Patent ID: 7628224

Claim:
A floating unit for conducting simultaneous drilling and production, comprising: a vessel having a bow end and a stern end, wherein the vessel includes at least two drilling derricks, at least two drilling modules, and at least one production module, all disposed on an upper surface thereof, such that the floating unit can simultaneously drill through use of the at least two drilling derricks and the at least two drilling modules, complete at least two wells while producing from a third well, and store the produced hydrocarbons, and wherein the bow end includes a hull which is strengthened for breaking ice; at least two marine risers, wherein each marine riser depends from any one or more of the drilling or production modules and extends toward a water bottom; a hydrocarbon production storage facility; at least one production turret located on a lower surface of the vessel; and at least one production riser depending from the production turret, toward a hydrocarbon bearing zone.