US3839873A - Method of erecting a tower on the sea-bed, in deep water - Google Patents

Method of erecting a tower on the sea-bed, in deep water Download PDF

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Publication number
US3839873A
US3839873A US00355483A US35548373A US3839873A US 3839873 A US3839873 A US 3839873A US 00355483 A US00355483 A US 00355483A US 35548373 A US35548373 A US 35548373A US 3839873 A US3839873 A US 3839873A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
pontoon
platform
columns
pylon
sea
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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
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US00355483A
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English (en)
Inventor
R Loire
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CO GENERALE D EQUIPMENT MARITI
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CO GENERALE D EQUIPMENT MARITI
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Publication of US3839873A publication Critical patent/US3839873A/en
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B17/02—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto
    • E02B17/027—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto steel structures
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B2017/0039—Methods for placing the offshore structure
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B2017/0039—Methods for placing the offshore structure
    • E02B2017/0047—Methods for placing the offshore structure using a barge
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B2017/0056—Platforms with supporting legs
    • E02B2017/0073—Details of sea bottom engaging footing
    • E02B2017/0086—Large footings connecting several legs or serving as a reservoir for the storage of oil or gas

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT This invention relates to a method of erecting a tower on the seabed in deep water where said tower is formed by a submerged pontoon resting on the bed and by an upper platform between which is arranged a bracing pylon secured to said pontoon and wherein the platform rests on a pluraiity of piles driven through the pylon.
  • a floating pontoon is built which is equipped with a platform having apparatus for lifting it with respect to said pontoon and this pontoon is brought to a sheltered area where the water is shallow and is anchored afloat in that position.
  • the pylon is then constructed on said pontoon after having brought auxiliary columns to rest on the bed through the pontoon these columns then forming guide and support members for auto-lifting apparatus for said platform, and the platform is raised on these columns as the construction of the pylon progresses.
  • the piles may be driven through inclined tubular pillars associated with the pylon.
  • the present invention relates to a method of erecting a tower on the seabed, in deep water, which is intended to support apparatus for drilling for, and exploiting, oil fields.
  • the invention consists in a method of erecting a tower on the seabed, in deep water, which is intended to support apparatus for drilling for, and exploiting, oil fields, where said tower being formed by a submerged pontoon resting on the bed and by an upper platform between which is arranged a bracing pylon secured to said pontoon, said platform resting on a plurality of piles driven through said pylon, in particular through sloping tubular pillars therein.
  • a floating pontoon which is equipped with a platform having means for raising itself in relation to the pontoon and then, after having first brought the pontoon to a sheltered area where the bed is shallow and anchored it there afloat, the pylon is constructed on the pontoon after auxiliary columns have been placed against the bed through the pontoon, said auxiliary columns then forming members for guiding and supporting the auto-lifting means for the platform, which is then raised on the said columns as the construction of the pylon progresses.
  • the columns which do not have support means are released from the restraint placed on them by their associated lifting means, and the columns then drop onto the seabed and bury themselves therein by their own weight under the guidance of the tower.
  • the pontoon is then filled with ballast so that it slowly submerges, along with the pylon, its descent being guided by the columns embedded in the sea-bed and governed, in the initial stage, by the lifting means associated with these columns, until the platform is floating at sea level.
  • submersion is controlled by the auto-lifting means associated with the columns which are equipped with support means in contact with the lower face of the pontoon and supporting it, the columns which first dropped to the sea-bed being at the same time raised and disengaged from the sea-bed until the pontoon touches the undersea floor.
  • piles are driven from the platform into the undersea floor.
  • the vertical piles being formed by the auxiliary columns provided with the support means and the said piles are permanently secured to the platform and the pylon.
  • the sloping piles are formed by the columns which are not equipped with supporting means. these being extracted in sections from the group of auxiliary columns.
  • each of the piles located between the platform and the pylon is reinforced with a tube of the same length as the said section which is inserted into the pile and secured to the latter after it has been drained.
  • FIG. I shows a first phase of the method according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a view alongfin FIG. ll,
  • FIG. 3 shows a second phase of the method
  • FIG. 4 shows a third phase of the method
  • FIG. 5 shows a fourth phase of the method.
  • FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of area A of FIG. 5
  • FIG. FIG. FIG. 1 A first figure.
  • FIG. 11 shows a ninth phase of the method
  • FIG. 12 shows a view of a tower erected in accordance with the method.
  • FIG. ll there areseen, arranged in a sheltered area, a floating pontoon I supportinga platform 2 through both of which pass a certain number of columns 3 which can be locked in position at the platform 2 by auto-lifting means 5 for lifting the platform, these means also making possible relative movement between the platform 2 and the columns 3 in the vertical direction.
  • FIG. 2 brings out two groups within the columns 3, which are marked 3a and 3b, these being for example four columns 3a in the centre and eight columns 312 on the outside, and two groups of auto-lifting means 5a and 5b associated with the two groups of columns 3a and 312 respectively.
  • the platform 2 is shown in a position to which it has been raised by its auto-lifting means 5 on the columns 3, which rest on the sea-bed, while a pylon 4i is shown in the course of being constructed on the pontoon l, the handling means required for this construction being shown diagramatically by cranes marked 10, 10a and 10!).
  • pylon 4 is shown here in a frusto-conical shape with an octagonal base, each angle of which is formed by a sloping tubular pillar marked 4a.
