Extensible shells and related methods for constructing a support pier are disclosed. An extensible shell can define an interior for holding granular construction material and define a first opening at a first end for receiving the granular construction material into the interior and a second opening at a second end. The extensible shell can be flexible such that the shell expands when granular construction material is compacted in the interior of the shell. A method may include positioning the extensible shell in the ground and filling at least a portion of the interior of the shell with the granular construction material. The granular construction material may be compacted in the interior of the extensible shell to form a support pier.

Extensible shells and related methods for constructing a support pier are disclosed. An extensible shell can define an interior for holding granular construction material and define a first opening at a first end for receiving the granular construction material into the interior and a second opening at a second end. The extensible shell can be flexible such that the shell expands when granular construction material is compacted in the interior of the shell. A method may include positioning the extensible shell in the ground and filling at least a portion of the interior of the shell with the granular construction material. The granular construction material may be compacted in the interior of the extensible shell to form a support pier.

Extensible shells and related methods for constructing a support pier are disclosed. An extensible shell can define an interior for holding granular construction material and define a first opening at a first end for receiving the granular construction material into the interior and a second opening at a second end. The extensible shell can be flexible such that the shell expands when granular construction material is compacted in the interior of the shell. A method may include positioning the extensible shell in the ground and filling at least a portion of the interior of the shell with the granular construction material. The granular construction material may be compacted in the interior of the extensible shell to form a support pier.

Extensible shells and related methods for constructing a support pier are disclosed. An extensible shell can define an interior for holding granular construction material and define a first opening at a first end for receiving the granular construction material into the interior and a second opening at a second end. The extensible shell can be flexible such that the shell expands when granular construction material is compacted in the interior of the shell. A method may include positioning the extensible shell in the ground and filling at least a portion of the interior of the shell with the granular construction material. The granular construction material may be compacted in the interior of the extensible shell to form a support pier.

A method of connecting a lower pipe portion to a subsea foundation is provided. The method comprises: providing the subsea foundation, wherein the subsea foundation comprises an upper pipe portion connected to the subsea foundation, deploying the subsea foundation subsea; and connecting the lower pipe portion to the upper pipe portion. A subsea foundation system is also provided. The subsea foundation system comprises: a subsea foundation; an upper pipe portion connected to the subsea foundation, and a lower pipe portion, wherein the subsea foundation system is arranged such that subsea the lower pipe portion can be connected to the upper pipe portion. The lower pipe portion may be connected to the subsea foundation in a stowed position before deployment subsea. The lower pipe portion may be connected to a pull-in arrangement before deployment subsea. The subsea foundation may comprise a pipe overlap section that is arranged to overlap a portion of the upper pipe portion and/or the lower pipe portion when the lower pipe portion is connected to the upper pipe portion.

A ring-wing floating platform is disclosed. The ring-wing floating platform includes a floating hull, a top of the floating hull being above a sea surface and its geometry at a water plane is centrally symmetric, a ring-wing surrounding a perimeter of a bottom of the floating hull with a horizontal projection of concentric annular geometries, a positioning system located at the bottom of the floating hull, and a topsides located above the floating hull and connected to the floating hull by deck legs or installed directly on the top of the floating hull. The axes of the ring-wing and the floating hull are collinear, and their bottoms are in a same horizontal plane. The ring-wing and the floating hull are connected together as a unitary structure by multiple connecting components with an annular gap in-between.

A ring-wing floating platform is disclosed. The ring-wing floating platform includes a floating hull, a top of the floating hull being above a sea surface and its geometry at a water plane is centrally symmetric, a ring-wing surrounding a perimeter of a bottom of the floating hull with a horizontal projection of concentric annular geometries, a positioning system located at the bottom of the floating hull, and a topsides located above the floating hull and connected to the floating hull by deck legs or installed directly on the top of the floating hull. The axes of the ring-wing and the floating hull are collinear, and their bottoms are in a same horizontal plane. The ring-wing and the floating hull are connected together as a unitary structure by multiple connecting components with an annular gap in-between.

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 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 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.