modules comprise: 
 a body; and,    a leg attachment member coupled to said body.    
     
     
         14 . The drilling platform as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said attachment member is integral with said body.  
     
     
         15 . The drilling platform as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said attachment member is separable from said body.  
     
     
         16 . The drilling platform as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein at least some of said platform modules comprise: 
 a body having at least one cut out therein.    
     
     
         17 . The drilling platform as claimed in  claim 16 , including a blank member mountable in said cut out.  
     
     
         18 . The drilling platform as claimed in  claim 16 , including a leg attachment member mountable in said cut out.  
     
     
         19 . The drilling platform as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said leg attachment member includes a leg bore.  
     
     
         20 . The drilling platform as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein at least some of said platform modules comprise structural members.