US20010041096A1 - Floating vessel for deep water drilling and production - Google Patents
Floating vessel for deep water drilling and production Download PDFInfo
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- US20010041096A1 US20010041096A1 US09/303,078 US30307899A US2001041096A1 US 20010041096 A1 US20010041096 A1 US 20010041096A1 US 30307899 A US30307899 A US 30307899A US 2001041096 A1 US2001041096 A1 US 2001041096A1
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- vessel
- section
- water
- lower section
- riser
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B39/00—Equipment to decrease pitch, roll, or like unwanted vessel movements; Apparatus for indicating vessel attitude
- B63B39/005—Equipment to decrease ship's vibrations produced externally to the ship, e.g. wave-induced vibrations
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B1/00—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils
- B63B1/02—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement
- B63B1/04—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with single hull
- B63B1/048—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with single hull with hull extending principally vertically
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B17/00—Vessels parts, details, or accessories, not otherwise provided for
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
- B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
- B63B35/4413—Floating drilling platforms, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/002—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables specially adapted for underwater drilling
- E21B19/004—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables specially adapted for underwater drilling supporting a riser from a drilling or production platform
- E21B19/006—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables specially adapted for underwater drilling supporting a riser from a drilling or production platform including heave compensators
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B1/00—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils
- B63B1/02—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement
- B63B1/04—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with single hull
- B63B2001/044—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with single hull with a small waterline area compared to total displacement, e.g. of semi-submersible type
Definitions
- the present invention relates to floating vessels used for offshore drilling and production of petroleum.
- Petroleum production often requires the placement of rig in an offshore location.
- the rigs and production facilities can be placed on freestanding offshore platforms.
- these become impractical, and it is necessary to have a floating platform, or support vessel, upon which the rigs and production facilities can be placed.
- TLP tension leg platform
- the TLP is a buoyant platform that is secured to the seabed using generally vertically-oriented rigid tethers or rods that restrain the platform against vertical and horizontal motion relative to the well in the seabed below.
- these platforms have a very short period in response to wave action.
- DDCV deep draft caisson vessel
- the DDCV is a free floating vessel which is moored to the seabed using flexible tethers so that vertical and horizontal motion of the vessel is restrained, although not eliminated. Examples of DDCVs are found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,321.
- a common variety of DDCV is the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,321 that utilizes a long cylindrical structure and is commonly known as a spar.
- the long cylindrical shape of the spar provides a very stable structure when the vessel is in its installed position that exhibits very slow pitch surge and heave motions. Heave motion, however, is not totally eliminated, allowing the structure to bob up and down vertically in the sea.
- attempts have been made to add a number of horizontally extending plates along the length of the spar in order to help the spar be more resistant to heave.
- the spar must be assembled and transported in a horizontal position and then installed by being upended at or near the final site using a large crane that must also be transported to the installation site.
- these caisson structures are often around 650 ft. in length, transport and, particularly upending, of the structure are risky. Further, it is only after a successful upending of the structure has occurred, and the lower portion of the structure has been successfully moored, that components of the rig can be placed atop the spar.
- a vessel of this type would permit rig components and other structures to be placed atop the vessel prior to or during transport.
- the present invention provides an improved floating vessel that is capable of being moored by tethers to the sea floor.
- the vessel has an upper tower section with a reduced diameter or width and an affixed lower base section having an enlarged diameter or width.
- the lower section contains ballast distributed upon its lower floor.
- the lower section also includes flotation tanks which can be filled with air to raise the vessel in the water such that portions of the lower section are raised above the water. Alternatively, the flotation tanks can be flooded to dispose the lower section and a portion of the upper section below the water level.
- the upper tower section of the vessel supports a deck structure upon which rig components can be constructed or secured.
- the tower section includes flotation tanks as well. In preferred embodiments, these tanks are variable tanks that can be partially filled with air and partially flooded with water.
- the vessel defines a central chamber within which drilling risers are contained and suspended from the deck structure of the vessel downward toward the sea floor.
- One or more supports are provided which assist in securing the riser and absorbing energy from movement of the platform.
- the floating vessel can be constructed and transported in a upright or vertical orientation so that it does not need to be upended prior to mooring at its intended location.
- structures such as rig components may be placed atop the tower portion prior to or during transportation of the vessel.
- the flotation tanks of the lower section are filled with air so that the lower section is partially raised above the surface of the water.
- the vessel is placed into its installed position by flooding the flotation tanks of the lower section to cause the lower section to become submerged.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary floating vessel constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing showing an exemplary floating vessel constructed in accordance with the present invention being moored to the sea floor.
- FIG. 3 is a cutaway cross-section of the floating vessel shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
- FIG. 4 depicts the arrangement of the floating vessel during transportation by towing.
- FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary securing bracket used for securing riser within the vessel.
- FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary alternative embodiment wherein the floating vessel has an upper portion formed of multiple columns.
- FIG. 7 illustrates schematically the surge response for an exemplary vessel constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 8 illustrates schematically the heave response for an exemplary vessel constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 9 illustrates schematically the pitch response for an exemplary vessel constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIGS. 1 - 4 depict an exemplary floating vessel 10 which supports a rig platform 12 .
- the rig platform 12 may have constructed upon it mechanical equipment, support buildings, and other devices and facilities used for or associated with the production of and/or drilling for oil and gas.
- the vessel 10 has an outer hull 14 and is primarily made up of an upper tower section 16 and a lower base section 18 .
- the tower section 16 provides a platform at its upper end upon which the rig platform 12 is secured and based.
- a plurality of mooring lines 20 are secured at anchors 22 located approximate the upper end of the tower section 16 .
- the mooring lines 20 extend through eyelets 24 on the tower section 16 and eyelets 26 on the base section 18 and are then secured in a manner known in the art to the sea floor 28 by anchors 30 . It is noted that the eyelets 26 are disposed upon the diametrical exterior of the base section 18 . As a result, the vessel 10 is held in a more stable manner by the mooring lines 20 .
- the tower section 16 has a diameter d 1 that is smaller than the diameter d 2 of the base section 18 .
- the diameter d 1 of the tower section 16 is from 145 feet to 155 feet while the diameter d 2 of the base section 18 is from 255 feet to 275 feet. It should be understood, however, that these dimensions are not intended to be limiting and that other dimensions may be used as required by the equipment to be supported and the sea conditions within which the vessel is to be used.
- a central interior chamber 32 can be seen to be defined centrally within the vessel 10 .
- the lower base portion 18 of the vessel 10 contains weighted ballast 34 horizontally distributed in an even manner along its lower floor 36 .
- the horizontal distribution of the weighted ballast 34 provides added mass moment of inertia which serves to reduce pitch motions.
- the weighted ballast 34 preferably comprises iron ore ballast, although other ballast suitable for weighting the structure can be used.
- Lower flotation tanks 38 are located above the ballast 34 in the base section 18 .
- the lower flotation tanks 38 are provided with fittings or valves (not shown) which permit the tanks to be filled with air or, alternatively completely flooded with water as desired.
- the tower section 16 of the vessel 10 also includes upper flotation tanks 40 substantially all along its length.
- the upper flotation tanks 40 are preferably variable pressure tanks and fittings (not shown) which permit the tanks to be partially filled with water and partially filled with air so that the amount of buoyancy provided by the tanks 40 is adjustable.
- the elongated shape of the upper tower section 16 ensures that the vessel 10 is stable and resists pitch and roll forces. Further, the fact that the upper section 16 presents a reduced diameter or width limits the effective area that is exposed to wave action at or near the surface 42 of the water. Although the tower section 16 has an elongated shape, its length can be shorter than that of a standard spar due to the presence of the diametrically enlarged base section 18 .
- the radial enlargement of base portion 16 provides resistance to heave so that the vessel 10 has a low heave response. When placed in its installed configuration, the vessel 10 has a draft of about 250 feet or less.
- FIG. 3 shows a support platform 44 located below the rig platform 12 , the structure and operation of which are better understood by reference to FIGS. 5 and 5A.
- An exemplary riser 46 is shown in FIG. 3 to be contained within the central chamber 32 and extends through the support platform 44 . It will be understood by those of skill in the art that while one riser 46 is shown in FIG. 3, there are typically a number of such risers contained within the chamber 32 . It will also be understood that the riser 46 extends upward to the rig platform 12 where it is operably associated with a blowout preventer, production equipment, and other equipment. However, since such arrangements are well known in the art, they are not described herein.
- FIGS. 5 and 5 A illustrate in greater detail the association of the riser 46 with the support platform 44 .
- the riser 46 passes through the support platform 44 and is moveably affixed to the platform 44 by a number of telescopic hydraulic or pneumatic motion dampeners 48 which help absorb the energy imparted to the vessel 10 by wave action.
- FIG. 6 an alternative embodiment is depicted for an exemplary floating vessel 10 ′.
- the vessel 10 ′ presents a tower portion 16 ′ that is formed from a number of vertically disposed support columns 50 which are braced with cross members 52 .
- the columns 50 contain flotation tanks that are analogous to the upper flotation tanks 40 described with respect to the vessel 10 .
- the tower section 16 may be formed of cross-section shapes other than the cylindrical shape used in vessel 10 . Suitable shapes include a polygon, if desired.
- the vessel 10 (or 10 ′) is capable of being converted between a towing, or transport, configuration and an installed configuration.
- the towing configuration is illustrated by FIG. 4 which shows the vessel 10 disposed within the sea so that the tower section 16 and a portion 54 of the base section 18 are located above the surface 42 of the water. A submerged portion 56 of the base section resides below the surface 42 .
- the towing configuration is achieved by filling the lower flotation tanks 38 with air so that the vessel is raised within the water substantially as shown in FIG. 4.
- the vessels 10 , 10 ′ are moveable by direct towing in the upright, transport configuration by tugboats or other vessels (not shown).
- a vessel 10 , 10 ′ may also be placed aboard a barge (not shown) for transport.
- Spiral strakes 60 (shown in FIG. 1) may be affixed to the outer cylindrical sides of the tower section 16 in order to reduce vortexing in the surrounding fluid.
- the lower flotation tanks 38 are flooded with water, causing the lower base section 18 , as well as a portion of the tower section 16 , to become disposed beneath the surface 42 of the water, as depicted in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6 .
- the vessels 10 , 10 ′ have a draft of about 250 feet or less.
- the vessel ( 10 , 10 ′) provides a stable platform that provides controlled harmonic responses to the dynamic loads of its environment produced by waves and swells in the sea.
- Curve 70 in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 represents a typical hurricane wave energy spectrum for conditions in the Gulf of Mexico, shown to be primarily in the range of about 12-18 seconds.
- the vessel's surge, heave and pitch response motions are shown by curves 72 , 74 and 76 respectively.
- Curve 74 (FIG. 8) is indicative of the fact that vessel's dynamic period of around 25-30 seconds for heave is significantly longer than the peak wave energy.
- the vessel should remain stable since the harmonic responses to the environmental force are substantially removed from the periods of the exciting waves.
Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to floating vessels used for offshore drilling and production of petroleum.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Petroleum production often requires the placement of rig in an offshore location. In shallower waters, the rigs and production facilities can be placed on freestanding offshore platforms. As the water becomes deeper, however, these become impractical, and it is necessary to have a floating platform, or support vessel, upon which the rigs and production facilities can be placed.
- One type of deepwater support vessel is the tension leg platform (TLP). The TLP is a buoyant platform that is secured to the seabed using generally vertically-oriented rigid tethers or rods that restrain the platform against vertical and horizontal motion relative to the well in the seabed below. Thus, these platforms have a very short period in response to wave action.
- An alternative to the TLP is the deep draft caisson vessel (DDCV). The DDCV is a free floating vessel which is moored to the seabed using flexible tethers so that vertical and horizontal motion of the vessel is restrained, although not eliminated. Examples of DDCVs are found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,321.
- Methods for restraining the DDCVs attempt to slow, rather than eliminate, the natural response period of the vessel to wave effects. Current DDCV arrangements “decouple” the vessel from the individual wells being supported so that the wells are not subject to the same induced motions as the vessel. Decoupling is typically accomplished by using buoyant means to make the wells separately freestanding and using flexible hoses to interconnect the vertical risers from the well to the production facilities.
- A common variety of DDCV is the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,321 that utilizes a long cylindrical structure and is commonly known as a spar. The long cylindrical shape of the spar provides a very stable structure when the vessel is in its installed position that exhibits very slow pitch surge and heave motions. Heave motion, however, is not totally eliminated, allowing the structure to bob up and down vertically in the sea. Recently, attempts have been made to add a number of horizontally extending plates along the length of the spar in order to help the spar be more resistant to heave.
- Regardless of the presence of the plates, the spar must be assembled and transported in a horizontal position and then installed by being upended at or near the final site using a large crane that must also be transported to the installation site. As these caisson structures are often around 650 ft. in length, transport and, particularly upending, of the structure are risky. Further, it is only after a successful upending of the structure has occurred, and the lower portion of the structure has been successfully moored, that components of the rig can be placed atop the spar.
- What is needed is a floating vessel which provides reduced motions and slow natural response periods to heave, but also can be assembled and transported in a vertical, or upright, orientation. A vessel of this type would permit rig components and other structures to be placed atop the vessel prior to or during transport.
- The present invention provides an improved floating vessel that is capable of being moored by tethers to the sea floor. The vessel has an upper tower section with a reduced diameter or width and an affixed lower base section having an enlarged diameter or width.
- The lower section contains ballast distributed upon its lower floor. The lower section also includes flotation tanks which can be filled with air to raise the vessel in the water such that portions of the lower section are raised above the water. Alternatively, the flotation tanks can be flooded to dispose the lower section and a portion of the upper section below the water level.
- The upper tower section of the vessel supports a deck structure upon which rig components can be constructed or secured. The tower section includes flotation tanks as well. In preferred embodiments, these tanks are variable tanks that can be partially filled with air and partially flooded with water.
- The vessel defines a central chamber within which drilling risers are contained and suspended from the deck structure of the vessel downward toward the sea floor. One or more supports are provided which assist in securing the riser and absorbing energy from movement of the platform.
- The floating vessel can be constructed and transported in a upright or vertical orientation so that it does not need to be upended prior to mooring at its intended location. In addition, structures such as rig components may be placed atop the tower portion prior to or during transportation of the vessel. During transportation by towing, the flotation tanks of the lower section are filled with air so that the lower section is partially raised above the surface of the water. The vessel is placed into its installed position by flooding the flotation tanks of the lower section to cause the lower section to become submerged.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary floating vessel constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing showing an exemplary floating vessel constructed in accordance with the present invention being moored to the sea floor.
- FIG. 3 is a cutaway cross-section of the floating vessel shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
- FIG. 4 depicts the arrangement of the floating vessel during transportation by towing.
- FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary securing bracket used for securing riser within the vessel.
- FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary alternative embodiment wherein the floating vessel has an upper portion formed of multiple columns.
- FIG. 7 illustrates schematically the surge response for an exemplary vessel constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 8 illustrates schematically the heave response for an exemplary vessel constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 9 illustrates schematically the pitch response for an exemplary vessel constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIGS.1-4 depict an exemplary
floating vessel 10 which supports arig platform 12. Therig platform 12 may have constructed upon it mechanical equipment, support buildings, and other devices and facilities used for or associated with the production of and/or drilling for oil and gas. - The
vessel 10 has anouter hull 14 and is primarily made up of anupper tower section 16 and alower base section 18. Thetower section 16 provides a platform at its upper end upon which therig platform 12 is secured and based. As best shown in FIG. 3, a plurality ofmooring lines 20 are secured atanchors 22 located approximate the upper end of thetower section 16. Themooring lines 20 extend througheyelets 24 on thetower section 16 andeyelets 26 on thebase section 18 and are then secured in a manner known in the art to thesea floor 28 byanchors 30. It is noted that theeyelets 26 are disposed upon the diametrical exterior of thebase section 18. As a result, thevessel 10 is held in a more stable manner by themooring lines 20. - As is apparent from the drawings, and especially FIG. 3, the
