Gravity base of offshore production platform with ice-pentrating peripheral nose sections

• US 4,422,804 A
• Filed: 12/10/1981
• Issued: 12/27/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1981
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Inventors: Gerwick, Ben C. Jr., Taylor, Thomas P., Price, Edward B.
• Primary Examiner(s): CORBIN, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US06/329,372
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 405/31, 405/195, 405/203, 405/205, 405/207, 405/210, 405/211, 405/217, 114/40, 114/41, 114/42
• US Class Current: 405/210
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 17/025 Reinforced concrete structures E02B17/021 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 2017/0069 Gravity structures
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 2017/0086 Large footings connecting several legs or serving as a reservoir for the storage of oil or gas

Abstract

A gravity base offshore production platform structure and, more particularly, a production platform for use in an arctic environment, including an encircling structure having a predetermined configuration the protection of the offshore structure in iceberg-infested waters which are capable of resisting the destructive forces of an impact produced by a large iceberg. The gravity base offshore production platform structure consists of a monolithic, massive concrete structure of a configuration providing a plurality or horizontal array of upright, mostly cylindrical compartments, which is supported on a concrete or slab foundation nesting on the marine floor. Generally, although not necessarily, the compartmented structure rises above the marine surface and is covered by a concrete slab or similar covering structure to thereby form closed compartments within the monolithic structure. The circumference of the concrete structure incorporates a plurality of ice-deflecting nose portions which are integrally formed with the wall structure of the exteriorly located compartments of the array, and are reinforced to withstand large iceberg forces upon impact. These reinforced nose portions impart either a "scallop-like" configuration to the circumference of the structure, or when in the shape of substantially pointed wall sections, a "starpoint" form capable of resisting and absorbing extremely high energy of large, fast moving and strong icebergs by progressively crushing the leading edge of an impacting iceberg.

Claims

1. A gravity base offshore production platform structure including an above-water platform section and a support section extending from the marine floor to said platform section, said support section comprising:

at least one shaft extending from the marine floor to said platform section;

an array of vertically extending oil storage compartments; and

an array of vertically extending ballast compartments about said oil storage compartments and said at least one shaft, said array of ballast compartments forming protruding scallop-like or starpoint portions about the periphery of said support section for absorbing maximum anticipated iceberg thrust forces and punching shear, whereby local punching failures as a result of iceberg impact are confined to said scallop-like or starpoint portions.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said support section is hexagonal in horizontal cross-section.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said ballast compartments have water therein.

4. The structure of claim 1 wherein said ballast compartments have sand or expanded shale aggregate therein.

5. The structure of claim 1 wherein said ballast compartments have iron ore therein.

6. The structure of claim 1 wherein at least one of said compartments projects vertically above said support section for supporting said platform section.

7. The structure of claim 1 wherein said scallop-like portions are parabolic in horizontal cross-section.

8. The structure of claim 1 wherein additional ballast compartments are located above at least some of said oil storage compartments.

9. The structure of claim 1 wherein said support section is formed of concrete.

10. The structure of claim 9 wherein said concrete is prestressed and reinforced concrete.

11. The structure of claim 1 wherein the outer walls of said scallop-like or starpoint portions are thicker than the remaining interior walls of said support section.

12. The structure of claim 1 further comprising reinforcing steel sheathing on the exterior of said scallop-like or starpoint portions.

13. The structure of claim 1 wherein there is provided a plurality of shafts extending from the marine floor interiorly of said support section to said platform section, said shafts being at least one of a drill shaft, a utility shaft or a riser shaft.