Abstract: A structure or template forms a tubular support structure for subsea equipment used in drilling and producing offshore oil and/or gas wells. The template contains production manifolding, remote and safety shut-in control, pump-separator, and pipeline connector subsystems. Certain of the structural tubes are segregated to form compartmented ballast chambers capable of being selectively flooded and dewatered. Certain other structural tubes form piling sleeves. The truss or framework of structural tubes include vertical and horizontal tubes, the latter forming circumferential members as well as interstitial supports. The uppermost of the circumferential members or "ring" also functions as a fender to protect the equipment within the template. The template is made negatively buoyant upon launch by flooding the compartmented ballast chambers, keelhauled (swung to a position underneath the keel of the drilling vessel), and then lowered to the subsea floor.

Abstract: A structure or template forms a tubular support structure for subsea equipment used in drilling and producing offshore oil and/or gas wells. The template contains production manifolding, remote and safety shut-in control, pump-separator, and pipeline connector subsystems. Certain of the structural tubes are segregated to form compartmented ballast chambers capable of being selectively flooded and dewatered. Certain other structural tubes form piling sleeves. The truss or framework of structural tubes include vertical and horizontal tubes, the latter forming circumferential members as well as interstitial supports. The uppermost of the circumferential members or "ring" also functions as a fender to protect the equipment within the template. The template is made negatively buoyant upon launch by flooding the compartmented ballast chambers, keelhauled (swung to a position underneath the keel of the drilling vessel), and then lowered to the subsea floor.