Abstract: A device for damping impacts between a load (1) and a floating support (70) while the load is being removed from said support which includes at least one housing (10) on which the load rests. The device includes means (11, 15, 18) for automatically and irreversibly inserting a damping unit (14) between the load and its bearing point on the floating support as soon as the weight of the load is removed from the bearing point.

Abstract: An offshore platform structure and a system for transport and for reversible erection is disclosed. The light weight, semi-mobile structure; has negative buoyancy; is free standing on the ocean floor; has fixed guylines below interference depth and quickly positioned upper guylines for storm conditions; the structure may contain suitable tanks in the base for production of marginal crude oil wells or other fluid storage; a special tender to furnish buoyancy during transport.

Abstract: A portable off shore well installation apparatus, particularly for off shore wells, utilizing a pollution control curtain surrounding drilling equipment between the surface of the water and a well head, such curtain comprising a submerged anchor ring having secured to the top thereof an axially extendable water impermeable sleeve secured at its lower end to the top of the submerged anchor ring, a float ring secured to the upper end of the extendable sleeve, a plurality of longitudinally spaced buoyant rings attached at suitable intervals about the periphery of the sleeve to provide uniform axial extension of the sleeve, and a fillable retriever ring secured to the lower portion of the anchor ring to facilitate installation and removal of the curtain from the well site when the retriever ring is filled with a buoyant substance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the building and putting in place of a sea platform in using buoyancy chambers. The buoyancy chambers are temporarily attached to the raft and capable of being ballasted for allowing the control of their buoyancy during the building of the structure and their recovery. Simultaneously with the building of the tower and walls, the chambers are progressively built by assembling of portions of bodies mounted on a bottom element resting on a chamber receptacle.

Abstract: A platform resting at the bottom of a body of water, including a plurality of longitudinally disposed bays supported by piers each consisting of a small number of transversely aligned posts resting on a common base and each supporting a cross-beam, each bay comprising a framework of longitudinal beams which rest at either end on the cross-beams, and a method of constructing the platform comprising the steps of preparing each pier onshore, transporting it to the installation site and setting it down on the bottom, raising the base at several points and adjusting their heights above the bottom in order to position the base horizontally, securing the base in that position by pouring concrete beneath it, preparing each bay on the shore, transporting it to the installation site and setting it down on two adjacent piers.

Abstract: This invention provides means and methods for servicing offshore oil wells under routine and emergency conditions. Thus, a protective shroud surrounding the well site and provided with pumping means can be used to recover spilled oil, store oil, extinguish blowouts and fires, and protect rigs, platforms and personnel.A hollow shroud structure, preferably of circular cross section surrounding an oil well and its rigging therefore by means of underwater pumps can be positioned, filled, emptied or otherwise manipulated in servicing the well. It serves to protect the well from heavy seas and floating objects.Servo controlled valves, jets and pumps can locate the structure precisely in place even during blowout conditions for normal or emergency collection of oil and control of the well conditions.The shroud structure may be erected before or after drilling and can be moved and reused at different sites. It may have a closed top or open top, and a closed top version may be disposed entirely under water.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for offshore operations including individually significant aspects comprising:1. Methods and apparatus for providing lateral force transmitting arch means extending across a vessel passageway which is laterally bounded by upwardly projecting portions of a substructure and bounded on the top by an integrated deck:2. Methods and apparatus for assembling an integrated deck with a substructure wherein there are effected horizontal and vertical shock absorbing action, motion dampening, and desired alignment; and3. Methods and apparatus for assemblying an integrated deck with a substructure wherein, at a relatively slower rate, an integrated deck is lowered into engagement with a substructure and, at a subsequent more rapid rate, a vessel initially supporting the integrated deck is vertically separated therefrom.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for offshore operations including individually significant aspects comprising:1. Methods and apparatus for providing lateral force transmitting arch means extending across a vessel passageway which is laterally bounded by upwardly projecting portions of a substructure and bounded on the top by an integrated deck:2. Methods and apparatus for assembling an integrated deck with a substructure wherein there are effected horizontal and vertical shock absorbing action, motion dampening, and desired alignment; and3. Methods and apparatus for assembling an integrated deck with a substructure wherein, at a relatively slower rate, an integrated deck is lowered into engagement with a substructure and, at a subsequent more rapid rate, a vessel initially supporting the integrated deck is vertically separated therefrom.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for offshore operations including individually significant aspects comprising:1. Methods and apparatus for providing lateral force transmitting arch means extending across a vessel passageway which is laterally bounded by upwardly projecting portions of a substructure and bounded on the top by an integrated deck:2. Methods and apparatus for assemblying an integrated deck with a substructure wherein there are effected horizontal and vertical shock absorbing action, motion dampening, and desired alignment; and3. Methods and apparatus for assemblying an integrated deck with a substructure wherein, at a relatively slower rate, an integrated deck is lowered into engagement with a substructure and, at a subsequent more rapid rate, a vessel initially supporting the integrated deck is vertically separated therefrom.

