Compliant platform with slide connection docking to auxiliary vessel
First Claim
1. An improved method for conducting offshore well operations from a tension leg platform moored with at least one tendon, in which the tension leg platform is installed adjacent a selected well site;
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the improvement comprising;
protecting the tendon of the tension leg platform from excessive vertical loading transmitted through a docking system by isolating the tension leg platform from vertical loads acting upon the auxiliary vessel during well operations conducted for the tension leg platform by the offshore auxiliary vessel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved method for conducting offshore well operations is disclosed in which a compliant platform is installed adjacent a selected well site and an auxiliary vessel is temporarily docked to the compliant platform to provide for support for the well operations which will be produced through the compliant platform. In the practice of the improved method, the compliant platform is isolated from vertical loads upon the auxiliary vessel docked thereto during the performance of well operations conducted for the compliant platform by the offshore auxiliary vessel. Another aspect of the present invention is an improved system for restraining an offshore drilling vessel temporarily to a compliant platform which uses a slide-connection for isolating the compliant platform from vertical loads upon the offshore drilling vessel during the well operations.
56 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An improved method for conducting offshore well operations from a tension leg platform moored with at least one tendon, in which the tension leg platform is installed adjacent a selected well site;
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an auxiliary vessel is temporally docked to the compliant platform with facilities on board for support of well operations;
the improvement comprising;protecting the tendon of the tension leg platform from excessive vertical loading transmitted through a docking system by isolating the tension leg platform from vertical loads acting upon the auxiliary vessel during well operations conducted for the tension leg platform by the offshore auxiliary vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An improved method for conducting offshore well operations from a tension leg platform secured to the ocean floor through a plurality of tendons, in which
a tension leg platform is restrained out of its normal position substantially over a well pattern; -
an offshore drilling vessel is positioned over a selected well site of the well pattern at a location at the surface of the water not accessible to the offshore drilling vessel with the tension leg platform in its normal position; and well operations are conducted through a substantially vertical riser, the improvement comprising; protecting the tendons of the tension leg platform from excessive vertical loading by isolating the tension leg platform from vertical loads upon the offshore drilling vessel during well operations conducted for the tension leg platform by the offshore drilling vessel. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. In an improved system for restraining an offshore drilling vessel temporarily to a tension leg platform, which is moored with a plurality of tendons, to provide well operations in support of the tension leg platform, the improvement comprising:
a slide-connection for isolating the tension leg platform from vertical loads upon the offshore drilling vessel during the well operations, whereby the tendons of the tension leg platform are protected from excessive transfer of components of vertical load from the offshore drilling vessel to the tension leg platform. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for restraining an offshore drilling vessel temporarily to a tension leg platform, which is moored with a plurality of tendons, to provide well operations in support of the tension leg platform, comprising:
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an elongated swinging strut connected to the offshore drilling vessel in a horizontally pivoting connection and projecting outboardly; a first key presented on the outboard end of the swinging strut; a rigid frame strut connected to the offshore drilling vessel and projecting outwardly therefrom; a second key presented on the outboard end of the frame strut; first and second tracks presented on the tension leg platform and disposed to receive the fast and second keys, respectively, in a vertically extended sliding reception; and track entries into the first and second tracks to accept entry of the first and second keys, respectively; whereby the offshore drilling vessel may be docked to the tension leg platform without subjecting the tendons of the tension leg platform with vertical loads transmitted across the system.
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Specification