US3667239A - Anchor for buoyant marine structures - Google Patents

Anchor for buoyant marine structures Download PDF

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Publication number
US3667239A
US3667239A US33395A US3667239DA US3667239A US 3667239 A US3667239 A US 3667239A US 33395 A US33395 A US 33395A US 3667239D A US3667239D A US 3667239DA US 3667239 A US3667239 A US 3667239A
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United States
Prior art keywords
anchor
retainer
cavity
coupling
platform
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US33395A
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English (en)
Inventor
George E Mott
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Texaco Inc
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Texaco Inc
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Texaco Inc filed Critical Texaco Inc
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Publication of US3667239A publication Critical patent/US3667239A/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B21/00—Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring
    • B63B21/50—Anchoring arrangements or methods for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers

Definitions

  • FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 illustrating the platform during the step of being uprightly positioned in a body of water.
  • a buoyant marine platform 10 is utilized for drilling one or more subterranean wells into the ocean stratum.
  • the surface of the latter as shown, is unevenly disposed at an exaggerated slope or grade.
  • Platform 10 includes a working deck 11 holding a derrick 12, draw-works, and other equipment peculiar to an oil drilling and/or producing operation.
  • Deck 11 is normally supported 50 or 60 feet above the waters surface to maintain equipment and men beyond the reach of high waves during severe weather conditions.
  • Deck 11 is supported at its desired height by an elongated deck supporting structure 13 which includes one or more legs that extend downwardly from above the water's surface, to the ocean floor.
  • Said structure 13 is made controllably buoyant by the use of a ballasting system incorporated into the structure.
  • the system includes primarily, longitudinally spaced buoyancy tanks which are readily controlled to regulate the attitude of structure 13 either uprightly as shown in FIG. 1, or at the waters surface as shown in FIG. 5.
  • the platform including deck 11 and support structure 13 can oscillate in the body of water, over a predetermined degree of lateral displacement while still maintaining sufficient stability to carry on operations at the deck level.
  • the floor positioned anchorl4 comprises a plurality of discrete, though cooperatively arranged elements, Said elements include basically a coupling 16 and a ballast'able retainer 17.
  • the latter embodies controllable flotation tanks which can be flooded to provide the necessary weight to anchor 14 whereby to submerge and hold the entire unit at the ocean floor.
  • an embodiment of coupling 16 includes an enlarged body 21, adapted by virtue of its discontinuous outer surface to be movably confined within the floating ballast or base section 17.
  • Body 21 is initially slidably confined within cavity 23 to permit connecting post 22 to assume a desired disposition.
  • such disposition is finalized with connector post 22 aligned in a generally vertical disposition. When so positioned, connector post 22 will slidably engage a corresponding sleeve 19 at the lower end of the support structure 13.
  • Body 21 of coupling member 16 can include a variety of geometric configurations which, in the instance of the present device, are spherical, hemisphericalor similarly contoured.
  • the function of curved body 21 within the scope of the invention is to afford coupling member 16 a degree of universal movement within the confines of cavity 23 prior to being cemented or otherwise unitized into place. It is appreciated that although body 21- as illustrated bears a generally spherical configuration, such a geometric shape is primarily to foster sliding movement between the body upper surface, and the adjacent surrounding cavity walls 23. Such movement could be achieved in a manner of fashion by the mating of nonspherical, although similarly contoured adjacent rubbing surfaces.
  • Connecting posts 22 depending upwardly from the surface of body 21, are firmly imbedded in the latter.
  • a hub 24 at the lower end of the connector post defines an intermediate collar between the postlower end and the surface of said body 21.
  • Connector post 22 comprises a generally elongated, uniform diameter cylindrical element shaped to register within sleeve 19 of support structure 13.
  • the outer surface of body 21 is provided with a series of surface depressions 26. Said depressions can achieve the same effect by assuming the form of a series of projections extending outwardly of the surface whereby affording the cement binder a greater holding area.
  • Pad 34 is generally planar, and formed of cast concrete having an outer edge that conforms to and engages the peripheral tanks 32 and 33.
  • the pad is provided with centrally disposed cavity 23.
  • the latter extends intermediate the pads upper and lower surfaces 38 and 39 respectively.
  • Said cavity 23 is formed with a constricted opening 41 at the pad upper face 38, which opening is sufficiently large to register post 22 and hub 24, while permitting sliding movement of coupling member 16 within cavity 23.
  • cavity 23 opens into a cylindrical segment whichextends to the lower surface 39 of pad 34.
  • a bottom plate '42 is received in the walls of said cavity lower end forming a closure to the latter.
  • the platform as well as the anchor is fabricated and assembled onshore or close to shore in relatively shallow water.
  • the unit is then buoyed to .a desired attitude by selective flooding and evacuating of buoyancy tanks placed discretely about and within the structure. While the platform is completely buoyant, it is understood that it can also be transported to a desired ofishore location by barging if the latter system proves to be more feasible.
  • Anchor 14 and platform 10 are flexibly connected by line 20 which is attached to post 22 and passes through the entire length of structure 13, to the upper end of the latter. When so positioned, both the floating anchor and the floating structure 13 are towed at the water's surface, to a desired offshore location where the unit is to be submerged.
  • anchor 14 With the platform so floatably positioned, anchor 14 is lowered to the ocean floor which, as previously noted is presumed to be of irregular topography such that ordinarily the anchor would not assume a planar disposition.
  • the weight of the anchor will exert a sufficient downward pressure on piles 36 and 37 such that the latter are urged into the relatively soft substratum, the consistency of which has been predetermined by coring or similar means.
  • a mooring anchor depending from said platform lower portion and comprising an upstanding coupling adapted to operably engage said detachable connector means, and a weighted retainer initially operably engaging said coupling member to stabilize the disposition of said coupling in an upright alignment when submerged to the floor of said body of water and means for introducing a solidifiable material to said retainer whereby to solidify intermediate said coupling and retainer respectively to form said members into a unified anchor.
  • said retainer includes; a base member having opposed upper and lower faces, at least one buoyant tank connected to said base to controllably alter the buoyant force acting thereon whereby to control the attitude of said anchor.
  • said at least one buoyancy tank is disposed peripherally of said base member.
  • said base member includes; means forming a cavity therein, and an opening communicating said means forming said cavity with said upper retainer surfaces, said connector including a body contained in said cavity, and a post depending from the body in registry with said opening and extending upwardly from said anchor.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Foundations (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
  • Bridges Or Land Bridges (AREA)
US33395A 1970-04-30 1970-04-30 Anchor for buoyant marine structures Expired - Lifetime US3667239A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US3339570A 1970-04-30 1970-04-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3667239A true US3667239A (en) 1972-06-06

