Buoyant tower flexure joint
This patent describes for use in offshore well operations, a buoyant tower structure adapted to extend to the bottom of a body of water having a central vertical axis comprising; a platform adapted to be positioned above the surface of the water; a buoyant tank means located adjacent the upper end of the tower structure and being located beneath and connected to the platform; at least three large diameter legs extending downwardly substantially parallel to the central vertical axis from the buoyant tank means a selected distance. The legs are spaced substantially equally about the circumference of the buoyant tower structure and ending at a selected distance above the ocean floor; and pile guides of a diameter less than the legs extending downwardly through and below each of the large diameter legs. The portion of the pile guides extending below the legs curve inward toward each other around the central vertical axis of the lower portion of the tower structure to form a flexure joint housing.
- Assignee:
- Shell Oil Co., Houston, TX
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4621949
- OSTI ID:
- 7200192
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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03 NATURAL GAS
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42 ENGINEERING
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CONTAINERS
FOUNDATIONS
JOINTS
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MOORINGS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
OIL WELLS
POSITIONING
SEA BED
SPACE DEPENDENCE
SUPPORTS
TANKS
TOWERS
WELLS