Title: Subsea wellhead protective enclosure

Abstract: Method and apparatus for protecting subsea wellheads and christmas trees from damage by anchors, fishing nets, trawl boards, and other towed devices. The apparatus includes an annular, rigid protective enclosure with inner and outer walls that define a hollow annular chamber, and a plurality of bag-like containers spaced around and attached to the enclosure's outer wall. The annular chamber is in communication with the interiors of the containers by means of ports through the enclosure's outer wall, whereby when cement is pumped into the chamber it also flows into and fills the containers to form a smoothly contoured shield around the enclosure. Should an anchor or other device become fouled on this shield, the container or containers involved will break away and let the anchor continue on its way up and over the enclosure without damage to the wellhead or other well equipment.

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Inventors: Thorne, Paul M. (Santa Barbara, CA, US)

Application Number: 963730
Filing Date: 1978-11-27
Publication_date: 1980-09-02
Assignee: FMC Corporation (San Jose, CA)
Primary Class(es): 405/211 166/368, 405/222
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

3247672	Apr, 1966	Johnson	405/210.
3461957	Aug, 1969	West.
3486341	Dec, 1969	Huesker-Stiewe et al.	405/18.
3543846	Dec, 1970	Smith et al.
3661204	May, 1972	Blanding et al.
3664136	May, 1972	Laval et al.	405/60.
3703207	Nov, 1972	Horton.
3786640	Jan, 1974	Turzillo	405/18.
3910056	Oct, 1975	Dopyera	405/211.
3981154	Sep, 1976	Hix	405/60.
4081970	Apr, 1978	Dowse	405/204.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Corbin, David H.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Guernsey; Lloyd B., Ritt, Jr.; W. W.