Oil exploration and production platform for deep water - buoyant structure ofspirally welded chambers and concrete

Abstract

Abstract A structure that can be erected in relatively shallow water and towed out to sea, in the base section of which there are chambers of a volume sufficient to give it complete buoyancy when they are filled with air and which allow it to be submerged under controlled conditions to the sea bed when water is admitted, has the chambers formed by cylindrical air tight vessels of a high tensile material such as metal, embedded ina matrix of concrete. Some of the vessels are open at their bottom ends and means are provided in their top covers for the controlled escape of air. The vessels are formed by welding spirally wound metal strip, and the matrix is of concrete having a density less than 1,870 kg/m3. Platform can be refloatd and towed from one site to another. When used as a production platform, oil can be stored in the vessels.

Inventors

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