Patent ID: 6712560
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: B63B,E21B

Abstract:
A floating offshore platform comprising:an inner structure, including at least one riser and a support buoy, wherein said support buoy is tethered to a sea floor tether point by a tether with a tether connection connected along a longitudinal center line of said support buoy and said support buoy supports said at least one riser generally in a vertical orientation; an outer hull structure, circumferentially surrounding said support buoy and moored with respect to the sea floor independently of said inner structure; a connection mechanism disposed between said inner structure and said outer structure, wherein said connection mechanism substantially decouples heave, pitch and roll motions acting on said outer hull structure from acting on said inner structure, and said tether and tether connection allows said inner structure to incline to accommodate relative angles between said inner structure and said sea floor tether point induced by hull, surge, or sway excursions thereby minimizing riser bending at said support buoy.