Conductor pipe string deflector and method

Abstract

An apparatus for deflecting a tubular string preferably comprising at least one side nozzle near the lower end of a first tubular string. The nozzle permits passage of a fluid therethrough from the first tubular string bore and deflects the first tubular string in a substantially horizontal direction. A second tubular string may be lowered over the deflected first tubular string. The second tubular string and the first tubular string are preferably lowered into the sea floor for maintaining their deflection. A method for deflecting a first tubular string and securing the first tubular string in the deflected state preferably comprises lowering the first tubular string axially so that the lower end of the first tubular string is near the sea floor. Preferably, a fluid, such as seawater, is propelled down through the bore of the first tubular string and through at least one side nozzle near the lower end of the first tubular, wherein the fluid moving through the side nozzle deflects the first tubular string. The first tubular string end is preferably lowered into the sea floor for maintaining the deflection of the first tubular string. A second tubular string may then be slidably lowered over the first tubular string for deflecting the second tubular string.

1 . An apparatus for deflecting a tubular having a tubular wall and a bore therethrough, comprising:
 a nozzle mounted within an aperture in the tubular wall wherein fluid moving through the tubular bore is directed through said nozzle, and wherein said fluid moving through said nozzle creates a jet flow which deflects the tubular in a direction substantially opposite the direction of fluid flow through said nozzle.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle creates a lateral force or thrust due to a drop in pressure of the fluid. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular is supported from an offshore drilling rig. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the tubular is a pipe string. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the tubular is a drill string for drilling into the sea floor. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is sea water. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a pump is used to move said fluid through said tubular bore and said nozzle. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular is at least partially lowerable into the sea floor for maintaining the deflection of the tubular. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a tubular string slidably inserted over the tubular. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the tubular string is at least partially lowerable into the sea floor for maintaining the deflection of the tubular string. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a drive shoe, wherein the drive shoe is configured so as to guide the tubular string as it is slidably inserted over the tubular. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , said drive shoe further comprising:
 a first end fixedly attached to the tubular string; and   a second end, wherein the second end defines an aperture through which the tubular may pass while the tubular string is slidably inserted over the tubular.   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the second end of said drive shoe of is configured having an angular shape. 
   
   
       14 - 45 . (canceled)