Abstract: A floating oil storage system and associated methods for storing oil are disclosed. In some embodiments, the floating oil storage system includes a storage cell, a floating member disposed within the storage cell, whereby the storage cell is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment disposed below the first compartment, a pump operable to deliver oil under pressure into the first compartment, whereby the first compartment expands and the second compartment contracts expelling seawater from the second compartment, and a suction tank operable to receive oil expelled from the first compartment under hydrostatic pressure of seawater in the second compartment, whereby the first compartment contracts and the second compartment expands receiving seawater.

Abstract: An articulated flowline connection, or coupling, between a flowline and a structure. In some embodiments, the coupling includes a housing and three cylindrical members, each disposed within the housing. The housing has a first longitudinal centerline. The first cylindrical member is rotatable relative to the housing about the first centerline, the first cylindrical member supporting the flowline, whereby the flowline is rotatable about the first centerline relative to the housing. The second cylindrical members are immovable relative to the structure. The housing and the first cylindrical member disposed therein are rotatable about a second axis normal to the first centerline relative to the second and third cylindrical members, whereby the flowline is rotatable about the second axis relative to the structure. In some embodiments, the flowline is also rotatable about a third axis normal to the first centerline and the second axis relative to the coupling.

Abstract: A system comprising a surface installation in position above a plurality of subsea wells disposed within the watch circle of the surface installation. A plurality of flowlines directly couple at least one of the plurality of subsea wells to the surface installation. A control station, a hydraulic power unit, and an injection unit are disposed on the surface installation. A distribution body is disposed on the seafloor and is coupled to each of the control station, hydraulic power unit, and the injection unit via one or more umbilicals. A first wellhead component is disposed on one of the subsea wells and is coupled to the distribution body via one or more flying leads that provide electrical, hydraulic, and fluid communication. A second wellhead component is disposed on another one of the subsea wells and coupled to the distribution body via one or more flying leads that provide electrical, hydraulic, and fluid communication.

Abstract: A semi-submersible offshore structure for offshore operations. In an embodiment, the structure comprises a buoyant hull. The hull comprises a first elongate horizontal pontoon having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end. The pontoon includes a first node disposed at the first end of the pontoon, a second node disposed at the second end of the pontoon, and an intermediate section extending axially from the first node to the second node. Moreover, the first node has a width W1, the second node has a width W2, and the intermediate section has a width W3 measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in bottom view. The width W3 varies moving axially from the first node to the second node.

Abstract: A method for storing a gas. In some embodiments, the method includes positioning a gas storage system under water, the gas storage system having a gas inlet and injecting gas through the gas inlet into the gas storage system, wherein the gas is compressed. The method may further include venting the compressed gas through the at least one gas port to a storage facility.

Abstract: A semi-submersible offshore structure for offshore operations. In an embodiment, the structure comprises a buoyant hull. The hull comprises a first elongate horizontal pontoon having a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end. The pontoon includes a first node disposed at the first end of the pontoon, a second node disposed at the second end of the pontoon, and an intermediate section extending axially from the first node to the second node. Moreover, the first node has a width W1, the second node has a width W2, and the intermediate section has a width W3 measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in bottom view. The width W3 varies moving axially from the first node to the second node.

Abstract: Production systems and associated methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the production system includes a production barge and a production facility disposed on the production barge. The production facility is operable to produce a plurality of modular components for use in construction of an offshore structure, wherein the modular components comprise at least one of a stiffened plate and a stiffened tubular.

Abstract: An articulated flowline connection, or coupling, between a flowline and a structure. In some embodiments, the coupling includes a housing and three cylindrical members, each disposed within the housing. The housing has a first longitudinal centerline. The first cylindrical member is rotatable relative to the housing about the first centerline, the first cylindrical member supporting the flowline, whereby the flowline is rotatable about the first centerline relative to the housing. The second cylindrical members are immovable relative to the structure. The housing and the first cylindrical member disposed therein are rotatable about a second axis normal to the first centerline relative to the second and third cylindrical members, whereby the flowline is rotatable about the second axis relative to the structure. In some embodiments, the flowline is also rotatable about a third axis normal to the first centerline and the second axis relative to the coupling.

Abstract: A floating oil storage system and associated methods for storing oil are disclosed. In some embodiments, the floating oil storage system includes a storage cell, a floating member disposed within the storage cell, whereby the storage cell is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment disposed below the first compartment, a pump operable to deliver oil under pressure into the first compartment, whereby the first compartment expands and the second compartment contracts expelling seawater from the second compartment, and a suction tank operable to receive oil expelled from the first compartment under hydrostatic pressure of seawater in the second compartment, whereby the first compartment contracts and the second compartment expands receiving seawater.

Abstract: A configurable, multi-function vessel that comprises first and second pontoon barges and a plurality of interconnecting barges. The first and second pontoon barges have a plurality of connection members disposed on the inboard sides thereof. The plurality of interconnecting barges are disposable between the inboard sides of the first and second pontoon barges so that a plurality of connection members disposed on opposite sides of the interconnecting barges are adjacent to the connection members on either said first or second pontoon barge. A plurality of connectors releasably couple adjacent connection members so that the pontoon barges and the interconnecting barges form a unitary, oceangoing vessel.

