Abstract:
A semi-submersible structure with buoyant vertical columns and a buoyant pontoon. Unlike the typical semi-submersible where the pontoons are attached directly between the columns, the pontoon of the invention encircles the columns and is arranged outside of the columns. The pontoon encircling the columns simplifies construction and attachment of the pontoon and columns and improves the heave characteristics of the structure.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/254,987, filed Apr. 17, 2014, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention is generally directed to offshore floating structures used in the production of oil and natural gas and particularly to semi-submersible structures. 
         [0003]    There are a variety of floating structures used in the production of oil and gas in deeper water offshore. Each type of structure has its own advantages and disadvantages relative to motion characteristics that may make it more or less suitable for use in certain wave conditions. 
         [0004]    The semi-submersible is a type of floating structure that has vertical columns supporting topsides, with the columns being supported on large pontoons that extend between the columns as seen in  FIGS. 14A and 14B . The structure typically is held in position by the use of spread mooring lines that are anchored to the seafloor. The semi-submersible has a number of unique characteristics compared with other floating structures such as a Spar and TLP (tension leg platform). 
         [0005]    Conventional semi-submersible structures provide general advantages that include: the semi-submersible has good stability because of a large foot-print and low center of gravity. The hull requires lower steel tonnage. The semi-submersible may include drilling capability. The semi-submersible can support a large number of flexible risers or SCRs (steel catenary risers) because of the space available on the pontoons. The topsides can be integrated at quayside and thus reduce cost and save scheduling time. The semi-submersible has a relatively short to medium development schedule and the initial investment is relatively low. The semi-submersible can also be held at a relative shallow draft during launch and fit up work, which means that it is capable of being launched or worked upon at quayside adjacent most construction yards worldwide. The semi-submersible provides a larger payload capacity than Spars and can operate in deeper water than TLPs. Semi-submersibles allow quay-side integration and are simpler to install than both Spars and TLPs. 
         [0006]    The semi-submersible also has several deficiencies. The most significant is that rougher water created by storms can cause large heave (vertical) motions. As a result, semisubmersibles have not been suitable for a dry tree riser arrangement. A dry tree riser arrangement has the well controls (referred to in the industry as the “tree” or “Christmas Tree”) above the water line on the vessel. The flow connection between the seabed and the dry tree is provided by a vertical top-tension riser (TIR). The dry tree riser arrangement has significant economic benefit for well completion, work-over, and intervention during the life of the offshore production facility. The dry tree riser also offers the operational advantages of flow assurance, well access, drilling, etc., which is not possible with wet tree units. 
         [0007]    The offshore industry has been attempting to develop a successful arrangement for a dry tree semi-submersible as an alternative to Spars and TLPs for more than a decade. That effort has been unsuccessful so far. Another problem from the large heave motion is that it causes fatigue in SCRs more easily, which requires more stringent fatigue design for the SCRs and thus costs more. For a platform with large diameter SCRs, the solutions to this problem could become technically or economically unfeasible. 
         [0008]    The ideas that have been explored by the industry to achieve low motion characteristics of semi-submersibles generally fall into the categories below. 
         [0009]    The first is a deep draft semi-submersible. The concept is to increase the draft from the normal range from sixty to eighty feet to greater than one hundred feet so that the wave action at the keel is reduced and, thus, the structure will have less motion. This makes the semi-submersible option feasible in some locations where the conventional semi-submersible would not be chosen because of the difficulties in dealing with the SCR riser fatigue issues. However, the heave motion is still relatively large compared with spars and TLPs. Also, the dry tree arrangement is still not feasible. 
         [0010]    The second is a semi-submersible with one or more heave plates  48  situated below the hull. This is illustrated in  FIG. 13 . The basic idea is to add a heave plate or pontoon at the keel that extends in deep draft. The heave plate or pontoon adds damping and added mass to the platform which will reduce its heave motion under wave conditions. 
         [0011]    Most concepts based on the heave plate have the heave plate or pontoon as an extendable part attached to the bottom of the semi-submersible hull by means of columns or a truss structure. The heave plate or pontoon is retracted at the fabrication yard and during transportation. After the hull is located on the site, the heave plate or pontoon is then extended or lowered to a deeper elevation and locked at that position. 
         [0012]    The known designs suffer several deficiencies. The extendible columns take too much deck space. In some cases it could be as much as thirty percent of the total deck space, which is impractical from a topsides equipment layout point of view. The structural connections and locking mechanisms of extendible columns are complicated. They are hard to build, risky during installation, and difficult to maintain, On the other hand, designs with rigidly attached heave plates have a much greater draft than a conventional semi-submersible and cannot be readily brought quayside. 
