Apparatus and method for rendering an offshore drilling platform self mobile

A method of moving a self elevating offshore drilling platform on land, the platform including a body, at least one forward leg attached to the body, at least one rear leg attached to the body, and means for adjusting the legs which is capable of moving the legs with respect to the body and moving the body with respect to the legs;

• the method utilizing a launch pad capable of bearing a portion of the weight of the platform and means for pivotally mounting said launch pad to the body of the platform positioned to enable the mounted launch pad to swing freely beneath the body and to locate the center of gravity of the platform between the forward leg and the mounted launch paid, the method including the steps of:
• a. adjusting the legs to elevate the body to permit the launch pad to swing freely beneath the body;
• b. adjusting the forward leg to incline the body downward at the forward leg whereby the launch pad swings forward beneath the body and the platform receives one forward motion;
• c. adjusting the rear leg to shift the portion of the weight of the platform from the rear leg to the launch pad;
• d. adjusting the forward leg to lessen the forward inclination of the body and to pivot the platform around the mounting means whereby the bottom of the forward leg slides forward as the soil beneath it is sheared, the bottom of the rear leg swings forward, and the platform receives another forward motion;
• e. adjusting the legs to elevate the body to permit the launch pad to swing forward beneath the body;
• and
• f. repeating step (a) through (e) until the platform is moved to its desired location.

A method of moving a self elevating offshore drilling platform on land, the platform including a body, at least one forward leg attached to the body, at least one rear leg attached to the body and means for adjusting the legs which means are capable of moving the legs with respect to the body and moving the body with respect to the legs;

• the method utilizing a launch pad capable of bearing a portion of the weight of the platform and adapted to be suspended beneath the body of the platform and means for pivotally mounting said launch pad to the body of the platform positioned to enable the mounted launch pad to swing freely beneath the body and to locate the center of gravity of the platform between the forward leg and the mounted launch pad;
• the method including the steps of:
• a. constructing the platform;
• b. adjusting the legs to elevate the body;
• c. mounting the launch pad to the body;
• d. adjusting the legs to elevate the body to permit the launch pad to swing freely beneath the body;
• e. adjusting the forward leg to incline the body downward at the forward leg whereby the launch pad swings forward beneath the body and the platform receives one forward motion;
• f. adjusting the rear leg to shift a portion of the weight of the platform from the rear leg to the launch pad;
• g. adjusting the forward leg to lessen the forward inclination of the body and to pivot the platform around the mounting means whereby the bottom of the forward leg slides forward as the soil beneath it is sheared, the bottom of the rear leg swings forward, and the platform receives another forward motion;
• h. adjusting the legs to elevate the body to permit the launch pad to swing forward beneath the body;
• i. repeating steps (d) through (h) until the platform is moved to its desired location;
• and
• j. dismounting the launch pad from the body.