Articulated compliant offshore structure

Patent · Tue Sep 29 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6054587

Davenport, G F

A compliant offshore structure is defined comprising: a base adapted to be supported on the ocean floor; a substantially vertical tower extending upward from the base to a position proximate the ocean surface, the longitudinal axis of the tower defining the central axis of the structure; a joint establishing the interface between the tower and the base, the joint being articulated to permit the tower to pivot about the base; and elongate stabilizing members each having a first end secured to the base at a spaced lateral distance from the central axis and a second end secured to the tower at a stabilizing member anchorage located a spaced distance above the articulated joint. The stabilizing members are installed in a pretensioned condition. The stabilizing members are arranged in an array surrounding the central axis whereby at least some of the stabilizing members undergo elongation in response to pivoting of the tower about the base.

• Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co., Houston, TX
• Patent Number(s): US 4696601
• OSTI ID: 6054587
• 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-)
ANCHORS
DESIGN
FABRICATION
FASTENING
INSTALLATION
INTERFACES
JOINING
JOINTS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MOTION
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
OIL WELLS
POSITIONING
RESTRAINTS
STABILIZATION
SUPPORTS
TENSILE PROPERTIES
TOWERS
WELLS