Compliant offshore platform
A compliant offshore platform is described for use in hydrocarbon drilling and producing operations, comprising: a deck; a substantially rigid vertical tower adapted to support the deck above the ocean surface. The tower has a base and is adapted to pivot relative to the ocean floor about its base in response to the action of waves. The combination of the deck and tower have a net negative buoyancy and are free from guyline support; and means for applying a vertical couple to the tower in response to pivoting of the tower. The couple is applied at a position on the tower intermediate the tower base and the bottom of the wave zone of the ocean environment in which the tower is situated. The vertical couple tends to resist sway of the tower away from the vertical.
- Assignee:
- Exxon Production Research Co., Houston, TX
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4696603
- OSTI ID:
- 5950758
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 5 Dec 1985
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
03 NATURAL GAS
42 ENGINEERING
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
DESIGN
COUPLINGS
MOTION
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
RESTRAINTS
SEA BED
SUPPORTS
TENSILE PROPERTIES
TOWERS
WATER WAVES
WAVE FORCES
GRAVITY WAVES
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
030300 - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing
420206 - Engineering- Mining & Drilling Equipment & Facilities- (1980-1989)
423000 - Engineering- Marine Engineering- (1980-)