Wireline System

Abstract

A device and a method for seabed and water bottom drilling, core sampling and measuring, include a vertically movable and horizontally fixed cross beam, a winch fixed to the cross beam and having a rope wound thereon, a drill head disposed on the cross beam, a spindle having a bore formed therein and being driven by the drill head and an overshot having one end connected to the rope and another end passing through the bore in the spindle for attachment to and detachment from a drilling tool of a drillstring. The spindle, the rope and the drillstring together define a common centerline during attachment and detachment of the overshot to and from a drilling tool and during drilling. A lift rod connected between the rope and the overshot can be pulled into the bore in the spindle prior to commencing rotary drilling for sealing the top of the bore.

1 . A device for seabed and water bottom drilling, core sampling and measuring, the device comprising:
 a vertically movable and horizontally fixed cross beam;   a winch fixed to said cross beam, said winch having a rope wound thereon;   a drill head disposed on said cross beam;   a spindle having a bore formed therein, said spindle being driven by said drill head; and   an overshot having one end connected to said rope and another end passing through said bore in said spindle for attachment to and detachment from a drilling tool of a drillstring;   said spindle, said rope and the drillstring together defining a common centerline during attachment and detachment of said overshot to and from a drilling tool and during drilling.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , which further comprises a swivel connected between said rope and said overshot, said overshot and said swivel configured to be pulled up into said bore in said spindle by said winch. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , which further comprises a lift rod connected between said rope and said overshot, said lift rod configured to be pulled into said bore in said spindle prior to commencing rotary drilling for sealing the top of said bore. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , which further comprises a removable tool rack, and grabber and alignment arms for delivering a drilling tool from said tool rack to a position along said common centerline for the drillstring. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said overshot has a latch for mating with a spear on a drilling tool. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , which further comprises at least one ROV/diver intervention panel. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , which further comprises a caisson resting on, engaging with or penetrating into the surface of the seabed or water bottom, and a stinger disposed on said caisson for receiving a sampling tool. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 4 , which further comprises a foot clamp cooperating with said grabber and alignment arms for exchanging a drilling tool. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 4 , which further comprises a tensioner for maintaining tension in said rope and preventing rope slack when said rope is deployed out. 
     
     
         10 . A method for seabed and water bottom drilling, core sampling and measuring, the method comprising the following steps:
 unwinding a rope from a winch connected to a vertically movable and horizontally fixed cross beam;   lowering the rope from the winch through a bore in a spindle to an overshot;   attaching the overshot to and detaching the overshot from a drilling tool of a drillstring;   rotating the drilling tool with a drill head connected to the cross beam; and   defining a common centerline of the spindle, the rope and the drillstring during attachment and detachment of the overshot to and from a drilling tool and during drilling.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , which further comprises connecting a swivel between the rope and the overshot, and pulling the overshot and the swivel up into the bore in the spindle with the winch for attachment and detachment of a drilling tool. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , which further comprises connecting a lift rod between the rope and the overshot, and pulling the lift rod into the bore in the spindle prior to commencing rotary drilling for sealing the top of the bore. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , which further comprises storing drilling tools in a removable tool rack, and delivering a drilling tool from the tool rack to a position along the common centerline for the drillstring with grabber and alignment arms. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10 , which further comprises mating a spear on a drilling tool with a latch on the overshot. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 10 , which further comprises interfacing a remotely operated vehicle or a diver with at least one intervention panel. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 10 , which further comprises placing a sampling tool into a stinger disposed on a caisson, and resting the caisson on, engaging the caisson with or penetrating the caisson into the surface of the seabed or water bottom. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 13 , which further comprises exchanging a drilling tool using a foot clamp cooperating with the grabber and alignment arms. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 13 , which further comprises maintaining tension in the rope and preventing rope slack when the rope is deployed out, with a tensioner cooperating with the winch.