Conductor pipe string deflector and method of using same

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 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A drive shoe to guide a tubular as it is lowered to a seabed, the drive shoe comprising:
 a member to engage with a remote end of the tubular to be lowered to the seabed,   a miter-cut portion disposed on the end of the member remote from the tubular where fluid passes through the drive shoe and egresses via the miter-cut portion, the fluid flow causes the drive shoe to deflect the tubular in a direction remote from the fluid egressing the miter-cut portion and the member, and   wherein the miter-cut portion remains intact and is not effected by the fluid flow.   
     
     
         12 . The drive shoe of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a pipe string to receive the tubular in a concentric relationship,   wherein fluid moving through the tubular is directed through a hole,   wherein the fluid moving through the hole creates an increased flow with a maximum ram pressure which deflects the tubular in a direction substantially opposite the direction of the fluid flow through the hole, and   wherein the pipe string moves congruently with the deflected tubular such that the pipe string can be accurately positioned.   
     
     
         13 . The drive shoe of  claim 12 , further comprising the disengagement of the tubular from the pipe string to position the pipe string. 
     
     
         14 . The drive shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the miter-cut portion of the drive shoe comprises drillable material to remove the miter-cut portion to position the tubular. 
     
     
         15 . The drive shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the drive shoe is an integral part of the tubular. 
     
     
         16 . The drive shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the drive shoe is disposed on the tubular. 
     
     
         17 . The drive shoe of  claim 12 , wherein the hole is offset from a longitudinal centerline of the drive shoe. 
     
     
         18 . The drive shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the end of the member remote from the tubular comprises a reinforcing material. 
     
     
         19 . The drive shoe of  claim 12 , wherein the hole comprises a jet nozzle. 
     
     
         20 . The drive shoe of  claim 11 , further comprising the pipe string to receive the tubular therein. 
     
     
         21 . The drive shoe of  claim 20 , further comprising the pipe string to receive the tubular in a non-concentric relationship. 
     
     
         22 . The drive shoe of  claim 11 , wherein the miter-cut portion comprises a hole in the miter-cut portion closest to the tubular such that as fluid passes through the drive shoe and egresses the hole via the miter-cut portion, the fluid flow causes the drive shoe to deflect the tubular in a direction remote from the hole. 
     
     
         23 . The drive shoe of  claim 22 , wherein the miter-cut portion comprises a tip in the miter-cut portion remote from the tubular such that as fluid passes through the drive shoe and egresses the hole via the miter-cut portion, the fluid flow causes the drive shoe to deflect the tubular in a direction remote from the hole and the tip in the miter-cut portion allows easier entry into the seabed of the drive shoe and the tubular. 
     
     
         24 . The drive shoe of  claim 12 , further comprising a plug for the hole.