Articulated multiple buoy marine platform apparatus and method of installation
First Claim
1. A method of installing an oil and gas well drilling or production platform in an offshore deep water marine environment, comprising the steps of:
- a) placing a plurality of buoys;
b) floating a platform in the marine environment having an oil and gas well drilling or production facility to the location of the buoys, the platform including a peripheral portion that includes a plurality of connecting positions, one connecting position for each buoy; and
c) ballasting the platform and buoys relative to one another until each buoy connects with the platform and substantially all of the weight of the platform is supported by the buoys.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A marine platform (and method of installation) provides a plurality of buoys, a platform having a peripheral portion that includes a plurality of attachment positions, one attachment position for each buoy, and an articulating connection that connects each buoy to the platform at a respective attachment position, the connection allowing for sea state induced buoy motions while minimizing effect on the platform. A method of installation places the platform (including oil and gas drilling and/or production facility next to the buoys. Ballasting moves the platform and buoys relative to one another until connections are perfected between each buoy and the platform.
63 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method of installing an oil and gas well drilling or production platform in an offshore deep water marine environment, comprising the steps of:
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a) placing a plurality of buoys;
b) floating a platform in the marine environment having an oil and gas well drilling or production facility to the location of the buoys, the platform including a peripheral portion that includes a plurality of connecting positions, one connecting position for each buoy; and
c) ballasting the platform and buoys relative to one another until each buoy connects with the platform and substantially all of the weight of the platform is supported by the buoys. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of installing an oil and gas well production platform in an offshore deep water marine environment, comprising the steps of:
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a) floating a multi-ton package to a selected offshore location, the package having a plurality of connectors and wherein the connectors are preliminarily positioned at a first elevational position;
b) positioning a plurality of floating buoys at a selected offshore location, each buoy having a buoy connector portion at its upper end;
c) preliminarily positioning the buoy connectors at a selected second elevational position;
d) ballasting the floating package and buoys relative to one another so that the package connectors and the buoy connectors engage to define a plurality of articulating connections and wherein substantially all of the weight of the platform is supported by the buoys. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of installing an oil and gas well production platform in an offshore deep water marine environment, comprising the steps of:
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a) floating a multi-ton package to a selected offshore location, the package having a plurality of connectors and wherein the connectors are preliminarily positioned at a higher elevational position;
b) positioning a plurality of floating buoys at a selected offshore location, each buoy having a buoy connector portion at its upper end;
c) preliminarily positioning the buoy connectors at a selected elevational position;
d) ballasting the floating package and buoys relative to one another so that the package connectors and the buoy connectors engage to define a plurality of articulating connectors, including at least one articulating connector for each floating buoy. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of installing an oil and gas well production platform in an offshore deep water marine environment, comprising the steps of:
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a) floating a multi-ton package to a selected offshore location, the package having a plurality of connectors and wherein the connectors are preliminarily positioned at a first elevational position;
b) positioning a plurality of floating buoys at a selected offshore location, each buoy having an upper end;
c) preliminarily positioning the buoy upper ends at a selected second elevational position;
d) connecting the package to each of said buoys at individual articulating connections, an articulating connection for interfacing each buoy upper end with the package;
e) positioning a floating spar next to the combination of buoys and multi-ton package; and
f) transferring the package from the buoys to the spar by laterally moving the spar relative to the combination of buoys and package until they are generally vertically aligned and then lowering the package to the spar. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of installing an oil and gas well production platform in an offshore deep water marine environment, comprising the steps of:
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a) floating a multi-ton package to a selected offshore location, the package having a plurality of connectors and wherein the connectors are preliminarily positioned at a first elevational position;
b) positioning a plurality of floating vessels at a selected offshore location, each vessel having an upper end;
c) preliminarily positioning the vessel upper ends at a selected second elevational position;
d) connecting the package to each of said vessels at individual articulating connections, an articulating connection for interfacing each vessel upper end with the package;
e) positioning a floating spar next to the combination of vessels and multi-ton package; and
f) transferring the package from the vessels to the spar by laterally moving the spar relative to the combination of vessels and package until they are generally vertically aligned and then lowering the package to the spar. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification