An offshore structure comprises a hull having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. In addition, the structure comprises an anchor coupled to the lower end of the hull and configured to secure the hull to the sea floor. The anchor has an aspect ratio less than 3:
An offshore structure comprises a hull having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. In addition, the structure comprises an anchor coupled to the lower end of the hull and configured to secure the hull to the sea floor. The anchor has an aspect ratio less than 3:1. The hull includes a variable ballast chamber positioned axially between the first end and the second end of the hull and a first buoyant chamber positioned between the variable ballast chamber and the first end of the hull. The first buoyant chamber is filled with a gas and sealed from the surrounding environment. Further, the structure comprises a ballast control conduit in fluid communication with the variable ballast chamber and configured to supply a gas to the variable ballast chamber. The structure also comprises a topside mounted to the first end of the hull.
대표청구항▼
1. An offshore structure for drilling and/or producing a subsea well, the structure comprising: a hull having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end;an anchor coupled to the second end of the hull and configured to secure the hull to the sea floor, wherein the anch
1. An offshore structure for drilling and/or producing a subsea well, the structure comprising: a hull having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end;an anchor coupled to the second end of the hull and configured to secure the hull to the sea floor, wherein the anchor has an aspect ratio greater than or equal to 1:1 and less than or equal to 2:1;wherein the hull includes a variable ballast chamber positioned axially between the first end and the second end of the hull and a first buoyant chamber positioned between the variable ballast chamber and the first end of the hull;wherein the first buoyant chamber is filled with a gas and sealed from the surrounding environment;a ballast control conduit in fluid communication with the variable ballast chamber and configured to supply a gas to the variable ballast chamber;a topside mounted to the first end of the hull. 2. The offshore structure of claim 1, wherein the hull includes a first port in fluid communication with the variable ballast chamber, wherein the first port is configured to allow water to flow into and out of the variable ballast chamber from the surrounding environment. 3. The offshore structure of claim 2, wherein the hull includes a fixed ballast chamber axially positioned between the variable ballast chamber and the second end, wherein the fixed ballast chamber is configured to be filled with fixed ballast. 4. The offshore structure of claim 1, wherein the ballast control conduit has an end disposed within the variable ballast chamber. 5. The offshore structure of claim 4, wherein the end of the ballast control conduit is positioned near an upper end of the variable ballast chamber. 6. The offshore structure of claim 1, wherein the anchor is a suction pile including a suction skirt extending axially from the second end of the hull. 7. The offshore structure of claim 6, further comprising a fluid conduit in fluid communication with a cavity within the suction skirt, wherein the fluid conduit is configured to vent the cavity, pump a fluid into the cavity, or draw a fluid from the cavity. 8. The offshore structure of claim 1, further comprising a second buoyant chamber axially positioned between the first buoyant chamber and the variable ballast chamber, wherein the first buoyant chamber is filled with a gas and sealed from the surrounding environment. 9. The offshore structure of claim 1, wherein the hull comprises a plurality of parallel columns, wherein each column has a central axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end; and wherein each column includes a variable ballast chamber positioned between the first end and the second end of the column, a buoyancy chamber positioned between the variable ballast chamber of the column and the first end;means for supply a gas to the variable ballast chamber of each column. 10. The offshore structure of claim 1, wherein the hull has a length measured axially from the first end to the second end, wherein the length of the hull is greater than 300 feet. 11. The offshore structure of claim 10, wherein the anchor has a diameter of 15 feet to 50 feet. 12. A method, comprising: (a) transporting a hull of a buoyant tower to an offshore installation site on a single vessel having a deck, wherein the hull includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an anchor coupled to the second end;(b) ballasting the vessel;(c) floating the hull off the vessel during or after (b);(d) supporting a topside of the buoyant tower on a pair of rails mounted to the vessel;(e) maneuvering the hull between the pair of rails;(f) ballasting the vessel or de-ballasting the hull;(g) lifting the topside off of the pair of rails during (f);(h) ballasting the hull;(i) penetrating the sea floor with the anchor; and(j) allowing the tower to pitch about the lower end of the hull after (i). 13. The method of claim 12, wherein (i) comprises allowing the tower to pitch to a maximum pitch angle relative to vertical that is less than 10°. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the anchor has an aspect ratio less than 3:1. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the aspect ratio of the anchor is greater than or equal to 1:1 and less than or equal to 2:1. 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising: (k) floating the hull at the sea surface in a horizontal orientation;(l) transitioning the hull from the horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation with the first ends disposed above the second ends; and(m) mounting the topside to the hull above the sea surface to form the buoyant tower. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the hull includes a variable ballast chamber axially positioned axially between the first end and the second end and a first buoyant chamber positioned between the variable ballast chamber and the first end; wherein (l) comprises: flowing variable ballast into the variable ballast chamber. 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the anchor is a suction pile extending axially from the second end of hull; wherein (i) comprises: (i1) penetrating the sea floor with the suction skirt; and(i2) pumping a fluid from a cavity within the suction skirt during (i1). 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: (k) deballasting the hull after (j); and(l) pulling the anchor from the sea floor. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein (h) comprises increasing a volume of variable ballast in the hull. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein (h) comprises allowing a gas in the hull to vent and allowing water to flow into the hull through a port in the hull. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein (k) comprises decreasing the volume of variable ballast in the hull. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein (k) comprises pumping a gas into the hull and allowing water to flow out of the hull through the port in the hull. 24. The method of claim 19, further comprising: pumping a fluid into the cavity during (l). 25. The method of claim 12, further comprising maintaining a downward vertical load of 250 to 1000 tons on the anchor during (j). 26. The method of claim 12, wherein (b) comprises submerging the deck of the vessel below the sea surface. 27. The method of claim 12, wherein the tower has a center of buoyancy and a center of gravity that is below the center of buoyancy during (j). 28. The method of claim 12, further comprising maintaining the position of the tower at the offshore installation site during (j) without mooring lines.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (17)
Hale Neville E. (Mississauga CAX), Buoyancy support for deep-ocean struts.
Carr, Thomas N.; Chen, Cheng-Yo; Converse, Robin M.; Harrell, Robert M.; Houser, Daniel M.; Kasischke, Charles F.; Chaudhury, Gautam K., Method for fabricating and assembling a floating offshore structure.
Serrano Francisco de Assis M. (Issy-les-Moulineaux FRX), Method of constructing a column formed from annular elements and elements for the application of said method.
Kocaman Alparslan (Houston TX) Mills Trevor R. J. (Katy TX), Semisubmersible vessel for transporting and installing heavy deck sections offshore using quick drop ballast system.
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