Compliant offshore platform

Patent · Tue Sep 29 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:5950758

Danaczko, M A; Finn, L D; Glasscock, M S; Piazza, M P; Steele, K M; Weaver, T O

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
• 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-)
COUPLINGS
DESIGN
GRAVITY WAVES
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MOTION
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
OIL WELLS
RESTRAINTS
SEA BED
SUPPORTS
TENSILE PROPERTIES
TOWERS
WATER WAVES
WAVE FORCES
WELLS