A base frame on the seafloor 6 and having docking receptacles 3 provides a supporting foundation for connection, such as by mechanical latching, to a sea floor drilling rig having docking cones (4, Fig 1) which facilitate connection. The drilling rig can be disconnected from the base frame and recovered to a support vessel leaving the base frame on the sea floor with drilling tools, such as rods, pipes, and casings and other dowhhole equipment 3, which are left free-standing, hanging or clamped 5 within the base frame. The drilling rig may then be redeployed and connected to the base frame on the seabed when convenient. The base frame may also support other equipment such as mud storage, shearing and cutting rams, leveling jacks and mud skirts.
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