Method of offshore platform construction using a tension-moored barge
First Claim
1. A method of installing an integrated deck onto an offshore platform substructure having a slot in an upper end thereof for receiving a barge carrying said integrated deck, comprising the steps of:
- (a) positioning said barge within said slot in said offshore platform substructure such that said integrated deck is approximately aligned with said offshore platform substructure;
(b) installing a plurality of tethers between said barge and a plurality of foundation elements;
(c) tensioning said tethers such that said barge is maintained at a deeper draft than would be provided by the buoyancy of said barge alone;
(d) lowering said integrated deck to contact said offshore platform substructure; and
(e) ballasting said barge to assist in transferring the weight of said deck onto said offshore platform substructure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of installing an integrated deck onto an offshore platform substructure. The integrated deck is held by a support structure on a barge and transported to a preinstalled offshore platform substructure which is adapted to receive the barge and allow aligning of the integrated deck with the substructure for mating operations. Once the barge is positioned within the substructure, tethers are connected between the barge and anchoring foundation elements to moor the barge. Then the tethers are tensioned to minimize both vertical movement and lateral movement caused by wave action. Mating of the integrated deck and the substructure proceeds while tension loads in the tethers are maintained.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of installing an integrated deck onto an offshore platform substructure having a slot in an upper end thereof for receiving a barge carrying said integrated deck, comprising the steps of:
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(a) positioning said barge within said slot in said offshore platform substructure such that said integrated deck is approximately aligned with said offshore platform substructure; (b) installing a plurality of tethers between said barge and a plurality of foundation elements; (c) tensioning said tethers such that said barge is maintained at a deeper draft than would be provided by the buoyancy of said barge alone; (d) lowering said integrated deck to contact said offshore platform substructure; and (e) ballasting said barge to assist in transferring the weight of said deck onto said offshore platform substructure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of installing an integrated deck onto an offshore platform substructure, comprising a steel jacket substructure anchored to the seafloor, and having a slot in an upper end thereof for receiving a barge carrying said integrated deck, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) positioning said barge within said slot in said offshore platform substructure such that said integrated deck is approximately aligned with said offshore platform substructure; (b) installing a plurality of tethers between said barge and a plurality of foundation elements; (c) tensioning said tethers such that said barge is maintained at a deeper draft than would be provided by the buoyancy of said barge alone; (d) lowering said integrated deck to contact said offshore platform substructure; and (e) ballasting said barge to assist in transferring the weight of said deck onto said offshore platform substructure.
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12. A method of installing an integrated deck onto an offshore platform substructure, comprising a gravity base substructure resting on the seafloor, and having a slot in an upper end thereof for receiving a barge carrying said integrated deck, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) positioning said barge within said slot in said offshore platform substructure such that said integrated deck is approximately aligned with said offshore platform substructure; (b) installing a plurality of tethers between said barge and a plurality foundation elements; (c) tensioning said tethers such that said barge is maintained at a deeper draft than would be provided by the buoyancy of said barge alone; (d) lowering said integrated deck to contact said offshore platform substructure; and (e) ballasting said barge to assist in transferring the weight of said deck onto said offshore platform substructure.
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13. A method of installing an integrated deck onto an offshore platform substructure, comprising a tension leg platform substructure tension-moored to the seafloor, and having a slot in an upper end thereof for receiving a barge carrying said integrated deck, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) positioning said barge within said slot in said offshore platform substructure such that said integrated deck is approximately aligned with said offshore platform substructure; (b) installing a plurality of tethers between said barge and a plurality of foundation elements; (c) tensioning said tethers such that said barge is maintained at a deeper draft than would be provided by the buoyancy of said barge alone; (d) lowering said integrated deck to contact said offshore platform substructure; and (e) ballasting said barge to assist in transferring the weight of said deck onto said offshore platform substructure.
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14. A method of installing an integrated deck onto an offshore platform substructure having a slot in an upper end thereof for receiving a barge carrying said integrated deck, comprising the steps of:
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(a) positioning said barge within said slot in said offshore platform substructure such that said integrated deck is approximately aligned with said offshore platform substructure; (b) installing a plurality of tethers between said barge and a plurality of foundation elements; (c) tensioning said tethers such that said barge is maintained at a deeper draft than would be provided by the buoyancy of said barge alone; (d) lowering said integrated deck to contact said offshore platform substructure; (e) transferring the weight of said deck onto said offshore platform substructure; and (f) removing said barge from said slot in said offshore platform substructure. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification