Semi-submersible floating production facility
First Claim
1. A semi-submersible vessel, comprising:
- a ring pontoon comprised of pontoon members rigidly connected together, said pontoon members forming an equilateral triangle;
a plurality of main columns extending upwardly from locations adjacent to corners of the ring pontoon, while the pontoon members extend outboard of the main columns;
a plurality of secondary columns, each secondary column having a water plane significantly smaller than the water plane of any of the main columns, said secondary columns extending upwardly from the pontoon members; and
a deck supported by upper portions of said main columns and said secondary columns.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A semi-submersible floating production vessel which has a ring pontoon. Three main columns extend upwardly from corners of the pontoon and three secondary, minor columns. extend upwardly from centers of the triangle sides. The columns are surrounded with fenders for protecting the columns from impact with floating bodies. The columns support an open frame deck, on which production modules are positioned. The vessel is adapted for semi-permanent mooring with pre-tensioned mooring lines that are attached to swivel padeyes secured on the main columns below the water line. Production and export risers are connected to the vessel below the water line. Compressed air ballast system allows selective emptying of ballast compartments located in the ring pontoon and eliminates the need for a conventional pump room.
39 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A semi-submersible vessel, comprising:
- a ring pontoon comprised of pontoon members rigidly connected together, said pontoon members forming an equilateral triangle;
a plurality of main columns extending upwardly from locations adjacent to corners of the ring pontoon, while the pontoon members extend outboard of the main columns;
a plurality of secondary columns, each secondary column having a water plane significantly smaller than the water plane of any of the main columns, said secondary columns extending upwardly from the pontoon members; and
a deck supported by upper portions of said main columns and said secondary columns. - View Dependent Claims (2)
- a ring pontoon comprised of pontoon members rigidly connected together, said pontoon members forming an equilateral triangle;
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3. A semi-submersible vessel, comprising:
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a ring pontoon comprised of pontoon members rigidly connected together, a plurality of main columns extending upwardly from locations adjacent to corners of the ring pontoon while the pontoon members extend outboard of the main columns;
a plurality of secondary columns, each secondary column having a water plane significantly smaller than the water plane of any of the main columns, said secondary columns extending upwardly from the pontoon members and being rigidly connected together by secondary connecting members, said secondary connecting members forming an equilateral triangle; and
a deck supported by upper portions of said main columns and said secondary columns.
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4. A semi-submersible vessel, comprising:
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a ring pontoon comprised of pontoon members rigidly connected together by connecting members and forming an equilateral triangle;
a plurality of main columns extending upwardly from comers of the ring pontoon;
a plurality of secondary columns, each secondary column having a water plane significantly smaller than the water plane of any of the main columns, said secondary columns extending upwardly from the pontoon members;
a deck supported by upper portions of said main columns and said secondary columns; and
a plurality of production and export risers for transporting produced mineral resources to a facility outside of said vessel, said risers being connected to said vessel below a water line. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A semi-submersible vessel, comprising:
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a ring pontoon comprised of pontoon members rigidly connected together;
a plurality of main columns extending upwardly from locations adjacent to corners of the ring pontoon, while the pontoon members extend outboard of the main columns;
a plurality of secondary columns rigidly connected together by secondary connecting members that form an equilateral triangle, each secondary column having a water plane significantly smaller than the water plane of any of the main columns, said secondary columns extending upwardly from the pontoon members from locations midway between the main columns, and a deck supported by upper portions of said main columns and said secondary columns.
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Specification