MXPA99005234A - Aquaculture apparatus for use adjacent an offshore platform - Google Patents

Abstract

An offshore aquaculture system (10) for use with an oil or gas well production platform (11) or like offshore structure is provided. The platform is preferably supported in four directions by radially extending guy wires (23, 23) that attach to the upper end of the platform at one end of each wire and to the seabed (14) at anchor piles (39, 40) at the other end of each wire. Anchor piles are driven into the seabed a substantial distance to provide anchorage for the undersea end of each guy wire. Fish pens (30, 31) are mounted to slide and travel on the diagonal guy wires and can be elevated or lowered relative to the seabed using ballast tanks attached to the fish pens and an endless winch line (28, 29). The winch line is operated with a powered winch (24, 25) mounted on the platform deck. An opposed idler sheave (26, 27) is mounted at the seabed engaging the endless cable.

Description

AQUACULTURE APPARATUS FOR USE ADJACENT TO A MARINE PLATFORM The present is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 298,723, filed on October 31, August 1994 and incorporated into the present by reference.

All patents, applications and articles herein are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The field of the invention relates to aquaculture and mariculture systems and more particularly relates to an improved method and apparatus for raising and collecting fish in a marine environment where there is a relatively soft seabed of mud. The present invention further relates to an improved method and apparatus for breeding fish adjacent to a marine platform wherein at least one and preferably a plurality of opposed diagonal support cables extending between the platform and anchor piles, wherein the individual fish tanks or containers can be transported along diagonal retaining cables with a winch cable (eg an endless driven retainer cable) aided by ballast tanks in the containers. Even more particularly, the air and feed are transmitted to the containers by means of flow lines that move with the containers as they move in selected underwater depths, to avoid storms and undesirable water quality zones. 2. General Background In the Gulf of Mexico, there are excellent conditions to breed many species of salted water fish in an aquaculture or mariculture environment. However, the Gulf of Mexico undergoes drastic changes in both climate conditions and water quality. One of the common problems with water quality in the Gulf of Mexico is the presence of hypoxic compounds (low dissolved oxygen) or "dead zones" that are not suitable for aquatic life. Those hypoxic zones have been associated with the flow of water from several large rivers such as the Mississippi, the Atchafalaya River, and others. The temperature usually varies with the depth of the water. Some species of saltwater fish need hotter water, for example in the winter months. There is another problem with fish farming or mariculture in the Gulf of Mexico, which is the existence of frequent electrical storms that generate fast winds and large swells. Those thunderstorms can occur almost daily in the summer months. These occur with very little heating and can generate large winds and waves of 2.4-3.0 meters or more. Such waves are potentially destructive to any type of deposit or vessel that is used to contain the fish as part of the mariculture operation. If a fish tank or container is of a substantial size, it requires substantial anchoring to hold it in a desired position. This is another problem that devastates the concept of mariculture in the Gulf of Mexico. The seabed in the Gulf of Mexico is soft mud, and structurally fragile. Therefore, the anchoring of deposits or enclosures for substantial fish is a problem considering the unconsolidated nature of the seabed. Many mariculture and aquaculture systems have been patented where vessels or tanks are provided in a marine environment. In the MacDonald Patent (U.S. Patent No. 3,499,421) a lobster enclosure is observed. The patent discloses the use of a plurality of piloting driven into the seabed to hold the containers. The Gollott Patent (United States Patent No. 4,266,, 509) describes a marine habitat for oysters. The apparatus includes an open-structure enclosure and defines a plurality of laterally spaced lateral assemblies of vertically separated elongated horizontal cavities open in a set of corresponding ends. At least one open tray is slidably and removably received in each of the cavities through the open ends thereof and the upper portions of corresponding adjacent cavities of adjacent sets of cavities that are horizontally communicated and the upper portions thereof. bottom of adjacent vertically separated cavities are in direct communication with each other. The trays include the foraminado fund, side and end walls and the enclosure defines the structure avoiding the movement of the trays between laterally corresponding cavities, outside the sides remote from the more extreme cavities and out from the ends of the remote cavities from the open ends thereof . In addition, the structure is provided to releasably retain the trays within the enclosure against removal of the open ends of the cavities and the trays are sufficiently and closely spaced vertically to prevent the natural predators of the oysters from entering the trays. trays. A modular cage system for underwater use is described in the Mickelsen Patent (U.S. Patent No. 4, 337, 727). A vertical housing and feeding structure is provided for breeding maricuitura and other underwater animals. Lines of feeding tubes, each one successively larger, form a main structure to which the cages can be selectively connected. Each cage is connected to the edge of a vertical front face of the main structure so that one of the feed tubes terminates at a point accessible from inside the cage. A feed opening just above this termination point directs the feed material dripped through the feed tube so that it falls into the cage or is accessible from within the cage so that it can be consumed by the caged animal. All feed tubes in each row have an upper open end that is positioned near the surface of the water to facilitate the controlled supply of feed to each individual cage. Two sets of main structure can be joined back to back so that the boxes can be connected on both sides of the structure, thus doubling the capacity of the system cage. The capacity of the main structure can be increased by increasing the width of the rows of feed tubes or by adding additional rows of feed tubes to the back of each main structure, each additional row being of successively longer length. Therefore, any method increases the front area of the main structure and provides additional front space to which additional cages can be attached. The inspection of the cages is facilitated by lifting the entire main structure, including the cages attached to it, out of the water. The walls of the cages are filtered with a mesh large enough to allow the oxygenated water to circulate freely through them and also to allow fecal matter and uninserted food to leave the cage without accumulation. Bourdon Patent (U.S. Patent 4,716, 854) provides an offshore aquaculture facility comprising a central structure similar to a marine drilling platform and several floating modules that are anchored to the seabed. The different modules are placed at a distance, determined perpendicularly between lines that cross each one in a module and parallel to the main direction of the current in the surface layer of the sea, sufficient so that said droppings from the different modules do not interfere with the adjacent modules. An aquatic net deposit and method are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,982, 697. The tank has a lightweight, non-expensive net cover for the top that keeps predators out. The cover is easy to apply and remove and is still held securely in place by bolts or posts that extend upward from the cage or tank structure and that have heads that are preferably slightly larger than the legs. holes in the mesh. Preferably the mesh is made of elastic plastic fibers that fit in the original row form after being deformed by the bolt heads passing through them, so that the bolt heads and the interlacing form a snap fastening system. In one embodiment, panels of materials such as plastic netting are suspended in cages to attract the growth of algae in them to feed aquatic animals that eat algae such as shells, fish, etc. , in the cages. The panels are formed in a removable unit so that some units can be suspended in the water anywhere and transferred to the cage to replace the units in which the algae have been finished, thus feeding the aquatic animals only by replacing the units without algae with units loaded with algae. Several foreign patents have been issued that refer to underwater farming of marine animals. A French Patent 2627-951 -A refers to an underwater farm for the study of marine life. The farm consists of four concrete blocks that are mounted on a metal structure that is anchored to the seabed. Each block of concrete is formed with a large number of holes and recesses to provide protection to small fish from predators. The blocks also provide a basis for the growth of marine vegetation. The blocks are connected to a research station on the beach by means of a pipe or umbilical cord, through which the appropriate food can be pumped to the blocks. An underwater television camera allows marine animals to be observed from the beach station.

