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.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A method of drilling wells, wherein said wells are drilled at drilling sites have a water depth of less than about eight feet, said method comprising: 
 constructing a plurality of modular drilling platforms at a plurality of drilling sites;    installing a set of drilling equipment on a first of said modular drilling platforms; and    drilling a well from said first modular drilling platform.    
   
   
       22 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 21 , wherein said method further comprises: 
 transporting said set of drilling equipment from said first modular drilling platform to a second of said modular drilling platforms;    installing said set of drilling equipment on said second modular drilling platform; and    drilling a well from said second modular drilling platform.    
   
   
       23 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 22 , wherein said method further comprises: 
 transporting said set of drilling equipment from said second modular drilling platform to a third of said modular drilling platforms;    installing said set of drilling equipment on said third modular drilling platform; and    drilling a well from said third modular drilling platform.    
   
   
       24 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 21 , wherein said constructing a plurality of modular drilling platforms further comprises: 
 transporting at least one platform module to at least one of said plurality of drilling sites; and    elevating said at least one platform module over said at least one of said plurality of drilling sites.    
   
   
       25 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 24 , wherein said transporting at least one platform module further comprises transporting a plurality of mutually interconnectible platform modules.  
   
   
       26 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 24 , wherein said transporting at least one platform module further comprises transporting a plurality of multifunctional platform modules.  
   
   
       27 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 26 , wherein said transporting a plurality of multifunctional platform modules further comprises transporting at least one waste retention platform module.  
   
   
       28 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 24 , wherein said elevating said at least one platform module further comprises: 
 transporting at least one leg to said at least one of said drilling sites; and    raising said at least one platform module on said at least one leg.    
   
   
       29 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 28 , wherein said elevating said at least one platform module further comprises inserting said at least one leg into a surface region disposed beneath said drilling site.  
   
   
       30 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 29 , wherein said inserting said at least one leg into said surface region further comprises driving said at least one leg into said surface region.  
   
   
       31 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 29 , wherein said inserting said at least one leg into said surface region further comprises driving said at least one leg into said surface region.  
   
   
       32 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 29 , said method further comprising injecting a fluid into said at least one leg.  
   
   
       33 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 32 , wherein said fluid further comprises cement.  
   
   
       34 . A system for drilling wells, wherein said wells are drilled at drilling sites have a water depth of less than about eight feet, said system comprising: 
 a plurality of interconnected platform modules;    at least one leg coupled to at least one of said plurality of interconnected platform modules to support said plurality of interconnected platform modules above a surface region; and    drilling equipment supported by said plurality of interconnected platform modules.    
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein each of said platform modules is transportable by aircraft.  
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein each of said platform modules is transportable by boat.  
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein each of said platform modules is transportable by at least one of a truck, a railcar, a hovercraft, and a helicopter.  
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein at least one of said plurality of interconnected platform modules further comprises: 
 a body portion; and    a leg attachment member coupled to said body portion.    
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein said leg attachment member is structurally integral with said body portion.  
   
   
       40 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein said leg attachment member is separable from said body portion.