Abstract: Methods and systems disclosed provide a cost efficient supply chain for natural gas, thereby enabling monetization of smaller natural gas sources and supply of natural gas to regions with low demand. The method comprises transferring a hydrocarbon fluid to a production location, liquefying the hydrocarbon fluid, storing the hydrocarbon fluid in a plurality of transferable containers, moving the plurality of transferable containers having the hydrocarbon fluid from the production location to a marine vessel, transporting the plurality of transferable containers having the hydrocarbon fluid on the marine vessel, and offloading the hydrocarbon fluid at an import location. At the import location, the transferable containers may be moved from the marine vessel to the import location and distributed at least one vehicle from the import terminal to one or more user locations for vaporizing the liquefied fluid at the user location(s).

Abstract: A cargo transfer system for transferring cargo between two decks which may be subject to relative movements between each other is disclosed. The cargo transfer system includes a transverse member movably coupled to an elevated portion of a first deck (or a tower member on the first deck), and a side member movably coupled to the transverse member. In a deployment position, the side member is releasably coupled with a receiving base on the second deck. The cargo transfer system is actuatable by a relative movement between the first deck and the second deck to self-adjust for accommodating or countering the relative movement.

Abstract: A jackup rig having a built-in capability of driving and extracting piles without need for dedicated pile drivers or extractors. The jackup rig provides an ice breaking functional capability, supplied by a jacking system, for operating in icy waters.

Abstract: Installation vessels and methods for offshore wind turbine installation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a cantilever mast is used to transfer of wind turbine components from an installation vessel to an offshore installation site and guide the transfer to prevent undesired swinging movements of the wind turbine components. In another embodiment, a main crane is used in cooperation with a guide arm to transfer and guide wind turbine components from an installation vessel to an offshore installation site.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved cantilever (10) for skidding on a platform (30) of a drilling rig. The cantilever (10) has two longitudinal members (12) whilst an edge (32) of the platform (30) has two transverse members (14,14a). The longitudinal and transverse members are connected at each interposition by a sliding and swivel assembly (20, 20a, . . . 20d). Each sliding/swivel assembly (20, 20a . . . 20d) is connected by an actuator (24, 24a) to the longitudinal or transverse member so that the cantilever (10) is operable to be displaced on the platform (30) by translation, rotation or a combination of translation and rotation.

Abstract: A leg guide for use in a leg of a jack up unit adapted to provide sliding guidance of the leg during vertical movement of the leg. The leg guide has a first portion contacting an edge of a leg chord and a second portion contacting a face of the leg chord along a longitudinal plane opposite the contact plane of the first portion. The edge contacting guide has a deflecting guide unit, which uses a compressible member sandwiched between two rigid plates. As the leg moves, the teeth of the leg chord contact the edge guide unit, with the compressible member absorbing compressible loads acting on the leg chord. The second portion provides for a face plate mounted transversely to the edge contacting guide for reducing the build-up of horizontal moment acting on the leg chord during the vertical movement of the leg and for reducing bending moments acting on the leg.

Abstract: A vehicle for use in arctic environments, the vehicle comprising a hull for accommodating people, and a pair of rotatable propulsion screws connected to the hull for propelling the vehicle on water, ice, snow and land. Each propulsion screw comprises a shaft having at least one blade helically disposed therearound.

Abstract: A method of protecting and repairing surfaces of structures using hand-laid epoxy and glass-aramid fabric composite is taught. Unlike the use of such composites as structural members, the present invention makes use of such composites in novel and inventive applications. Also unlike other methods, the invention is carefully hand-laid to conform closely to any irregular surfaces on the structure to be protected or repaired. The product of the method of the present invention is tougher than conventional paints and coatings and lasts significantly longer than conventional paints and coatings.

Abstract: An apparatus for soil testing for a jack-up rig, the apparatus comprising a soil testing device integrated with a leg of the jack-up rig, the leg of the jack-up rig having a footing, an opening in the footing for allowing passage of an active portion of the soil testing device therethrough to obtain soil data from a seabed beneath the footing, and a retrieval assembly for retrieving the soil testing device.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring and supporting mooring lines deployed on offshore structures, e.g. Spar-type platform, are provided with recessed portions that are located around the splash/ice zones for “cutting” through waves. An offshore structure may be provided with a chain tensioning mechanism that applies a desired tension to a hull chain and mooring line during mooring. Upon mooring the offshore structure, a chain lock mechanism maintains the tension in the hull chain and mooring line, while the chain tensioning mechanism releases a portion of the hull chain which is to be stored in a chain housing which is fully submerged underwater. This way, the recessed portions of the offshore structure around the splash/ice zones would be substantially free of the hull chains. Additionally, a disconnect mechanism may be provided to allow quick and safe disconnection of the offshore structure from the mooring position.