Family

ID=21870172

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US33395A Expired - Lifetime US3667239A (en) 1970-04-30 1970-04-30 Anchor for buoyant marine structures

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US3667239A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5144321B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA942078A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2121020A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
ES (1) ES390740A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2090989A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1303614A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
IE (1) IE35183B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL7105518A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4019213A (en) * 1972-11-09 1977-04-26 Coflexip Piping apparatus for a floating or semi-submersible platform
JPS52122690U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1976-03-13 1977-09-17
US4067202A (en) * 1976-04-30 1978-01-10 Phillips Petroleum Company Single point mooring buoy and transfer facility
US4137722A (en) * 1975-11-06 1979-02-06 Varoujan Mossiossian Coupling between an above sea-level platform and a below-water foundation
US4280238A (en) * 1975-09-03 1981-07-28 Single Buoy Moorings, Inc. Single-point mooring buoy
US4284367A (en) * 1977-11-04 1981-08-18 Enterprise D'equipements Mecaniques Et Hydrauliques Movable-joint device for connecting a sea-bed exploitation column to its base, connecting and disconnecting processes using the said device, and joint element used in the said device
US4543014A (en) * 1981-07-16 1985-09-24 Norsk Agip A/S Off-shore mooring structure
US4793738A (en) * 1987-04-16 1988-12-27 Conoco Inc. Single leg tension leg platform
US4822212A (en) * 1987-10-28 1989-04-18 Amoco Corporation Subsea template and method for using the same
WO2000035744A1 (en) * 1998-12-16 2000-06-22 High Seas Engineering, Llc Vibration and drag reduction system for fluid-submersed hulls
RU2200110C1 (ru) * 2002-05-21 2003-03-10 Федеральное государственное унитарное предприятие "Центральный научно-исследовательский институт им. акад. А.Н.Крылова" Плавучая морская платформа
US7108457B1 (en) 1998-12-16 2006-09-19 High Seas Engineering Llc System and method for reducing drag and vortex induced vibration in marine applications
US20070166110A1 (en) * 2006-01-17 2007-07-19 Kenady Stephen M Buoyant building foundation
US20120082514A1 (en) * 2010-10-04 2012-04-05 Horton Wison Deepwater, Inc. Tension buoyant tower
US20120093589A1 (en) * 2010-10-18 2012-04-19 Peter Broughton Foundation support system for an offshore wind energy convertor, corresponding to an offshore wind power generating facility

