Topside modules are fabricated at a production site using as a foundation for installation a gravity-based structure (GBS), which can stay afloat during water transportation. Modules fabrication includes: Stage I, fabrication of components; Stage II, fabrication of nodes from the components; Stage III, fabrication of sub-assemblies from the nodes; Stage IV, shotblasting and painting of assemblies; and Stage V, assembling modules from the assemblies. Then modules transportation, movement to their seats on the GBS and their integration include: Stage VI, moving the modules to an area near the dock using self-propelled vehicles. Stage VII, moving each module onto guides of a lifting system installed in a dry dock. Stage VIII, lifting each module until lifting system guides are connected with GBS top slab guides. Stage IX, moving each module to its seat on the GBS, installed on the GBS and integrated with other modules and the GBS.

A floating fabrication arrangement for building of floating structures (15). It comprises floating unit (1-4) having a continuous deck, at least one crane (5, 6) attached to said floating unit (1-4) and a mooring arrangement capable of mooring the floating unit (1-4) in a floating state on a body of water. The floating unit (1-4) having ballast chambers capable of ballasting and de-ballasting the floating unit (1-4) between a first building position where the floating unit (1-4) floats with the deck above water in a substantially horizontal position and a second inclined launch position, in which a first part of the deck is submerged and a second part of the deck is above water. A method of building floating structures is also described.

A floating fabrication arrangement for building of floating structures (15). It comprises floating unit (1-4) having a continuous deck, at least one crane (5, 6) attached to said floating unit (1-4) and a mooring arrangement capable of mooring the floating unit (1-4) in a floating state on a body of water. The floating unit (1-4) having ballast chambers capable of ballasting and de-ballasting the floating unit (1-4) between a first building position where the floating unit (1-4) floats with the deck above water in a substantially horizontal position and a second inclined launch position, in which a first part of the deck is submerged and a second part of the deck is above water. A method of building floating structures is also described.

The present invention provides a controllable float module for a modular offshore support structure assembly. The inventive float module comprises (i) a first ballast chamber provided within a predetermined first portion of said float module, having at least one first controllable fluid connection, adapted to provide controlled fluid flow between an interior of said first ballast chamber and a first fluid reservoir containing a first fluid, and at least one second fluid connection, adapted to provide controlled fluid flow between said interior of said first ballast chamber and a second fluid reservoir containing a second fluid; (ii) at least one second ballast chamber provided within a predetermined second portion of said float module, having at least one first controllable fluid connection, adapted to provide controlled fluid flow between an interior of said second ballast chamber and said first fluid reservoir containing said first fluid, and at least one second fluid connection, adapted to provide controlled fluid flow between said interior of said second ballast chamber and said second fluid reservoir containing said second fluid, and (iii) a control system, adapted to control each of said at least one first and second controllable fluid connection and selectively vary the proportional quantity of said first fluid and said second fluid within any one of said first and at least one second ballast chamber, so as to selectively vary the buoyancy of any one of said at least one predetermined first and second portion of said float module when in use.

A reverse osmosis water production apparatus for use in a body of water includes a first section defining a buoyancy chamber and an elongate second section connected to the first section and configured to define an elongate chamber which extends downward beneath a waterline in use. The elongate chamber is provided with a plurality of elongate reverse osmosis membrane tubes, each tube containing a reverse osmosis membrane. A longitudinal axis of each reverse osmosis membrane tube is substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the elongate chamber and the reverse osmosis membrane tubes are arranged around a passage.

A reverse osmosis water production apparatus for use in a body of water includes a first section defining a buoyancy chamber and an elongate second section connected to the first section and configured to define an elongate chamber which extends downward beneath a waterline in use. The elongate chamber is provided with a plurality of elongate reverse osmosis membrane tubes, each tube containing a reverse osmosis membrane. A longitudinal axis of each reverse osmosis membrane tube is substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the elongate chamber and the reverse osmosis membrane tubes are arranged around a passage.

A sea water intake riser system for a floating production unit, including a caisson having a through-opening in a bottom side and being connectable to an upper end of a riser pipe; a lift pump inside the caisson and having an inlet at a vertical distance with a predetermined minimum submergence for pumping cold water from the caisson up to the floating production unit for use as cooling medium, wherein the sea water intake riser system includes at least two caissons, having a height substantially equal to a vertical height of a hull of the floating production unit and including an open top side; each caisson extending from a predetermined minimum distance from the bottom side of the hull up to at least the water-line during use and wherein a sump tank is located between the bottom side of the hull and the at least two caissons.

A sea water intake riser system for a floating production unit, including a caisson having a through-opening in a bottom side and being connectable to an upper end of a riser pipe; a lift pump inside the caisson and having an inlet at a vertical distance with a predetermined minimum submergence for pumping cold water from the caisson up to the floating production unit for use as cooling medium, wherein the sea water intake riser system includes at least two caissons, having a height substantially equal to a vertical height of a hull of the floating production unit and including an open top side; each caisson extending from a predetermined minimum distance from the bottom side of the hull up to at least the water-line during use and wherein a sump tank is located between the bottom side of the hull and the at least two caissons.

A pile upending and holding system includes a support assembly configured to be mounted on the vessel and to provide compensation for wave-induced motion of the vessel to maintain a predetermined X-Y location of the pile holder independent of said motion, and a pile holder mounted on the support assembly to be tillable about a substantially horizontal tilt axis. The pile holder includes a lower ring and an upper ring, and a pile holder frame supporting the lower ring and upper ring, the upper ring longitudinally spaced from the lower ring. Each of the rings include pile engaging devices distributed about the circumference thereof, each pile engaging device being adapted to engage an exterior of the pile extending through the lower and upper ring. Each of the lower ring and upper ring includes a ring base fixed to the pile holder frame and one or more movable jaws, movable between a closed position for holding and guiding the pile and an opened position for entry of the pile. The pile holder is provided, below the lower ring thereof, with a pile foot end support for engaging a longitudinal end of the pile to limit longitudinal movement thereof.

The systems and methods generally include a nuclear power plant unit assembled in a shipyard from a plurality of structural modules, each of the structural modules having manufactured components for use in power production when moored or fixed to a floor at least one of in and proximal to at least one of an offshore marine environment, a river environment and a coastal marine environment. The nuclear power plant unit is subdivided into at least one arrangement of structural modules that includes an electrical interface for one of transmitting electrical power generated by the nuclear unit and powering a system of the unit, a communications interface for communications internal or external to the unit, a user interface that is configured to permit a user to access a system of the unit, and a network interface for data communications to or from the unit.