Process for installing an offshore tower, comprising: a) manufacturing a foundation comprising a block, manufacturing at least one superposition section of a shaft, and manufacturing a base section of a shaft; b) applying said base section to said foundation block (starting unit) to assume the relative position for the installed condition, applying said superposition sections to said starting unit in a multi-layered configuration, and applying lifting means to at least one of said foundation block and said base section; c) moving said starting unit up to the installation point; d) introducing ballast in said foundation block so that said starting unit sinks until resting on the bottom of the body of water; e) actuating said lifting means to expand said sections into the installed condition; f) between step a) and c), placing said foundation block or starting unit in the body of water of the installation point.

A variable-draft barge configured to transfer loads in a body of water, and having a water line which is a function of the draft; the barge having: a hull; an underbody; at least one first chamber located in the hull and floodable selectively to alter the draft of the barge; at least one flood valve located below the water line to flood the first chamber; and a control device configured to selectively open the flood valve to flood the first chamber.

A foundation (1) for a structure. The foundation (1) has a body (2) for insertion into a soil in an insertion direction during installation. The body (2) has a toe (8) at its distal end. The toe (2) defines an aperture (11) into an internal cavity (15). Movement of the toe (2) through the soil displaces soil laterally into a displaced soil region within the internal cavity (15). One or more nozzles (10) are provided for directing a fluid to the displaced soil region during installation for transporting soil away from the displaced soil region. A pumping system (24) is also provided for evacuating fluid from the internal cavity (15) during installation for reducing the soil suspension pressure within the displaced soil region.

A foundation (1) for a structure. The foundation (1) has a body (2) for insertion into a soil in an insertion direction during installation. The body (2) has a toe (8) at its distal end. The toe (2) defines an aperture (11) into an internal cavity (15). Movement of the toe (2) through the soil displaces soil laterally into a displaced soil region within the internal cavity (15). One or more nozzles (10) are provided for directing a fluid to the displaced soil region during installation for transporting soil away from the displaced soil region. A pumping system (24) is also provided for evacuating fluid from the internal cavity (15) during installation for reducing the soil suspension pressure within the displaced soil region.

A support structure for an offshore device is provided, including a vertical guide sleeve and three elongated guide sleeves positioned around the vertical guide sleeve, and various braces connecting the elongated sleeves and the vertical guide sleeve. The support structure also includes a transition joint including a cylindrical portion for connection to an offshore device, such as a support tower of a wind turbine assembly, and a conical portion connected to the vertical guide sleeve. To provide resistance to thrust, bending, and torsional fatigue, at least one set of braces is formed in an oval, racetrack, obround, or stadium configuration, and one or more horizontal stiffeners are positioned in the transition joint to maximize the strength of the support structure.

A support structure for an offshore device is provided, including a vertical guide sleeve and three elongated guide sleeves positioned around the vertical guide sleeve, and various braces connecting the elongated sleeves and the vertical guide sleeve. The support structure also includes a transition joint including a cylindrical portion for connection to an offshore device, such as a support tower of a wind turbine assembly, and a conical portion connected to the vertical guide sleeve. To provide resistance to thrust, bending, and torsional fatigue, at least one set of braces is formed in an oval, racetrack, obround, or stadium configuration, and one or more horizontal stiffeners are positioned in the transition joint to maximize the strength of the support structure.

A structure for mounting offshore installations such as wind turbines or oil and gas platforms. The structure comprises a base, a top piece, and a lattice structure connecting the base to the top piece. The sub-components of the structure can be pre-assembled prior to installation to facilitate ease of construction, or they may be transported to a pre-determined location and assembled on site.

A subsea fluids storage facility comprises a tank (11) for holding and separating fluids which is equipped with ballast capacity (14) and a separable base (12) to be deployed upon the seabed in shallow or deep water, and the storage facility is connectable to a surface production facility, especially a buoy (24) for processing fluids. In deep water the tank (11) is held at a depth above the base (12) for temperature controlled stabilization of produced oil in the tank (11).

A subsea fluids storage facility comprises a tank (11) for holding and separating fluids which is equipped with ballast capacity (14) and a separable base (12) to be deployed upon the seabed in shallow or deep water, and the storage facility is connectable to a surface production facility, especially a buoy (24) for processing fluids. In deep water the tank (11) is held at a depth above the base (12) for temperature controlled stabilization of produced oil in the tank (11).

The invention relates to a suction pile comprising a cylinder shaped body (1) with a closed end (3) and an open end (2), means (4) for attaching an arrangement to ejecting entrapped water, air and mud, but also provide a pressure difference within the suction pile during installation, and an attachment system (10) for attaching external equipment to the suction pile, the suction pile is formed with a skin portion (17) and at least one flange portion (6). At least one of the flange portions (6) comprises an element (11, 26) that form at least a part of the attachment system (10) for external equipment.