The invention relates to a structure (2) for supporting a wind turbine tower (1) provided with a housing (7) for fitting therein the foot of the tower (1), a main axis (?) being defined on the platform (2) which coincides with a main axis of the tower (1), and which comprises a body with a constant cross-section and internal walls (8) and intermediate walls (10) joined by internal radial ribs (11) perpendicular to the internal wall (8) whose plane passes through the main axis (?), such that at the intermediate wall (10) first joining nodes (12) are defined between the intermediate wall (10) and radial ribs (11), the intermediate wall (10) and an external wall (9) being joined by reticular ribs (14 and 15). This structure provides an optimal transmission of forces. The invention likewise relates to methods for manufacturing, assembling and installing the structure.

A subsea foundation for installation on a sea floor. The subsea foundation includes a receptacle which receives a wellhead housing, and a conductor pipe which is arranged to extend from the receptacle and which receives a well pipe therethrough. The conductor pipe has a first section and a second section. The first section of the conductor pipe has a first end and a second end. The first section is connected to the receptacle at the first end and is pivotably connected to the second section at the second end so that the conductor pipe has a compact configuration, in which the conductor pipe comprises a bend therein, and an extended configuration, in which the conductor pipe is substantially straight.

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.

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.

A tubular foundation element, in particular a pile e.g. a jacket pile, to be installed in a ground formation has at least one open end, typically both ends open, allowing a pile driver with an anvil to be inserted into the tubular foundation element. The tubular foundation element comprises a support at the inside thereof, which support is adapted to transmit energy from the anvil directly to the tubular foundation element, during installation of the tubular foundation element.

Floating construction comprising: a flotation base including at least one essentially hollow body selectively fillable with ballast, where the maximum horizontal dimension of the flotation base is greater than the maximum vertical dimension of the flotation base; a building supported by said flotation base, comprising preferably a telescopic tower; downward impelling means; and at least three retaining cables, the corresponding upper ends thereof being attached to said flotation base, preferably at peripheral positions of the flotation base, and the corresponding lower ends thereof being attached to said downward impelling means, such that said retaining cables are tensioned and exert on said flotation base a downward force that increases the stability of the floating construction. And the installation method for this floating construction.

A foundation pile, in particular offshore foundation pile, comprising a circumferential foundation wall extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the foundation wall is bounded on the lower side by a lower-side end face and on the upper side by an upper-side end face, wherein the foundation wall is formed from a mineral building material, wherein in the foundation wall a plurality of channels extending substantially collinear to the foundation pile axis is formed, running substantially collinear to the foundation pile axis, wherein at least a part of the plurality of channels has an upper opening on the upper end face in each case.

A foundation pile, in particular offshore foundation pile, comprising a circumferential foundation wall extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the foundation wall is bounded on the lower side by a lower-side end face and on the upper side by an upper-side end face, wherein the foundation wall is formed from a mineral building material, wherein in the foundation wall a plurality of channels extending substantially collinear to the foundation pile axis is formed, running substantially collinear to the foundation pile axis, wherein at least a part of the plurality of channels has an upper opening on the upper end face in each case.

The invention relates to an underwater drilling apparatus comprising a lowerable platform configured for setting down on a waterbody bottom, at least one support tube axially displaceable and rotatably mounted on the platform, at least one tubular drive arranged on the platform and configured for rotationally driving the support tube, in order to rotationally introduce the support tube into the waterbody bottom, and an in-hole drilling rig arranged in the support tube, wherein the in-hole drilling rig comprises: a rig base body, at least one clamping device for bracing and securing the in-hole drilling rig in the support tube, and a drill head which is axially displaceably and is rotatably mounted on the rig base body and can be rotationally driven by means of a drill drive. According to the invention, it is provided that, when the support tube is rotationally driven, the in-hole drilling rig is arranged in the support tube and is axially clamped thereto.

A foot pad removably attachable to a machine and that Fluid Level supports the machine for operation in a fluid. The foot pad includes a support frame, a skirt coupled to the support frame, a bellows coupled to the skirt, a plenum arranged to move within the skirt, a seal between the plenum and the skirt, and a flexible bellows that allows the foot pad to be secured to, or within, a substrate. The skirt includes an edge that can be embedded in a penetrable substrate. The plenum is configured to pump the fluid into or out of a volume formed by a space below the plenum, the interior of the skirt, and the substrate, thus compressing or decompressing the fluid in the space inside the skirt. The foot pad may also include a rolling, flexible diaphragm to seal the space between the plenum and the skirt, wherein the rolling diaphragm minimized the wear compared to other seal mechanisms. The flexible bellows may include a set of radial ridges that aid in sealing the footpad to the substrate.