Patents Assigned to Kvaerner Earl and Wright
  • Offshore tower structure and method of installating the same
    Patent number: 5536117
    Abstract: A tower structure for offshore oil and gas fields is formed from various vertically spaced and interconnected tower sections. At least one of the tower sections is rotated about a vertical axis relative to another section so as to define a twisted portion. The number and orientation of the tower sections are varied depending on the particular environment and, particularly the water depth where the tower structure is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Kvaerner Earl and Wright
    Inventors: Malcolm B. Frame, Majid A. Hesar, Jayan Varghese, David G. Woodgate
  • Tension leg platform
    Patent number: 5431511
    Abstract: A tension leg platform for supporting an oil rig above a seabed includes a deck, a buoyant hull and a single tubular tether. The tether has a lower end penetrating into the seabed and an upper end that is secured to the hull to hold the hull down against its own buoyancy. The deck is secured to the hull and adapted to support an oil rig. Multiple casing strings extend through the tether from the deck to the seabed. Supplemental buoyancy, tanks can be provided between the hull and the tether or within the tether itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Kvaerner Earl and Wright
    Inventor: Raymond G. Guy