Gravity base of offshore production platform with ice-penetrating peripheral nose sections

Patent · Tue Dec 27 00:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6820571

Gerwick, B C; Price, E B; Taylor, T P

A gravity base offshore production platform structure and, more particularly, a production platform for use in an arctic environment, including an encircling structure having a predetermined configuration the protection of the offshore structure in iceberg-infested waters which are capable of resisting the destructive forces of an impact produced by a large iceberg. The gravity base offshore production platform structure consists of a monolithic, massive concrete structure of a configuration providing a plurality or horizontal array of upright, mostly cylindrical compartments, which is supported on a concrete or slab foundation nesting on the marine floor. Generally, although not necessarily, the compartmented structure rises above the marine surface and is covered by a concrete slab or similar covering structure to thereby form closed compartments within the monolithic structure. The circumference of the concrete structure incorporates a plurality of ice-deflecting nose portions which are integrally formed with the wall structure of the exteriorly located compartments of the array, and are reinforced to withstand large iceberg forces upon impact. These reinforced nose portions impart either a ''scallop-like'' configuration to the circumference of the structure, or when in the shape of substantially pointed wall sections, a ''starpoint'' form capable of resisting and absorbing extremely high energy of large, fast moving and strong icebergs by progressively crushing the leading edge of an impacting iceberg.

• Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
• Patent Number(s): US 4422804
• OSTI ID: 6820571
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 10 Dec 1981; Other Information: PAT-APPL-329372
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
ARCTIC REGIONS
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
DESIGN
FOUNDATIONS
REINFORCED CONCRETE
IMPACT STRENGTH
ARCTIC OCEAN
CONFIGURATION
ICEBERGS
SEA BED
BUILDING MATERIALS
CONCRETES
ICE
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
POLAR REGIONS
REINFORCED MATERIALS
SEAS
SUPPORTS
SURFACE WATERS
420206* - Engineering- Mining & Drilling Equipment & Facilities- (1980-1989)