A method and fixturing apparatus for manufacturing a suction caisson foundation includes providing an elevated center support and peripheral supports, elevating the foundation's prefabricated thumb section atop the center support, and temporarily securing radial frame members about the circumference of the prefabricated thumb section with the each frame member resting atop a respective peripheral support. The skirt panels are then affixed to the frame members, and the frame members to the prefabricated thumb section to thereby become self-supporting. The center support is removed from the interior of the resulting bucket, as by raising the peripheral supports to unload the center support, and lowering and dismantling the center support, whereupon additional panels are affixed to the frame members to define the foundation's lid, and further shaft sections added atop the prefabricated thumb section to complete the foundation. Temporary beams bridging preselected framing members advantageously allow use of transportation crawlers.

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.

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.

A method includes mounting a first jacket connector block (400) to an apparatus. The first jacket connector block includes a first frame (415), a plurality of first conductor tubes (405) connected to the first frame, a first plurality of releasable connectors (420) coupled to first ends of the first conductor tubes, and a second plurality of releasable connectors (420) coupled to second ends of the first conductor tubes and engaging the apparatus.

In a general aspect, suction anchors are presented for securing structures to an underwater floor. The suction anchors include a tubular body formed at least in part of cementitious materials and having a closed end and an open end. The tubular body includes an edge defining an opening for the open end. The edge is configured to penetrate the underwater floor. The suction anchors also include a port configured to fluidly-couple a cavity within the tubular body to an exterior of the tubular body. The suction anchors additionally include a pad eye extending from an outer surface of the tubular body and configured to couple to a mooring line. In another aspect, methods of manufacturing the suction anchors are also presented.

A method includes providing a lower platform block (300) including a first frame (315), a plurality of docking tubes (305) connected to the first frame, and a plurality of first conductor tubes (310) connected to the first frame. At least a first jacket connector block (400) including a second frame (415) and a plurality of second conductor tubes (405) connected to the second frame is releasably coupled to the lower platform block to align the second conductor tubes with the first conductor tubes. A platform deck block (500) including a third frame (515) defining a deck and a plurality of third conductor tubes (505) connected to the third frame is releasably coupled to the first jacket connector to align the third conductor tubes with the first conductor tubes.

A suction anchor has a skirt open at one end and closed at another end to define an interior volume. At least one conduit nested within or adjacent to the skirt, is open at one end and closed at another end to define an inner volume. A suction line is fluidly connected to the interior volume through a first valve. A second valve is fluidly connected between the inner volume and either the suction line or the interior volume. The first valve and the second valve are operable to cause water flow at respective selected rates along both the skirt and the conduit from a body of water when the interior volume and the inner volume are evacuated and the suction anchor is disposed on the bottom of a body of water.

The present disclosure relates to an offshore substructure supported by a template-integrated suction foundation and an installation method thereof, more particularly to an offshore substructure installed by pre-piling construction including: a suction foundation having a plurality of suction piles pre-inserted into the seabed by suction, joint sockets connected to each head part of the suction piles, and connecting members connecting spaces between the joint sockets; and a substructure connected onto an upper part of a suction foundation pre-piled, wherein an insertion socket connected to a lower part of the substructure is inserted into the joint socket, and the suction foundation and the substructure are connected by grouting a space between the insertion socket and the joint socket.

A method includes providing a lower platform block (300) including a first frame (315), a plurality of docking tubes (305) connected to the first frame, and a plurality of first conductor tubes (310) connected to the first frame. At least a first jacket connector block (400) including a second frame (415) and a plurality of second conductor tubes (405) connected to the second frame is releasably coupled to the lower platform block to align the second conductor tubes with the first conductor tubes. A platform deck block (500) including a third frame (515) defining a deck and a plurality of third conductor tubes (505) connected to the third frame is releasably coupled to the first jacket connector to align the third conductor tubes with the first conductor tubes.

A foundation for a subsea assembly is provided. The foundation includes connection points. The connection points permit other components to be connected to the foundation and permit loads to transfer from the other components into the foundation. The foundation may be a suction anchor. A method of converting an exploration well using the foundation to a production well is also provided.