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 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: An arctic jackup truss leg comprises a plurality of chords, an outer bracing network with a plurality of bracing elements connecting the plurality of chords, an internal bracing network with a plurality of bracing elements, and a bridge plate network with a plurality of bridge plates, wherein each bridge plate has two ends that are coupled with the bracing elements of the outer bracing network and the internal bracing network respectively.

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: An arctic jackup truss leg comprises a plurality of chords, an outer bracing network with a plurality of bracing elements connecting the plurality of chords, an internal bracing network with a plurality of bracing elements, and a bridge plate network with a plurality of bridge plates, wherein each bridge plate has two ends that are coupled with the bracing elements of the outer bracing network and the internal bracing network respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a jack-up rig. The inventive rig would work like a conventional jack-up rig while in open water with the hull jacked up out of the water. However, in the event of ice conditions, the hull is lowered into the water into an ice defensive configuration. The hull is specifically shaped with a lower portion that is an ice-bending surface to bend and break up ice that comes in contact with the hull while in the ice defensive configuration. Furthermore, the jack-up rig comprises at least two derricks.

Abstract: A structure-supported Jackup system comprising a Jackup drilling unit with a main deck structure and a plurality of legs movably coupled with the main deck structure, two or more support base structures disposed on seabed, and a plurality of movable supports, wherein each of the plurality of movable supports is securely coupled with either the main deck structure or one of the two or more support base structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a structure-assisted Jackup system comprising a Jackup drilling unit with a main deck structure and a plurality of legs movably coupled with the main deck structure, one or more support base structures disposed on seabed, and a plurality of movable supports, wherein each of the plurality of movable supports is securely coupled with either the main deck structure or one or more support base structure. The present invention also provides a process for assembling the structure-assisted Jackup system.

Abstract: An installation vessel for installing an offshore structure, the installation vessel comprising a hull and a plurality of legs, each leg comprising vertical chords and cross braces, the hull having a plurality of leg openings each configured for passage of a leg therethrough, each leg opening having a number of jack-cases for supporting pinions thereon, each pinion being configured for rotatably engaging a rack disposed on a chord of the leg to move the leg relative to the hull, each jack-case comprising a number of guides for guiding passage of the leg through the leg opening, each guide comprising a plurality of angled surfaces configured for sliding engagement with a corresponding plurality of surfaces of a rack, each of the plurality of angled surfaces comprising a wear plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a structure-supported. Jackup system comprising a Jackup drilling unit with a main deck structure and a plurality of legs movably coupled with the main deck structure, two or more support base structures disposed on seabed, and a plurality of movable supports, wherein each of the plurality of movable supports is securely coupled with either the main deck structure or one of the two or more support base structure. The present invention also provides a process for assembling the structure-supported Jackup system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a structure-assisted Jackup system comprising a Jackup drilling unit with a main deck structure and a plurality of legs movably coupled with the main deck structure, one or more support base structures disposed on seabed, and a plurality of movable supports, wherein each of the plurality of movable supports is securely coupled with either the main deck structure or one or more support base structure. The present invention also provides a process for assembling the structure-assisted Jackup system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a skirted foundation that can be used in a jack-up rig for providing enhanced bearing capacity. The skirted foundation comprises a spudcan footing having an upper part and a base, wherein the upper part and the base are coupled at their peripherals to form an outer edge, wherein both the upper part and the base have a flat or conical configuration, and wherein the upper part supports one leg of a jack-up rig, and the base has a flat bottom or downward slope, and a skirt having an upper end being integrally coupled to the spudcan footing and downwardly projected to encircle the base and a lower end for penetrating seabed, wherein the skirt comprises a plurality of circumferential openings adjacent to the base of the spudcan footing and located within the top half of the skirt height.

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: The invention relates to an ice worthy jack-up rig that may extend the drilling season in shallow water off shore Arctic or ice prone locations. The inventive rig would work like a conventional jack-up rig while in open water with the hull jacked up out of the water. However, in the event of ice conditions, the hull is lowered into the water into an ice defensive configuration. The hull is specifically shaped with a lower portion that is an ice-bending surface to bend and break up ice that comes in contact with the hull while in the ice defensive configuration. Furthermore, the ice worthy jack-up rig that comprises at least two derricks so as to double the exploration efficiency and lower the relating costs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a skirted foundation that can be used in a jack-up rig for providing enhanced bearing capacity. The skirted foundation comprises a spudcan footing having an upper part and a base, wherein the upper part and the base are coupled at their peripherals to form an outer edge, wherein both the upper part and the base have a flat or conical configuration, and wherein the upper part supports one leg of a jack-up rig, and the base has a flat bottom or downward slope, and a skirt having an upper end being integrally coupled to the spudcan footing and downwardly projected to encircle the base and a lower end for penetrating seabed, wherein the skirt comprises a plurality of circumferential openings adjacent to the base of the spudcan footing and located within the top half of the skirt height.

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: An installation vessel for installing an offshore structure, the installation vessel comprising a hull and a plurality of legs, each leg comprising vertical chords and cross braces, the hull having a plurality of leg openings each configured for passage of a leg therethrough, each leg opening having a number of jack-cases for supporting pinions thereon, each pinion being configured for rotatably engaging a rack disposed on a chord of the leg to move the leg relative to the hull, each jack-case comprising a number of guides for guiding passage of the leg through the leg opening, each guide comprising a plurality of angled surfaces configured for sliding engagement with a corresponding plurality of surfaces of a rack, each of the plurality of angled surfaces comprising a wear plate.

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 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: 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).