Mooring lines parallel to the same anchor.

Description

1 / 23 MOORING LINES PARALLEL TO THE SAME ANCHOR Technical field

[001] The present invention relates to offshore mooring arrangements, systems and methods. More specifically, it relates to a mooring arrangement where parallel or nearly parallel mooring lines can be connected to the same floating unit at one end and to the same anchor on the seabed at the other end. Background

[002] Renewable energy is of growing interest in the industry. The main focus of offshore energy harvesting today is wind power, where wind turbines are placed in fixed structures on the seabed or in moored floating units. To obtain sufficient energy production capacity, several of these structures / units are installed in the same area and connected to each other, forming a wind farm / power plant.

[003] The cost of these offshore wind farms, especially those comprising moored floating units, is generally higher than that of onshore wind farms. To ensure that offshore wind farms comprising moored floating units are competitive, the technology must be optimized. This involves cost reduction in all areas, including commodity costs, transportation costs, and offshore installation costs.

[004] A moored floating device typically has three or more mooring lines, where each mooring line is connected to the floating unit at one end and to an anchor at the other end. Floating units in a park typically do not share mooring lines and / or anchors, meaning that a park of N floating units has N^M mooring lines and N^M anchors, where M is the number of Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pages 158 / 188 2 / 23 mooring lines per floating unit. In a park, the floating units can, however, be arranged in such a way that the anchors are shared between the floating units. Examples of such state-of-the-art arrangements are illustrated in Figs. 3-5. As seen, the total number of anchors is significantly reduced when compared to an arrangement where only individual anchors are used. A reduced number of anchors reduces hardware, transportation, and offshore installation costs.

[005] With a continuous increase in the size of floating wind turbines, mooring line components, such as chains, steel cable ropes, synthetic ropes, etc., are approaching or exceeding the manufacturing limitations at the provider's facilities. To address this, the number of mooring lines connected to each floater needs to increase. The disadvantage, however, is that the number of anchors, which contributes significantly to the overall cost of the mooring system, also increases.

[006] Examples of prior art relating to shared anchors or shared mooring lines are disclosed in patent documents US3082608A, NO325261B1, CA2637358A1, CA2725808A1, US8657534B2, JP2011245879A, CN102715107A, US9567040B2, CN111071400A, WO2021078748A1, WO2022013145A1 and WO2022098288A1.

[007] These states of the art refer primarily to shared anchors or shared mooring lines between neighboring floating units (also called “floats”), and not to shared anchors between mooring lines of the same float. Documents US3082608A and NO325261B1 include a mooring line brake arrangement towards the floating unit, which are connected together at a distance from the float and then additionally connected to at least one anchor. The Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pages 159 / 188 The 3 / 23 angle of separation between the two brake arms is, however, much greater than in the present invention, since the purpose of the brake is to limit the yawing movement of the floating unit and not to reduce the individual mooring line loads. In document US9567040B2, the mooring lines are fully vertical with the aim of reducing sinking, pitching and float play, which is different from the invention in the present invention. Documents US8657534B2 and JP2011245879A have mooring lines that are slightly inclined relative to the vertical axis with the aim of limiting the forward, drift and yawing movement (especially) of the float. These lines are additionally combined with separate sinking limiting devices and are therefore different from the present invention. Additionally, documents US3082608A, US8657534B2, JP2011245879A and NO325261B1 disclose that multiple mooring line brakes are connected to shared connection points on the floating unit.

[008] Unlike documents US3082608A, US8657534B2, JP2011245879A and US9567040B2, the present invention has little or no effect on sinking, pitching and float play, since the horizontal distance between the lower end and the upper end of the mooring line is equal to or greater than the vertical distance between the ends of the line, i.e., angle B in Figure 14 is less than 45 degrees.

[009] One objective of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the known prior art and provide a mooring arrangement where several mooring lines of the same float are arranged in parallel, or nearly parallel, and connected to the same anchor on the seabed.

[010] To achieve these objectives, a system and method in accordance with the independent claims is provided. Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pp. 160 / 188 4 / 23 Summary

[011] The invention is established and characterized in the main claims, while the dependent claims describe other features of the invention.

[012] In a first aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a mooring arrangement for mooring a floating unit to the seabed, the mooring arrangement comprising multiple mooring groups, each connectable to a floating unit and an anchor adapted for the seabed, wherein at least one mooring group comprising at least two mooring lines, wherein the at least two mooring lines of the same mooring group are adapted to be connected to the same anchor.

[013] In one embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the invention relates to at least two mooring lines, each comprising a floating unit connection point adapted for connection to the floating unit, wherein the floating unit connection points are spaced less than 30 meters horizontally.

[014] In another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the invention relates to mooring lines within the same mooring group, which are individual and separate lines along their length and comprise separate anchor connection points at the anchor end and separate floating unit connection points at the floating unit end.

[015] In yet another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the invention relates to mooring lines within the same mooring group that are connected to each other at a connecting element located between the anchor and the floating unit. Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pp. 161 / 188 5 / 23

[016] In yet another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a single mooring line between the anchor connection point and the connecting element, and wherein the length of the single mooring line and the connecting element is less than 50% of the distance between the anchor connection point and the floating unit connection points on the floating unit.

[017] In yet another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the invention relates to at least two mooring groups, wherein each mooring group comprises two mooring lines connectable to a common anchor, wherein a first mooring group comprises a first set of floating unit connection points connectable to a floating unit, and a second mooring group comprises a second set of floating unit connection points connectable to the floating unit, wherein the location of the first set of floating unit connection points differs from the second set of floating unit connection points on the floating unit.

[018] In yet another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the invention relates to at least two mooring lines, each comprising a floating unit connection point adapted to be connected to the floating unit, wherein the two floating unit connection points are separated by a first distance D1, and; wherein the horizontal distance between any of the anchor connection points of the at least two mooring lines associated with the anchor and any of the floating unit connection points defines a second distance D2, wherein the ratio given by the second distance divided by the first distance D2 / D1 is greater than 5.

[019] In yet another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pages 162 / 188 6 / 23 The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a separation angle A less than 5 degrees, wherein A is defined as the angle between a first line 14 and a second line 15 that reflects the straight lines, in the horizontal plane, between the anchor connection point and the floating unit connection point for the two outermost mooring lines of the mooring group.

[020] In yet another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the invention relates to the arrangement comprising an angle B less than 45 degrees, wherein angle B is defined by the angle between a horizontal axis and a straight line between the lower and upper ends of the tie line.

[021] In another aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a mooring system for mooring a floating unit to the seabed, the mooring system comprising at least one mooring arrangement according to the first aspect, and at least one floating unit and at least one anchor.

[022] In an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to at least two mooring groups, wherein each mooring group comprises two mooring lines connected to a common anchor, wherein a first mooring group comprises a first set of floating unit connection points connected to the floating unit, and a second mooring group comprises a second set of floating unit connection points connected to the floating unit, wherein the location of the first set of floating unit connection points differs from the second set of floating unit connection points on the floating unit, such that none of the connection points coincide.

[023] In another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to the floating unit comprising at least two Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pp. 163 / 188 7 / 23 structurally connected floating elements, where each mooring group is associated with the respective floating elements of the floating unit.

[024] In yet another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a horizontal distance between the anchor connection points of at least two mooring lines associated with the anchor and the floating unit connection points associated with the floating unit being greater than 150 meters.

[025] In yet another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to the angle between a vector, the vector being defined by a straight line between the anchor connection point and the float connection point, and a projected vector representing the downward projection of the vector onto the seabed, being less than 45 degrees.

[026] In yet another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to at least two mooring lines, each comprising a floating unit connection point connected to the floating unit, wherein the two floating unit connection points are separated by a first distance D1, and wherein the horizontal distance between any of the anchor connection points of the at least two mooring lines connected to the anchor and any of the floating unit connection points defines a second distance D2, wherein the ratio given by the second distance divided by the first distance D2 / D1 is greater than 5.

[027] In yet another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to the mooring group comprising a separation angle A of less than 5 degrees, wherein A is defined as the angle between a first line 14 and a second line 15 that reflects straight lines, in the horizontal plane, between the anchor connection point and the connection point of Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pp. 164 / 188 8 / 23 floating unit for the two outermost mooring lines of the mooring group.

[028] In yet another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to the arrangement comprising an angle B less than 45 degrees, wherein angle B is defined by the angle between a horizontal axis and a straight line between the lower and upper ends of the tie line.

[029] In yet another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to the floating unit being a floating wind turbine.

[030] In yet another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to the floating unit being a unit for oil and gas applications or other energy-related applications.

[031] In yet another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to the floating unit being a semi-submersible unit, in the form of a ship or barge.

[032] In yet another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to tie lines within the same tie group that are identical in composition and length.

[033] In yet another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to tie lines within the same tie group that differ in composition and length.

[034] In yet another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to the anchor shared by mooring lines of the same mooring group of the same floating unit which is also shared with mooring lines of other floating units.

[035] In a third embodiment of the invention, the invention relates to mooring lines within the same mooring group that are installed parallel and simultaneously between the anchor and the Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pages 165 / 188 9 / 23 floating unit.

[036] In a fourth embodiment of the invention, the invention relates to the use of the first and / or second embodiment to moor floating units. Brief description of the figures

[037] Next, various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the figures, in which Fig. 1 illustrates a typical general arrangement of a moored unit / float with its mooring lines, viewed in perspective. Figure 2 illustrates a typical general arrangement of a moored unit / float with its mooring lines, viewed from the side. Figure 3 illustrates a mooring arrangement for multiple floats (24 detached), where each float is tied with 3 mooring lines and where several anchors are shared among the floats. Figure 4 illustrates a mooring arrangement for multiple floats (20 detached), where each float is tied with 4 mooring lines and where several anchors are shared among the floats. Figure 5 illustrates a mooring arrangement for multiple floats (24 detached), where each float is tied with 6 mooring lines and where several anchors are shared among the floats. Figure 6 illustrates a typical composition of a tie-down leg. Fig. 7 illustrates a typical composition of a mooring leg with a buoyancy element. Figure 8 illustrates a mooring scheme for a float with 8 mooring lines and 4 anchors, where the lines connected to the same anchor are nearly parallel. Figure 9 illustrates a mooring scheme for a float with 8 lines. Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pages 166 / 188 10 / 23 of mooring and 4 anchors, where the lines connected to the same anchor are parallel. Figure 10 illustrates a mooring scheme for a float with 6 mooring lines and 3 anchors, where lines connected to the same anchor are separated by an angle A, viewed from above. Figure 11 illustrates a mooring scheme for a float with 6 mooring lines and 3 anchors, where lines connected to the same anchor are connected to each other at a point between the anchor and the float, viewed from above. Figure 12 illustrates a mooring scheme for a float with 6 mooring lines and 3 anchors, where the lower parts of the lines in the mooring group are connected at a distance from the anchor, giving a common anchor connection point, viewed from above. Figure 13 illustrates the same as Figure 10, but shows all lines and anchors. Figure 14 illustrates a mooring scheme for a float, viewed from the side. Figure 15 illustrates the footprint of a typical floating unit. Detailed description of preferred embodiments.

[038] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying figures. The following description will use terms such as “horizontal”, “vertical”, “lateral”, “forward and backward”, “up and down”, “top”, “bottom”, “inside”, “outside”, “forward”, “back”, etc. The longitudinal direction is defined as the direction along a central axis. These terms generally refer to the views and orientations as shown in the drawings and which are associated with the normal use of the invention. The terms are used only for the reader's convenience and should not be limiting. Similar numbers in different drawings describe the same attribute. Numerals with an apostrophe represent an additional attribute represented by the same numeral, for example, the number 4 will represent one or the first of multiples Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pages 167 / 188 11 / 23 or all multiples thereof, and the numeral '4' represents an addition or a continuation of the same attribute, such as a second or multiple of the same attribute.

[039] Figs. 1-2 illustrate an overview of a previously known typical mooring system arrangement for floating wind turbines. In this illustration, the floating unit 1 on the sea surface 5 is moored to the seabed 6 with mooring lines 4 connected to the floating unit 1 at the upper end and to an individual anchor 2 at the lower end.

[040] The main purpose of the mooring system is to keep the floating wind turbine 1 within a certain excursion threshold when subjected to environmental loads such as wind, waves and current. The excursion threshold is, in turn, determined by the excursion capacity of the power cables 7. In another example, the power cables may be fluid lines or control lines, and the floating unit may be any type of unit moored to the seabed within the mooring lines 4. Other types of floating units may be semi-submersible platforms, SPAR platforms, ship- or barge-shaped units for the oil and gas or energy industry, such as floating production and storage units, floating storage units, floating liquefied natural gas production vessels, floating storage and regasification units, floating nuclear power plants, floating gas power stations, etc.

[041] Figs. 3-5 show several examples where floating units 1, for example, in a wind farm, share the same anchors 3. The anchors shown in Fig. 1 are not individual anchors, but anchors where the mooring lines 4 of several floating units are connected. At the outer thresholds of the wind farm, the anchors 2 are connected to only one floating unit, but for anchors inside the wind farm, several units Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pages 168 / 188 12 / 23 floats are connected to the same anchor 3.

[042] Fig. 6 illustrates a typical arrangement of a mooring leg. The mooring leg comprises an individual anchor 2 and a mooring line 4. The mooring line 4 is in this embodiment connected to the anchor connection 9 at one end and connected to the float connection 10 at the other end. The mooring line can be assembled in a variety of combinations, comprising, for example, chains, steel cable ropes, synthetic ropes, buoys, agglomerated weights, shackles, H-links, Y-links, mooring connectors, mooring tensioners, etc.

[043] The mooring line in Fig. 6 comprises an H-link towards the anchor, a lower chain segment, a second H-link, a synthetic rope segment, a third H-link, an upper chain segment and a mooring connector towards the floating unit.

[044] Fig. 7 illustrates another typical mooring line composition, which includes a buoy 11 between the lower part 25 of the mooring line 4 and the upper part 26 of the mooring line 4.

[045] Fig. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the mooring system comprises eight mooring lines 4 configured in four mooring groups with two mooring lines 4a, 4b in each group. A mooring group can therefore be considered a pair, or more lines, going from a common anchor 3 to substantially the same part of the float. A common anchor 3 should be understood as the one and only anchor. Practically the same part of the float can be considered the same part, such as a single structural entity, such as a pontoon, leg, structure, deck, floating device or, where the structures are not easily distinguishable, within a distance of 30 meters. The two lines in each group are connected to the same anchor 3 Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pages 169 / 188 13 / 23 and are arranged almost parallel between floating unit 1 and anchor 3. Although the figure does not illustrate perfectly parallel relationships between the two mooring lines, it should be understood that these figures are not in perfect dimensions and, with an increase in distance between anchor 3 and floating unit 1, the lines will diverge towards parallel relationships, i.e., almost parallel. The greatest separation between the two lines is at the connection towards floating unit 1.

[046] Fig. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the invention, where four mooring groups are configured to moor a floating unit 1, where two mooring lines 4a, 4b in each of the four mooring groups are arranged perfectly parallel between the floating unit 1 and the anchor 3.

[047] Fig. 10 illustrates a mooring arrangement 20 in connection with a semi-submersible type of floating unit 1. The mooring arrangement comprises multiple mooring groups 24, wherein each mooring group is connectable to the floating unit 1 and to the anchor 3. Wherein the anchor 3 is adapted for installation or for being driven into the seabed 6. Each mooring group comprises at least two mooring lines 4a, 4b, wherein the mooring arrangement is configured so that at least two mooring lines 4a, 4b of the same mooring group are adapted for being connected to the same anchor 3. The invention is also related to a mooring system 20, wherein multiple mooring groups 24 are connected to the respective anchors and to the floating unit 1, wherein each mooring group is connected to the floating unit 1 and to the anchor 3.Wherein anchor 3 is embedded or tied to the seabed 6, and wherein each mooring group comprises at least two mooring lines 4a, 4b, wherein at least two lines of. Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pages 170 / 188 14 / 23 mooring lines 4a, 4b of the same mooring group 24 are connected to the same anchor 3.

[048] In Fig. 10 and Fig. 13, the invention is illustrated in relation to a semi-submersible type float, exemplified in this figure with three buoyancy columns 12, 12', 12'', which are interconnected with bracing 13. The mooring system 20 comprises six mooring lines arranged in three mooring groups 24, where each group contains two mooring lines 4a, 4b. The two mooring lines within each group are connected to the same buoyancy column 12 at connection points 10a and 10b, respectively. At the other end, the two mooring lines are connected to the same anchor at connection points 9a and 9b, respectively. As the buoyancy column 12, 12', 12'' has limited dimensions, the separation angle A can typically be less than 4-5 degrees.The separation angle A refers to the separation angle of the two mooring lines 4a, 4b in the same mooring group in the horizontal plane, i.e., the projection of the mooring arrangement and / or mooring lines 4a, 4b onto the sea surface (or seabed). In the illustrated example, floating unit 1 comprises three structurally connected floating elements 12, 12', 12'', where each mooring group is associated with the respective floating elements 12, 12', 12'' of floating unit 1.

[049] The horizontal distance between connection points 10a and 10b will preferably be 5 to 10 m, such that an object falling from a position close to the floating unit will likely not damage both mooring lines (large separation preferred), but will also give limited load distortion between the two lines (small separation preferred). For a semi-submersible type floating unit, the practical upper horizontal separation limit between connections 10a and 10b may preferably be 25 to 30 m. Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pages 171 / 188 15 / 23 A separation angle A of 5 degrees, combined with a horizontal separation of 30 m between connections 10a and 10b, will imply a horizontal distance between anchor connection point 9 and float connection point 10 of 340 m, while with a separation angle A of 3 degrees and 10 m between connections 10a and 10b, the horizontal distance between anchor connection point 9 and float connection point 10 will be 190 m. Additionally, in another example, a separation angle A of 1.7 degrees, combined with a horizontal separation of 30 m between 10a and 10b, implies a distance of 1,000 m between the anchor and float connection points. For all practical purposes, the horizontal distance between anchor connection point 9 and float connection point 10 will be greater than 150 m.

[050] It is also beneficial to have a horizontal separation distance between connections 10a and 10b during the connection of the second tie line of the tie group, because this will reduce the risk of damaging the first tie line already installed.

[051] The anchor dimension 3 is generally smaller than that of the buoyancy column 12. The horizontal separation distance between connection points 9a and 9b on the anchor will therefore typically be smaller, on the order of 1-3 m, than at the float end between 10a and 10b. Anchor connection point 9 may also be a single point.

[052] To avoid distorted loads, the tie lines 4 in the same tie group can be identical in length and composition and completely parallel. Then these lines will experience the same loads. However, an identical load history can be a disadvantage, as failure in one of these lines due to an unforeseen failure mode can lead to failure in the neighboring line(s) as well. For example, identical lines and identical load history also imply identical fatigue lives and risk of failures. Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pages 172 / 188 16 / 23 simultaneous fatigue. Therefore, it may be preferable to design parallel or nearly parallel tie lines in the same grouping slightly differently, such that there is a difference in load history. After a failure in the most critical tie line, the other lines can then provide sufficient resting capacity (e.g., fatigue life) to allow sufficient time for repair without further failures. The difference in load history can be achieved by using a separation angle A greater than 0 degrees, different line lengths, different line compositions providing different line stiffnesses and weight distributions, or a combination thereof.

[053] Fig. 11 illustrates another example, where mooring lines 4a, 4b in the same mooring group are connected to each other at one or more points by a connecting element 19 between the anchor connection point 9 and the floating unit connection point 10. This connecting element 19 can be, for example, a buoy 11, as shown in Fig. 7. It can also be a cluster weight, a mooring line tensioning device, a triple or any other structural component. In this configuration, the separation angle A is defined as the angle between the imaginary lines 14 and 15, illustrated by the dashed lines in Figs. 11 and 12. These lines reflect the straight line, in the horizontal plane, between the anchor connection point 9 and the floating unit connection point 10 for the two outermost mooring lines of the mooring group.An outermost mooring line 16 is defined in this example as the lower section 16a between anchor 3 and connecting element 19, and the upper section 16b between connecting element 19 and floating unit 1. An outermost mooring line 17 is defined in this embodiment as the lower section 17a between anchor 3 and connecting element 19, and the upper section 17b between the connecting element 19 and floating unit 1. Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pages 173 / 188 17 / 23 connection 19 and floating unit 1.

[054] In another example, lines 16a and 17a between anchor 3 and connecting element 19, as shown in Fig. 11, can be reached with a single line. This is illustrated in Fig. 12, where lines 16a and 17a are gathered into a single line segment 21 connected to a single anchor point 9 at one end and to connecting element 19 at the other end. To reduce the risk of this single line 21 being the weakest point, it can be given a higher resistance than lines 16b and 17b together. Additionally, to reduce the risk of external damage to line 21, the length of line 21 should be shorter than the overall length of mooring line 4. Preferably, the length of line 21 plus the length of connecting element 19 should be less than 30-50% of the nominal distance between anchor connection point 9 and floating unit connection points 10a, 10b.This should be understood in such a way that the separation angle C (in the horizontal plane, i.e., in the projection of the arrangement onto the sea surface or seabed) between lines 16b and 17b is less than 8-10 degrees, since the separation angle A is less than 4-5 degrees (see above). For a fully horizontal mooring arrangement, i.e., the mooring lines 4 have an angle of inclination of 90 degrees with respect to the vertical axis, the separation angle between lines 16b and 17b in their combined plane (i.e., the brake plane defined by lines 16b and 17b) is also less than 8-10 degrees. However, if the tie-line arrangement is inclined 45 degrees relative to the vertical axis, then the separation angle between lines 16b and 17b (in the brake plane) is 5.7-7.1 degrees, i.e., significantly below the 20-60 degree angle range described in patent NO325261B1.

[055] Fig. 13 illustrates an example in which the lashing arrangement comprises at least two lashing groups. The illustration Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pp. 174 / 188 Specifically, 18 / 23 illustrates three mooring groups 24, 24', 24'', where each mooring group comprises two mooring lines 4a, 4b connectable to a respective anchor 3, 3', 3'. In the aforementioned example, each mooring group is connectable to the floating unit 1 and to an anchor 3 adapted to the seabed 6. Each mooring group can also be connected to different sections 12, 12', 12'' of the mooring unit 1. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a mooring system comprising at least two mooring groups 24, 24', 24'', wherein each mooring group comprises two mooring lines 4a, 4b connected to the respective anchor 3, 3', 3'', each mooring group is connected to the floating unit 1 and an anchor 3 driven into the seabed 6. Each mooring group can also be connected to different sections 12, 12', 12'' of the mooring unit 1. Although the illustration in fig.13 discloses only three mooring groupings 24, 24', 24'', it should be understood that the invention may comprise any number of mooring groupings, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

[056] Fig. 13 further illustrates a first mooring grouping 24 comprising a first set of floating unit connection points 10a, 10b connectable or connected to a floating unit 1 or to different sections 12, 12', 12'' of the mooring unit 1, and a second mooring grouping 24' comprising a second set of floating unit connection points 10a', 10b' connectable or connected to the floating unit 1 or to different sections 12, 12', 12'' of the mooring unit 1. In the example illustrated, the location of the first set of floating unit connection points 10a, 10b differs from the second set of floating unit connection points 10a', 10b' on the floating unit, so that neither connection point is shared. In the example illustrated, all Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pages 175 / 188 19 / 23 The connection points between a mooring line and floating unit 1, or parts thereof, are unique in that they do not coincide.

[057] The invention may relate to a catenary mooring system, or to a semi-stretched or stretched type mooring system. The mooring arrangement or system must primarily restrain the floating unit in the horizontal plane, i.e., forward, drift and yaw movements. The effect on sinking, pitching and rolling movements is limited. This means that the mooring lines must be arranged primarily in the horizontal direction, implying that the vertical distance between the lower and upper ends of the mooring line 4 is less than the horizontal distance between the lower and upper ends of the mooring line 4. This means that angle B in Fig. 14 is less than 45 degrees. Angle B is the angle between the horizontal axis, in the present invention exemplified by the seabed 6, and the imaginary straight line 18 (or vector) between the lower and upper ends of the mooring line 4, looking at the mooring line from the side.The horizontal axis is the vector on the seabed obtained by projecting vector 18 from three-dimensional space onto the two-dimensional seabed.

[058] Angle A, angle B, angle C and other dimensions refer to the nominal scenario, i.e., the floating unit (1) is in equilibrium position without any exposure to wind, waves and currents and other external forces.

[059] The invention may relate to a mooring arrangement 20 or system, wherein the at least two mooring lines 4a, 4b each comprise a floating unit connection point 10, 10a, 10b connected or connectable to the floating unit 1, wherein the two floating unit connection points 10, 10a, 10b are separated by a first distance D1 when connected to the floating unit 1, and wherein the horizontal distance D2 between any of the connection points Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pages 176 / 188 20 / 23 of anchor 9, 9a, 9b from at least two mooring lines 4a, 4b associated with anchor 3 and any of the floating unit connection points 10, 10a, 10b defines a second distance D2, where the ratio given by the second distance divided by the first distance D2 / D1 is greater than 5. For example, if the anchor connection points 9, 9a, 9b and the floating unit connection point 10, 10a, 10b are separated by a distance D2=150, the maximum separation between the two outer floating unit connection points 10a, 10b can be D1=30 meters, since D2 / D1= 150 / 30= 5.

[060] The invention may relate to a mooring arrangement 20 or system, wherein the arrangement comprises a separation angle A of less than 5 degrees, wherein A is defined as the angle between the first line 14 and the second line 15 that reflects the straight lines, in the horizontal plane, between the anchor connection point 9, 9a, 9b and the floating unit connection point 10, 10a, 10b for the two outermost mooring lines of the mooring group. The separation angle A may be 5 degrees or less, or 4 degrees or less, or 1.7 degrees or less.

[061] The invention may relate to a mooring arrangement 20 or system, wherein the arrangement comprises an angle B less than 45 degrees, wherein angle B is defined by the angle between a horizontal axis and a straight line 18 between the lower and upper end of the mooring line 4a, 4b, 4a', 4b'.

[062] The invention can also be combined with the sharing of anchors between different floating units 1, as illustrated in Figs. 3-5, such that an anchor 3 is fixed to two or more mooring groups, which in turn may be connectable or connected to two or more floating units. In the aforementioned example, the invention may relate to a mooring system for mooring two or more floating units 1 to the seabed 6, wherein the mooring system comprises at least two Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pages 177 / 188 21 / 23 mooring groups 24, each connectable, or connected, with at least two mooring lines 4a, 4b, wherein at least two mooring groups 24 are connectable, or connected, to an anchor 3.

[063] A typical floating unit 1 has a waterline footprint greater than 1000-1500 m2. The footprint is defined in the present invention as the enclosed area within an imaginary stretched string around the outermost points of the floating unit 1 at the waterline 5. The footprint is exemplified in Fig. 15 for a semi-submersible floating unit (1) as the shaded area 23, which is the area circumference by the imaginary string sling 22. The outermost points in this example are the buoyancy columns 12. The bracing 14 is for the semi-submersible illustrated in Fig. 15 and not for any outermost points.

[064] With 4 parallel or nearly parallel mooring lines connected to the same anchor 3, it is possible to install the 4 mooring lines simultaneously. After the anchor is installed, all lines to be connected to the same anchor 3 can be connected to the anchor at connections 9, 9a, 9b before the installation vessel installs / pre-installs the 4 mooring lines in parallel at the same time, starting at the anchor end and ending at the float end.

[065] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated in the present invention, it is recognized that modifications and variations may easily occur for those skilled in the art and, consequently, it is intended that the claims be interpreted to cover such modifications and equivalents. For example, the invention is not limited to two tie lines 4 within each tie group, but to at least two tie lines between the threshold limits defined by angle A and Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pages 178 / 188 22 / 23 by angle C. Reference numerals Float tied up Anchor for single mooring line for multiple mooring lines Lashing line or part of a lashing line Sea surface Seabed (also denoted as mud line or seabed) Fluid line, control line and / or power line Anchor in general Anchor mooring line connection Connection point of mooring line to the moored float. Buoyancy element Float buoyancy column Floating shoring Straight line between the anchor connection and the float connection viewed from above to the outermost mooring line on side 1 of the mooring cluster. Straight line between the anchor connection and the float connection viewed from above to the outermost mooring line on side 2 of the mooring cluster. Outermost tie line (or part thereof) of parallel or nearly parallel tie lines, side 1 of the tie group. Outermost tie line (or part thereof) of parallel or nearly parallel tie lines, side 2 of the tie grouping Straight line between the anchor connection and the float connection seen from Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pages 179 / 188 23 / 23 side Device for mutual connection of parallel or nearly parallel mooring lines between the anchor connection and the float connection. Binding arrangement Single tie-line section Imaginary rope sling around the outermost points of the floating unit. Area within the threshold defined by the imaginary rope sling. Mooring group Bottom of the tie-down line Top of the tie-down line Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pages 180 / 188

Claims

1 / 7 CLAIMS 1. Mooring arrangement (20) for mooring a floating unit (1) to the seabed (6), the mooring arrangement comprises multiple mooring groups, each connectable to a floating unit (1) and an anchor (3) adapted for the seabed (6), wherein at least one mooring group comprises at least two mooring lines (4a, 4b), wherein: - the at least two mooring lines (4a, 4b) of the same mooring group are adapted to be connected to the same anchor (3); - each mooring line (4a, 4b) in a mooring group is connected at a first end to the floating unit (1) at respective connection points (10a, 10b); and - each mooring line (4a, 4b) in a mooring group is connected at a second end to said anchor (3), either: - at respective connection points (9a, 9b) on the anchor, or - at a single point (9) on the anchor;wherein the mooring arrangement is characterized by the fact that: - in the embodiment where each mooring line (4a, 4b) is connected to said anchor (3) at respective connection points (9a, 9b), the horizontal separation distance between the floating unit connection points (10a, 10b) is greater than the horizontal separation distance between the anchor connection points (9a, 9b); and - in the embodiment where each mooring line (4a, 4b) is connected to said anchor (3) directly or indirectly at a single point (9), the mooring group comprises a connection element (19) that connects the mooring lines (4a, 4b) in the mooring group, and a single line segment (21) if Petition 870250089366, of 01 / 10 / 2025, p. 182 / 188 2 / 7 extends between the connecting element (19) and the anchor and is connected to the anchor (3) at the single point (9).; 2. Mooring arrangement (20), according to claim 1, characterized in that the floating unit connection points (10, 10a, 10b) are spaced less than 30 meters horizontally.

3. Mooring arrangement (20), according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the length of the single mooring line (21) and the connecting element (19) is less than 50% of the distance between the anchor connection point (9) and the connection points (10, 10a, 10b) on the floating unit (1).

4. Mooring arrangement, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises at least two mooring groups, wherein each mooring group comprises two mooring lines (4a, 4b, 4a', 4b') connectable to a common anchor (3), wherein a first mooring group (24) comprises a first set of floating unit connection points (10a, 10b) connectable to a floating unit (1), and a second mooring group (24') comprises a second set of floating unit connection points (10a', 10b') connectable to the floating unit (1), wherein the location of the first set of floating unit connection points (10a, 10b) differs from the second set of floating unit connection points (10a', 10b') on the floating unit (1), such that none of the connection points coincide.

5. Mooring arrangement (20), according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least two mooring lines (4a, 4b) each comprise a floating unit connection point (10, 10a, 10b) adapted to be connected to the floating unit (1), wherein the two floating unit connection points (10, 10a, 10b) are separated by a first distance D1, and; wherein the horizontal distance between any of the anchor connection points (9, 9a, 9b) of the at least two mooring lines (4a, 4b) associated with the anchor (3) and any of the floating unit connection points (10, 10a, 10b) defines a second distance D2, wherein the ratio given by the second distance divided by the first distance D2 / D1 is greater than 5.

6. Mooring arrangement (20), according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a separation angle A less than 5 degrees, wherein A is defined as the angle between a first line 14 and a second line 15 that reflects the straight lines, in the horizontal plane, between the anchor connection point (9, 9a, 9b) and the floating unit connection point (10, 10a, 10b) for the two outermost mooring lines of the mooring group.

