Mooring apparatus and method of installation for deep water tension leg platform

Patent · Tue Jul 18 00:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:5510093

Hunter, A F; Bozeman, J D

This patent describes a one-piece prefabricated tendon for mooring a tension leg platform to the ocean floor in water depths of up to 3000 feet. The tendon comprises: an upper tubular coupling section having a first relatively large wall thickness and a first relatively small outer tubular diameter; a central tubular section which extends over a substantial majority of the length of the tendon, the central tubular section having a second relatively thin wall thickness and a second relatively large outer tubular diameter, the second relatively thin wall section having sufficient strength to withstand both tendon tension loads and compressive forces imposed by the ocean; a lower tubular coupling section having a third relatively large wall, thickness and a third relatively small outer tubular diameter; each of the upper, central and lower tubular sections being comprised of a plurality of segments that are welded into a unitary tendon; buoyancy means integrated into the one-piece tendon such that the tendon is, at least, substantially neutrally buoyant.

• Assignee: Conoco Inc., Ponca City, OK
• Patent Number(s): US 4848970
• Application Number: PPN: US 7232396A
• OSTI ID: 5510093
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 11 Aug 1988
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
42 ENGINEERING
MOORINGS
INSTALLATION
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
EQUIPMENT
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
030300 - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing
420206 - Engineering- Mining & Drilling Equipment & Facilities- (1980-1989)
423000 - Engineering- Marine Engineering- (1980-)