Docking and Drilling Stations for Running Self-Standing Risers and Conducting Drilling, Production and Storage Operations

Abstract

A sea vessel exploration and production system is provided, wherein the system includes a drilling station formed from at least one section of a first sea vessel hull; and a docking station, which is also formed from at least one section of a second sea vessel hull. A mooring system suitable for connecting the drilling station to the docking station is also provided. Means for anchoring the vessels to the seafloor, and for attaching them to turret buoys, are also considered. Various exploration and production packages, as well as equipment required to deploy and control a self-standing riser system in either deep or shallow waters, are also described.

1 . A sea vessel exploration and production system, said system comprising:
 a drilling station, wherein said drilling station further comprises at least one section of a first sea vessel hull; and   a docking station, wherein said docking station further comprises at least one section of a second sea vessel hull.   
     
     
         2 . The sea vessel exploration and production system of  claim 1 , further comprising a mooring system suitable for mooring said drilling station in communication with said docking station. 
     
     
         3 . The sea vessel exploration and production system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more anchor lines configured to position and stabilize said drilling station and said docking station. 
     
     
         4 . The sea vessel exploration and production system of  claim 1 , further comprising a turret buoy system disposed in permissive communication with either of said drilling station and said docking station. 
     
     
         5 . The sea vessel exploration and production system of  claim 1 , wherein said drilling station further comprises a moon pool. 
     
     
         6 . The sea vessel exploration and production system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said drilling station and said docking station further comprises a hydrocarbon testing unit. 
     
     
         7 . The sea vessel exploration and production system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said drilling station and said docking station further comprises a hydrocarbon separation unit. 
     
     
         8 . The sea vessel exploration and production system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said drilling station and said docking station further comprises a storage unit for storing equipment relating to a self-standing riser system. 
     
     
         9 . The sea vessel exploration and production system of  claim 8 , wherein said equipment relating to a self-standing riser system further comprises additional lengths of riser tubulars. 
     
     
         10 . The sea vessel exploration and production system of  claim 8 , wherein said equipment relating to a self-standing riser system further comprises one or mote buoyancy chambers.