Surface blow-out prevention support system

Abstract

A surface blow-out prevention support system comprising a support accommodating the blow-out preventor which is adapted to be supported from an associated support structure, the support facilitating connection between the blow-out prevention system and a riser extending from an underwater well, a connector providing a fluid connection between the blow-out preventor and the associated support structure, the support comprising a plurality of suspension members extending between the associated support structure and the support, where the suspension members are mounted to the support at angularly equidistant positions around the central axis of the support, each suspension member comprising a flexible cord member extending between the support and the associated support structure through a sheave arrangement, the sheave arrangement including a resilient tensioning member which is capable of resilient longitudinal extension to cause the spacing between the support and the associated support structure to be varied.

The claims defining the invention are as follows:  
     
         1 . A surface blow-out prevention support system comprising a support accommodating the blow-out preventor which is adapted to be supported from an associated support structure, the support facilitating connection between the blow-out prevention system and a riser extending from an underwater well, a connector providing a fluid connection between the blow-out preventor and the associated support structure, said support comprising a plurality of suspension members extending between the associated support structure and the support, said suspension members being mounted to the support at substantially angularly equidistant position around the central axis of the support, each suspension member comprising a flexible cord member extending between the support and the associated support structure through a sheave arrangement, said sheave arrangement including a resilient tensioning member which is capable of resilient longitudinal extension to cause the spacing between the support and the associated support structure to be varied.  
     
     
         2 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 1  wherein at least three suspension members are provided between the support and the associated support structure.  
     
     
         3 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 2  wherein four suspension members are provided between the support and the associated support structure.  
     
     
         4 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 1  wherein, each suspension member comprises a sheave block mounted to the support and a further sheave block mounted to the associated support structure, one end of said cord being fixed to the associated support structure or the support.  
     
     
         5 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 2  wherein, each suspension member comprises a sheave block mounted to the support and a further sheave block mounted to the associated support structure, one end of said cord being fixed to the associated support structure or the support.  
     
     
         6 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 3  wherein, each suspension member comprises a sheave block mounted to the support and a further sheave block mounted to the associated support structure, one end of said cord being fixed to the associated support structure or the support.  
     
     
         7 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 4  wherein the other end of the cord is connected to the associated support structure through the tensioning member.  
     
     
         8 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 5  wherein the other end of the cord is connected to the associated support structure through the tensioning member.  
     
     
         9 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 6  wherein the other end of the cord is connected to the associated support structure through the tensioning member.  
     
     
         10 . A surface blow-out prevention support system comprising a support accommodating the blow-out preventor which is adapted to be supported from an associated support structure, the support facilitating connection between the blow-out prevention system and a riser extending from an underwater well, a connector providing a fluid connection between the blow-out preventor and the associated support structure, said support comprising a plurality of suspension members extending between the associated support structure and the support, said suspension members being mounted to the support at substantially angularly equidistant position around the central axis of the support, each suspension member comprising a flexible cord member extending between the support and the associated support structure through a sheave arrangement, said sheave arrangement including a resilient tensioning member which is capable of resilient longitudinal extension to cause the spacing between the support and the associated support structure to be varied, wherein the connector is adapted to provide fluid connection between the blow-out preventor and a fluid line provided on the associated support structure, said connector having an elongate tubular body, the body having a first end adapted to be mounted to the blow-out prevention means and the body having a second end adapted to be connected to the fluid line where the connector accommodates for relative longitudinal movement between the riser and the associated support structure, said body comprising a plurality of tubular portions which are telescopically and sealingly interengaged to enable the spacing between the ends to be varied, one of said ends having an engagement member adapted to be fixed to said blow-out prevention means or to said support structure, said engagement member being pivotally mounted to the one end of said ends to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the body and to be pivotable about the transverse axis of the body.  
     
     
         11 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 10  wherein the said one end of the body is provided with an annular collar having an outer face which is of a part spherical configuration, said collar being received within a socket of complementary configuration within the engagement member to permit said rotatable and pivotal relative movement between the body and the engagement member.  
     
     
         12 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 10  wherein at least three suspension members are provided between the support and the associated support structure.  
     
     
         13 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 11  wherein at least three suspension members are provided between the support and the associated support structure.  
     
     
         14 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 12  wherein four suspension members are provided between the support and the associated support structure.  
     
     
         15 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 13  wherein four suspension members are provided between the support and the associated support structure.  
     
     
         16 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 10  wherein, each suspension member comprises a sheave block mounted to the support and a further sheave block mounted to the associated support structure, one end of said cord being fixed to the associated support structure or the support.  
     
     
         17 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 11  wherein, each suspension member comprises a sheave block mounted to the support and a further sheave block mounted to the associated support structure, one end of said cord being fixed to the associated support structure or the support.  
     
     
         18 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 12  wherein, each suspension member comprises a sheave block mounted to the support and a further sheave block mounted to the associated support structure, one end of said cord being fixed to the associated support structure or the support.  
     
     
         19 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 13  wherein, each suspension member comprises a sheave block mounted to the support and a further sheave block mounted to the associated support structure, one end of said cord being fixed to the associated support structure or the support.  
     
     
         20 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 14  wherein, each suspension member comprises a sheave block mounted to the support and a further sheave block mounted to the associated support structure, one end of said cord being fixed to the associated support structure or the support.  
     
     
         21 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 15  wherein, each suspension member comprises a sheave block mounted to the support and a further sheave block mounted to the associated support structure, one end of said cord being fixed to the associated support structure or the support.  
     
     
         22 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 16  wherein the other end of the cord is connected to the associated support structure through the tensioning member.  
     
     
         23 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 17  wherein the other end of the cord is connected to the associated support structure through the tensioning member.  
     
     
         24 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 18  wherein the other end of the cord is connected to the associated support structure through the tensioning member.  
     
     
         25 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 19  wherein the other end of the cord is connected to the associated support structure through the tensioning member.  
     
     
         26 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 20  wherein the other end of the cord is connected to the associated support structure through the tensioning member.  
     
     
         27 . A surface blow-out prevention support system as claimed at  claim 21  wherein the other end of the cord is connected to the associated support structure through the tensioning member.