         [0013]    The desired features of an alternative to the Spar and TLP are: 1) motion characteristics compatible with TTRs, 2) low cost, 3) ability to operate in water depths exceeding 8,000 feet, 4) large deck area, 5) high payload capacity, and 6) quay-side integration/commissioning. 
         [0014]    The challenge for semi-submersible structures as dry-tree floaters is their comparatively large heave response in waves. Since dry-tree risers are arranged vertically, the relative motions between vessel and risers must be compensated by riser tensioners. Typical semi-submersible designs have a heave response resulting in a tensioner stroke that exceeds the stroke range of existing riser tensioners. Achieving a heave response compatible with market-ready tensioner technology is therefore crucial for developing a dry-tree semisubmersible. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention is drawn to a semi-submersible structure with buoyant vertical columns and a buoyant pontoon. Unlike the typical semi-submersible where the pontoons are attached directly between the columns, the pontoon of the invention encircles the columns and is arranged on the outside of the columns. The pontoon encircling the columns reduces the heave motions of the vessel and provides a simple structural arrangement for construction. 
         [0016]    The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the present invention, and the operating advantages attained by its use, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter, forming a part of this disclosure, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which reference numerals shown in the drawings designate like or corresponding parts throughout the same: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is perspective view of the semi-submersible structure of the invention with a topside structure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the semi-submersible structure of the invention with topside, keel guide structure, and top-tension risers installed. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate two examples of pontoon cross sections for the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the semi-submersible hull with circular columns. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the semi-submersible hull with an alternative pontoon shape. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7A  is a detail view of area  7 A indicated in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the semi-submersible hull that shows the keel guide structure. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 9 and 10  are detail views that illustrate the connection between the column and pontoon. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 11 and 12  are graphs that provide Heave RAO comparison for structures without and with top tension risers. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 13, 14A, and 14B  illustrate prior art semi-submersible structures. 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  A-D illustrate different column configurations and the outer perimeter of the columns. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , the semi-submersible floating offshore structure  10  of the invention is generally comprised of buoyant vertical columns  12 , a buoyant pontoon  14  attached to the columns  12 , and a topside  16 . 
         [0031]    Vertical columns  12  are sized in proportion to the designed weight of the structure  10  such that they, along with the pontoon  14 , provide suitable buoyancy to float the completed structure  10  at the installation and operational site offshore. While the drawings illustrate the use of four columns  12 , it should be understood that three, four, or more columns may be used as required for different size structures.  FIG. 15  A-D illustrate different numbers, arrangements, and cross sections of columns  12 . The columns  12  may be square or rectangular in cross section as seen in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 7-10  or they may be circular in cross section as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . While only rectangular and circular cross sections are shown, it should be understood that other cross sections may also be used. 
         [0032]    In the preferred embodiment (best seen in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 6-10 ), the pontoon  14  is sized so that the inner perimeter of the pontoon  14  lies on the outside of the outer perimeter of the columns  12  as defined by the structure such that the pontoon  14  does not extend between or inside the columns  12 . The pontoon  14  encircles the columns  12  and is offset from the perimeter of the columns  12  by a distance “X” as indicated in  FIGS. 3, 4, and 5  such that none of the vertical surfaces of the columns  12  are in the same plane as the vertical surfaces of the pontoon  14 . As seen in the detail views of  FIG. 7A, 9, and 10 , the offset is achieved by the use of column-to-pontoon connectors  24  to attach the pontoon  14  to the columns  12 . The column-to-pontoon connectors  24  may have an angled end  36  as seen in  FIG. 9  or a straight end  38  as seen in  FIG. 10 . Each column-to-pontoon connector  24  is rigidly connected between the column and pontoon by any suitable means such as welding. The use of a separate connector provides the advantage of tailoring the offset between the columns  12  and pontoon  14  to provide the desired motion characteristics of the semi-submersible structure  10 . 
         [0033]    As seen in  FIG. 15  A-D, the outer perimeter of the columns  12  is defined by line  50  and can be considered as the shortest path that surrounds all of the columns  12 . 
         [0034]    As indicated above, the buoyancy provided by the pontoon  14  is directly related to the size and weight of the structure that must be supported by the buoyant columns  12  and the buoyant pontoon  14 . The pontoon  14  and columns  12  may be divided into a plurality of separate buoyancy compartments. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate two examples of pontoon cross sections.  FIG. 4  illustrates a pontoon with a rectangular cross section.  FIG. 5  illustrates a pontoon with a cross section that includes heave plates  18  that extend outwardly from the upper and lower surfaces of the pontoon  14  away from the structure  10 . While the width to height ratio of the pontoon cross section illustrated in  FIG. 5  is less than that in  FIG. 4 , this should not necessarily be taken as being to scale. It should also be understood that, even if the pontoon width to height ratio is smaller as seen in  FIG. 5 , the heave plates  18  still serve to improve the motion characteristics of the structure  10  by effectively increasing the trapped water mass during heave motions due to environmental forces. 