  • FIG. 4 is aschematic view of the tower which has been built up in a sheltered area being towed to the site selected for its installation. It will be noted that the crane 10 has remained in position on the platform 2.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a phase of the method in which the tower is provisionally moored by anchor points 6, while the eight columns 3b have been embedded under their own weight in the under-sea floor.
  • the four columns 3a are held in the raised position by the auto-lifting means associated with them and these columns have support means, marked 11 in FIG. 6 which, with the columns 3a in this position, are held in contact with the lower face of the pontoon 1.
  • FIG. 7 shows a first phase in the submergence of tower under the guidance of columns 3b
  • FIG. 8 shows the end of the submergence, with the platform 2 afloat and the columns 3b no longer in contact with the sea-bed.
  • FIG. 9 shows the platform 2 in the process of lifting itself up the columns 3, the pontoon l resting on the sea-bed.
  • FIG. 10 is shown a guide-member 7 which is attached to the columns 3a between the pylon 4 and the platform 2 and which serves as a guide for positioning piles 8 in the sloping tubular pillars 4a of the pylon 4, which piles are driven into the bed.
  • FIG. 11 shows one of the piles 8 reinforced by a tube 9 inserted in the pile 8 and secured to the latter at the platform 2 and at a sloping tubular pillar 4a belonging to the pylon 4.
  • FIG. 12 shows the tower set up in position, with the piles 8 secured to the pylon 4 and the platform 2, while the columns 3a are driven into the tinder-sea floor and permanently attached to the platform 2.
  • the pontoon and the platform 2 After the pontoon and the platform 2 have been built in the work-shops, e.g., of a dock yard, they are fitted with columns 3 and auto-lifting means 5 as shown in FIG. 1, and are towed, one on top of the other, to a sheltered area where the water is shallow.
  • the pylon 4 is then constructed, as shown in FIG. 3, after the columns 3, which then serve as support and guide members for the auto-lifting means for the platform 2, have beenbrought to rest on the bed, the platform being raised as the construction of the pylon 4 progresses.
  • the construction is carried on using floating handling machinery 110a and 10b and the crane 10 which is permanently installed on the platform.
  • the columns 3 are raised using the means 5, and the platform 2 rests on the pylon 4 so that the tower so produced may be towed to the point at which it is to be installed.
  • FIG. 4 which shows the towing
  • the vertical position of the tower may be noted, which is of advantage for its final installation since it eliminates any handling operations on the open sea prior to placing it in position.
  • the next phase ofthe method consists firstly in mooring the tower provisionally at the spot at which it is to be installed by anchor points 6 shown in FIG. 5.
  • the columns 312 are then released by freeing them of the restraint of the auto-lifting means 512 seen in FIG. 2. These columns drop to the sea-bed and embed themselves in it under their own weight. Care is taken at this time to have the columns 3a in a position such that the support means 11 shown in FIG. 6 are kept in contact with the lower face of the pontoon l.
  • the platform 2 is thus held securely to the pylon 4.
  • the pontoon l is then filled with ballast to submerge it, as shown in FIG. 7. It descends under the guidance of columns 3b and is governed by the auto-lifting means 5b associated with these columns. When the platform 2 is afloat, the descent of the pontoon l continues under the guidance of columns 31; and is then governed by auto-lifting means 50 which support the pontoon 1 via columns 3a and support means II. At a certain depth, the columns 3b are raised to prevent the swell thrusting against the pylon 4 and the pontoon 1 from exerting excessively large bending stresses on the columns 3b. The lowering process is then continued along the lines shown in FIG. 8 until the pontoon l is touching the under-sea floor.
  • FIG. 9 shows how the platform 2 then lifts itself up all the columns 3 using all the auto-lifting means 5, which become available once the pontoon 1 has been lowered. This raising has the ancillary effect of embedding all the columns 3 in the under-sea floor and of stabilising the tower.
  • At least 1 guide member marked 7 in FIG. 10 is fixed to the columns 3a between the platform and the pylon 4, its purpose being, on the one hand, to serve as a guide for setting up the sloping piles 8 in the tubular pillars 4a and, on the other hand, to form a bracing member for the drilling tubes which will be set up subsequent to the final installation of the tower.
  • the columns 3b are then withdrawn in sections using the crane 10. These columns 312 then form the piles 8 which are driven into the floor through the pillars 4a of the pylon 4.
  • FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the tower thus installed.
  • handling means may thus be permanently installed on this platform, in particular one or more cranes which may become service cranes for drilling and exploitation. These handling means do away with the use of floating cranes which, being subject to sea conditions, are of limited use. Using this method, assembly work may thus go on under practically any prevailing conditions.
  • part of the drilling equipment may advantageously be installed on the platform before it is even launched. 7
  • the method described above is extremely useful for setting up towers of large size.
  • the pylon 4 rises to 84 m above the pontoon l, which forms a base 85m square, the platform 2 being situated 30m above the sea at a site where the depth is from to m.
  • the method according to claim 3 including the steps of raising said platform on said columns to a desired height, after said pontoon is submerged to the seabed, arranging guide members on at least some of said columns for serving as guides for setting in piles and for drilling means; thereafter driving inclined piles into the under-sea floor from said platform, through inclined tubular pillars in said pylon, and driving said set of columns provided with the support means into the undersea floor to form vertical piles, and permanently securing all of said piles to said platform and said pylon.
  • step of driving said inclined piles includes the step of forming the piles from the columns from the set of columns not equipped with support means, after extracting that set of columns in sections from the pontoon and platform.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Foundations (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
  • Placing Or Removing Of Piles Or Sheet Piles, Or Accessories Thereof (AREA)
US00355483A 1972-05-08 1973-04-30 Method of erecting a tower on the sea-bed, in deep water Expired - Lifetime US3839873A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7216378A FR2184146A5 (enrdf_load_html_response) 1972-05-08 1972-05-08