tower section 16 has a diameter d1 that is smaller than the diameter d2 of thebase section 18. In a presently preferred embodiment, the diameter d1 of thetower section 16 is from 145 feet to 155 feet while the diameter d2 of thebase section 18 is from 255 feet to 275 feet. It should be understood, however, that these dimensions are not intended to be limiting and that other dimensions may be used as required by the equipment to be supported and the sea conditions within which the vessel is to be used. - Referring to FIG. 3, a central
interior chamber 32 can be seen to be defined centrally within thevessel 10. Thelower base portion 18 of thevessel 10 contains weighted ballast 34 horizontally distributed in an even manner along itslower floor 36. The horizontal distribution of the weighted ballast 34 provides added mass moment of inertia which serves to reduce pitch motions. The weighted ballast 34 preferably comprises iron ore ballast, although other ballast suitable for weighting the structure can be used. -
Lower flotation tanks 38 are located above the ballast 34 in thebase section 18. Thelower flotation tanks 38 are provided with fittings or valves (not shown) which permit the tanks to be filled with air or, alternatively completely flooded with water as desired. - The
tower section 16 of thevessel 10 also includesupper flotation tanks 40 substantially all along its length. Theupper flotation tanks 40 are preferably variable pressure tanks and fittings (not shown) which permit the tanks to be partially filled with water and partially filled with air so that the amount of buoyancy provided by thetanks 40 is adjustable. - The elongated shape of the
upper tower section 16 ensures that thevessel 10 is stable and resists pitch and roll forces. Further, the fact that theupper section 16 presents a reduced diameter or width limits the effective area that is exposed to wave action at or near thesurface 42 of the water. Although thetower section 16 has an elongated shape, its length can be shorter than that of a standard spar due to the presence of the diametricallyenlarged base section 18. - The radial enlargement of
base portion 16 provides resistance to heave so that thevessel 10 has a low heave response. When placed in its installed configuration, thevessel 10 has a draft of about 250 feet or less. - FIG. 3 shows a
support platform 44 located below therig platform 12, the structure and operation of which are better understood by reference to FIGS. 5 and 5A. Anexemplary riser 46 is shown in FIG. 3 to be contained within thecentral chamber 32 and extends through thesupport platform 44. It will be understood by those of skill in the art that while oneriser 46 is shown in FIG. 3, there are typically a number of such risers contained within thechamber 32. It will also be understood that theriser 46 extends upward to therig platform 12 where it is operably associated with a blowout preventer, production equipment, and other equipment. However, since such arrangements are well known in the art, they are not described herein. It should also be understood that thecentral chamber 32 andsupport platform 44 could be used to contain and support drill strings or other equipment. FIGS. 5 and 5A illustrate in greater detail the association of theriser 46 with thesupport platform 44. Theriser 46 passes through thesupport platform 44 and is moveably affixed to theplatform 44 by a number of telescopic hydraulic orpneumatic motion dampeners 48 which help absorb the energy imparted to thevessel 10 by wave action. - Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment is depicted for an exemplary floating
vessel 10′. For simplicity, like components between this vessel and thevessel 10 described earlier have like reference numerals. Thevessel 10′ presents atower portion 16′ that is formed from a number of vertically disposedsupport columns 50 which are braced withcross members 52. Although not shown in FIG. 6, it will be understood that thecolumns 50 contain flotation tanks that are analogous to theupper flotation tanks 40 described with respect to thevessel 10. Also, thetower section 16 may be formed of cross-section shapes other than the cylindrical shape used invessel 10. Suitable shapes include a polygon, if desired. - In operation, the vessel10 (or 10′) is capable of being converted between a towing, or transport, configuration and an installed configuration. The towing configuration is illustrated by FIG. 4 which shows the
vessel 10 disposed within the sea so that thetower section 16 and aportion 54 of thebase section 18 are located above thesurface 42 of the water. A submergedportion 56 of the base section resides below thesurface 42. The towing configuration is achieved by filling thelower flotation tanks 38 with air so that the vessel is raised within the water substantially as shown in FIG. 4. - The
vessels vessel tower section 16 in order to reduce vortexing in the surrounding fluid. - When the vessel is located at the location where it is desired to be installed, the
lower flotation tanks 38 are flooded with water, causing thelower base section 18, as well as a portion of thetower section 16, to become disposed beneath thesurface 42 of the water, as depicted in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6. When in this installed position, thevessels - In the installed position, the vessel (10, 10′) provides a stable platform that provides controlled harmonic responses to the dynamic loads of its environment produced by waves and swells in the sea. This can be seen graphically by reference to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.
