Ballast system for floating offshore platforms

摘要

A floating, offshore drilling and/or production platform such as a tension leg platform, semi-submersible, spar or the like is equipped with a ballast tank system that comprises the traditional tank and a shaft that runs typically vertically from top-of-hull level to the top of the tank. This shaft is large enough to allow the ballast pipe, sounding lines, instrumentation piping, etc. to be installed within it. In certain embodiments, the shaft itself functions as a vent line.

主权项

1. A tension leg platform comprising:
a plurality of substantially vertical columns including a first column; a plurality of substantially horizontal pontoons including a first pontoon connected to the first column and wherein each pontoon connects a pair of adjacent columns; and, at least one tank having a first portion substantially within the first pontoon and a substantially vertical second portion within the first column, wherein the top of the substantially vertical second portion of the tank is at approximately the same elevation as the top of the first column.