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS53150138U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1977-04-30 1978-11-27
JPS5690781U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1979-12-12 1981-07-20
GB2551333B (en) 2016-06-10 2020-04-08 Subsea 7 Norway As Subsea foundations

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3062014A (en) * 1959-09-14 1962-11-06 Paul R Newcomb Underwater drilling apparatus
US3517517A (en) * 1968-09-19 1970-06-30 Pan American Petroleum Corp Encapsulated cable for marine use
US3522709A (en) * 1967-02-24 1970-08-04 Metalliques Cie Franc Entrepri Marine platform structure

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3062014A (en) * 1959-09-14 1962-11-06 Paul R Newcomb Underwater drilling apparatus
US3522709A (en) * 1967-02-24 1970-08-04 Metalliques Cie Franc Entrepri Marine platform structure
US3517517A (en) * 1968-09-19 1970-06-30 Pan American Petroleum Corp Encapsulated cable for marine use

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4019213A (en) * 1972-11-09 1977-04-26 Coflexip Piping apparatus for a floating or semi-submersible platform
US4280238A (en) * 1975-09-03 1981-07-28 Single Buoy Moorings, Inc. Single-point mooring buoy
US4137722A (en) * 1975-11-06 1979-02-06 Varoujan Mossiossian Coupling between an above sea-level platform and a below-water foundation
JPS52122690U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1976-03-13 1977-09-17
US4067202A (en) * 1976-04-30 1978-01-10 Phillips Petroleum Company Single point mooring buoy and transfer facility
US4284367A (en) * 1977-11-04 1981-08-18 Enterprise D'equipements Mecaniques Et Hydrauliques Movable-joint device for connecting a sea-bed exploitation column to its base, connecting and disconnecting processes using the said device, and joint element used in the said device
US4543014A (en) * 1981-07-16 1985-09-24 Norsk Agip A/S Off-shore mooring structure
US4793738A (en) * 1987-04-16 1988-12-27 Conoco Inc. Single leg tension leg platform
US4822212A (en) * 1987-10-28 1989-04-18 Amoco Corporation Subsea template and method for using the same
US6148751A (en) * 1998-12-16 2000-11-21 High Seas Engineering, Llc Vibration and drag reduction system for fluid-submersed hulls
WO2000035744A1 (en) * 1998-12-16 2000-06-22 High Seas Engineering, Llc Vibration and drag reduction system for fluid-submersed hulls
US6349664B1 (en) * 1998-12-16 2002-02-26 High Seas Engineering, Llc Vibration and drag reduction system for fluid-submersed hulls
US7108457B1 (en) 1998-12-16 2006-09-19 High Seas Engineering Llc System and method for reducing drag and vortex induced vibration in marine applications
RU2200110C1 (ru) * 2002-05-21 2003-03-10 Федеральное государственное унитарное предприятие "Центральный научно-исследовательский институт им. акад. А.Н.Крылова" Плавучая морская платформа
US20070166110A1 (en) * 2006-01-17 2007-07-19 Kenady Stephen M Buoyant building foundation
US7607864B2 (en) * 2006-01-17 2009-10-27 Stephen Michael Kenady Buoyant building foundation
US20120082514A1 (en) * 2010-10-04 2012-04-05 Horton Wison Deepwater, Inc. Tension buoyant tower
CN103237727A (zh) * 2010-10-04 2013-08-07 霍顿-维森深水公司 张紧浮力塔
US8573891B2 (en) * 2010-10-04 2013-11-05 Horton Wison Deepwater, Inc. Tension buoyant tower
CN103237727B (zh) * 2010-10-04 2016-07-06 霍顿-维森深水公司 张紧浮力塔
US20120093589A1 (en) * 2010-10-18 2012-04-19 Peter Broughton Foundation support system for an offshore wind energy convertor, corresponding to an offshore wind power generating facility
US8864419B2 (en) * 2010-10-18 2014-10-21 Peter Broughton Foundation support system for an offshore wind energy convertor, corresponding to an offshore wind power generating facility

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2090989A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-01-14
CA942078A (en) 1974-02-19
DE2121020A1 (de) 1971-11-11
IE35183B1 (en) 1975-12-10
ES390740A1 (es) 1974-10-16
IE35183L (en) 1971-10-30
JPS5144321B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1976-11-27
NL7105518A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-11-02
GB1303614A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-01-17

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