Curve 70, in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 represents a typical hurricane wave energy spectrum for conditions in the Gulf of Mexico, shown to be primarily in the range of about 12-18 seconds. The vessel's surge, heave and pitch response motions are shown bycurves - It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications, changes and substitutions may be made to the invention shown in the foregoing disclosure. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in the manner consisting with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.
Claims (17)
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/303,078 US6371697B2 (en) | 1999-04-30 | 1999-04-30 | Floating vessel for deep water drilling and production |
AU44980/00A AU4498000A (en) | 1999-04-30 | 2000-04-28 | Floating vessel for deep water drilling and production |
PCT/US2000/011426 WO2000066871A2 (en) | 1999-04-30 | 2000-04-28 | Floating vessel for deep water drilling and production |
US10/094,735 US6869251B2 (en) | 1999-04-30 | 2002-03-11 | Marine buoy for offshore support |
US10/163,315 US6786679B2 (en) | 1999-04-30 | 2002-06-06 | Floating stability device for offshore platform |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/303,078 US6371697B2 (en) | 1999-04-30 | 1999-04-30 | Floating vessel for deep water drilling and production |
Related Child Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/094,735 Continuation-In-Part US6869251B2 (en) | 1999-04-30 | 2002-03-11 | Marine buoy for offshore support |
US10/163,315 Continuation-In-Part US6786679B2 (en) | 1999-04-30 | 2002-06-06 | Floating stability device for offshore platform |
Publications (2)
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US20010041096A1 true US20010041096A1 (en) | 2001-11-15 |
US6371697B2 US6371697B2 (en) | 2002-04-16 |
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US09/303,078 Expired - Lifetime US6371697B2 (en) | 1999-04-30 | 1999-04-30 | Floating vessel for deep water drilling and production |
Country Status (3)
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Cited By (2)
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EP1316671A1 (en) * | 2001-11-30 | 2003-06-04 | Control Flow Inc. | Co-linear tensioner and methods for assembling production and drilling risers using same |
WO2019089420A1 (en) * | 2011-08-09 | 2019-05-09 | Jurong Shipyard Pte Ltd | Floating driller |
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US6869251B2 (en) * | 1999-04-30 | 2005-03-22 | Abb Lummus Global, Inc. | Marine buoy for offshore support |
US20020142683A1 (en) * | 2001-02-05 | 2002-10-03 | Campbell R. Brad | Nonstructural buoyancy can |
AU2002256234B2 (en) * | 2001-05-01 | 2008-03-13 | Itrec, B.V. | Multipurpose unit with multipurpose tower and method for tendering with a semisubmersible |
US6595293B2 (en) * | 2001-05-23 | 2003-07-22 | Cooper Cameron Corporation | Apparatus and method for connecting riser between a floating vessel and a subsea structure |
US6692193B2 (en) | 2001-10-02 | 2004-02-17 | Technip France | Dedicated riser tensioner apparatus, method and system |
JP2003252288A (en) * | 2002-02-27 | 2003-09-10 | Hitachi Zosen Corp | Floating body type base structure for marine wind power generation |
CA2517365A1 (en) * | 2003-02-28 | 2004-09-16 | Modec International, L.L.C. | Riser pipe support system and method |
US6953308B1 (en) * | 2004-05-12 | 2005-10-11 | Deepwater Technologies, Inc. | Offshore platform stabilizing strakes |
US7278801B2 (en) * | 2004-05-28 | 2007-10-09 | Deepwater Marine Technology L.L.C. | Method for deploying floating platform |
US7255517B2 (en) * | 2004-05-28 | 2007-08-14 | Deepwater Marine Technology L.L.C. | Ballasting offshore platform with buoy assistance |
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-
2000
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- 2000-04-28 WO PCT/US2000/011426 patent/WO2000066871A2/en active Application Filing
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WO2019089420A1 (en) * | 2011-08-09 | 2019-05-09 | Jurong Shipyard Pte Ltd | Floating driller |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US6371697B2 (en) | 2002-04-16 |
WO2000066871A2 (en) | 2000-11-09 |
WO2000066871A3 (en) | 2001-04-05 |
AU4498000A (en) | 2000-11-17 |
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