Method and installation for removing a superstructure

• US 5,829,919 A
• Filed: 11/01/1996
• Issued: 11/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Allseas Group S.A.
• Original Assignee: Allseas Group S.A.
• Inventors: Heerema, Edward Pieter
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagnell, David J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAGMAN, FREDERICK LYNDON
• Application Number:
  US08/742,859
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 405/209, 405/204, 405/203, 405/205, 405/206
• US Class Current: 405/209
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 35/003 for transporting very large loads, e.g. offshore structure modules construction methods for artificial islands mounted on piles E02B17/00; for transporting marine vessels B63B35/40; docks B63C1/00
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 2017/0052 Removal or dismantling of offshore structures from their offshore location

Abstract

A method for removing a superstructure from a jacket placed on a sea-bottom, wherein a vessel is positioned in the vicinity of the jacket. In this operation, the problem of the superstructure colliding with the jacket during lifting thereof due to up and down movement caused by the vessel floating on the waves is real and present. The superstructure and/or the jacket can sustain damage. To avoid such damage, the superstructure is engaged by lift supports which are movable relative to the vessel. Once the movement of the vessel in the waves is detected, lifting of the superstructure from the jacket is started when it is detected that the vessel is situated below it'"'"'s average depth level in the sea.

Claims

1. Method for removing a superstructure (13) from a jacket (12) placed on a sea-bottom, wherein a vessel (2) is positioned in the vicinity of the jacket (12), characterized by engaging the superstructure (13) by engaging means (5) which are fixed in movement relative to the vessel (2) in a downward direction, detecting the movement of the vessel (2) in the waves, and lifting the superstructure (13) from the jacket (12) when it is detected that the vessel (2) is situated below its average level.

2. Method as claimed in claim 1 characterized by displacing upward the part of the vessel (2) which supports the superstructure (13) during lifting of the superstructure by maneuvering with ballast, wherein ballast is removed on the end of the vessel which supports the superstructure (13).

3. Method as claimed in claim 1 characterized by displacing upward the part of the vessel (2) which supports the superstructure (13) during lifting of the superstructure by maneuvering with ballast wherein the end of the vessel which does not support the superstructure is provided with ballast.

4. Method as claimed in claim 1 wherein prior to fixing the movement of the engaging means, the engaging mean engages with an upward pressure against the underside of the superstructure.

5. Method for removing a superstructure (13) from a jacket (12) placed on a sea-bottom, wherein a vessel (2) is positioned in the vicinity of the jacket (12), characterized by engaging the superstructure (13) by engaging means (5) which are movable relative to the vessel (2), detecting the movement of the vessel (2) in the waves, and lifting the superstructure by a pressurized hydraulic accumulator (26) when it is detected that the vessel (2) is situated below its average level.

6. Apparatus for removing a superstructure from a jacket placed on the sea-bottom comprising a vessel (2) and engaging means (5) for engaging a superstructure (13) which are fixed in movement relative to the vessel in a downward direction, detecting means (41) for detecting the movement of the vessel (2) in the waves, in particular for detecting the situation in which the vessel (2) is situated below its average level, and energizing means (11) for energizing the engaging means (5) when the vessel (2) is situated below its average level, the vessel having ballast means whereby the part of the vessel which supports the superstructure is displaced upwardly by maneuvering with said ballast means.

7. Apparatus for removing a superstructure from a jacket placed on the sea-bottom comprising a vessel (2) and engaging means (5) for engaging a superstructure (13) which are movable relative to the vessel (2) characterized by said engaging means engaging with an upward pressure against the underside of the superstructure and detecting means for detecting the movement of the vessel (2) in the waves, particularly for detecting the situation in which the vessel (2) is situated below its average level, and by energizing means for energizing the engaging means (5) when the vessel is situated below its average level.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 which includes at least one pressurized hydraulic accumulator (26) for lifting the superstructure (13) relative to the vessel (2).

9. The apparatus of claim 7 which includes measuring means (55, 56) for measuring horizontal vessel movements.