Self-standing riser and buoyancy device deployment and positioning system

• US 8,202,023 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2011
• Issued: 06/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Keith K. Millheim
• Original Assignee: Keith K. Millheim
• Inventors: Millheim, Keith K.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAGMAN, FREDERICK LYNDON
• Application Number:
  US13/028,632
• Publication Number:
  US 20110135396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 405/166, 405/169, 405/171, 405/223.1, 405/224, 405/224.2, 166/350, 166/367
• US Class Current: 405/166
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 35/03 Pipe-laying vessels laying pipes under water F16L1/12
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/012 with buoyancy elements E21B17/015 takes precedence

Abstract

A water-borne vessel for deploying a self-standing riser system is provided, wherein the vessel hull is configured to receive, transfer and deploy components of a self-standing riser system. The vessel hull includes at least a landing platform, a component transfer means, and a deployment platform suitable for deploying the riser components into associated surrounding waters. Various means of assisting the process whereby self-standing riser components are loaded onto the vessel and stored; transferred from receiving to deployment platforms; and deployed from the vessel into surrounding waters are also considered.

Claims

1. A water-borne vessel for deploying a self-standing riser system, said vessel comprising:

a vessel hull configured to receive, transfer and deploy components of a self-standing riser system, wherein said vessel hull further comprises a landing platform, a transfer means, and a deployment platform, wherein said deployment platform further comprises a movable, submersible deployment means for deploying self-standing riser components from said deployment platform into associated surrounding waters.

2. The water-borne vessel for deploying a self-standing riser system of claim 1, wherein said landing platform further comprises a hoisting means.

3. The water-borne vessel for deploying a self-standing riser system of claim 1, wherein said landing platform further comprises an intake port for flooding said receiving platform.

4. The water-borne vessel for deploying a self-standing riser system of claim 1, wherein said transfer means further comprises means for transferring self-standing riser components from said receiving platform to said deployment platform.

5. The water-borne vessel for deploying a self-standing riser system of claim 4, wherein said transferring means further comprises a securing means for securing said components during transfer from said receiving platform to said deploying platform.

6. The water-borne vessel for deploying a self-standing riser system of claim 1, wherein said deployment platform further comprises a receiving means for receiving self -standing riser components transferred from said receiving platform.

7. The water-borne vessel for deploying a self-standing riser system of claim 1, wherein said deployment platform further comprises a securing means for securing self-standing riser components received from said transferring means.

8. The water-borne vessel for deploying a self-standing riser system of claim 1, wherein said deployment platform further comprises a hoisting means for hoisting self-standing riser components received from said transferring means into a deployment position.

9. The water-borne vessel for deploying a self-standing riser system of claim 1, wherein said water-borne vessel further comprises a storage area for storing self-standing riser components placed upon said vessel.