7. Mooring arrangement (20), according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises an angle B less than 45 degrees, wherein angle B is defined by the angle between a horizontal axis and a straight line (18) between the lower and upper end of the mooring line (4a, 4b, 4a', 4b').

8. Mooring arrangement (20), according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, for the embodiment where each mooring line (4a, 4b) is connected to said anchor (3) at respective connection points (9a, 9b), the mooring lines (4a, 4b) in the same mooring group are connected to each other at one or more points by said connection element (19) between the anchor connection point (9) and the floating unit, and each mooring line (4a, 4b) comprises Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, page 184 / 188 4 / 7 a first section (16a, 17a) between the connection element (19) and the anchor and a second section (16b, 17b) between the connection element (19) and the floating unit (1).

9. Mooring arrangement (20), according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the connecting element (19) is a buoy, a cluster weight, a mooring line tensioning device, a triple or any other structural component.

10. Mooring system for mooring a floating unit (1) to the seabed (6), the mooring system characterized in that it comprises - a mooring arrangement defined in any one of claims 1 to 9 - a floating unit (1) - an anchor (3).

11. Mooring system, according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises at least two mooring groups, wherein each mooring group comprises two mooring lines (4a, 4b) connected to a common anchor (3), wherein a first mooring group (24) comprises a first set of floating unit connection points (10a, 10b) connected to the floating unit (1), and a second mooring group (24') comprises a second set of floating unit connection points (10a', 10b') connected to the floating unit (1), wherein the location of the first set of floating unit connection points (10a, 10b) differs from the second set of floating unit connection points (10a', 10b') on the floating unit, such that none of the connection points coincide.

12. Mooring system, according to claim 10 or 11, Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, page 185 / 188 5 / 7 characterized in that the floating unit comprises at least two structurally connected floating elements (12, 12', 12''), wherein each mooring group (24, 24', 24''') is associated with the respective floating elements (12, 12', 12'') of the floating unit (1).

13. Mooring system, according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the horizontal distance between the anchor connection points (9, 9a, 9b) of at least two mooring lines (4a, 4b) associated with the anchor (3) and the floating unit connection points (10, 10a, 10b) associated with the floating unit (1) is greater than 150 meters.

14. Mooring system, according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the at least two mooring lines (4a, 4b) each comprise a floating unit connection point (10, 10a, 10b) connected to the floating unit (1), wherein the two floating unit connection points (10, 10a, 10b) are separated by a first distance D1, and; wherein the horizontal distance between any of the anchor connection points (9, 9a, 9b) of the at least two mooring lines (4a, 4b) connected to the anchor (3) and any of the floating unit connection points (10, 10a, 10b) defines a second distance D2, wherein the ratio given by the second distance divided by the first distance D2 / D1 is greater than 5.

15. Mooring system, according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the mooring group comprises a separation angle A of less than 5 degrees, wherein A is defined as the angle between a first line 14 and a second line 15 that reflects straight lines, in the horizontal plane, between the anchor connection point Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, page 186 / 188 6 / 7 (9, 9a, 9b) and the floating unit connection point (10, 10a, 10b) for the two outermost mooring lines of the mooring group.

16. Mooring system, according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the arrangement comprises an angle B less than 45 degrees, wherein angle B is defined by the angle between a horizontal axis and a straight line (18) between the anchor connection point (9, 9a, 9b) and the connection point (10, 10a, 10b) on the floating unit (1), which are the lower and upper ends, respectively, of the mooring lines (4a, 4b, 4a', 4b').

17. Mooring system, according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that the floating unit(1) is a floating wind turbine.

18. Mooring system, according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that the floating unit (1) is a unit for oil and gas applications or other energy-related applications.

19. Mooring system, according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that the floating unit (1) is a semi-submersible unit, in the form of a ship or barge.

20. A mooring system, according to any one of claims 10 to 17, characterized in that the mooring lines (4a, 4b) within the same mooring group are identical in composition and length.

21. Lashing system, according to any one of claims 10 to 18, Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, page 187 / 188 7 / 7 characterized in that the lashing lines (4) within the same lashing group are different in composition and length.

22. Mooring system, according to any one of claims 10 to 19, characterized in that the anchor (3) shared by mooring lines (4a, 4b) of the same mooring group of the same floating unit (1) is also shared with mooring lines (4) of other floating units (1).

23. Method of installing a mooring device defined in any one of claims 1 to 6, or of a mooring system defined in any one of claims 10 to 20, characterized in that the mooring lines (4a, 4b) within the same mooring group are installed in parallel and simultaneously between the anchor (3) and the floating unit (1). Petition 870250089366, dated 10 / 01 / 2025, pp. 188 / 188

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