A Russian Patent SU 1405-747-A describes a growth plant for marine organisms. The apparatus includes vertical supports placed in two parallel rows and a support element with structure that is located between the supports. The support element located between rows of supports carries a "trust". The service of a fish basket is executed using two cranes with carts. The system demands a simpler maintenance advantage of the plant with the possible provision of a large number of fish baskets at sea and simplified service. It is known in the art how to convert supply vessels to platforms in a habitat by overturning the supply vessels after they are abandoned. This concept was reported for example in the Washington Post on September 4, 1993 in an article entitled "Oil Rigs Convert to Fish Condominius". The Washington Post article of 1993 describes that very large marine oil platforms (for example more than 91 meters long) create an artificial reef for marine life when the oil production platform is turned on its side and the Gulf of Mexico is sunk .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A method and apparatus for raising fish or other marine animals in a marine environment provides a plurality of fish tanks mounted on diagonally extending retaining cables that are attached to any marine platform (eg, a drilling platform and / or production of oil and gas) and for piling driven into the seabed. The diagonally extending retainer cables further support the oil and gas drilling platform (or similar platform structure) while providing a diagonal path for transporting fish deposits between the surface of the water and the seabed. The deposits are very large structures (for example 30 meters long and 15 meters wide by 7.6 meters high) that can contain large numbers of fish for breeding in the aquatic environment. However, very large deposits must be raised and lowered to avoid storms. In addition, the elongated reservoirs are desirably positioned at a depth where the water quality is greatest. In order to help raise and lower the fish deposits, an elongated endless windlass cable is provided having a guide or sprocket at one end and a winch at the other. This configuration allows fish deposits to be transported up and down along a diagonal path. To help in the rise and fall of the tanks, ballast tanks are provided on the external surface of each of the tanks. A fluid flow line transports fluid between the supply vessel and the fish platforms. The flow line is preferably flexible such as for example polymer or rubber hose. Feed, ventilation, compressed air and the like can be pumped from a work area on the platform to the tanks as needed. Because the flow lines are flexible, they move easily with the tanks as the tanks move diagonally along the retention cables. In the preferred embodiment, the retaining cables are inclined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which similar parts receive similar reference numbers, and where : Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY: The figures 1 and 2 generally illustrate the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral 10. The aquaculture apparatus 10 includes a platform 1 1 which provides an upper rectangular platform 12 supported on a structural cover 13. The cover 13 can be anchored to the seabed 14 using the stack for example in the manner in which the decks of marine platform supply ships are anchored to the seabed. Platform 1 1 can be an existing oil and gas platform or one that has stopped functioning. The covereach side having four sides includes 15-18, each side having diagonally extending retaining wires 22, 23 attached thereto. For purposes of clarity, only two sets of retaining wires 22, 23 are shown in the drawings . However, each side 15-18 of the platform cover 12 has retaining cables 22, 23 (for example metallic cable) attached thereto so that four sets of retaining cables 22, 23 extend respectively from sides 15- 18. The cables 22, 23 are used to support the platform 1 1 and hold the fish tanks as they move between shallow and deeper positions as will be described more fully hereinafter. The retaining cables 22, 23 are anchored to the seabed using a plurality of anchor piles 39, 40. In this manner, the anchor piles can be substantial structures that extend far into the seabed to carry a portion of the load. generated by the wave of current and the action of the wind and to transport a part of the load generated by the cages and the cables of retained.