Publications (1)

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US3839873A true US3839873A (en) 1974-10-08

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US (1) US3839873A (enrdf_load_html_response)
JP (1) JPS4955101A (enrdf_load_html_response)
DE (1) DE2323135A1 (enrdf_load_html_response)
FR (1) FR2184146A5 (enrdf_load_html_response)
GB (1) GB1431804A (enrdf_load_html_response)
NL (1) NL7306354A (enrdf_load_html_response)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3983828A (en) * 1976-01-05 1976-10-05 Standard Oil Company (Indiana) Vertically moored platform installation
CN104452717A (zh) * 2014-10-29 2015-03-25 上海大学 自升式海洋钻井平台抬升装置及方法
US20160108896A1 (en) * 2013-03-25 2016-04-21 Alstom Renewaable Technologies Wind turbine tower section, a wind turbine having such tower section and method for forming such tower section
US10967942B2 (en) * 2017-06-06 2021-04-06 Ideol Launching method

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FI802781A7 (fi) * 1979-09-07 1981-01-01 Brown & Ass James G Merilavan tukirakenne.
CN102787590A (zh) * 2011-05-17 2012-11-21 中国石油化工集团公司 一种海洋自升式平台液压桩升降扶正导向装置

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2621485A (en) * 1947-02-21 1952-12-16 Stanolind Oil & Gas Co Marine structure
US2771747A (en) * 1950-07-19 1956-11-27 Bethlehem Steel Corp Offshore drilling barge

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2621485A (en) * 1947-02-21 1952-12-16 Stanolind Oil & Gas Co Marine structure
US2771747A (en) * 1950-07-19 1956-11-27 Bethlehem Steel Corp Offshore drilling barge

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3983828A (en) * 1976-01-05 1976-10-05 Standard Oil Company (Indiana) Vertically moored platform installation
US20160108896A1 (en) * 2013-03-25 2016-04-21 Alstom Renewaable Technologies Wind turbine tower section, a wind turbine having such tower section and method for forming such tower section
US9617751B2 (en) * 2013-03-25 2017-04-11 Alstom Renewable Technologies Wind turbine tower section, a wind turbine having such tower section and method for forming such tower section
CN104452717A (zh) * 2014-10-29 2015-03-25 上海大学 自升式海洋钻井平台抬升装置及方法
US10967942B2 (en) * 2017-06-06 2021-04-06 Ideol Launching method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2184146A5 (enrdf_load_html_response) 1973-12-21
NL7306354A (enrdf_load_html_response) 1973-11-12
GB1431804A (en) 1976-04-14
DE2323135A1 (de) 1973-11-29
JPS4955101A (enrdf_load_html_response) 1974-05-29

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