Ballast extension-submersion truss stable platform

Abstract

To overcome high construction and deployment/installation costs of spar platforms that are typically employed in deep waters for oil and gas production, Ballast Extension-Submersion Truss Stable Platform (BEST Stable Platform) capitalizes on a minimized wave-zone buoyancy design to control platform water-plane area. With a truss connected ballast that could be positioned at different depths, the Best Stable Platform can be constructed in shallow water near a fabrication yard, and the entire assembly could be towed to a drill site where the extended and submerged ballast would provide operational stability. For horizontal stability, mooring lines are floated by water neutral-density means to remove anchor line curvature. Accordingly, mooring lines could be pulled straight under water to provide optimal horizontal resistance, thereby reducing the need for excessive mooring line pretension that increases platform loads. Savings are realized by not having to design floating platforms that must have extra capacity to accommodate added pretension.

1 . A floating platform comprising: 
 a platform body which includes a float;    a truss;    and a ballast;    with said truss attached to said ballast;    with said platform body having space to permit the truss to move up and down with respect to the platform body; and    with the platform body capable of rigidly attaching the truss so as to position the ballast adjacent to said float or at extension-submersion depth.    
   
   
       2 . A mooring system comprising a mooring line and a plurality of water neutral-density means, with said mooring line and said plurality of water neutral-density means together effectively yielding about the same density of water.  
   
   
       3 . A mooring system comprising a mooring line made from a material with density about that of water.