Abstract: A self-elevating platform comprises a deck structure, a plurality of legs, a plurality of footings, and a jacking system, wherein the plurality of legs pass through the deck structure and are supported by the plurality of footings; and wherein the jacking system comprises a jackcase structure with a first locking pin, a jacking yoke with a second locking pin, a plurality of jacking cylinders with a first end and second end, where the first end of the jacking cylinders is supported by the jackcase structure, and the second end of the jacking cylinders by the jacking yoke; and a fixation system comprising a plurality of tension rods, wherein each tension rod has a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end of the tension rods is securely coupled with the jacking yoke, and the second end of the tension rods is securely coupled with the deck structure; thereby when the plurality of tension rods secures the jacking yoke to the deck structure, the load can be removed from the hydraulic cylinders and tran

Abstract: A jackup deployed riser protection structure comprises a plurality of coupler receivers disposed onto a jackup hull, a tubular sleeve, wherein the tubular sleeve is a hollow structure that allows a riser to pass through, a support structure coupled with the tubular sleeve to provide support for the tubular sleeve, and a plurality of couplers coupled with the support structure, wherein each of the plurality of couplers is coupled with one of the plurality of coupler receivers, so that the jackup deployed riser protection structure is supported by the jackup hull in order to provide protection to the riser.

Abstract: A modified spudcan with optimal peripheral skirt for enhanced performance of jackup operations comprises a spudcan top part, a spudcan bottom part, wherein the spudcan bottom has a central tip protruding from the central part of the spudcan bottom; wherein the top and bottom parts are coupled at their peripherals or through a spudcan side wall to form a hull structure, and a peripheral skirt having an upper end being coupled to the spudcan bottom part and a lower end extending downwardly, wherein the tip of the lower end of the peripheral skirt is higher than the distal end of the central tip.

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: 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 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 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: 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 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: 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 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 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 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: The present invention provides a foundation that facilitates the extraction process by minimizing the soil resistance. When the foundation is lowered onto a seabed, it penetrates the seabed and experiences soil resistance therefrom. In particular, the suction generated at the base of the foundation contributes significantly to the soil resistance. The foundation is configured to uniformly distribute pressurized fluid to the base external via a plurality of outlets. The outlets are terminated with an interface layer to allow the transfer of pressurized fluid to the base external and prevent the ingress or seabed sediments into the body. The pressurized fluid released to the base external increases the pore pressure at the base external, thus minimizing the suction at the base.

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 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: 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 brace assembly for truss legs of offshore structures is provided with a reinforcing sleeve mounted on the brace member in the portion of the brace member most prone to buckling under the force of horizontal moment acting on the brace member. The reinforcing sleeve surrounds the critical area of the brace member and provides additional load bearing capacity to the brace member. The reinforcing sleeve is made from a non-corrosive material having physical characteristics suitable to withstand the environmental forces in the location. The reinforcing sleeve may be installed at the shipyard when the offshore structure is manufactured or mounted on the existing rig by an easy retrofit not requiring towing of the offshore structure to the shipyard.

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.