Patent ID: 6575111
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
A method of using a semi-submersible tender for tendering an offshore platform, wherein said tender comprises a deck, a shape that results in a combined environmental load less than 1000 kips in a 100-year extreme weather condition; a plurality of supports each with a rounded shape, connected to said deck; a plurality of pontoons connecting said supports, each pontoon being capable of ballast transfer; at least two hawsers for connecting said tender to the platform, each hawser having a length which is selected from the group: the length of the tender, the tendering distance, the length of platform; and wherein the hawsers have adequate elasticity to accommodate the wave frequency between the platform and the tender, and adequate stiffness to synchronize the mean and low frequency movement between the platform and the tender under an environmental load produced during a storm having a designation of up to a 10-year winter storm in the tendering position, and wherein said hawsers remain slack during a storm designated as at least a 10-year storm for the tender in the tender standby position; connecting means mounted on the tender for securing a first end of each hawser; a hawser guidance system for each hawser to direct each said hawser to the platform; an at least 6-point tender mooring system for said tender; and means for creating global equilibrium between the platform's mooring system and the at least 6-point mooring system of said tender; said method comprising the following steps:a. presetting at least 6 anchors in the sea floor; b. moving the tender over anchors and securing the tender to the anchors with at least six mooring lines; c. attaching the tender to the platform with at least two hawsers; d. tensioning the hawsers; e. synchronizing the low/mean frequency movements while maintaining a tendering position relative to the platform; f. using a ballast systems to maintain the vertical position of the tender and offshore platform offsetting the heeling forces created by the hawsers; and g. connecting umbilicals to the offshore platform.