Internal beam buoyancy system for offshore platforms
AssigneeEDO Corporation, Fiber Science Division
InventorsRandall W. Nish, Daniel C. Kennedy II, Randy A. Jones
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A buoyancy system to buoy a riser of an offshore oil platform includes buoyancy compartments coupled around an elongated internal beam. The internal beam can withstand loads between the oil platform and the buoyancy system, while the buoyancy compartments provide buoyancy. The internal beam includes an elongated stem, a plurality of webs extending radially outwardly from the stem, and a plurality of transverse flanges attached to the outer edges of the webs.
Claims53
An internal beam device configured for a buoyancy system for an offshore oil platform, the device comprising:
- a) an elongated, vertical stem extending substantially along the buoyancy system and having an axially disposed bore configured to receive at least one riser therethrough;
- b) a plurality of webs, extending substantially along a length of the elongated stem, having inner edges attached to the stem and extending radially outwardly therefrom to opposite outer edges;
- and
- c) a plurality of transverse flanges, attached to the outer edges of the webs, the stem, the webs, and the transverse flanges forming a structural beam configured to withstand loads between the buoyancy system and the oil platform.
A buoyancy system configured for an offshore oil platform, the system comprising:
- a) an elongated, vertical stem extending substantially along the buoyancy system and having an axially disposed bore configured to receive at least one riser therethrough;
- b) a plurality of webs, extending substantially along a length of the elongated stem, having inner edges attached to the stem and extending radially outwardly therefrom to opposite outer edges;
- c) a plurality of transverse flanges, attached to the outer edges of the webs, the stem, the webs, and the transverse flanges forming a structural beam configured to withstand loads between the buoyancy system and the oil platform;
- and
- d) at least one enclosure, coupled to the stem, and containing a buoyant material configured to produce a buoyancy force.
An offshore oil platform system, comprising:
- a) an oil platform configured to float partially or wholly submerged;
- b) at least one riser, operatively couplable to the oil platform and configured to extend from the oil platform to a seabed and to conduct oil or gas therethrough;
- and
- c) a buoyancy system, movably disposable in the oil platform and configured to apply a buoyancy force to the at least one riser to support the riser, the buoyancy system including:
- 1) an elongated internal beam, configured to withstand loads between the oil platform and the buoyancy system, extending substantially along the buoyancy system, having a) an elongated stem with an axially disposed bore configured to receive at least one riser therethrough, b) a plurality of webs, extending substantially along a length of the elongated stem, having inner edges attached to the stem and extending radially outwardly therefrom to opposite outer edges, and c) a plurality of transverse flanges, attached to the outer edges of the webs;
- and
- 2) at least one enclosure, coupled to the stem, and containing a buoyant material configured to produce a buoyancy force when submerged.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.