Abstract: A mobile jack-up drilling rig for offshore use is disclosed using a light, openwork body or superstructure thereby eliminating the requirement that the rig be seaworthy and either partially or totally eliminating the requirement that the rig be buoyant. The jack-up rig requires assistance to be carried to the drill state. The system includes a truss design with little or no hull, using structural shapes for a superstructure whose sizes are dependent on weights and spans. The superstructure is supported by cylindrical, trussed, or other suitably shaped legs. Preload pods, which may be of any shape such as round, may be provided at each of the legs to attach to the superstructure. The preload pods, preferably, support the jacks used to raise and lower the legs.

Abstract: The open infrastructure of a marine platform-support is made water-tight on at least a part of its height by means of removable elements. These elements are placed between the vertical columns of the support, forming a cylindrical or lobed screen.

Abstract: A method of constructing a hollow column for resting on a base on a submarine bed, comprises the steps of simultaneously starting the construction of a number of elements that are to form the column, causing the partly constructed elements to float, finishing the construction of the elements afloat, bringing the elements into the horizontal position and connecting them together to form the column, said elements being provided with impervious closures at each end thereof and an impervious caisson adjacent each end thereof, and those of the closures and caissons not required when the column is placed in position are dismantled.

Abstract: A self-propelled drilling tender has mounted therewith a drilling rig and a jack-up platform adapted to be mounted on the drilling tender or ship for transportation from one drilling site to another site. Thereafter drilling operations occur with the drilling on the ship thus enabling the ship to operate as a drilling ship or the platform legs can be lowered to jack the platform off the ship to thereby enable the platform to operate independently as a drilling platform. Further, if desired, the rig can be disassembled or lifted from the drilling platform and moved to land operations adjacent or in the vicinity of the drilling platform and ship to thereby enable land drilling operations to occur.

Abstract: Method for transporting an offshore tower to a desired deepwater site and for erecting the tower to an upright position on the submarine floor at that site. Initially, the intended base end of the tower is supported on a first barge, and the intended top end is supported on a second barge. The barges are then towed to the deepwater site. At the site, the tower is launched by first mutually separating the barges through the application of substantially horizontal and oppositely directed forces, while maintaining one tower end substantially stationary with respect to its supporting barge, and permitting the other tower end to slide off of the other barge. Therefor, the other tower end is moved off of the other barge.

Abstract: The method uses a construction and launch barge having a shallow draft hull with a construction deck supporting at its center a floatable offshore structure both during construction thereof and during the towing of the barge to the site where the offshore structure is to be installed. In order to maintain stability, a plurality of hollow column stabilizers are provided on the barge; these may be, e.g., four, one adjacent to each corner of the barge and extending up high thereabove. Large offshore structures of concrete are constructed on the barge in relatively shallow water and then towed across relatively shallow water to a desired location and then the barge is separated from the offshore structure by sinking the barge to a sufficient depth, releasing the then-floatable offshore structure from the barge, and then displacing the barge away from the offshore structure. Then the barge is raised again and returned to shore. The offshore structure may then be lowered into its operating location.