Abstract: A deep ocean gas storage system for storing compressed gas, the system comprising an inflexible thin walled storage vessel anchored to the sea floor having an axis located in water substantially perpendicular to and on a sea floor below sea level, a gas intake for admitting and discharging compressed natural gas to and from the vessel; a water port for admitting and discharging water to the vessel using hydrostatic pressure to discharge compressed gas from the vessel at a substantially constant discharge pressure as the volume of the gas in the storage vessel decreases when water content of the vessel increases; a conduit fluidly connected with the water port oriented substantially parallel to the axis having a discharge opening above the level of sea water in the vessel; and a valve disposed at the gas intake to the vessel for controlling compressed gas admission and discharge.

Abstract: A method for making a deep draft semi-submersible drilling/production vessel having a center of gravity below its center of buoyancy by constructing a plurality of buoyant individual columns. The method connects a pair of columns with at least a first top truss and a first bottom truss. The method additionally floats a connected first and second columns horizontally in water. The method floats the semi-submersible structure to a location for installation. The method concludes by deballasting the semi-submersible structure with connected deck forming a semi submersible drilling/production vessel having a center of gravity below its center of buoyancy with a draft between 300 and 500 feet.

Abstract: A jet implanted anchor. In some embodiments, the anchor includes a tubular member having a plurality of pivotable flukes coupled thereto. Each pivotable fluke is moveable between a collapsed position, wherein the pivotable fluke abuts the tubular member, and an extended position, wherein the pivotable fluke is angularly offset from the tubular member. In other embodiments, the anchor includes a plate coupled along its perimeter to a tubular member. The tubular member includes at least one inlet, a plurality of nozzles, and a flowbore extending therebetween. The anchor further includes a swivel connection coupled between a pipe connector and the tubular member. The swivel connection is rotatable about the tubular member and provides fluid communication between the swivel connection and the tubular member. The pipe connector selectably limits rotation of the swivel connection about the tubular member and fluid communication between the pipe connector and the swivel connection.

Abstract: A method for storing a gas. In some embodiments, the method includes positioning a gas storage system under water, the gas storage system having a gas inlet and injecting gas through the gas inlet into the gas storage system, wherein the gas is compressed. The method may further include venting the compressed gas through the at least one gas port to a storage facility.

Abstract: Systems and methods for lifting drilling fluid from a well bore in a subsea formation are disclosed. Some system embodiments include a drill string suspended within a drilling riser to form the well bore, and a drilling fluid source for supplying drilling fluid through the drill string during drilling. A diverter is coupled between the drilling riser and a return line, while a power riser coupled to the return line at an interface. A lift fluid source supplies lift fluid through the power riser into the return line. The lift fluid is intermittently injected from the power riser through the interface into the return line to form one or more slugs of lift fluid positioned between slugs of drilling fluid, such that the combined density of lift fluid and drilling fluid in the return line is less than the density of the drilling fluid alone.

Abstract: A mooring method for a moored vessel that comprises a first chain stopper that is fixed to the vessel and is operable to selectively couple an upper chain to the vessel. A chain tensioner is coupled to the vessel and is operable to pull the upper chain. A second chain stopper is fixed to the vessel and is operable to selectively couple the upper chain to the vessel. The chain tensioner engages the upper chain at a location between the first chain stopper and the second chain stopper.

Abstract: A configurable, multi-function vessel that comprises first and second pontoon barges and a plurality of interconnecting barges. The first and second pontoon barges have a plurality of connection members disposed on the inboard sides thereof. The plurality of interconnecting barges are disposable between the inboard sides of the first and second pontoon barges so that a plurality of connection members disposed on opposite sides of the interconnecting barges are adjacent to the connection members on either said first or second pontoon barge. A plurality of connectors releasably couple adjacent connection members so that the pontoon barges and the interconnecting barges form a unitary, oceangoing vessel.

Abstract: A system comprising a surface installation in position above a plurality of subsea wells disposed within the watch circle of the surface installation. A plurality of flowlines directly couple at least one of the plurality of subsea wells to the surface installation. A control station, a hydraulic power unit, and an injection unit are disposed on the surface installation. A distribution body is disposed on the seafloor and is coupled to each of the control station, hydraulic power unit, and the injection unit via one or more umbilicals. A first wellhead component is disposed on one of the subsea wells and is coupled to the distribution body via one or more flying leads that provide electrical, hydraulic, and fluid communication. A second wellhead component is disposed on another one of the subsea wells and coupled to the distribution body via one or more flying leads that provide electrical, hydraulic, and fluid communication.

Abstract: A deep draft semi submersible structure wherein the semi-submersible has a center of gravity below its center of buoyancy and the structure is a floating vessel with at least three vertically oriented buoyant columns. Each of the vertically oriented buoyant columns have at least one ballasted compartment and the columns are spaced apart at a sufficient distance to reduce vortex induced vibration amplitude. There are at least two connecting structural sealed trusses connected to the columns below sea level, they are positioned to minimize hydrodynamic wave action on the trusses and to transfer shear loads between the columns while remaining transparent to wave and ocean current motion.

Abstract: Methods for developing an offshore field comprising deploying a lead drilling and production vessel to a offshore field to drill and complete at least one well. Production from the at least one well is initiated and evaluated. A secondary production vessel is selected based upon the evaluated production and is deployed to the offshore field to replace the lead drilling and production vessel and support production of the at least one well.