Jack-up type offshore oil and gas production platform and method
US5188484A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 13, 1991 |
| Grant date | Feb 23, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 13, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE02B2017/0082
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A mobile, self-elevating, offshore production platform, for exploitation of smaller reservoirs, is provided with a liquid tight hull having a deck; a plurality of support legs, each having a gear rack and bottom footpads, which are slidably extendable through the hull; a removable jacking tower for each support leg, and, a locking means for each support leg which is engageable to the leg gear rack at any vertical position of the leg. Mineral processing equipment is pre-installed on the deck at a suitable shoreside facility. Then the platform, with legs elevated, is towed to the offshore location where minerals are to be produced. On location the legs are lowered, grounded, and then pre-loaded to desired criteria by introducing ballast water into the hull. After pre-loading the platform is deballasted and elevated to establish a desired air gap. Upon elevation a locking device is engaged to secure each leg in place and the jacking towers, tower powering equipment, and ballast pumps may then be completely removed for storage, or reuse on other platforms. Installation is completed by connecting the hydrocarbon processing equipment to influent and effluent means provided. Upon depletio…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.