Patent ID: 8657533

Claim:
A gravity base structure comprising: a first elongated base section comprising inner and outer sidewall portions, first and second end portions, an upper surface, and a lower support surface configured to be supported by a floor of a body of water; a second elongated base section comprising inner and outer sidewall portions, first and second end portions, an upper surface, and a lower surface configured to be supported by the floor of the body of water, the first and second base sections being separated by an open region between the inner sidewall portions of the first and second base sections, the open region extending the entire length of the first and second base sections, the first and second base sections being configured to transfer substantially all of the on-bottom weight of the structure to the floor when the structure is supported by the floor; an upright annular section positioned above the open region and configured to extend at least partially above an upper surface of the body of water, the upright annular section comprising an upwardly extending opening through the upright annular section; a first inclined section coupled to the first base section and coupled to the upright annular section; a second inclined section coupled to the second base section and coupled to the upright annular section; and wherein at least portions of the first and second inclined sections converge toward each other moving from the base sections toward the upright annular section.