Ballasting of semi-submersible rig

Details Ballasting of semi-submersible rig Ballasting of semi-submersible rig

B - Operations, Transporting

63

B

B63B 11/02 (2006.01) B63B 35/44 (2006.01)

Patent

CA 2310012

A semi-submersible structure is adapted to carry consumable solid or liquid material such as mud, and removable equipment, for example drilling tubulars. Both consumables and removable equipment are removed from the structure during use, thereby reducing the structure's total mass. The structure is provided with pontoon means (4, 8) containing a first set of compartments (66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 86, 88) for consumable material and ballast control means for introducing ballast into the first set of compartments to compensate for the removal of consumable material. The structure also includes dedicated ballast tanks (40, 42, 56, 106, 108), but the arrangement is such that, if the first set of compartments is empty, and no consumable material or removable equipment is being carried by the structure, the filling of the ballast tanks with ballast will not cause the structure to be submerged to an extent sufficient to achieve a semi-submerged condition (the structure therefore still being over-buoyant), whereas said condition would be achieved if the first set of compartments (66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 86, 88) were also at least partially filled. The structure thus includes "dual purpose" compartments which can accept either consumable materials or ballast, thereby increasing the effective deck load of the structure.

Cette structure semi-submersible est conçue pour recevoir du matériel consomptible solide ou liquide, des boues par exemples, ainsi qu'un équipement non installé à demeure, du matériel tubulaire de forage par exemple. Le matériel consomptible et l'équipement non installé à demeure sont enlevés de la structure durant l'utilisation de celle-ci, ce qui a pour effet d'en réduire la masse totale. La structure comprend des flotteurs (4, 8) renfermant un premier ensemble de compartiments (66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 86, 88) destinés au matériel consomptible ainsi qu'un équipement de commande de ballastage servant à introduire du ballast dans le premier ensemble de compartiments et ce, afin de compenser la disparition du matériel consomptible. Elle comprend également des cuves spécifiques à ballast (40, 42, 56, 106, 108), mais l'agencement est tel que, lorsque le premier ensemble de compartiments est vide et que la structure ne transporte pas de matériel consomptible ni d'équipement non installé à demeure, le remplissage des cuves n'entraîne pas une immersion suffisante de la structure pour amener celle-ci en position demi-immergée (elle reste, par conséquent, en état de flottabilité positive). La structure parviendra à cette position de demi-immersion lorsque le premier ensemble de compartiments (66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 86, 88) sera également à moitié rempli. Cette structure possède, de ce fait, des compartiments "à double fin" pouvant recevoir, soit du matériel consomptible, soit du ballast, ce qui permet d'augmenter sa pontée efficace.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Ballasting of semi-submersible rig does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Ballasting of semi-submersible rig, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ballasting of semi-submersible rig will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFCA-PAI-O-1734643