         [0036]    The corners  20  of the pontoon  14  may be beveled as seen in  FIGS. 1-3, 6 , and  8  or the corners  20  may be at right angles (90 degrees) as seen in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 1  illustrates the semi-submersible structure  10  of the invention with a basic topside structure  16  to be installed on and supported by the upper end of the columns  12 . The topside  16  is shown above the columns for the sake of clarity in the drawing. The buoyancy of the columns  12  and pontoon  14  support the topside  16  above the water line  22  during offshore drilling and production operations. The topside  16  is used to support living quarters for workers, equipment storage, and drilling and production equipment. 
         [0038]    Semi-submersible structures may be temporarily retained in position for short term activities by dynamic positioning using thrusters. However, for long term operations such as drilling and production, the structure is generally held in place by mooring lines attached between the structure  10  and anchors in the sea floor. For the sake of less complex drawings, dynamic positioning equipment, mooring lines, anchors, and attachment of the mooring lines to the structure are not shown since they are well known in the offshore industry. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  illustrates the semi-submersible structure  10  of the invention with the topside  16 , a keel guide framework  26  (best seen in  FIG. 8 ), risers  28 , and a derrick  32  to support drilling work. The keel guide framework  26  controls the lateral movement of the risers  28 . As seen in  FIG. 8 , the keel guide framework provides individual slots  34  through which the risers  28  pass. While the vessel may support a combination of dry tree and wet tree risers, depending upon the situation, the intent of  FIG. 2  is to show dry tree risers as indicated by the riser equipment  30  in the mid-section of the topside  16 . 
         [0040]      FIGS. 11 and 12  are graphs that provide a heave RAO (response amplitude operator) comparison of a conventional semi-submersible and the invention.  FIGS. 11 and 12  show RAOs without and with top tension risers installed, respectively. It can be seen that the invention, indicated by the line of thick, short dashes, provides a more favorable heave RAO than a conventional (prior art) semi-submersible with a pontoon as shown in  FIG. 14A . The improvement of the invention is due to the fact that it shifts the characteristic shape of the heave RAO to higher wave periods, i.e. to the right in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . The heave RAO shift to a higher wave period pushes the high response area of the RAO (i.e. the resonance region) outside the range of high wave energy which reduces the vessel&#39;s heave response. The heave reduction of the invention compared to the conventional semi-submersible in  FIG. 14A  is particularly significant in a 1,000-year wave environment where the vessel heave is typically the largest. 
         [0041]    A heave RAO shift to higher wave periods can also be achieved to some extent by increasing the pontoon width of a conventional semi-submersible (prior art), as shown in  FIG. 14B . However, the increase of the pontoon width has the adverse effect of increasing the heave RAO in the wave period range of about 10 seconds to 22 seconds and thereby again increasing the overall heave response of the vessel. As it is shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the invention does both, it shifts the high response region of the RAO (i.e. the resonance region) outside the range of high wave energy and also keeps the heave RAO low in the region of about 10 seconds to 22 seconds. 
         [0042]    The invention provides several advantages. 
         [0043]    It provides a longer heave natural period than a conventional semi-submersible which reduces the vessel&#39;s heave motion in wave environments with long wave periods. 
         [0044]    It reduces the vessel&#39;s heave response in the wave periods range between 10 seconds and 22 seconds. 
         [0045]    The reduction in heave response enables the use of a dry-tree riser arrangement for semi-submersibles. 
         [0046]    The reduction in heave response reduces the fatigue of SCRs for wet-tree applications. 
         [0047]    The large pontoon provides a small minimum draft, which enables the vessel&#39;s quayside integration in yards with shallow quay-side water depth. 
         [0048]    The invention provides a floating system for dry-tree risers without the water depth limitation of tension leg platforms (TLPs). 
         [0049]    The invention provides a floating system for dry-tree risers without the deck area limitation of Spar platforms. 
         [0050]    The invention provides a floating system for dry-tree risers without the payload limitation of Spar platforms. 
         [0051]    Versatility—The invention is suitable for a wide range of applications including dry-tree and wet tree production units, as well as for MODUs (mobile offshore drilling units). 
         [0052]    While specific embodiments and/or details of the invention have been shown and described above to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it is understood that this invention may be embodied as more fully described in the claims or as otherwise known by those skilled in the art (including any and all equivalents), without departing from such principles.