Abstract: A structure for use in supporting a platform above a body of water is disclosed. The structure includes a leg extending between the bed of the body of water, the seabed, and the platform. The overall cross-sectional area of the leg is greatest near the seabed and decreases moving upwardly away from the seabed.

Abstract: A structure for use in supporting a platform above a body of water is disclosed. The structure includes a leg extending between the bed of the body of water, the seabed, and the platform. The overall cross-sectional area of the leg is greatest near the seabed and decreases moving upwardly away from the seabed.

Abstract: A mobile jack-up drilling rig for offshore use is disclosed using a light, openwork body or superstructure thereby eliminating the requirement that the rig be seaworthy and either partially or totally eliminating the requirement that the rig be buoyant. The jack-up rig requires assistance to be carried to the drill state. The system includes a truss design with little or no hull, using structural shapes for a superstructure whose sizes are dependent on weights and spans. The superstructure is supported by cylindrical, trussed, or other suitably shaped legs. Preload pods, which may be of any shape such as round, may be provided at each of the legs to attach to the superstructure. The preload pods, preferably, support the jacks used to raise and lower the legs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for disposing of waste material by means of a multi-stage reaction favoring desired reaction products. The rate at which different reactions reach equilibrium at different temperatures and the effects of reaction stoichiometry are controlled by the process to promote desired reactions and discriminate against undesired ones.

Abstract: A mobile jack-up drilling rig for offshore use is uniquely designed to greatly reduce the weight of the entire assembly by using a light, openwork body or superstructure thereby eliminating the requirement that the rig be seaworthy and either partially or totally eliminating the requirement that the rig be buoyant. The jack-up rig requires assistance to be carried to the drill site. The system includes a truss design with little or no hull, using structural shapes for a superstructure whose sizes are dependent on weights and spans. The superstructure is supported by cylindrical, trussed, or other suitably shaped legs. Preload pods, which may be of any shape such as round, may be provided at each of the legs to attach to the superstructure. The preload pods, preferably, support the jacks used to raise and lower the legs.

Abstract: A self-elevating marine platform having a main hull whose length and width dimensions can be readily varied without thereby disturbing the main design of the platform. Added externally to the main hull are at least three auxiliary hulls which are separate and distinct from the main hull. The auxiliary hulls are welded to the port, starboard, and forward ends of the main hull. Each auxiliary hull contains a leg-elevating unit for receiving a leg therein whereby the unit, when energized, will cause the platform to move up or down on the legs which are arranged in a tripod. Each auxiliary hull forms a ballast or preload tank of sufficient volume to exert, when loaded with liquid, all the required mass on its leg.