Abstract: The present invention describes an offshore foundation system (10,10a,10b) that is operable for preloading after self-weight installation on a seabed without relying on additional or external ballasts. The foundation system (10,10a,10b) is also operable for extraction by reversing the process of preload operation. In one embodiment, the foundation system (10) comprises a reaction base (20) and suction compartment (60). In another, the foundation system (10a,10b) comprises a plurality of units of reaction base (20) and suction compartments (60), with the units being connected by bridging structures (21). In yet another, the foundation system comprises a reaction base (20) and a plurality of suction compartments (60). A closed-top of the suction compartment (60) projects above the reaction base (20) so that, in use, there is a gap h between a top of a soil plug inside a suction compartment (60) and its closed-top.

Abstract: A method for forming a composite structure. The method comprises providing a first injection port on a first metal plate, spacing the first metal plate from a second metal plate such that the first metal plate and the second metal plate define a core cavity therebetween, casting a core of cementitious material into the core cavity, and injecting a bonding agent through the first injection port into an interfacial space between the core and the first metal plate.

Abstract: The present invention describes an extraction system (100,100a) for expediting removal of a footing (105) that is embedded in a seabed or marine floor. The extraction system provides a supply of pressurized fluid (140) to a chamber from where the pressurized fluid exudes through porous members (122,122a, etc) located on the base (114) of the footing (105). When an uplifting force is applied to the footing (105) for its removal, the pressurized fluid (140) exudes out through the porous member (122,122a, etc.) to compensate or reduce suction induced beneath the footing, without fluidizing or channeling of the seabed soil, thereby expediting removal of the footing (105).

Abstract: A racking assembly for receiving and storing at least one pipe, the racking assembly comprising a setback assembly including a selectively rotatable member having a plurality radial slots sized to receive a first portion of the pipe(s) in sliding engagement, and a base placed distal from the selectively rotatable member and coupled thereto so as to permit mutual rotation, the base arranged to support the pipe(s) on a support face of the base; a barrier located about a peripheral edge of the base, such that the setback assembly rotates relative to the barrier, the barrier arranged to prevent the pipe(s) from moving radially from the base, the barrier having a gap sized to permit selective lateral movement of the pipe(s); where mutual rotation of the selectively rotatable member and the base permit alignment of the gap and a selected slot of the selectively rotatable member, and so permitting the pipe stands to be moved laterally into the setback assembly.

Abstract: A leg guide for use in a leg of a jack up unit adapted to provide sliding guidance of the leg during vertical movement of the leg. The leg guide has a first portion contacting an edge of a leg chord and a second portion contacting a face of the leg chord along a longitudinal plane opposite the contact plane of the first portion. The edge contacting guide has a deflecting guide unit, which uses a compressible member sandwiched between two rigid plates. As the leg moves, the teeth of the leg chord contact the edge guide unit, with the compressible member absorbing compressible loads acting on the leg chord. The second portion provides for a face plate mounted transversely to the edge contacting guide for reducing the build-up of horizontal moment acting on the leg chord during the vertical movement of the leg and for reducing bending moments acting on the leg.

Abstract: A leg guide for use in a leg of a jack up unit adapted to provide sliding guidance of the leg during vertical movement of the leg. The leg guide has a first portion contacting an edge of a leg chord and a second portion contacting a face of the leg chord along a longitudinal plane opposite the contact plane of the first portion. The edge contacting guide has a deflecting guide unit, which uses a compressible member sandwiched between two rigid plates. As the leg moves, the teeth of the leg chord contact the edge guide unit, with the compressible member absorbing compressible loads acting on the leg chord. The second portion provides for a face plate mounted transversely to the edge contacting guide for reducing the build-up of horizontal moment acting on the leg chord during the vertical movement of the leg and for reducing bending moments acting on the leg.

Abstract: The invention relates to mobile offshore jack-up structures and provides for a self-regulating jacking system for elevating and lowering of the legs and the hull. A central controller assembly regulates movement of each of the legs, depending on the relative speed of movement of each leg and inclination of the hull along two independent axes: forward-aft and starboard-port. Each chord of the supporting legs is inverter driven to ensure a bi-directional full rated torque control of the associated pinion assemblies at very low speeds. By regulating the relative speed of the leg vertical movement, the system monitors the hull inclination within allowable limits and prevents an excessive differential vertical travel of any of the leg chords, thereby minimizing a possibility of leg bending or jamming of the screw jacks of the jacking assemblies 30.

Abstract: The present invention has at least one rack chock which is supported pivotally and tiltably at one end by a pin and cross head assembly located at a position between at least one leg rack and the hull of the platform. The other end of the rack chock is connected to the jack foundation with an actuator assembly. The pin and cross head assembly is disposed slidably within a guide for permitting the teeth of the rack chock to engage the leg rack teeth without visual monitoring and manual control. The actuator assembly connected to the other end of the rack chock controls the swinging movement of the rack chock and its engagement and disengagement with the leg rack. A pair of jacks urges upper and lower wedges with tiltable surfaces converging onto the rack chord's upper and lower surfaces, thus obtaining a optimal surface to arrest the relative movement between the rack chock and the leg rack.