Skid beam assembly for loading and transporting large structures

Abstract

A system comprising a floating vessel comprising a deck having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis; a plurality of support structures in an array spaced along the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis; a plurality of lateral support members spanning a lateral distance between adjacent support structures; a plurality of longitudinal support members spanning a longitudinal distance between adjacent support structures; and a skid beam resting on the plurality of lateral support members and the plurality of longitudinal support members.

1 . A system comprising:
 a floating vessel comprising a deck having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis;   a plurality of support structures in an array spaced along the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis;   a plurality of lateral support members spanning a lateral distance between adjacent support structures;   a plurality of longitudinal support members spanning a longitudinal distance between adjacent support structures; and   a skid beam resting on the plurality of lateral support members and the plurality of longitudinal support members.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the skid beam is inclined at an angle from 0.1 to 3 degrees relative to the floating vessel deck along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the skid beam is inclined at an angle from 0.5 to 1.5 degrees relative to the floating vessel deck along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the skid beam further comprises a raised edge along at least one of its sides. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a connection between a lateral support member and a longitudinal support member, the connection selected from the group consisting of bolts and welds. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the support structures comprise from 2 to 3 base members. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the support structures comprise a trapezoidal frame shape. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a skid shoe resting on the skid beam. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an offshore structure resting on the skid beam, the offshore structure comprising a topsides structure. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the array comprises from 3 to 10 support structures spaced along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the array comprises from 4 to 8 support structures spaced along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the array comprises from 2 to 6 support structures spaced along the lateral axis. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the array comprises from 3 to 5 support structures spaced along the lateral axis. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the skid beam comprises a plurality of sections connected to each other at a lateral beam. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the skid beam comprises a plurality of sections connected to each other at a longitudinal beam.