B63B77/00

Support device configured to be positioned on a lifting vessel in order to lift a topside from its support structure

A support device configured to be positioned on a lifting vessel in order to support a topside of an offshore platform, the support device comprising: a main cylindrical casing having an upper opening, the main casing defining a main vertical axis, the main casing further defining an upper support rim, a reservoir located inside the main casing for holding a granular material or a fluid, the reservoir having a discharge opening for emptying the reservoir, a spring support slideably arranged within the main casing, the spring support resting on the granular material or the fluid and being movable from an upper position to a lower position in dependence on a filing degree of the reservoir, a spring device positioned on the spring support, a receptor support positioned on the spring device, the receptor support defining an upper surface, and a receptor device.

FLOATING PRODUCTION UNIT AND METHOD OF INSTALLING A FLOATING PRODUCTION UNIT
20180141625 · 2018-05-24 ·

The present disclosure relates to an unmanned floating production unit (300) and method of installing a floating production unit comprising a deck structure (301) for mounting equipment for processing hydrocarbons, and a hull structure (302) formed from a first section (303) and a second section (306), wherein the second section (306) is wider than the first section (303). The floating production unit (300) according to the present disclosure can provide a compact unit, which has dimensions which can lead to a heave natural period outside an area of significant wave energy, and as a result, it has substantially reduced and improved hydrodynamic responses. The floating production unit is configured to be small and lightweight, and can be fabricated, launched and towed to the installation site in two parts, without the requirement for heavy lifting or construction machinery, thus lowering manufacturing costs. In addition, the two parts of the floating production unit can be joined together at the installation site using a buoyancy and ballasting based technique. The floating production unit is designed to be unmanned during routine production operations, thus ensuring operating costs are low.

Floating wind turbine support system

A semi-submersible wind turbine platform is capable of floating on a body of water and supporting a wind turbine, and includes a keystone. At least three bottom beams extend radially outward of the keystone, and a center column extends perpendicularly from an upper surface of the keystone, a first axial end of the center column attached to the keystone; the center column configured to have a tower attached to a second axial end thereof. One of a plurality of outer columns extends perpendicularly from an upper surface of each bottom beam, wherein first axial ends of the outer columns are attached to a distal end of each bottom beam. One of a plurality of top beams extends between a second axial end of each outer column and a second axial end of the center column, wherein the top beams are configured substantially not to resist bending moment of a tower attached to the center column.

MODULAR FLOTATION SYSTEM
20180029678 · 2018-02-01 ·

A buoyant apparatus and method of use buoyancy to offset the weight of a load during immersion of the load in a fluid medium such as a payload manipulated by a cable and crane or by a remotely operated undersea vehicle. Buoyancy modules that can be of different size and shape have elongated supports that are attachable via complementary connection fixtures at the ends. The attached supports form a skeleton of the array. The connection fixtures are axially resiliently compressible and maintain the buoyancy modules in abutment notwithstanding shrinkage or expansion of the buoyant material due to hydrostatic pressure that increases with depth.

Access support for offshore installations
09689133 · 2017-06-27 · ·

A support structure (10) suitable for use as a support structure to an offshore platform (12), the support structure (10) comprising a main support strut (30) having a lower end and anchorable, in use, to the seabed (16) and an upper portion arranged, in use, to extend above sea level to a height substantially equal to, or greater than, that of the platform (12), the support strut (30) comprising a guide rail (62) extending upwardly from a level above the sea level (18) to the top of the support strut (30) for cooperating with a raising framework (90) slideably mountable to the guide rail (62), and further comprising drive means (98) cooperating between the raising framework (90) and the guide rail (62) for elevating the raising framework (90) relative to the support rail (62), the support structure (10) being characterized by: the support strut (30) and raising framework (90) each comprising tracks (70, 100) arranged to substantially align end-to-end when the raising framework (90) is elevated to the top of the support strut (30), the tracks (70, 100), when so aligned, forming a substantially continuous track for laterally transferring a payload (42) from the raising framework (90) to the top of the strut (30).

SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE PLATFORM

The present invention relates to a semi-submersible platform (1) for maritime applications such as wind power, electrical substations or hydrogen generation plants, wherein the semi-submersible platform (1) comprises a base body (2) made of concrete equipped with internal compartments (3) adapted to house ballast water, and three or more buoyancy columns (4) substantially made of concrete, wherein said columns (4) protrude from an upper face of the base body (2) and are arranged at the vertexes of the base body (2), wherein at least one column (4) is internally equipped with respective concentric rings (5, 6), an inner ring (5) and an outer ring (6), joined together by a plurality of radial walls (7) that define anti-flood compartments (8).

SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE PLATFORM

The present invention relates to a semi-submersible platform (1) for maritime applications such as wind power, electrical substations or hydrogen generation plants, wherein the semi-submersible platform (1) comprises a base body (2) made of concrete equipped with internal compartments (3) adapted to house ballast water, and three or more buoyancy columns (4) substantially made of concrete, wherein said columns (4) protrude from an upper face of the base body (2) and are arranged at the vertexes of the base body (2), wherein at least one column (4) is internally equipped with respective concentric rings (5, 6), an inner ring (5) and an outer ring (6), joined together by a plurality of radial walls (7) that define anti-flood compartments (8).

Marine vessel station keeping to reduce wear and noise on propulsion system

A method for maintaining a marine vessel at a target position in a body of water, the method being carried out by a processing system and including: estimating at least one roughness condition of the body of water based on measurements related to an attitude of the marine vessel; calculating a desired linear velocity based on a difference between an actual position of the marine vessel and the target position; filtering an actual linear velocity of the marine vessel based on the roughness conditions; and operating a propulsion system of the marine vessel to move the marine vessel to minimize a difference between the desired linear velocity and the filtered actual linear velocity. A method for maintaining a marine vessel at a target heading in a body of water is also disclosed.

Apparatus and a method for transportation, installation and retrieval of marine structures
09567038 · 2017-02-14 · ·

An apparatus (1) for transportation, installation and retrieval of marine structures (10) is disclosed and illustrated. It comprises at least two suitably connected vessels (1,2) with adjustable buoyancy, each having a first end (5) and a second end (8). The apparatus is equipped with lifting mechanism for lifting a marine structure on and from it. The vessels (1,2) are connected to each other at each said first end (5) at an angle (4) and are free at each said second end (8), thus forming a V-shape. The invention also embraces the methodology for transportation, installation and retrieval of marine structures, using the apparatus (1).

GRAVITY-BASED STRUCTURE (GBS)

A gravity-based structure for hydrotechnical facilities and for setting up production, transport, transshipment and warehouse complexes with applications near-shore and offshore. The GBS has rectangular top and base slabs, external walls and internal vertical walls to separate the compartments, a central part forming a rectangular prism with the top slab, and a protruding part stretching along the central part sides around its perimeter and having vertical external walls. The protruding and central parts share the base slab, with the protruding part being shorter than the central part. Central part internal vertical longitudinal and transverse walls form compartments. Protruding part internal vertical walls perpendicular to external walls form compartments from the short ends and ballast compartments on the sides. Vertical longitudinal and transverse walls form additional compartments between the intermediate horizontal and base slabs. The design is suitable for shallow waters transportation and adjusted to Arctic conditions and ice impact.