Conductors for a guyed tower and method for installing same

A method of installing at least one conductor for conducting drilling and/or production operations from a guyed tower offshore structure of the type having a main truss of substantially uniform cross-section throughout its length which is normally maintained in a vertical position within a body of water by a plurality of guylines, each connected at one end to the upper end of said main truss at points spaced about the periphery thereof and anchored at the other end thereof to the marine bottom, said main truss having at least one set of vertical spaced and aligned conductor guides thereon, said method comprising:

• securing a conductor sleeve having a length less than the length of said main truss in a retracted position within at least the lowermost of said conductor guides;
• installing said guyed tower offshore structure onto a marine bottom of a body of water, said conductor sleeve being lowered in its retracted position with said at least lowermost conductor guide with said main truss;
• releasing said conductor sleeve from said at least lowermost conductor guide;
• penetrating said conductor sleeve into said marine bottom until said conductor sleeve extends from above said at least lowermost conductor guide to a depth in said marine bottom at least equal to depth of the center of rotation of the guyed tower offshore structure;
• and
• passing a conductor through said set of conductor guides, through said conductor sleeve, and to a depth in said marine bottom necessary for drilling and/or production operations.

A guyed tower offshore structure for drilling and/or production operations comprising:

• a main truss having a substantially uniform cross-section throughout its length resting on a marine bottom of a body of water;
• guylines extending from said main truss to said marine bottom for normally maintaining said main truss in a vertical position in said body of water;
• at least one set of vertically spaced and aligned conductor guides on said main truss;
• a conductor sleeve having a length less than the length of said main truss, and
• releasable means for securing said conductor sleeve in a retracted position within at least the lowermost of said conductor guides.

A guyed tower offshore structure for drilling and/or production operations comprising:

• a main truss having a substantially uniform cross-section throughout its length resting on the marine bottom of a body of water;
• guylines extending from said main truss to said marine bottom for normally maintaining said main truss in a vertical position in said body of water;
• at least one set of vertically spaced and aligned conductor guides on said main truss;
• a conductor sleeve having a length less than the length of said main truss extending from above at least the lowermost conductor guide to a depth in said marine bottom equal to at least the depth of the center of rotation of the guyed tower offshore structure;
• and
• a conductor extending from the top of said main truss, through said set of conductor guides, through said conductor sleeve, and to a depth in said marine bottom necessary for drilling and/or production operation.