# US 12,179,890 B2 · Offshore platform with vertical column assembly

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- Number: US 12,179,890 B2
- Document ID: US12179890B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/489,448
- Filed: 2023-10-18
- Published: 2024-05-02
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2022-10-31
- Assignees: Oil States Industries, Inc.
- Applicants: Oil States Industries, Inc.
- Inventors: Peter Craig Masson; Jonathan Frederick Jury; Garry Robert Stephen; Ryan Aldus; Kirsten McNeill; Adnan Hossain; John Shanks
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12179890B2

## CPC

- B63B 35/44: Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices {(construction methods for floating offshore platforms B63B75/00)}
- E02B 17/027: {steel structures (E02B17/021 takes precedence)}
- B63B 1/107: {Semi-submersibles; Small waterline area multiple hull vessels and the like, e.g. SWATH}
- B63B 21/50: Anchoring arrangements {or methods} for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers
- B63B 21/502: {by means of tension legs}
- B63B 35/003: {for transporting very large loads, e.g. offshore structure modules (construction methods for artificial islands mounted on piles E02B17/00; for transporting marine vessels B63B35/40; docks B63C1/00)}
- E02B 17/00: Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs {or offshore constructions}; Construction methods therefor ({construction methods for floating platforms B63B75/00}; anchoring floating platforms B63B21/00; floating platforms, e.g. anchored, B63B35/44; {underwater reservoirs B65D88/78})
- B63B 2001/128: {comprising underwater connectors between the hulls}
- B63B 2021/505: {Methods for installation or mooring of floating offshore platforms on site}
- B63B 2035/446: {for converting wind energy into electric energy}
- E02B 2017/0039: {Methods for placing the offshore structure}
- E02B 2017/0065: {Monopile structures}
- E02B 2017/0091: {Offshore structures for wind turbines}
- Y02E 10/727: Offshore wind turbines
- B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06)
- E02B: HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING (ship-lifting E02C; dredging E02F)
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

An apparatus and methods for installation of an offshore platform for supporting equipment installations is provided. The apparatus includes a platform configured to support offshore equipment supported by a structure such as a modular column assembly. The modular column assembly can be comprised of main barrel joint bundles.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An offshore installation comprising:
a top platform having a weight and comprising a top surface and a bottom surface;
a foundation configured to be disposed on a seafloor;
a modular vertical column assembly comprising:
a central longitudinal axis;
a first end fixedly connected to the top platform;
a second end connected to the foundation;
a first modular vertical support member extending from the first end to the second end, such that the modular vertical column assembly supports the weight of the top platform;
a first plurality of tendons configured to extend from the top platform to the foundation; and
a plurality of lateral supports configured to extend from the top platform to the seafloor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The offshore installation of claim 1, wherein the modular vertical column assembly comprises a lattice tower.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The offshore installation of claim 1, wherein the top platform further comprises:
a center point;
a first leg extending outward from the center point;
a second leg extending outward from the center point;
a third leg extending outward from the center point; and
wherein the first leg, second leg, and third leg are all on a first plane.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The offshore installation of claim 1, further comprising a flexible connection between the first end of the modular vertical column assembly and the top platform.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The offshore installation of claim 1, further comprising a wind turbine configured to be mounted on the top surface of the top platform.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The offshore installation of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lateral supports comprise a second plurality of tendons.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The offshore installation of claim 1, wherein:
the top platform further comprises:
a center point; and
at least one leg extending outward from the center point and having a first length; and
the foundation comprises a base with a radius that is less than the first length of the leg of the top platform, such that the first plurality of tendons provide lateral support to the top platform.

### Claim 8

A method for installing an offshore installation on a seafloor, comprising:
mounting offshore equipment on a top frame structure having a weight and comprising a top surface and a bottom surface;
transporting the top frame structure and offshore equipment to an installation site;
installing a foundation and a lower portion of a modular vertical column assembly on the seafloor at the installation site;
positioning the top frame structure above the foundation;
deploying a first plurality of tendons from the top frame structure to the foundation;
installing an upper portion of the modular vertical column assembly;
lifting an end of the modular vertical column assembly to contact the top frame structure, such that the modular vertical column assembly supports the weight of the top frame structure and offshore equipment;
applying tension to the first plurality of tendons;
attaching a plurality of lateral supports to the top frame structure; and
extending the plurality of lateral supports from the top frame structure to the seafloor.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, further comprising lifting the top frame structure clear of an installation vessel before the modular vertical column assembly is lifted to contact the top frame structure.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the modular vertical column assembly comprises a lattice tower.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of lateral supports comprise a second plurality of tendons and the method further comprises the step of applying tension to the second plurality of tendons.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the offshore equipment comprises a wind turbine.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein:
the top platform further comprises:
a center point; and
at least one leg extending outward from the center point and having a first length; and
the foundation comprises a base with a radius that is less than the first length of the leg of the top platform, such that the first plurality of tendons provide lateral support to the top platform.

### Claim 14

A method for installing an offshore installation on a seafloor, comprising:
mounting offshore equipment on a top frame structure having a weight and comprising a top surface and a bottom surface;
transporting the top frame structure and offshore equipment to an installation site;
installing a foundation and a lower portion of a modular vertical column assembly on the seafloor at the installation site;
installing an upper portion of the modular vertical column assembly;
positioning the top frame structure above the foundation;
lifting an end of the modular vertical column assembly to contact the top frame structure, such that the modular vertical column assembly supports the weight of the top frame structure and offshore equipment;
lifting the foundation off the seafloor with the modular vertical column assembly;
deploying a first plurality of tendons from the top frame structure to the foundation;
lowering the foundation to the seafloor via the first plurality of tendons;
applying tension to the first plurality of tendons;
attaching a plurality of lateral supports to the top frame structure; and
extending the plurality of lateral supports from the top frame structure to the seafloor.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the step of attaching the plurality of lateral supports to the top frame structure is performed before the foundation is installed on the sea floor.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the modular vertical column assembly comprises a lattice tower.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the offshore equipment comprises a wind turbine.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of lateral supports comprise a second plurality of tendons.

### Claim 19 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein:
the top platform further comprises:
a center point; and
at least one leg extending outward from the center point and having a first length; and
the foundation comprises a base with a radius that is less than the first length of the leg of the top platform, such that the first plurality of tendons provide lateral support to the top platform.