RELEASABLE MOORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DRILLING VESSELS

摘要

Disclosed herein are mooring systems and methods for drilling vessels, e.g., for mooring of exploratory drilling vessels in arctic ocean waters. The disclosed systems and methods may be implemented in one exemplary embodiment to provide for both a quick disconnect of the mooring system when danger approaches and relatively easy re-connect when the vessel returns to the well site. This may be achieved by connecting the mooring system using dockable buoys in lieu of directly connecting the mooring lines to the vessel. The dockable buoys may be designed for both easy disconnect and easy re-connect to the drilling vessel via receptacles either integral with the hull, e.g., in the case of a drillship, or external to the hull, e.g., in the case of a MODU.