Abstract A method and apparatus for the construction of multiple artificial islands (barriers) used to prevent the encroachment of pressure ridges, ice islands and sea ice upon offshore structures, marine pipelines or other marine facilities, in regions, such as arctic regions, where bodies of water are subject to freezing. Each island structure is anchored to the sea floor by piles and/or the gravity of the structure and spaced from another island a predetermined distance ranging along the seaward side of the facilities to be protected. The predetermined distance between the individual island structures depends upon the design of the facilities that are to be protected and a risk evaluation. The shorter the spacing between individual island structures the sooner the effects of grounding will occur for ice formations that move into the region in the colder seasons.
Inventors
👤 David E Galloway
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-07 20:57
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B17/00; E02B17/0017; E02B17/0021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for forming a protective barrier for offshore facilities in frigid regions comprising the steps of: constructing multiple artificial islands at spaced apart distances from each other along the seaward edge of the area in which said facilities are located, each artificial island comprising materials anchored to the sea floor and extending to near sea level, spacing between each artificial island being preselected relative to the depth of water in which said island structures are located to induce grounding of ice formations such as pressure ridges and ice islands; and creating a mass of grounded ice formations to prevent encroachment of ice formations upon said offshore facilities, said spacing being sufficiently narrow to prevent ice formations of a magnitude the offshore facilities are incapable of resisting from passing between said islands.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for forming a protective barrier for offshore facilities in frigid regions comprising the steps of: constructing multiple artificial islands at spaced apart distances from each other along the seaward edge of the area in which said facilities are located, each artificial island comprising materials anchored to the sea floor and extending to near sea level, spacing between each artificial island being preselected relative to the depth of water in which said island structures are located to induce grounding of ice formations such as pressure ridges and ice islands; and creating a mass of grounded ice formations to prevent encroachment of ice formations upon said offshore facilities, said spacing being sufficiently narrow to prevent ice formations of a magnitude the offshore facilities are incapable of resisting from passing between said islands.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as recited in claim 1 in which said spacing is less than about 1 mile.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 1 in which said spacing is between about 1/2 and about 1 mile.