초록 ▼

A polygon shaped floating offshore structure for use in oil or gas drilling or production operations, having apertures in its sides in order to reduce the movement of the structure as a result of undersea currents. The structure contains a production platform extending above the ocean's surface, a s

A polygon shaped floating offshore structure for use in oil or gas drilling or production operations, having apertures in its sides in order to reduce the movement of the structure as a result of undersea currents. The structure contains a production platform extending above the ocean's surface, a series of buoyancy tanks providing the structure with the ability to float, apertures, surrounded by coamings, located on each side of the structure such that ocean currents are allowed to flow laterally through the center of the structure and such that oil and gas can dissipate from the center of the structure if a rupture occurs, a fluid retention tank and ballast in order to lower the center of gravity of the structure and make it more stable, and a centerwell running through the longitudinal center of the structure which allows one or more risers to run from the ocean floor to the operating platform. The structure can then be moored to the sea floor through the use of a catenary mooring system.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An offshore floating structure comprising:a polygon shaped outer surface of a wall, said wall defining a centerwell through the longitudinal central portion of said structure;an operating platform, said platform being attachable to said wall;buoyancy tanks connected to th

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An offshore floating structure comprising:a polygon shaped outer surface of a wall, said wall defining a centerwell through the longitudinal central portion of said structure;an operating platform, said platform being attachable to said wall;buoyancy tanks connected to the inner sides of said structure, said buoyancy tanks being sufficient to maintain the operating platform a predetermined distance above the surface of a body of water after said operating platform has been attached to said wall;a first portion of said wall having a plurality of apertures, the total surface area of said apertures being less than or equal to the one third of the total surface area of the portion of said wall having said apertures, said first portion of said wall further including a coaming surrounding one or more of said apertures, each of said coamings protruding perpendicularly from said wall;a second portion of said wall including a fluid retention tank connected to the inner sides of said wall, said tanks being characterized by the ability to retain variable volumes of fluid;ballast located beneath said fluid retention tank; andmeans for releasably mooring said structure.