Offshore oil production platform

Abstract

The present invention relates to an offshore oil production platform. The platform includes a deck ( 12 ) and a sub-structure ( 10 ) comprising plurality of ballast chambers ( 20 ) and at least one of connecting leg ( 16 ) connected from the ballast chambers ( 20 ) to the deck ( 12 ). The ballast chambers ( 20 ) include at least one oil storage compartment ( 22 ), at least one ballast compartment ( 24 ) and at least one air pressure compartment ( 26 ). The oil and gas storage compartment ( 22 ) is for storing processed oil and gas. During installation of the platform, the ballast chambers ( 20 ) are ballasted with sea water ( 46 ) which allows lowering of the connecting legs ( 16 ) towards the sea bed ( 34 ). After the ballast chambers ( 20 ) reach the sea bed ( 34 ), locking means is actuated to a locked position to prevent movement of the sub-structure ( 10 ) of the platform. The deck ( 12 ) is moved up to a predetermined height from sea level by jacking means. After the oil is extracted, it is then processed and separated to processed oil and gas. The processed oil and gas are then stored in the oil and gas storage compartment ( 22 ). The oil and gas are then transferred to a buoy and then loaded to tanker vessels by connecting conduits. During the de-installation of the oil production platform, the ballast chambers ( 20 ) are de-ballasted whereby the sea water ( 46 ) in the ballast compartment ( 24 ) is flushed out. Thus, the sub-structure ( 10 ) of the platform moves upwards to reach the deck ( 12 ). When the base ( 14 ) touches the deck ( 12 ), the locking means is actuated thereby locking the sub-structure ( 10 ) together with the deck ( 12 ). Finally, the oil production platform is towed to its new destination for further extraction of oil.

1 . An offshore oil production platform, before being installed on sea bed ( 34 ), comprising a deck ( 12 ), a base ( 14 ) connected to at least one connecting leg ( 16 ) substantially vertical upstanding from the base ( 14 ) to above the deck ( 12 ) characterized wherein the base ( 14 ) includes:
 at least one ballast chamber ( 20 ) which is secured by connecting means to one terminal end region of the at least one connecting leg ( 16 ) wherein the ballast chamber ( 20 ) includes at least one oil and gas storage compartment ( 22 ) for storing processed oil and gas, at least one ballast compartment ( 24 ) to be filled with sea water ( 46 ) or air or gas and at least one air pressure compartment ( 26 ) for compressed air or gas.   
   
   
       2 . An offshore oil production platform as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the ballast compartment ( 24 ) is connected to the air pressure compartment ( 26 ) by at least one first valve ( 28 ) and at least one second valve ( 30 ) which actuate ballasting and de-ballasting processes respectively. 
   
   
       3 . An offshore oil production platform as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the ballast chamber further includes a base ( 32 ) to support the ballast chamber ( 20 ) at the sea bed ( 34 ). 
   
   
       4 . An offshore oil production platform as claimed in  claim 1  wherein distal end of the connecting legs ( 16 ) is attached to a metallic frame ( 18 ). 
   
   
       5 . An offshore oil production platform as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the ballast chamber ( 20 ) are adapted to be anchored to sea bed by anchoring means. 
   
   
       6 . An offshore oil production platform as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the oil platform consists of plurality of ballast chambers ( 20 ) and any one of the ballast chamber ( 20 ) is detachable and is replaceable with another ballast chamber ( 20 ). 
   
   
       7 . An offshore oil production platform before being installed on sea bed ( 34 ) comprising a deck ( 38 ), a base ( 40 ) connected to at least one connecting leg ( 44 ) substantially vertical upstanding from the base ( 40 ) to above the deck ( 38 ) characterized wherein the base ( 40 ) includes:
 a) at least one ballast chamber ( 42 ) which are secured by connecting means to terminal end region of the at least one connecting leg ( 44 ) wherein the at least one ballast chamber ( 42 ) has a plurality chambers ( 48 ) connected in a circular ring and each said chamber ( 48 ) consists of at least one oil and gas storage compartment for storing processed oil and gas, at least one ballast compartment to be filled with sea water ( 46 ) or air or gas and at least one air pressure compartment for compressed air or gas.   
   
   
       8 . An offshore oil production platform as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the ballast compartment is connected to the air pressure compartment by at least one first valve and at least one second valve which actuates ballasting and de-ballasting processes respectively. 
   
   
       9 . An offshore oil production platform as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the chamber ( 48 ) is detachable from the circular ring and replaceable with a corresponding chamber ( 48 ). 
   
   
       10 . An offshore oil production platform as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the ballast chamber ( 42 ) are adapted to be anchored to sea bed ( 34 ) by anchoring means. 
   
   
       11 . A method for installing an offshore oil production platform towed to an oil extraction destination site wherein the platform includes a deck ( 12 ) with at least one connecting leg ( 16 ) upstanding from a base to above the deck and the base includes at least one ballast chamber ( 20 ) connected to terminal end region of the at least one connecting leg ( 16 ) and wherein the at least one ballast chamber includes at least one compartment ( 22 ) for storing processed oil, at least one compartment ( 24 ) to be filled with sea water or air or gas ( 46 ) and at least one compartment ( 26 ) for compressed air or gas characterized in that the method further includes:
 a) unlocking the connecting legs from locked to unlocked position;   b) ballasting the ballast chamber ( 20 ) with sea water ( 46 );   c) lowering the at least one connecting leg ( 16 ) towards sea bed ( 34 );   d) locking the connecting legs ( 16 ) to a locked position when it reaches the sea bed ( 34 );   e) jacking up the deck ( 12 ) to a predetermined length above sea level;   f) anchoring the ballast chamber ( 20 ) to the seabed by anchoring means;   
     wherein the ballasting of the ballast chamber is continued after step (b) until the ballast chambers reaches the sea bed ( 34 ). 
   
   
       12 . A method for removing and re-using an offshore oil production platform after extraction of oil at an oil field destination to a next oil field destination and wherein the platform includes a deck ( 12 ) with at least one connecting leg ( 16 ) upstanding from a base to the deck and the base includes at least one ballast chamber ( 20 ) connected to terminal end region of the at least one connecting leg ( 16 ) and the at least one ballast chamber ( 20 ) is anchored to the sea bed by anchoring means and wherein the at least one ballast chamber includes at least one compartment ( 22 ) for storing processed oil, at least one ballast compartment ( 24 ) to be filled with sea water ( 46 ) or air or gas and at least one compartment ( 26 ) for compressed air or gas characterized in that the method further includes:
 a) actuating locking means at the deck ( 12 ) from locked position to unlocked position;   b) jacking down the deck ( 12 ) from a height above sea to reach to sea level;   c) releasing anchoring means from the ballast chamber ( 20 );   d) de-ballasting the ballast chamber ( 20 ) in order to move the at least one connecting leg ( 16 ) back up to the deck ( 12 );   e) actuating locking means to a locked position when the at least one connecting leg ( 16 ) and ballast chamber ( 20 ) reach to a locked position at the deck ( 12 );   f) towing the oil production platform to the next oil field destination.   
   
   
       13 . The use of an offshore oil production platform as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the processed oil and gas stored in the oil and gas storage compartment ( 22 ) is independently transferable to carrier vessels by means of connecting conduits. 
   
   
       14 . The use of an offshore oil production platform as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the processed oil and gas stored in the oil and gas storage compartment is independently transferable to carrier vessels by means of connecting conduits.