Hybrid offshore structure

Patent · Tue Sep 09 04:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:5179311

Finn, L D; Maus, L D

An articulated offshore structure is described for use in a body of water, the structure comprising: a substantially rigid lower section, the lower section extending upwardly from the bottom of the body of water to a pivot point located intermediate the bottom and the surface of the body of water; a compliant upper section extending upwardly from the pivot point to a position at or above the surface of the body of water; pivot means located proximate pivot point, the pivot means interposed between and connected to the lower section and upper section and adapted to permit the upper section to pivot laterally relative to the lower section; torsion means connected to the upper section and the lower section, the torsion means adapted to transmit torsional loads from the upper section to the lower section; the pivot means being positioned above the bottom of the body of water a distance of between about 10 percent and about 50 percent of the total depth of the body of water so as to substantially minimize the weight of the structure while maintaining the flexural vibration period of the structure at or below a preselected maximum flexural vibration period.

• Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co., Houston, TX
• Patent Number(s): US 4610569
• OSTI ID: 5179311
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
42 ENGINEERING
420206 -- Engineering-- Mining & Drilling Equipment & Facilities-- (1980-1989)
423000 -- Engineering-- Marine Engineering-- (1980-)
DEPTH
DESIGN
DIMENSIONS
FLEXIBILITY
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
OIL WELLS
POSITIONING
TENSILE PROPERTIES
TORSION
WELLS