Method and apparatus for marking, relocating and re-establishing contact with a submarine equipment

摘要

1,077,293. Buoys; mooring. MOBIL OIL CORPORATION. Sept. 17, 1964 [Sept. 26, 1963], No. 38013/64. Headings B7A and B7S. [Also in Division E1] Submarine equipment (such as a well head) is marked by attaching a buoy 30 to guide lines 22 at a predetermined distance below the surface of the water and allowing the upper ends of the guide lines to hang freely from the buoy. The buoy is re-located by sound reflection apparatus or the buoy may include a sonic signal generator. After relocation the buoy is allowed to float upwardly to bring the upper ends of the guide lines to the surface of the water so that the buoy may be removed and the guide lines connected to the vessel 10. The invention is used when a well being drilled has to be abandoned during a storm or after a well is completed. The buoy may be filled with oil and have a fixed buoyancy, or the buoy may carry carbon dioxide cartridges which exhaust liquid from the buoy to increase the buoyancy.