Support apparatus for supporting drive means, and driving apparatus incorporating such support apparatus

Abstract

A driving apparatus for driving pipes into the sea bed is disclosed. The driving apparatus has support arms supporting a drill tower for driving pipes into the sea bed, and a body for supporting a plurality of pipes in cassettes. A pipe feeding mechanism feeds pipes to the drill tower and the apparatus is controlled from a vessel located at a sea surface.

1 .- 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A support apparatus for supporting a drive apparatus for driving a plurality of elongate members into a sea floor, the support apparatus comprising:
 a body adapted to support a plurality of said elongate members;   at least one support device provided on said body for supporting said drive apparatus such that a position of said drive apparatus is adjustable relative to said body;   at least one feeding apparatus means for feeding a plurality of said elongate members to said drive apparatus;   at least one control apparatus for enabling control of said support apparatus from a vessel located at a sea surface; and   at least one moving apparatus for moving the body relative to the sea floor.   
     
     
         16 . A support apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein at least one said feeding apparatus is adapted to (i) simultaneously feed a plurality of said elongate members, located in position relative to each other by means of at least one locating apparatus, with at least part of said locating apparatus to at least one first location on said body and to (ii) sequentially feed a plurality of said elongate members from at least part of said locating apparatus at at least one said first location to said drive apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . A support apparatus according to  claim 16 , further comprising at least one manipulator apparatus for unloading at least part of at least one said locating apparatus from said body. 
     
     
         18 . A support apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising at least one engaging portion for engaging at least one lifting apparatus to enable lifting of the support apparatus, wherein at least one said feeding apparatus is adapted to feed a plurality of said elongate members through at least one aperture below said engaging portion in use. 
     
     
         19 . A support apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein at least one said moving apparatus comprises at least one track. 
     
     
         20 . A support apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein at least part of at least one said moving apparatus is adjustable in position in a direction transverse to a direction of movement of the support apparatus. 
     
     
         21 . A support apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein at least one said track is adjustable in position relative to said body. 
     
     
         22 . A driving apparatus for driving a plurality of elongate members into a sea floor, the driving apparatus comprising:
 a support apparatus according to  claim 15 ; and   at least one drive apparatus for driving a plurality of elongate members into the sea floor and supported by at least one said support device such that a position of said drive apparatus relative to said body is adjustable.   
     
     
         23 . A driving apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein at least one said drive apparatus is pivotable about at least one axis relative to said body. 
     
     
         24 . A driving apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein at least one said axis is substantially parallel to a direction of travel of the driving apparatus. 
     
     
         25 . A driving apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein at least one said axis is transverse to a direction of travel of said driving apparatus. 
     
     
         26 . A driving apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein at least one said drive apparatus comprises drilling apparatus. 
     
     
         27 . A driving apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein at least one said drive apparatus comprises a coring apparatus.