Open cantilever tension system

Abstract

A drilling system includes a hull, an open cantilever mounted on the hull, a blowout preventer stack supported by the open cantilever, a plurality of beams installed horizontally and supported on the open cantilever, and a conductor tension unit cage including a conductor tension unit. The conductor tension unit cage is installed below the blowout preventer stack, and is supported by the plurality of beams. The conductor tension unit is configured to apply tension to a conductor pipe extending through the blowout preventer stack when the open cantilever is skidded out from the hull.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drilling system, comprising:
 a hull;   an open cantilever mounted on the hull, wherein the open cantilever is configured to skid out from the hull;   a blowout preventer stack supported by the open cantilever;   a plurality of beams installed horizontally and supported on the open cantilever; and   a conductor tension unit cage comprising a conductor tension unit,   wherein the conductor tension unit cage is installed below the blowout preventer stack, and is supported by the plurality of beams, and   wherein the conductor tension unit is configured to apply tension to a conductor pipe extending through the blowout preventer stack when the open cantilever is skidded out from the hull.   
     
     
         2 . The drilling system of  claim 1 , further comprising: at least one platform supported by the plurality of beams, wherein the at least one platform is configured to support the blowout preventer stack. 
     
     
         3 . The drilling system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of beams is supported on the open cantilever via a plurality of wires supported at a top of a drilling rig of the drilling system. 
     
     
         4 . The drilling system of  claim 1 , wherein the conductor tension unit cage is hung from the plurality of beams. 
     
     
         5 . The drilling system of  claim 1 , wherein the conductor tension unit cage is stored on top of the plurality of beams. 
     
     
         6 . The drilling system of  claim 1 , wherein the open cantilever defines a well center through which well center drilling operations may be performed through the blowout preventer stack. 
     
     
         7 . The drilling system of  claim 1 , further comprising: a Texas deck mounted on the hull, wherein the conductor tension unit is not mounted on the Texas deck. 
     
     
         8 . A drilling system, comprising:
 a hull;   an open cantilever mounted on the hull, wherein the open cantilever is configured to skid out from the hull via a plurality of cantilever skidding beams;   a blowout preventer stack supported by the open cantilever; and   a conductor tension unit cage comprising a conductor tension unit,   wherein the conductor tension unit cage is removably attached to the plurality of cantilever skidding beams.   
     
     
         9 . The drilling system of  claim 8 , further comprising: a Texas deck mounted on the hull, wherein the conductor tension unit is not mounted on the Texas deck. 
     
     
         10 . A system, comprising:
 an open cantilever;   a blowout preventer stack supported by the open cantilever,   wherein the open cantilever defines a well center through which well center drilling operations may be performed through the blowout preventer stack;   a plurality of beams installed horizontally with respect to an opening of the open cantilever, wherein the plurality of beams is supported on the open cantilever; and   a conductor tension unit cage comprising a conductor tension unit,   wherein the conductor tension unit cage is installed below the blowout preventer stack, and is supported by the plurality of beams, and   wherein the conductor tension unit is configured to apply tension to a conductor pipe extending through the blowout preventer stack at a position away from the well center.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising: at least one platform supported by the plurality of beams, wherein the at least one platform is configured to support the blowout preventer stack. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of beams is supported on the open cantilever via a plurality of wires supported at a top of a drilling rig. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the conductor tension unit cage is hung from the plurality of beams. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the conductor tension unit cage is stored on top of the plurality of beams. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising: a Texas deck mounted on the hull, wherein the conductor tension unit is not mounted on the Texas deck.