Abstract: An apparatus for supporting an additional structure near a surface of a body of water, and a system which includes the apparatus and further includes the structure attached to the apparatus. The apparatus and the system are each configured to assume a rest position and orientation when the apparatus or system is floating at the surface and when the body of water is substantially still, where the rest orientation defines a vertical direction extending from the surface to a keel at a lowermost position of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a support member, which, in use, is attached to the additional structure; and buoyant units. Each buoyant unit is attached to the support member at or near the keel and extends from the keel in a longitudinal direction of the buoyant unit, which longitudinal direction defines an angle of approximately 35°-65° with respect to the vertical direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting an additional structure near a surface of a body of water, and a system which includes the apparatus and further includes the structure attached to the apparatus. The apparatus and the system are each configured to assume a rest position and orientation when the apparatus or system is floating at the surface and when the body of water is substantially still, where the rest orientation defines a vertical direction extending from the surface to a keel at a lowermost position of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a support member, which, in use, is attached to the additional structure; and buoyant units. Each buoyant unit is attached to the support member at or near the keel and extends from the keel in a longitudinal direction of the buoyant unit, which longitudinal direction defines an angle of approximately 35°-65° with respect to the vertical direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting an additional structure near a surface of a body of water, and a system which includes the apparatus and further includes the structure attached to the apparatus. The apparatus and the system are each configured to assume a rest position and orientation when the apparatus or system is floating at the surface and when the body of water is substantially still, where the rest orientation defines a vertical direction extending from the surface to a keel at a lowermost position of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a support member, which, in use, is attached to the additional structure; and buoyant units. Each buoyant unit is attached to the support member at or near the keel and extends from the keel in a longitudinal direction of the buoyant unit, which longitudinal direction defines an angle of approximately 35°-65° with respect to the vertical direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting an additional structure near a surface of a body of water, and a system which includes the apparatus and further includes the structure attached to the apparatus. The apparatus and the system are each configured to assume a rest position and orientation when the apparatus or system is floating at the surface and when the body of water is substantially still, where the rest orientation defines a vertical direction extending from the surface to a keel at a lowermost position of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a support member, which, in use, is attached to the additional structure; and buoyant units. Each buoyant unit is attached to the support member at or near the keel and extends from the keel in a longitudinal direction of the buoyant unit, which longitudinal direction defines an angle of approximately 35°-65° with respect to the vertical direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting an additional structure near a surface of a body of water, and a system which includes the apparatus and further includes the structure attached to the apparatus. The apparatus and the system are each configured to assume a rest position and orientation when the apparatus or system is floating at the surface and when the body of water is substantially still, where the rest orientation defines a vertical direction extending from the surface to a keel at a lowermost position of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a support member, which, in use, is attached to the additional structure; and buoyant units. Each buoyant unit is attached to the support member at or near the keel and extends from the keel in a longitudinal direction of the buoyant unit, which longitudinal direction defines an angle of approximately 35°-65° with respect to the vertical direction.

Abstract: A deep water support platform, suitable for use as a hydrocarbon exploration or production facility in very deep waters of 10,000 ft or more is presented. The platform is attached to the floor of the ocean with a buoyant pile that includes buoyant members attached about the periphery of the pile. The buoyant pile and buoyant members include tubular members that can be filled with water, oil, air or other materials to produce a structure that has improved buoyancy and stability over prior platforms. Embodiments include configurations of buoyant members that have constant and equal diameter and spacing, and other configurations where the diameter and/or spacing of the buoyant members changes along the pile. In addition, the buoyant members are arranged about the pile to reduce vortex induced vibrations on the platform by interfering with current flow about the support structure.

Abstract: A deep water support platform, suitable for use as a hydrocarbon exploration or production facility in very deep waters of 10,000 ft or more is presented. The platform is attached to the floor of the ocean with a buoyant pile that includes buoyant members attached about the periphery of the pile. The buoyant pile and buoyant members include tubular members that can be filled with water, oil, air or other materials to produce a structure that has improved buoyancy and stability over prior platforms. Embodiments include configurations of buoyant members that have constant and equal diameter and spacing, and other configurations where the diameter and/or spacing of the buoyant members changes along the pile. In addition, the buoyant members are arranged about the pile to reduce vortex induced vibrations on the platform by interfering with current flow about the support structure.

Abstract: A deep water support platform, suitable for use as a hydrocarbon exploration or production facility in very deep waters of 10,000 ft or more is presented. The platform is attached to the floor of the ocean with a buoyant pile that includes buoyant members attached about the periphery of the pile. The buoyant pile and buoyant members include tubular members that can be filled with water, oil, air or other materials to produce a structure that has improved buoyancy and stability over prior platforms. Embodiments include configurations of buoyant members that have constant and equal diameter and spacing, and other configurations where the diameter and/or spacing of the buoyant members changes along the pile. In addition, the buoyant members are arranged about the pile to reduce vortex induced vibrations on the platform by interfering with current flow about the support structure.

Abstract: A deep water platform, suitable for use as a hydrocarbon exploration or production facility in very deep offshore waters, and a method of constructing the same are shown. The platform is positioned on top of a buoyant leg structure. During normal drilling operations the platform is anchored by a gravity base tethered with pre-tensioned cables to the buoyant leg structure. According to the invention, the gravity base is retractable to permit the platform to be moved from site to site within a drilling region. Long distance relocation is also possible by retracting the gravity base, disassembling the platform, transporting the component parts, and reassembling the rig in a new location.

Abstract: A deep water support platform, suitable for use as a hydrocarbon exploration or production facility in very deep waters, and a method of constructing the same are shown. The platform is positioned on top of one or more flexible, buoyant piles made of large diameter, high strength steel tubing. A watertight bulkhead is located within each pile and the portion of the pile below is filled with seawater, while the portion above the bulkhead is substantially empty and in communication with the atmosphere. The bulkhead is positioned to cause the pile to have a predetermined net buoyancy so that the portion below the bulkhead, which is anchored to the seabed, is in tension. Adjacent piles are joined at their tops by rigid bending members to prevent rotation of the tops under wind and wave conditions, so that the platform will remain level.

Abstract: A deep water platform, suitable for use as a hydrocarbon exploration or production facility in very deep offshore waters, and a method of constructing the same are shown. The platform is positioned on top of flexible, buoyant piles made of large diameter, high strength steel tubing. A watertight bulkhead is located within the pile and the portion of the pile below is filled with seawater, while the portion above the bulkhead is substantially empty and in communication with the atmosphere. The bulkhead is positioned to cause the pile to have a predetermined net buoyancy so that the portion below the bulkhead, which is anchored to the seabed, is in tension. Bending members (trusses) are joined to the top of the pile and are connected to a plurality of neutral buoyancy tendons anchored to the sea floor. The tendons may be driven into the sea floor using a pile driver located within the tendons.

Abstract: A deep water platform, suitable for use as a hydrocarbon exploration or production facility in very deep offshore waters, and a method of constructing the same are shown. The platform is positioned on top of a plurality of flexible, buoyant piles made of large diameter, high strength steel tubing. A watertight bulkhead is located within the pile and the portion of the pile below is filled with seawater, while the portion above the bulkhead is substantially empty and in communication with the atmosphere. The bulkhead is positioned to cause the pile to have a predetermined net buoyancy so that the portion below the bulkhead, which is anchored to the seabed, is in tension.