The retaining cables 22, 23 form an acute angle with the seabed. The angle of the retaining cables 22, 23 with the seabed 14 can vary from 20 to 90 degrees, and will be determined by the depth of the water, the cultivated species, and the operational activities carried out, and in such a way that the Wind, wave and current forces affecting the mace of the fish tanks 30, 31 and the retaining cables 22, 23 will be distributed between the platform 1 1 and the anchoring piles 39, 40. The cover 13 is comprised of preferably of a simple structural shell of welded steel pipe for example including a plurality of vertical members 19, a plurality of diagonal members 20 and a plurality of horizontal members 21. Such covers are common structural systems to sustain the drilling and production of oil and gas in the Gulf of Mexico. The retaining cables 22, 23 extend from the platform 1 1 on a platform in generally adjacent position 12 and along a diagonal line that is preferably inclined by measuring less than 45 ° with the seabed. A preferable inclination of retaining cables 22, 23 relative to the seabed is such that part of the load is transferred to the anchor piles. This allows the anchor pile to transport the load generated by the action of the swell, the current and the winds as well as the load associated with the hub of the cages and the retention cables.

A plurality of fish tanks or cages 30, 31 are respectively supported on the retaining cables 22, 23 using triangular joining plates, shackles or other conventional wire rope connectors. Each of the fish tanks 30, 31 can be a structure similar to an expanded rectangular box which can be, for example, 30.4 m long, 15.2 m wide and 7.6 m high. Cylindrical cages with rotating capacity can be replaced by cages 30, 31. In order to move the fish tanks 30, 31 between the surface of the water 41 and the seabed 14, a winch and a winch cable arrangement (eg wire rope) is provided as shown in Fig. 1. The windlass and its cable can be simply a simple windlass cable extending from the platform 1 1 cover 12 towards a cage 30, 31. Such winches are commonly used in anchor maneuvering boats, in dredges, barges for laying submarine pipelines, cargo barge barges and the like. A simple winch and line are used, ballasting can be used to help raise and lower boxes 30, 31. For each fish tank 30, 31 is provided on platform 12, a winch housing 24, 25 with winches equipped with commercially available wire rope. Each winch house can energize an endless winch cable 28, 29 which is connected to the seabed by pulleys 26, 27 respectively. In this manner, a winch house 24, 25 can energize the cables 28, 29 to raise and lower the fish tanks 30, 31 relative to the seabed 14 and the surface of the water 41. Such winch huts 24, 25, the windlass cables 28, 29, pulleys 26, 27 are commercially available. Each of the fish tanks 30, 31 provides a plurality of ballast tanks 32, 33 respectively. The ballast tanks 32, 33 help to lower or raise the fish tanks 30, 31 as desired depending on the climatic conditions and water quality. Each fish tank 30, 31 receives fluid communication from the flexible flow lines 34, 35 respectively. Each flow line 34, 35 extends between a fish tank 30, 31 and the platform cover 12. The flow lines 34, 35 can be used to transmit compressed air for example to ballast tanks 32, 33. In addition, the Flow lines can be used to transmit oxygenated water and / or food to fish tanks 30, 31 as desired. Therefore, the flow lines 34, 35 are preferably flexible such as for example being polymeric or rubber hoses. Ballast tanks 32, 34 can be ventilated using valves when a descent to the seabed is desired. The cover 12 of the platform 11 carries a plurality of silos 36 for storing food to be pumped by way of the line 34, 35 to the fish tanks 30, 31. The cover 12 of the platform 11 also provides a compressor 37 to pump the feed by means of the flow lines 34, 35 to the fish tanks 30, 31.

