Cellular SPAR apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A buoyancy apparatus for a drilling and production caisson for use in deep water offshore well operations, comprising:
- a) a central elongated cell defining a center well;
b) an elongated member connected to the central cell on one end and connected at the other end on a secondary cell or on a secondary elongated member;
c) said secondary cell or secondary elongated member being directly connected to the central cell or being connected to the central cell through a succession of complimentary elongated members and/or complimentary cells, wherein said cells and/or elongated members unaccompanied or in combination with each other define an elongated chamber;
d) wherein said cells and/or elongated chambers are used for buoyancy or variable ballast, or a combination of thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
According to various aspects of the invention, a buoyancy apparatus, a buoyancy system and a buoyancy method are provided. In one example embodiment of the present invention, a buoyancy apparatus for drilling and production caisson is provided for use in deep water offshore well operations. The buoyancy apparatus comprises a central cell, and a plurality of secondary cells essentially surrounding the central cell and secured to the central cell; wherein the perimeter surface of the buoyancy apparatus is essentially continuous along the length of at least the secondary cells. In one example embodiment, rigidly connecting the central cell and the secondary cells creates void chambers. The tops, bottoms, and sides, of the void chambers are sealed for buoyancy or production fluid storage. In another example embodiment, the void chambers have open bottoms. Another example embodiment comprises a mixture of sealed and open bottomed void chambers. In yet another example embodiment of the buoyancy apparatus comprises non-traditional curved shapes, rigidly connected. In alternate embodiments, any combination of the central cell, secondary cell, and the void chambers provide fixed ballast, variable ballast, buoyancy, or production storage as will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art.
19 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A buoyancy apparatus for a drilling and production caisson for use in deep water offshore well operations, comprising:
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a) a central elongated cell defining a center well;
b) an elongated member connected to the central cell on one end and connected at the other end on a secondary cell or on a secondary elongated member;
c) said secondary cell or secondary elongated member being directly connected to the central cell or being connected to the central cell through a succession of complimentary elongated members and/or complimentary cells, wherein said cells and/or elongated members unaccompanied or in combination with each other define an elongated chamber;
d) wherein said cells and/or elongated chambers are used for buoyancy or variable ballast, or a combination of thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of constructing a buoyancy apparatus, the method comprising:
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attaching a central cell to a first secondary cell with a first elongated member, attaching a second secondary cell to the first secondary cell and the central cell with a second elongated member and a third elongated member, thereby creating a void chamber between the central cell, the first secondary cell, and the second secondary cell, and continuing to attach a plurality of secondary cells to the central cell with a plurality of elongated members, until a loop of secondary cells and a plurality of void chambers are formed. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification