Integrative Deep Draft Floating Platform With Unconditional Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional floating production platforms for deepwater oil and gas exploitation face challenges such as complex installation, high costs, and sensitivity to water depth, with existing solutions requiring large ocean engineering equipment and complex offshore installation processes.
Innovation Solution
An integrative deep draft floating production platform with a ring ballast tank, small and large cross-section columns, and a ring buoyancy tank, allowing for unconditional stability, reduced wave load, and foldable structure for easy transportation and installation without large cranes, enabling dry or wet tow and various exploitation modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional floating production platforms are used for deepwater exploitation, then motion performance is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase due to requiring large floating cranes and complex offshore installation processes
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is divided into multiple columns (large-cross-section and small-cross-section columns) that can be separately constructed and then assembled. The columns are connected through central pore canals and integration structures, allowing modular construction that reduces installation complexity while maintaining the motion performance of traditional floating platforms
Solution Approach 2:
The small-cross-section columns are nested within the large-cross-section columns, with the small columns passing through central pore canals of the large columns. This nested configuration allows for compact transportation and simplified assembly while achieving the structural stability and motion characteristics of larger traditional platforms
2Reliability
If deep draft spar platform is used, then motion performance is improved and dry tree can be employed, but topside and lower hull require separate offshore installation increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The platform integrates the topside and lower hull into a unified structure where the columns serve both as structural support and as the upper deck framework. The drilling rig and oil gas processing module are installed on top of the large-cross-section columns, merging the functions of separate components into an integrated system that can be installed as a single unit
Solution Approach 2:
The columns are pre-assembled with their connection structures (chopping board connection structures with grooves, reverse-cone structures) before deployment. This preliminary assembly allows for simplified on-site installation where columns are simply positioned and connected, avoiding complex offshore construction operations
3Ease of manufacture
If foldable structure is used for easy transportation, then transportation difficulty is reduced, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The platform employs a foldable structure that can transition between a compact folded state for transportation and an expanded operational state for service. The columns and connection structures are designed to maintain structural integrity during both states, with the foldable mechanism allowing the platform to be transported in a reduced configuration and then deployed to its full operational dimensions at the installation site
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The platform achieves unconditional stability, reduced construction and transportation difficulties, improved motion performance, and cost efficiency, with reduced wave load and increased deck area, suitable for deepwater and ultra-deepwater operations.
Implementation Method 1
the ring ballast tank fill permanently fixed ballast, and the tank is internally filled with weights to ensure that the center of buoyancy of the platform is higher than the center of gravity
Implementation Method 2
reduced wave load
Data Source
AI summary
An integrative deep draft floating production platform with unconditional stability and an offshore installation method thereof are disclosed. The platform comprises an ring ballast tank at the bottom, some columns with small cross sections, an ring buoyancy tank at the middle part, some columns with large cross sections, and an upper drilling equipment and oil gas processing module. The ballast tank adopts a permanently fixed ballast, and the tank is internally filled with weights to ensure that the center of buoyancy of the platform is higher than the center of gravity. The drilling equipment and oil gas processing module is installed in the construction site, and the platform is transported to the installation site by a dry tow or wet tow as a whole and then is installed. The platform can be applied to deepwater oil and gas exploitation under harsh marine environment.