Systems configured to moor a floating structure to a seabed and processes for using same

Abstract

Systems for mooring a floating structure to a seabed and processes for using same. The system can include a mooring leg, a first weight and a second weight configured to be connected to the mooring leg toward a first end and a second end thereof, respectively, and a first buoy configured to be connected to the mooring leg between the first and second weights. The first end of the mooring leg can be configured to be connected to an anchor disposed on the seabed. The second end of the mooring leg can be configured to be connected to the structure. The mooring leg can include a chain, a wire rope, a rope formed from a polymer, or a combination thereof. The first and second weights and the first buoy can be configured to be located at an elevation above the seabed and below the surface of the body of water.

Description

SYSTEMS CONFIGURED TO MOOR A FLOATING STRUCTURE TO A SEABED AND PROCESSES FOR USING SAMECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 645,965, filed on May 13, 2024, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 562,031, filed on March 6, 2024, which are both incorporated by reference herein.FIELD

[0002] Embodiments described generally relate to systems configured to moor a structure floating on a surface of a body of water to a seabed and processes for using same. More particularly, such embodiments relate to systems that include one or more mooring legs that include at least one weight and at least two buoys or at least one buoy and at least two weights connected thereto in an alternating arrangement along a length thereof.BACKGROUND

[0003] In the offshore industry, e.g., offshore processing and storage of oil and gas and floating wind platforms, catenary mooring systems are used to connect structures floating on the surface of the water to the seabed. For example, catenary mooring systems are used to moor floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, floating storage and offloading (FSO) vessels, semisubmersible platforms, and other floating structures or facilities to the seabed.

[0004] The catenary mooring systems utilize the weight of the mooring legs to provide a horizontal restoring force that acts on the moored structure to maintain the structure within a specified location on the surface of the body of water. Often the catenary mooring systems have anchors that are located at great distances away from the platform to provide the necessary restoring force. The catenary mooring systems can also significantly disrupt the seabed in the locations where the mooring legs come into contact with the seabed, i.e., the touchdown region. In the offshore wind industry, it is desirable to position a plurality of floating wind platforms relatively close to one another and to minimize disruption to the seabed.

[0005] There is a need, therefore, for improved systems configured to moor structures floating on the surface of the water to the seabed and processes for using same.SUMMARY

[0006] Systems configured to moor a structure floating on a surface of a body of water to a seabed and processes for using same are provided. In some embodiments, the system can include a mooring leg, a first weight, a second weight, and a first buoy. The mooring leg canhave a first end and a second end. The first weight can be configured to be connected to the mooring leg toward the first end thereof. The second weight can be configured to be connected to the mooring leg toward the second end thereof. The first buoy can be configured to be connected to the mooring leg between the first and second weights. The first end of the mooring leg can be configured to be connected to an anchor disposed on the seabed. The second end of the mooring leg can be configured to be connected to the structure. The mooring leg can be or can include, but is not limited to, a chain, a wire rope, a rope formed from a polymer, or a combination thereof. The first and second weights and the first buoy can be configured to be located at an elevation above the seabed and below the surface of the body of water.

[0007] In other embodiments, the system can include a mooring leg, a first buoy, a second buoy, and a first weight. The mooring leg can have a first end and a second end. The first buoy can be configured to be connected toward the first end of the mooring leg. The second buoy can be configured to be connected toward the second end of the mooring leg. The first weight can be configured to be connected to the mooring leg between the first and second buoys. The first end of the mooring leg can be configured to be connected to an anchor disposed on the seabed. The second end of the mooring leg can be configured to be connected to the structure. The mooring leg can be or can include, but is not limited to, a chain, a wire rope, a rope formed from a polymer, or a combination thereof. The first and second buoys and the first weight are configured to be located at an elevation above the seabed and below the surface of the body of water.

[0008] In other embodiments, the system can include a structure, a plurality of anchors, a plurality of mooring legs, a plurality of first connectors, and a plurality of second connectors. The structure can be configured to float on a surface of a body of water. The plurality of anchors can be configured to be disposed on a seabed of the body of water. The plurality of mooring legs can include have a first end and a second end. Each mooring leg can include a first weight connected toward the first end thereof, a second weight connected toward the second end thereof, and a first buoy connected thereto between the first and second weights. The plurality of first connectors can each be configured to connect the first end of a corresponding mooring leg to a corresponding anchor disposed on the seabed. The plurality of second connectors can each be configured to connect the second end of a corresponding mooring leg to the structure. Each mooring leg can independently be a chain, a wire rope, a rope formed from a polymer, or a combination thereof. The first and second weights and thefirst buoy can be configured to be located at an elevation above the seabed and below the surface of the body of water.

[0009] In other embodiments, the system can include an anchor, a mooring leg, and a weight and two buoys or a buoy and two weights. The anchor can be configured to be disposed on the seabed. The mooring leg can have a first end and a second end. The mooring leg can include a plurality of elongated members that can be configured to be connected to one another in a series arrangement via a plurality of connectors. The weight and the two buoys or the buoy and the two weights can be configured to be connected to the mooring leg between the first end and the second end thereof. A first elongated member of the plurality of elongated members can be configured to be connected to the anchor at a first end thereof. A last elongated member of the plurality of elongated members can be configured to be connected to the structure at a second end thereof. Each elongated member of the plurality of elongated members can independently be a chain, a wire rope, a rope formed from a polymer, or a combination thereof. Each connector in the plurality of connectors can be configured to have one weight or one buoy connected thereto. The buoy can be configured to be positioned between the two weights or the weight can be configured to be positioned between the two buoys. Each weight and each buoy can independently be configured to be located at an elevation above the seabed and below the surface of the body of water.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The various aspects and advantages of the preferred embodiment of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon an understanding of the following detailed description of the invention, read in light of the accompanying drawings which are made a part of this specification.

[0011] Figure 1 depicts an elevation view of an illustrative system for mooring a structure floating on a surface of a body of water to a seabed that includes a mooring leg that includes at least one buoy and at least two weights connected thereto in an alternating arrangement along a length thereof, according to one or more embodiments described.

[0012] Figure 2 depicts an elevation view of another illustrative system for mooring the structure floating on the surface of the body of water to the seabed that includes a mooring leg that includes at least one weight and at least two buoys connected thereto in an alternating arrangement along a length thereof, according to one or more embodiments described.

[0013] Figure 3 depicts an elevation view of another illustrative system for mooring the structure floating on the surface of the body of water to the seabed that includes two mooringlegs that each include at least two buoys and at least three weights connected thereto in an alternating arrangement along a length thereof, according to one or more embodiments described.

[0014] Figure 4 depicts a side elevation view of an illustrative mooring system for mooring a wind turbine platform floating on a surface of a body of water to a seabed with the platform and mooring system in a neutral position, according to one or more embodiments described.

[0015] Figure 5 depicts a plan view of the system and the platform shown in Figure 4.

[0016] Figure 6 depicts an isometric view of the system and the platform shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0017] Figure 7 depicts an elevation view of the mooring system and the platform shown in Figures 4-6 with the platform in a horizontally displaced or offset position, according to one or more embodiments described.

[0018] Figure 8 depicts an isometric view of the mooring system and platform shown in Figure 7.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] A detailed description will now be provided. Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references to the “invention”, in some cases, refer to certain specific or preferred embodiments only. In other cases, references to the “invention” refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims. It is to be understood that the following disclosure describes several exemplary embodiments for implementing different features, structures, or functions of the invention. Exemplary embodiments of components, arrangements, and configurations are described below to simplify the present disclosure; however, these exemplary embodiments are provided merely as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and / or letters in the various exemplary embodiments and across the figures provided herein. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various exemplary embodiments and / or configurations discussed in the Figures. Moreover, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows includes embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact and also includes embodiments in which additional features are formed interposing the first and second features, such that the first and second features are not in directcontact. The exemplary embodiments presented below may be combined in any combination of ways, i.e., any element from one exemplary embodiment may be used in any other exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures can be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic for clarity and / or conciseness.

[0020] Additionally, certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, various entities may refer to the same component by different names, and as such, the naming convention for the elements described herein is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, unless otherwise specifically defined herein. Also, the naming convention used herein is not intended to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. Furthermore, in the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to.”

[0021] All numerical values in this disclosure are exact or approximate values (“about”) unless otherwise specifically stated. Accordingly, various embodiments of the disclosure may deviate from the numbers, values, and ranges disclosed herein without departing from the intended scope.

[0022] Further, the term “or” is intended to encompass both exclusive and inclusive cases, i.e., “A or B” is intended to be synonymous with “at least one of A and B,” unless otherwise expressly specified herein. The indefinite articles “a” and “an” refer to both singular forms (i.e., “one”) and plural referents (i.e., one or more) unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms “up” and “down”; “upward” and “downward”; “upper” and “lower”; “upwardly” and “downwardly”; “above” and “below”; and other like terms used herein refer to relative positions to one another and are not intended to denote a particular spatial orientation since the apparatus and processes for using the same may be equally effective at various angles or orientations.

[0023] Figure 1 depicts an elevation view of an illustrative system 100 for mooring a structure 105 floating on a surface 110 of a body of water 115 to a seabed 120 that includes a mooring leg 125 having at least one buoy 130 and at least two weights 135 and 136 attached, secured, or otherwise connected thereto in an alternating arrangement along a length thereof, according to one or more embodiments. The mooring leg 125 can have a first end 127 and a second end 129. The first end 125 of the mooring leg 125 can be configured to be attached, secured, or otherwise connected to the seabed 120 via one or more anchors 140. The second end 129 ofthe mooring leg 125 can be configured to be attached, secured, or otherwise connected to the structure 105.

[0024] In some embodiments, the system 100 can be configured to maintain the structure 105 within a specified tolerance in a lateral direction, i.e., in a surge and / or in a sway and / or in a yaw direction, when the structure 105 and the system 100 is subjected to met-ocean conditions. The term “met-ocean conditions” refers to the conditions at the site at which the structure 105 floating on the surface 110 of the body of water 115 is located and moored to the seabed 120 via the system 100. Met-ocean conditions can include any combination of wind, waves, swells, currents (at any depth), tides, squalls, tropical storms, and storm surge conditions that can impart a force onto the structure 105 and the system 100.

[0025] In some embodiments, the system 100 can include one or more mooring legs 125 and one or more anchors 140. In some embodiments, the system 100 can include a plurality of mooring legs 125, e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or more. In some embodiments, the system 100 can include an equal number of anchors 140 as mooring legs 125. In other embodiments, the system 100 can include less anchors 140 than mooring legs 125. For example, in some embodiments, one anchor 140 can be configured to secure two or more mooring legs 125 to the seabed 120. The buoy(s) 130 and the weights 135 and 136 can be connected to the mooring leg 125 in an alternating arrangement between the first end 127 and the second end 129 of the mooring leg 125. As shown, the first weight 135 can be connected to the mooring leg 125 between the first end 127 thereof and the buoy 130 and the second weight 135 can be connected to the mooring leg 125 between the buoy 130 and the second end 129 thereof. The first and second weights 135 and 136 can be configured to be located at an elevation above the seabed 120 and below the surface 110 of the body of water 115. The buoy(s) 130 can be configured to be located at an elevation above the seabed 120 and below the surface 110 of the body of water 115.

[0026] The mooring system 100 can be configured such that the mooring leg(s) 125 can have a “zig-zag” configuration extending from the anchor 140 to the structure 105. The weights 135 and 136 can urge the mooring leg 125 toward the seabed 120, whereas the buoy(s) 130 can urge the mooring leg 125 toward the surface 110 of the body of water 115. In such embodiments, the system 100 can be configured to exert a horizontal restoring force that can oppose the force(s) imparted on the system by the met-ocean conditions.

[0027] In some embodiments, the mooring leg 125 can be configured to include two buoys and three weights, three buoys and four weights, four buoys and five weights, five buoys and sixweights, six buoys and seven weights, and so on. In other embodiments, the mooring leg 125 can be configured to include an equal number of buoys and weights. For example, the mooring leg 125 can be configured to include two buoys and two weights, three buoys and three weights, four buoys and four weights, five buoys and five weights, six buoys and six weights, seven buoys and seven weights, and so on. In the two buoy and two weight embodiment, a first buoy (not shown) can be connected to the mooring leg 125 between the first end 127 thereof and the first weight 135, a second buoy 130 can be connected to the mooring leg 125 between the first weight 135 and the second weight 135 such that the second weight 135 can be located between the second buoy 130 and the structure 105. In the three or more buoys and three or more weights embodiments, the first buoy can be connected closest to the first end 127 of the mooring leg 125 such that the last weight can be connected closest to the second end 129 of the mooring leg 125.

[0028] In some embodiments, the mooring leg 125 can be or can include, but is not limited to, a chain, a wire rope, a rope formed from a polymer, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the mooring leg 125 can be a single or otherwise continuous elongated member that can be composed of a chain, a wire rope, or a rope formed from a polymer. In other embodiments, the mooring leg 125 can be formed from two or more elongated members. As shown in Figure 1, in some embodiments, the mooring leg 125 can include a plurality of elongated members 141, 142, 143, and 144 that can be connected to one another via a plurality of mooring leg connectors or simply connectors 151, 152, and 153. In such embodiment, the first weight 135, the buoy 130, and the second weight 136 can be connected to the mooring leg 125 via the connectors 151, 152, and 153, respectively.

[0029] In some embodiments, the connectors 151, 152, 153 can be fabricated or otherwise made from any suitable material or combination of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the components of the connectors 151, 152, 153 can be made via any suitable manufacturing process such as forging, casting, molding, milling, machining, or other process. In some embodiments, suitable materials can be or can include, but are not limited to, metal, metal alloys, non-metallic materials, or any other material that is appropriate for the loading, service, and environment that the connectors 151, 152, 153 may be subjected to during use thereof. Suitable metals and metal alloys can be or can include, but are not limited to, steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, bronze, brass, titanium, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, suitable connectors 151, 152, 153 can be or can include, butare not limited to, an h-link, a pair of shackles, a link plate, a tri-plate, a length adjustable connector, or a combination thereof.

[0030] In other embodiments, the plurality of elongated members 141, 142, 143, and 144 can be connected to one another via attachment to the first weight 135, the buoy 130, and the second weight 136. For example, an end of the elongated member 141 can be connected to the first weight 135, an end of the elongated member 142 can be connected to the first weight 135, an end of the elongated member 142 can be connected to the buoy 130, an end of the elongated member 143 can be connected to the buoy 130, an end of the elongated member 143 can be connected to the second weight 135, and an end of the elongated member 144 can be connected to the second weight 135. Any suitable connector can be used to connect the elongated members 141, 142, 143, and 144 to the respective weight 135 or 136 or buoy 130. In some embodiments, the ends of the elongated members 141, 142, 143, and 144 that can be configured to connect to the first weight 135, the buoy 130, and / or the second weight 136 can each include a thimble within an eye splice and a pin or other apparatus that can be used to secure the end of the elongated member to the first weight 135, the buoy 130, and / or the second weight 136. For example, a clevis, an h-link, a pair of shackles, a link plate, a tri-plate, any other suitable connector, or any combination thereof can be used to secure the elongated members 141, 142, 143, 144 to the first weight 135, the buoy 130, and / or the second weight 136.

[0031] In some embodiments, when the mooring leg 125 is formed from two or more elongated members, e.g., elongated members 141, 142, 143, and 144, each elongated member can independently be a chain, a wire rope, a rope formed from a polymer, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the first elongated member 141 can be a chain and the second, third, and fourth elongated members 142, 143, and 144 can be a rope formed from a polymer. In other embodiments, the first elongated member 141 can be a wire rope and the second, third, and fourth elongated members 142, 143, and 144 can be a rope formed from a polymer. In still other embodiments, the first, second, third, and fourth elongated members 141, 142, 143, and 144 can each be a chain, a wire rope, or a rope formed from a polymer such that each elongated member can be formed from the same material. In still other embodiments, the first, second, third, and fourth elongated members 141, 142, 143, and 144 can independently be a chain, a wire rope, or a rope formed from a polymer such that any two or more of the elongated members 141, 142, 143, and 144 can be formed from the same material or different material.

[0032] In some embodiments, the rope formed from a polymer rope can be a rope formed from a synthetic polymer. In some embodiments, in the rope formed from a polymer, when used asone or more of the elongated members 141, 142, 143, and / or 144, the polymer making up the elongated member can be or can include, but is not limited to, polyester, nylon, ultra-high- molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the mooring leg 125 or the elongated members 141, 142, 143, and 144 that can be used to make the mooring leg 125 can be or can include one or more segments of synthetic polymer rope, such as DEEPROPE® polyester rope available from Bexco, or MOORLINE® polyester rope available from Bridon, or CABRAL 512® polyester rope available from Lankhorst, or DYNEEMA® UHMWPE rope available from DSM, or any other synthetic polymer rope that has suitable properties.

[0033] The length of the elongated members 141, 142, 143, 144 can be the same or different with respect to one another. The particular length of each elongated member 141, 142, 143, and 144 can depend, at least in part, on the depth of the water, the depth at which the fourth elongated member 144 is connected to the structure 105, the overall length of the mooring leg 125, the upward force applied by the buoy(s) 130, the downward force applied by the weights 135, the weight of the structure 105, the upward force applied by the structure 105 to the mooring leg 125, or any combination thereof.

[0034] The weights 135 and 136 can be or can include, but are not limited to, any type of weight. In some embodiments, the weights 135 and 136 can independently be clump weights, mooring sinkers, segments of chain, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the weights 135 and 136 can be formed from a metal, a metal alloy, concrete, or a combination thereof. The weights 135 and / or 136 can be secured to the mooring leg 125 such that the weights 135 do not move along the length of the mooring leg 125. As noted above, in some embodiments, the weights 135 and 136 can be connected to the mooring leg 125 via the connectors 151 and 153, respectively. In some embodiments, the first weight 135 and / or the second weight 136 can be a single body or a plurality of bodies. For example, in some embodiments, the first weight 135 and / or the second weight 136 can include one clump weight, two clump weights, three clump weights, or more connected to the mooring leg 125 at the same location or adjacent to one another along the mooring leg 125. In another example, the weights 135 and / or 136 can be composed of two components or parts that can be configured to be disposed about the mooring leg 125 and secured to one another. The number of individual weights that can be used to make up or otherwise provide the first weight 135 and / or the second weight 136 can be based, at least in part, on the overall mass of each weight desired and whether more than one single weight is needed to reach the desired mass for a given weight.

[0035] The weights 135 and 136 can be configured to provide any suitable weight that can urge the mooring leg 125 toward the seabed 120. In some embodiments, the weights 135 and 136 can independently have a submerged weight, i.e., a weight in water, in a range from 5 tonnes, 10 tonnes, 15 tonnes, 20 tonnes, 30 tonnes, 40 tonnes, 50 tonnes, 60 tonnes, or 70 tonnes to 80 tonnes, 90 tonnes, 100 tonnes, 110 tonnes, 120 tonnes, 130 tonnes, 140 tonnes, 150 tonnes, 160 tonnes, or more. It should be noted that it is common in the offshore industry that the size of a weight or a buoy is often presented in terms of metric tonnes or kilograms but in actuality the tonnes or kilograms are units of mass. Therefore, it is well known to those skilled in the art to take the above mass figures and multiply by the acceleration of gravity (9.81 m / s2) to produce the actual gravitational force of the weight in newtons or kilonewtons in air. It is also well known in the industry that the submerged weight or buoyant force of an object in a body of water is approximately equal to the weight of the object in air minus the volume of the object multiplied by the density of the body of water. Therefore, objects that have a density greater than that of the body of water 115 can be considered to be weights, i.e., have a positive submerged weight, and objects that have a density less than that of the body of water 115 can be considered to be buoys, i.e., have a negative submerged weight or a net buoyant force.

[0036] The buoy(s) 130 can be or can include, but is / are not limited to, any type of buoyant structure configured to float in the body of water 115 or on the surface 110 of the body of water 115. In some embodiments, the buoy(s) 130 can be or can include, but are not limited to, inline mooring buoys, a pendulum fixture with a tri-plate and modular mooring buoy secured via a padeye at the base of the steelwork, closed structures having an internal volume that can be empty or filled with a buoyant fluid, e.g., a gas such as air, buoyant materials, or any combination thereof. Buoyant materials can be or can include, but are not limited to, syntactic foams, foamed thermoset or thermoplastic materials such as epoxy, urethane, phenolic, vinyl ester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinylchlorides, nylon, thermoplastic or thermoset materials filled with particles (such as glass, plastic, micro- spheres, and / or ceramics), filled rubber or other elastic materials, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, suitable buoys can be or can include, but are not limited to, the in-line mooring buoy available from Balmoral Comtec or Doowin Marine.

[0037] The buoy(s) 130 can be configured to provide any suitable uplift force that can urge the mooring leg 125 toward the surface 110 of the body of water 115. In some embodiments, the buoy(s) 130 can independently have an uplift force, in terms of tonnes, in a range from 5 tonnes,10 tonnes, 15 tonnes, 20 tonnes, 30 tonnes, 40 tonnes, 50 tonnes, 60 tonnes, or 70 tonnes to 80 tonnes, 90 tonnes, 100 tonnes, 110 tonnes, 120 tonnes, 130 tonnes, 140 tonnes, 150 tonnes, 160 tonnes, or more.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first end 127 of the mooring leg 125 can be connected to the anchor 140 via a first connector 160. In some embodiments, the second end 129 of the mooring leg 125 can be connected to the structure 105 via a second connector 165. The first connector 160 can be configured to allow the first end 125 of the mooring leg 125 to pivot relative to the anchor 140. The second connector 165 can be configured to allow the second end 129 of the mooring leg 125 to pivot relative to the structure 105. In some embodiments the first connector 160 and / or the second connector 165 can independently be configured to provide or otherwise allow the first end 127 and the second end 129, respectively, of the mooring leg 125 to pivot about one, two, or three axes of rotation with respect to the anchor 140 and the structure 105, respectively. In some embodiments, the first connector 160 and the second connector 165 can be the same type of connector or different types of connectors. In some embodiments, the first and second connectors 160 and 165 can independently be or include, but are not limited to, an H-link connector, a twisted H-link connector, a dual axis joint, a tri-axial joint, a pad-eye connector, a clevis connector, a plate link connector, a length adjustment connector, a segment of wire rope, a segment of chain, or any combination thereof.

[0039] In some embodiments, the first and second connectors 160 and 165 can be fabricated or otherwise made from any suitable material or combination of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the components of the first and second connectors 160 and 165 can be made via any suitable manufacturing process such as forging, casting, molding, milling, machining, or other process. In some embodiments, suitable materials can be or can include, but are not limited to, metal, metal alloys, non-metallic materials, or any other material that is appropriate for the loading, service, and environment that the first and second connectors 160, and 165 may be subjected to during use thereof. Suitable metals and metal alloys can be or can include, but are not limited to, steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, bronze, brass, titanium, or any combination thereof.

[0040] In some embodiments, the first and second connectors 160 and 165 can be a dual axis joint connector. Illustrative dual axis joint connectors can include those described in U.S. Patent No. 10,676,160, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos.: 2023 / 0151846 and 2019 / 0359291. In some embodiments, the first and second connectors 160 and 165 can be or can include the length adjustment connector described in WO Publication No. 2022 / 050935.In some embodiments, a suitable length adjustment connector can be or can include a segment of wire rope or chain of which a length of the wire rope or chain can be adjusted. For example, if the length adjustment connector includes a segment of chain, the length of the mooring leg 125 can be adjusted by changing the particular link of the chain to which the mooring leg 125 can be connected to the anchor 140 and / or the structure 105. Illustrative ball and socket connectors can include the ball and socket connectors described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2024 / 0011524.[00411 In some embodiments, the anchor 140 can be or can include, but is not limited to, a suction pile, a driven pile, a gravity anchor, or a combination thereof. The particular configuration of the anchor 140 can be based, at least in part, on the type of seabed 120, e.g., soil conditions at the site and the loading expected to be applied on the anchor 140 when connected to the structure 105 via the mooring leg 125.

[0042] In some embodiments, the structure 105 can be a concrete structure, a fabricated steel structure, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the structure 105 can include at least one column (two are shown / visible in Figure 1) 106, 107, at least one pontoon 108, and a deck structure 109 that can be supported by the column(s) 106, 107. In some embodiments, the structure 105 can include three columns and three pontoons. In some embodiments, the structure 105 can include four columns and at four pontoons. In some embodiments, the structure 105 can include four or more columns and four or more pontoons.

[0043] Figure 2 depicts an elevation view of another illustrative system 200 for mooring the structure 105 floating on the surface 110 of the body of water 115 to the seabed 120 that includes a mooring leg 225 that includes at least one weight 135 and at least two buoys 130 and 131 connected thereto in an alternating arrangement along a length thereof, according to one or more embodiments. The system 200 can be substantially similar to the system 100, with the main difference being that the mooring leg 225 can have an inverted or reversed “zigzag” configuration as compared to mooring leg 125 in the system 100 shown in Figure 1.

[0044] The mooring leg 225 can have a first end 227 and a second end 229. The first end 227 of the mooring leg 225 can be configured to be attached, secured, or otherwise connected to the seabed 120 via the one or more anchors 140. The second end 229 of the mooring leg 225 can be configured to be attached, secured, or otherwise connected to the structure 105.

[0045] In some embodiments, the system 200 can include one or more mooring legs 225 and one or more anchors 140. In some embodiments, the system 200 can include a plurality of mooring legs 225, e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or more. In some embodiments, thesystem 200 can include an equal number of anchors 140 as mooring legs 225. In other embodiments, the system 200 can include less anchors 140 than mooring legs 225. For example, in some embodiments, one anchor 140 can be configured to secure two or more mooring legs 225 to the seabed 120. The buoys 130 and 131 and the weight(s) 135 can be connected to the mooring leg 225 in an alternating arrangement between the first end 227 and the second end 229 of the mooring leg 225. As shown, the first buoy 130 can be connected to the mooring leg 225 between the first end 227 thereof and the weight 135 and the second buoy 131 can be connected to the mooring leg 225 between the weight 135 and the second end 229 thereof. The first and second buoys 130, 131 can be configured to be located at an elevation above the seabed 120 and below the surface 110 of the body of water 115. The weight(s) 135 can be configured to be located at an elevation above the seabed 120 and below the surface 110 of the body of water 115.

[0046] In some embodiments, the mooring leg 225 can be configured to include two weights and three buoys, three weights and four buoys, four weights and five buoys, five weights and six buoys, six weights and seven buoys, and so on. In other embodiments, the mooring leg 225 can be configured to include an equal number of buoys and weights. For example, the mooring leg 225 can be configured to include two buoys and two weights, three buoys and three weights, four buoys and four weights, five buoys and five weights, six buoys and six weights, seven buoys and seven weights, and so on. In the two buoy and two weight embodiment, a first weight (not shown) can be connected to the mooring leg 225 between the first end 227 thereof and the first buoy 130, a second weight 135 can be connected to the mooring leg 225 between the first buoy 130 and the second buoy 131 such that the second buoy 131 can be located between the second weight 135 and the structure 105. In the three or more buoys and three or more weights embodiments, the first weight can be connected closest to the first end 227 of the mooring leg 225 such that the last buoy can be connected closest to the second end 229 of the mooring leg 225.

[0047] In some embodiments, the mooring leg 225 can be or can include, but is not limited to, a chain, a wire rope, a rope formed from a polymer, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the mooring leg 225 can be a single or otherwise continuous elongated member that can be composed of a chain, a wire rope, or a rope formed from a polymer. In other embodiments, the mooring leg 225 can be formed from two or more elongated members. As shown in Figure 2, in some embodiments, the mooring leg 225 can include the plurality of elongated members 141, 142, 143, and 144 that can be connected to one another via theplurality of connectors 151, 152, and 153, as described above with reference to Figure 1. In other embodiments, the mooring leg 225 can include the plurality of elongated members 141, 142, 143, and 144 that can be connected to one another via the first buoy 130, the weight(s) 135, and / or the second buoy 131, as described above with reference to Figure 1.

[0048] Figure 3 depicts an elevation view of another illustrative system 300 for mooring the structure 105 floating on the surface 110 of the body of water 115 to the seabed 120 that includes two mooring legs 325 and 326 that each include at least two buoys 130 and 131 and at least three weights 135, 136, and 137 connected thereto in an alternating arrangement along a length thereof, according to one or more embodiments. The mooring legs 325 and 326 can have a first end 327 and 328 a second end 329 and 330, respectively. The first ends 327 and 328 of the mooring legs 325 and 326 can be configured to be attached, secured, or otherwise connected to the seabed 120 via one or more anchors 140. The second ends 329 and 330 of the mooring legs 325 and 326 can be configured to be attached, secured, or otherwise connected to the structure 105.

[0049] In some embodiments, the system 300 can include three or more mooring legs and three or more anchors 140. In some embodiments, the system 300 can include 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or more mooring legs. In some embodiments, the system 300 can include an equal number of anchors 140 as mooring legs 325, 326. In other embodiments, the system 300 can include less anchors 140 than mooring legs 325, 326. For example, in some embodiments, one anchor 140 can be configured to secure two or more mooring legs to the seabed 120. The buoys 130 and 131 and the weights 135, 136, and 137 can be connected to the mooring legs 325 and 326 in an alternating arrangement between the first ends 327 and 328 and the second ends 329 and 330 of the mooring legs 325 and 326, respectively. As shown, the first weights 135 can be connected to the mooring legs 325 and 326 between the first ends 327 and 328 thereof and the first buoy 130. The second weights 136 can be connected to the mooring legs 325 and 326 between the first buoys 130 and the second buoys 131. The third weights 137 can be connected to the mooring legs 325 and 326 between the second buoys 131 and the second ends 329 and 330 of the mooring legs 325 and 326, respectively. The first, second, and third weights 135, 136, and 137 connected the first and second mooring legs 325 and 326 can be configured to be located at an elevation above the seabed 120 and below the surface 110 of the body of water 115. The first and second buoys 130 and 131 connected to the first and second mooring legs 325 and 326 can be configured to be located at an elevation above the seabed 120 and below the surface 110 of the body of water 115.

[0050] The mooring system 300 can be configured such that the mooring legs 325 and 326 can have a “zig-zag” configuration extending from the anchors 140 to the structure 105. The first, second, and third weights 135, 136, and 137 connected to each mooring leg 325 and 326 can urge each mooring leg 325 and 326 toward the seabed 120, whereas the first and second buoys 130 and 131 connected to each mooring leg 325 and 326 can urge the mooring legs 325 and 326 toward the surface 110 of the body of water 115. In such embodiments, the system 300 can be configured to exert a horizontal restoring force that can oppose the force(s) imparted on the system by the met-ocean conditions.

[0051] In some embodiments, the mooring legs 325 and 326 can independently be or can independently include, but are not limited to, a chain, a wire rope, a rope formed from a polymer, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the mooring legs 325 and / or 326 can be a single or otherwise continuous elongated member that can be composed of a chain, a wire rope, or a rope formed from a polymer. In other embodiments, the mooring legs 325 and / or 326 can be formed from two or more elongated members. As shown in Figure 3, in some embodiments, the mooring legs 325 and 326 can each include a plurality of elongated members 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, and 146 that can be connected to one another via attachment to the weights 135, 136, and / or 137 and / or the buoys 130 and / or 131. In other embodiments, the plurality of elongated members 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, and 146 can be connected to one another via connectors, e.g., the connectors 151, 152, and / or 153 described above with reference to Figure 1. In some embodiments, the mooring legs 325 and 326 can have the same or substantially the same configuration with respect to one another. In other embodiments, the mooring legs 325 and 326 can have different configurations with respect to one another.

[0052] In some embodiments, the first elongated member 141 can be a chain and the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth elongated members 142, 143, 144, 145, and 146 can be a rope formed from a polymer. In other embodiments, the first elongated member 141 can be a wire rope and the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth elongated members 142, 143, 144, 145, and 146 can be a rope formed from a polymer. In still other embodiments, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth elongated members 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, and 146 can be a rope formed from a polymer.

[0053] In some embodiments, the first ends 327 and 328 of the mooring legs 325 and 326 can be connected to the anchor 140 via a first connector 160, as described above with reference to Figure 1. In some embodiments, the second ends 329 and 330 of the mooring legs 325 and326 can be connected to the structure 105 via a second connector 165, as described above with reference to Figure 1.

[0054] Figure 4 depicts a side elevation view of an illustrative mooring system 400 for mooring a wind turbine platform 405 floating on the surface 110 of the body of water 115 to the seabed 120 with the platform 405 and the mooring system 400 in a neutral position, according to one or more embodiments. Figure 5 depicts a plan view of the system 400 and the platform 405 shown in Figure 4. Figure 6 depicts an isometric view of the system 400 and the platform 405 shown in Figures 4 and 5. Referring to Figures 4-6, the platform 405 can include a wind turbine 410 supported thereon. As shown, in some embodiments, the platform 405 can be moored to the seabed 120 via six mooring legs, i.e., mooring legs 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, and 420.

[0055] In some embodiments, as can be seen in Figure 4, each mooring leg 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, and 420 can include at least two buoys 130 and 131 and at least three weights 135, 136, and 137. In some embodiments, as can also be seen in Figure 4, each mooring leg 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, and 420 can include six elongated members that can be connected via the buoys 130 and 131 and the weights 135, 136, and 137 in a series arrangement. More particularly, a first elongated member 141 can have a first end connected to an anchor and second end connected to a first buoy 135. A first end of a second elongated member 142 can be connected to the first weight 135 and a second end of a second elongated member 142 can be connected the first buoy 130. A first end of a third elongated member 143 can be connected to the first buoy 130 and a second end of the third elongated member 143 can be connected to the second weight 136. A first end of a fourth elongated member 144 can be connected to the second weight 136 and a second end of the fourth elongated member 144 can be connected to the second buoy 131. A first end of a fifth elongated member 145 can be connected to the second buoy 131 and a second end of the fifth elongated member 145 can be connected to the third weight 137. A first end of a sixth elongated member 146 can be connected to the third weight 137 and a second end of the sixth elongated member 146 can be connected to the platform 405. In other embodiments, each mooring leg 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, and 420 can include six elongated members that can be connected to one another via a plurality of connectors, e.g., connectors 151, 152, 153, as described above with reference to Figure 1.

[0056] As shown, the first elongated member 141 can be a chain and the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth elongated members can each be a rope formed from a polymer. In such embodiments, the first elongated member 141, being a chain, can act as a variable weight in each mooring leg 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, and 420. More particularly, when the platform 405is located in the neutral state or position, a portion of the first elongated members 141 can rest on the seabed 120 and a portion of the first elongated members 141 can be raised off of the seabed 120. As the platform 405 moves away from a given anchor 140, e.g., the anchor 140 on the left, an additional portion or all of the first elongated member 141 in the mooring leg 415 can be raised off of the seabed 120 while a portion or all of the first elongated member 141 of an opposing mooring leg, e.g., mooring leg 417, can be laid down on the seabed 120, as described further below with reference to Figures 7 and 8.10057] Figure 7 depicts an elevation view of the system 400 and platform 405 shown in Figures 4-6 with the platform 405 in a horizontally displaced or offset position, according to one or more embodiments. Figure 8 depicts an isometric view of the system 400 and platform 405 shown in Figure 7. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, one can see the geometrical change in the profiles of the mooring lines, e.g., 415 and 417. On the upstream side, the mooring lines, e.g., mooring line 415, is flatter and the tension in the mooring line is greater as compared to when the platform 405 and the mooring system 400 are in the neutral state or position. On the downstream side, the mooring lines, e.g., mooring line 417, is more “zig-zagged” and the tension in the mooring line is lower as compared to when the platform 405 and the mooring system 400 are in the neutral state or position.

[0058] Additionally, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, when the platform 405 is displaced away from the anchor 140 the mooring leg 415 is connected to, at least a portion or all of the first elongated member 141 can be raised off of the seabed 120, the first and second buoys 130 and 131 of the mooring leg 415 can be displaced in a downward direction, and the first and second weights 135 and 136 of the mooring leg 415 can be displaced in an upward direction, which can result in an increased horizontal force being applied on the platform 405 in a direction toward the anchor 140 that the mooring leg 415 is connected to. Simultaneously, a portion or all of the first elongated member 141 in mooring leg 417 that the platform 405 moves toward can be laid down on the seabed 120, the first and second buoys 130 and 131 of the mooring leg 417 are displaced in an upward direction, and the first and second weights 136 and 137 of the mooring leg 417 are displaced in a downward direction. As such, the sixth elongated member 146 in the mooring leg 415 can apply a greater force on the platform 405 and the sixth elongated member 146 in the mooring leg 417 can apply a lesser force on the platform 405.

[0059] In some embodiments, the vertical distance between the surface 110 of the body of water 115 and the seabed 120 can be referred to as a water depth. In some embodiments, the water depth can be about 25 meters, about 50 meters, about 75 meters, or about 100 meters toabout 125 meters, about 150 meters, about 175 meters, about 200 meters, about 250 meters, about 300 meters, or more.

[0060] In some embodiments, a system configured to moor a structure floating on a surface of a body of water to a seabed can include an anchor, a mooring leg, and at least one weight and at least two buoys or at least one buoy and at least two weights. The anchor can be configured to be disposed on the seabed. The mooring leg can have a first end and a second end that includes a plurality of elongated members configured to be connected to one another in a series arrangement via a plurality of connectors. The at least one weight and the at least two buoys or the at least one buoy and the at least two weights can be configured to be connected to the mooring leg between the first end and the second end thereof. A first elongated member of the plurality of elongated members can be configured to be connected to the anchor at a first end thereof. A last elongated member of the plurality of elongated members can be configured to be connected to the structure at a second end thereof. Each elongated member of the plurality of elongated members can independently be a chain, a wire rope, a rope formed from a polymer, or a combination thereof. Each connector in the plurality of connectors can be configured to have one weight or one buoy connected thereto. The one buoy of the at least one buoys can be configured to be positioned between a first and a second weight of the at least two weights or one weight of the at least one weights can be configured to be positioned between a first and a second buoys of the at least two boys. When the system includes two or more buoys and three or more weights or two or more weights and three or more buoys, the buoys and weights can be alternatingly positioned with respect to one another along the mooring leg. Each weight and each buoy can be configured to be located at an elevation above the seabed and below the surface of the body of water.Prophetic Example

[0061] A mooring system is designed to determine a configuration needed to moor a hull structure floating on a surface of a body of water to a seabed. The hull structure includes three columns, three pontoons that connect the columns to one another toward a first or bottom end that is below the surface of the water, and a structural frame that connects the columns to one another toward a second or top end that is above the surface of the water. The hull structure also includes a wind turbine generator supported by one of the columns. The properties of the hull structure are shown in Table 1 below.

[0062] The mooring system includes six mooring legs connected to the structure and the seabed, with two mooring legs connected to each column, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The six mooring legs are equally spaced identical lines. The arrangement of the buoys and the weights are as shown in Figures 4-8 and give each mooring line a “zig-zag” configuration. Each mooring leg includes a first elongated member, i.e., a segment of chain, having a first end connected to an anchor and a second end connected to a first weight. A first end of a second elongated member, i.e., a polyester rope, is connected to the first weight, i.e., a clump weight, and a second end of the second elongated member is connected to a first buoy. A first end of a third elongated member, i.e., a polyester rope, is connected to the first buoy and a second end of the third elongated member is connected to a second weight, i.e., a clump weight. A first end of a fourth elongated member, i.e., a polyester rope, is connected to the second weight and a second end of the fourth elongated member is connected to a second buoy. A first end of a fifth elongated member, i.e., a polyester rope, is connected to the second buoy and a second end of the fifth elongated member is connected to a third weight, i.e., a clump weight. A first end of a sixth elongated member, i.e., a polyester rope, is connected to the third weight and a second end of the sixth elongated member is connected to one of the columns of the platform. Each mooring leg has a line profile similar to that shown in Figure 4.

[0063] Table 2 below shows the length of each elongated member (dL) in meters, the accumulated length (L) of the elongated members in meters, the weight of the first, second,and third weights (tonnes) and the buoyancy of the first and second buoys (tonnes), the horizontal load (Fh) in tonnes, the vertical load (Fv) in tonnes, the angle to vertical (Angle) in degrees of each elongated member, the accumulated distance (meters) of the first end of each elongated member in a horizontal direction away from the structure, and the distance (meters) the ends of each elongated member are located below the surface of the body of water.

[0064] The first, second, and third clump weights are wet weight. Similarly, the first buoy and the second buoy are net buoyancy. The values are based on the mooring system and the moored structure being in a neutral position or state. The first elongated members, i.e., the chains, have a diameter of 130 mm. The second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth elongated members are 180 mm diameter polyester ropes that have a minimum breaking load (MBL) of 1,070 T. The pretension in the mooring legs is 100 T. The anchor radius is about 462 m from the center of the platform. The water depth is 80 m. The mooring system is designed to keep the hull structure for a hypothetical 15 MW wind turbine. The wind turbine has a 240 m rotor and weighs slightly over 1 ,000 T.

[0065] OrcaFlex software is used to analyze the global performance of the mooring design for both extreme and operating conditions. The environment is assumed for the extreme conditions to have a wind speed of 47 m / s; a significant wave height (Hs) of 13 m, an average wave period (Tz) of 13 s, and a water current of 0.5 m / s. The environment is assumed for the operating condition to have a wind speed of 11 m / s; a significant wave height (Hs) of 5 m, an average wave period (Tz) of 8 s, and a water current of 0.5 m / s.

[0066] The OrcaFlex model provides the following results. The maximum line tension is about 500 T, which meets relevant design requirements with a comfortable margin. The maximum offset is about 35.6 m, or 45% WD, which meets expectations. The maximum line angle at theanchor is about 8.6 degrees. As such a drag anchor can be used at this uplift angle. The uplifting force on the anchor can be further optimized by adjusting the last clump weight and chain length. The mean pitch in the extreme conditions is 1.9 degrees. The maximum pitch in the extreme condition is 9 degrees. The mean pitch in the operating conditions is 3.5 degrees. The maximum pitch in the operating conditions is 7.5 degrees. The maximum yaw amplitude in the extreme conditions is 1.2 degrees. The maximum yaw amplitude in the operating conditions is 2.8 degrees. The maximum heave amplitude in the extreme conditions is 9.7 m. The maximum heave amplitude standard deviation in the extreme conditions is 3.1 m.

[0067] Certain embodiments and features have been described using a set of numerical upper limits and a set of numerical lower limits. It should be appreciated that ranges including the combination of any two values, e.g., the combination of any lower value with any upper value, the combination of any two lower values, and / or the combination of any two upper values are contemplated unless otherwise indicated. Certain lower limits, upper limits and ranges appear in one or more claims below. All numerical values are "about" or "approximately" the indicated value, and take into account experimental error and variations that would be expected by a person having ordinary skill in the art.

[0068] Various terms have been defined above. To the extent a term used in a claim can be not defined above, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in at least one printed publication or issued patent. Furthermore, all patents, test procedures, and other documents cited in this application are fully incorporated by reference to the extent such disclosure can be not inconsistent with this application and for all jurisdictions in which such incorporation can be permitted.

[0069] While certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described in detail above, it can be apparent that modifications and adaptations thereof will occur to those having ordinary skill in the art. It should be, therefore, expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof can be determined by the claims that follow.

Claims

Claims:What is claimed is:

1. A system configured to moor a structure floating on a surface of a body of water to a seabed, comprising: a mooring leg having a first end and a second end; a first weight configured to be connected to the mooring leg toward the first end thereof; a second weight configured to be connected to the mooring leg toward the second end thereof; and a first buoy configured to be connected to the mooring leg between the first and second weights; wherein: the first end of the mooring leg is configured to be connected to an anchor disposed on the seabed, the second end of the mooring leg is configured to be connected to the structure, the mooring leg comprises a chain, a wire rope, a rope formed from a polymer, or a combination thereof, and the first and second weights and the first buoy are configured to be located at an elevation above the seabed and below the surface of the body of water.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein: the mooring leg comprises a plurality of elongated members, a first elongated member in the plurality of elongated members has a first end configured to be connected to the anchor and a second end configured to be connected to the first weight, a second elongated member in the plurality of elongated members has a first end configured to be connected to the first weight and a second end configured to be connected to the first buoy, a third elongated member in the plurality of elongated members has a first end configured to be connected to the first buoy and a second end configured to be connected to the second weight, anda fourth elongated member in the plurality of elongated members has a first end configured to be connected to the second weight and a second end configured to be connected to the structure.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first elongated member comprises a chain or a wire rope, and wherein the second, third, and fourth elongated members each comprise a rope formed from a polymer.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth elongated members each comprise a rope formed from a polymer.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second buoy and a third weight configured to be connected to the mooring leg between the second weight and the second end of the mooring leg, wherein the second buoy is configured to be located between the second weight and the third weight, and wherein the second buoy and the third weight are configured to be located at an elevation above the seabed and below the surface of the body of water.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein: the mooring leg comprises a plurality of elongated members, a first elongated member in the plurality of elongated members has a first end configured to be connected to the anchor and a second end configured to be connected to the first weight, a second elongated member in the plurality of elongated members has a first end configured to be connected to the first weight and a second end configured to be connected to the first buoy, a third elongated member in the plurality of elongated members has a first end configured to be connected to the first buoy and a second end configured to be connected to the second weight, a fourth elongated member in the plurality of elongated members has a first end configured to be connected to the second weight and a second end configured to be connected to the second buoy,a fifth elongated member in the plurality of elongated member has a first end configured to be connected the second buoy and a second end configured to be connected to the third weight, and a sixth elongated member in the plurality of elongated members has a first end configured to be connected to the third weight and a second end configured to be connected to the structure.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first elongated member comprises a chain or a wire rope, and wherein the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth elongated members each comprise a rope formed from a polymer.

8. The system of any one of claims 2 to 4, claim 6, or claim 7, wherein each pair of adjacent elongated members in the plurality of elongated members are independently connected to one another via an h-link, a pair of shackles, a link plate, a tri-plate, or a combination thereof, and wherein each buoy or each weight is connected to the mooring leg via the h-link, the pair of shackles, the link plate, the tri-plate, or the combination thereof.

9. The system of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: the first end of the mooring leg is configured to be connected to the anchor via a first connector, the first connector comprises a shackle, an h-link, or a ball grab connector, the second end of the mooring leg is configured to be connected to the structure via a second connector, and the second connector comprises a dual axis joint or a tri-axial joint.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the shackle, if present, is a remotely operated shackle, or wherein the h-link, if present, is a remotely operated h-link.

11. The system of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the mooring leg comprises a length adjustable connector.

12. A system configured to moor a structure floating on a surface of a body of water to a seabed, comprising:a mooring leg having a first end and a second end; a first buoy configured to be connected toward the first end of the mooring leg, a second buoy configured to be connected toward the second end of the mooring leg, a first weight configured to be connected to the mooring leg between the first and second buoys; wherein: the first end of the mooring leg is configured to be connected to an anchor disposed on the seabed, the second end of the mooring leg is configured to be connected to the structure, the mooring leg comprises a chain, a wire rope, a rope formed from a polymer, or a combination thereof, and the first and second buoys and the first weight are configured to be located at an elevation above the seabed and below the surface of the body of water.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein: the mooring leg comprises a plurality of elongated members, a first elongated member in the plurality of elongated members has a first end configured to be connected to the anchor and a second end configured to be connected to the first buoy, a second elongated member in the plurality of elongated members has a first end configured to be connected to the first buoy and a second end configured to be connected to the first weight, a third elongated member in the plurality of elongated members has a first end configured to be connected to the first weight and a second end configured to be connected to the second buoy, and a fourth elongated member in the plurality of elongated members has a first end configured to be connected to the second buoy and a second end configured to be connected to the structure.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first elongated member comprises a chain or a wire rope, and wherein the second, third, and fourth elongated members each comprise a rope formed from a polymer.

15. The system of claim 12, further comprising a second weight and a third buoy configured to be connected to the mooring leg between the second buoy and the second end of the mooring leg, wherein the second weight is configured to be located between the second buoy and the third buoy, and wherein the second weight and the third buoy are configured to be located at an elevation above the seabed and below the surface of the body of water.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein: the mooring leg comprises a plurality of elongated members, a first elongated member in the plurality of elongated members has a first end configured to be connected to a corresponding first connector and a second end configured to be connected to the first buoy, a second elongated member in the plurality of elongated members has a first end configured to be connected to the first buoy and a second end configured to be connected to the first weight, a third elongated member in the plurality of elongated members has a first end configured to be connected to the first weight and a second end configured to be connected to the second buoy, a fourth elongated member in the plurality of elongated members has a first end configured to be connected to the second buoy and a second end configured to be connected to the second weight, a fifth elongated member in the plurality of elongated member has a first end configured to be connected the second weight and a second end configured to be connected to the third buoy, and a sixth elongated member in the plurality of elongated members has a first end configured to be connected to the third buoy and a second end configured to be connected to the structure.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first elongated member comprises a chain or a wire rope, and wherein the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth elongated members each comprise a rope formed from a polymer.

18. The system of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein:each pair of adjacent elongated members are connected to one another via an h-link, a pair of shackles, a link plate, a tri -plate, or a combination thereof, each buoy or each weight is connected to the mooring leg via the h-link, the pair of shackles, the link plate, the tri-plate or the combination thereof, the first end of the mooring leg is configured to be connected to the anchor via a first connector, the first connector comprises a shackle, an h-link, or a ball grab connector, the second end of the mooring leg is configured to be connected to the structure via a second connector, and the second connector comprises a dual axis joint or a tri-axial joint. .

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the shackle, if present, is a remotely operated shackle, or wherein the h-link, if present, is a remotely operated h-link.

20. A system, comprising: a structure configured to float on a surface of a body of water; a plurality of anchors configured to be disposed on a seabed of the body of water; a plurality of mooring legs each having a first end and a second end, wherein each mooring leg comprises a first weight connected toward the first end thereof, a second weight connected toward the second end thereof, and a first buoy connected thereto between the first and second weights; a plurality of first connectors each configured to connect the first end of a corresponding mooring leg to a corresponding anchor disposed on the seabed; and a plurality of second connectors each configured to connect the second end of a corresponding mooring leg to the structure, wherein: each mooring leg is independently a chain, a wire rope, a rope formed from a polymer, or a combination thereof, the first and second weights and the first buoy are configured to be located at an elevation above the seabed and below the surface of the body of water, each first connector in the plurality of first connectors independently comprises a shackle, an h-link, or a ball grab connector, and each second connector in the plurality of second connectors independently comprises a dual axis joint or a tri-axial joint.

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