The following table lists the part numbers and part descriptions as used herein and in the drawings appended hereto. Because many different variations and modalities can be made within the scope of the inventive concept shown herein, and because many modifications can be made to the embodiments detailed herein in accordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is understood that the details of the present will be interpreted as illustrative and not as limiting.

PARTS LIST Part Number Description 10 mariculture appliance 11 platform 12 cover 13 cover 14 seabed 15 side 16 side 17 side 18 side 19 vertical member 20 diagonal member 21 horizontal member 22 retaining cable 23 retaining cable 24 winch drive 25 winch impeller 26 guide pulley 27 guide pulley 28 l winch line 29 winch line 30 fish tank 31 fish tank 32 ballast tank 33 ballast tank 34 flow line 35 flow line 36 silo 37 compressor 38 pumps 39 anchor pile 40 anchor pile

Claims (10)

1. REIVI N DICACIONES
2. 1 . An aquaculture apparatus comprising: a) a platform having a lower end that couples the seabed and an upper end that extends over the surface of the water; b) a cover that provides a work surface at the upper end of the platform; c) multiple retaining cables extending from the upper end of the platform to the seabed along a diagonal path forming an acute angle of between 20 and 90 degrees with the seabed; d) anchor pile means for anchoring a first end of each of the retaining cables to the seabed, a second end of the platform; e) at least one motorized winch cable that extends between the platform and the seabed and that generally carries the retaining cables; f) at least one fish tank mounted respectively on at least one winch cable to be moved to and from the platform on at least one winch cable and along the retaining cables, at least one winch cable which provides means for raising and lowering the at least one fish tank;
3. g) ballast tank means in each fish deposit to assist in raising or lowering fish deposits relative to the seabed; and h) flexible conduit means communicating between the work surface and at least one fish tank for supplying food, oxygenated water, and air for the ballast tank means. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein there are multiple retainer cable assemblies including at least two opposing pairs, positioned on opposite sides of the platform. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein there are four sets of retention cables extending radially from the platform and positioned at approximately ninety degrees relative to the next set of retention cables.
4. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein there are multiple retention cables on each side of the platform.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein there are at least two retainer cables placed, respectively, on opposite sides of each winch cable.
6. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retaining cables form an angle of approximately thirty degrees with the seabed.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one winch cable forms an angle of approximately thirty degrees with the seabed.
8. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ballast tank means comprises at least two ballast tanks mounted on opposite sides of each fish tank. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retainer cables and at least one winch cable are generally parallel. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible conduit means comprise flexible flow lines having end portions that move with each fish deposit.

   SUMMARY

   A maritime aquaculture system (10) is provided for use with a gas or oil well (1 1) production platform or similar maritime structure. The platform is preferably supported in four directions by radially extending retaining cables (23, 23) which are attached to the end of the platform at one end of each cable and to the seabed (14) in anchor piles (39, 40). ) on the other end of the cable. The anchor piles are driven into the seabed a substantial distance to provide the anchor for the underwater end of each retaining cable. The fish tanks (30, 31) are mounted to slide and move in the diagonal retainer cables and can be raised or lowered relative to the seabed by using ballast tanks attached to the fish tanks and an endless winch cable (28). , 29). The winch cable is operated with a motorized winch (24, 25) mounted on the deck of the platform. An opposite guide pulley (26, 27) is mounted on the seabed by coupling the endless cable.