Method of grouting offshore structure

Abstract

A method of grouting an offshore structure such as the leg of an offshore platform having an outer tubular jacket and an inner tubular piling wherein grout is deposited in the annulus therebetween. The method includes introducing a tube downwardly through the annular space until the lower end of the tube is proximate the bottom of the annular space. Thereafter grout is circulated down the tubing and up the annulus to thereby displace water from the annulus and fill the same with a column of grout. Preferably, the tube is removed from the annulus before the grout hardens. In certain instances, it may be required to form a plug in the bottom of the annulus to establish circulation through the tube, up the annulus, and out at the top. In order to form such a plug, a quantity of plug forming material, such as a liquid epoxy resin composition or a quick-setting cement slurry is circulated down the tube to the bottom of the annular space and there deposited. The tube is then raised until the lower end thereof is above and proximate to the upper surface of the deposited plug forming material, which material is then allowed to harden to form a plug in the annulus. The plug forming material is of a type which is relatively quick setting compared with the grout.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.