METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING OFFSHORE STRUCTURES

• US 20090035069A1
• Filed: 07/30/2007
• Published: 02/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC (KBR Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC (KBR Incorporated)
• Inventors: D'Souza, Richard, Krehbiel, Drew
• Granted Patent: US 8,641,327 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 405/212
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 17/0021 against ice-loads

Abstract

Protective structures for offshore installations and methods for using same are provided. The protective structure can include a body adapted to be disposed at least partially about a primary structure of an offshore installation, and a support system can be disposed on the body. One or more protrusions can be disposed about an outer surface of the body. The protrusions can have a first end adapted to break ice. The support system can be adapted to isolate the one or more bodies from the primary structure such that the one or more bodies can absorb at least a portion of ice generated vibrations.

Claims

1. ) A structure for an offshore installation, comprising:

a body adapted to be disposed at least partially about a primary structure of an offshore installation;

one or more protrusions disposed about an outer surface of the body, wherein the protrusions have a first end adapted to break ice; and

a support system disposed on the body adapted to isolate the body from the primary structure such that the body can absorb at least a portion of ice generated vibrations.

2. ) The structure of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a plurality of bodies adapted to be disposed at least partially about the primary structure.

3. ) The structure of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a plurality of bodies adapted to surround the primary structure.

4. ) The structure of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a plurality of bodies wherein at least two of the bodies are each adapted to be disposed at least partially about a separate portion of the primary structure.

5. ) The structure of claim 1, wherein the support system comprises one or more isolators disposed between the body and the primary structure.

6. ) The structure of claim 1, wherein the support system is adapted to support the body independently of the primary structure.

7. ) The structure of claim 6, wherein the support system comprises one or more support legs.

8. ) A method for absorbing ice generated vibrations in place of a primary structure of an offshore installation, comprising:

disposing a protective structure at least partially about a portion of the primary structure, wherein the protective structure comprises a body having one or more protrusions disposed about an outer surface thereof, the protrusions adapted to break ice; and

supporting the body with one or more support systems, wherein the support system is disposed on the body and adapted to isolate the body from the primary structure such that the body can absorb at least a portion of ice generated vibrations.

9. ) The method of claim 8, further comprising disposing a plurality of bodies at least partially about the primary structure.

10. ) The method of claim 9, further comprising disposing a plurality of bodies about the primary structure such that the combination of the plurality of bodies surrounds the primary structure.

11. ) The method of claim 8, further comprising disposing a plurality of bodies, each, at least partially about a separate portion of the primary structure.

12. ) The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more support systems comprises one or more isolators disposed between the body and the primary structure.

13. ) The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more support systems comprises one or more support legs that support the body independently of the primary structure.

14. ) An offshore installation, comprising:

a primary structure supporting a superstructure;

at least one body disposed at least partially about the primary structure, the body comprising one or more protrusions having a first end adapted for breaking ice disposed about an outer surface thereof; and

one or more support systems adapted to isolate the body from the primary structure such that the body can absorb at least a portion of ice generated vibrations.

15. ) The offshore installation of claim 14, wherein the body comprises a plurality of bodies adapted to be disposed at least partially about the primary structure.

16. ) The offshore installation of claim 14, wherein the body comprises a plurality of bodies wherein at least two of the bodies are each adapted to be disposed at least partially about a separate portion of the primary structure.

17. ) The offshore installation of claim 14, wherein the body comprises a plurality of bodies adapted to surround the primary structure.

18. ) The offshore installation of claim 14, wherein the one or more support systems comprises one or more isolators disposed between the primary structure and the body.

19. ) The offshore installation of claim 14, wherein the one or more support systems comprises one or more support legs that support the body independently of the primary structure.

20. ) A protective structure for an offshore installation, comprising:

one or more bodies adapted to be disposed at least partially about a primary structure of an offshore installation;

one or more protrusions disposed about an outer surface of the one or more bodies, wherein the protrusions have a first end adapted to break ice;

one or more support systems disposed on each body;

wherein the one or more support systems are adapted to isolate each body from the primary structure such that the one or more bodies can absorb at least a portion of ice generated vibrations.