Self-installing offshore platform

A method comprising:

• in a vertically-oriented self-installing offshore platform comprising:
• a top deck,
• a column connected to the top deck,
• a skirt connected to the column,
• a ballastable float positioned between the top deck and the skirt, the ballastable float comprising an annular opening;
• and
• guiding rollers connecting the column and the ballastable float, wherein the rollers are configured to controllably move the column through an opening in the ballastable float
• transporting the self-installing offshore platform with a draft of twenty six feet;
• deploying the self-installing offshore platform in a vertical orientation toward a floor of a water body that is three hundred feet from a surface of the water body;
• in response to the self-installing offshore platform being deployed on the floor of the water body, ballasting the ballastable float to sink towards the skirt;
• and
• in response to the ballastable float sinking, removing the guiding rollers from the self-installing offshore platform.