Platform Topside for an Offshore Platform and Method for Installing Such a Platform Topside

Abstract

A platform topside for an offshore platform including a self-floating superstructure with a stable floating position, projections on the superstructure, means for mounting legs in an upright arrangement in the projections, wherein the projections and the means for mounting legs are arranged above the water line or not far below the water line, means for displacing the legs in the longitudinal direction of the legs in the means for mounting and means for fixing the legs in their positions in the means for mounting.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A platform topside for an offshore platform comprising
 a self-floating superstructure with a stable floating position,   projections on the superstructure,   means for mounting legs in an upright arrangement in the projections,   wherein the projections and the means for mounting legs are arranged above the water line or not far below the water line,   means for displacing the legs in the longitudinal direction of the legs in the means for mounting and   means for fixing the legs in their positions in the means for mounting.   
     
     
         2 . The platform topside according to  claim 1 , in which the legs are mounted in the means for mounting the legs and the superstructure equipped with the legs is self-floating with a stable floating position. 
     
     
         3 . The platform topside according to  claim 1 , in which the superstructure has projections on both sides of a center part or in which the structure has two side parts with these connecting projections in the form of a bridge. 
     
     
         4 . The platform topside according to  claim 1 , in which the means for mounting legs each have an upper leg bearing and a lower leg bearing arranged at a distance from it for mounting a leg. 
     
     
         5 . The platform topside according to  claim 4 , in which the upper leg bearings are integrated into the main deck of the superstructure and the lower leg bearings are integrated into a bottom wall of the projections. 
     
     
         6 . The platform topside according to  claim 1 , in which the means for displacing the legs are simultaneously the means for fixing the legs. 
     
     
         7 . The platform topside according to  claim 1 , in which the legs have on the bottom end a downward tapering cone and/or a ledge at a distance from the bottom end. 
     
     
         8 . A method suitable for installing a platform topside of an offshore platform according to  claim 1 , in which
 the platform topside is constructed,   the platform topside is brought to the setup site in a self-floating manner,   the platform topside is positioned above a substructure,   the legs of the platform topside are lowered and connected with the substructure above the surface of the water or not far below the surface of the water,   the platform topside is raised with respect to the legs and   the platform topside is fastened on the legs.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , in which the platform topside is equipped with the legs before being brought to the setup site. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , in which the legs are connected with piles or towers of a substructure above the surface of the water or not far below the surface of the water. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 8 , in which the legs are connected in a form-fit manner with the towers and/or piles of a substructure. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 8 , in which the substructure is used as a positioning aid for the platform topside during the positioning of the platform topside above the substructure. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 8 , in which the means for displacing are at least partially dismantled from the offshore platform for other uses after the lowering of the legs and subsequent raising of the platform topside. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 8 , in which a cable tower on the substructure is connected with the platform topside after the raising of the platform topside. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 8 , in which the legs are connected with the substructure at a maximum of 6 meters, preferably 3 meters, more preferably 1.5 meters above or below the surface of the water.