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 . A method of drilling wells, wherein said wells are drilled at drilling sites have a water depth of less than about seven 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;   drilling a well from said first modular drilling platform;   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.   
   
   
       2 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 1 , 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.   
   
   
       3 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 1 , 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.   
   
   
       4 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 3 , wherein said transporting at least one platform module further comprises transporting a plurality of mutually interconnectible platform modules. 
   
   
       5 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 3 , wherein said transporting at least one platform module further comprises transporting a plurality of multifunctional platform modules. 
   
   
       6 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 5 , wherein said transporting a plurality of multifunctional platform modules further comprises transporting at least one waste retention platform module. 
   
   
       7 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 3 , 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.   
   
   
       8 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 7 , 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. 
   
   
       9 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 8 , wherein said inserting said at least one leg into said surface region further comprises driving said at least one leg into said surface region. 
   
   
       10 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 8 , said method further comprising injecting a fluid into said at least one leg. 
   
   
       11 . The method of drilling wells of  claim 10 , wherein said fluid further comprises cement. 
   
   
       12 . A system for drilling wells, wherein said wells are drilled at drilling sites have a water depth of less than about seven 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.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein each of said platform modules is transportable by aircraft. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein each of said platform modules is transportable by boat. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein each of said platform modules is transportable by at least one of a truck, a railcar, a hovercraft, and a helicopter. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12 , 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.   
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said leg attachment member is structurally integral with said body portion. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said leg attachment member is separable from said body portion.