Tension leg platform (tlp) having offset top tension riser (ttr) guides

Abstract

A method of forming a tension leg platform (TLP) includes arranging a top tension riser (TTR) support system at one or more top tension risers, positioning the one or more top tension risers in corresponding ones of one or more TTR guide members supported by the TTR support system, connecting the TTR support system to a first column and a to a second column, and arranging a platform between the first and second columns.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of forming a tension leg platform (TLP) comprising:
 arranging a top tension riser (TTR) support system at one or more top tension risers;   positioning the one or more top tension risers in corresponding ones of one or more TTR guide members supported by the TTR support system;   connecting the TTR support system to a first column and to a second column; and   arranging a platform between the first and second columns.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 connecting a first pontoon between the first column and a third column; and   connecting a second pontoon between the second column and the third column, the platform extending across the first, second and third columns.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 connecting a first pontoon between the first column and a third column;   connecting a second pontoon between the second column and a fourth column; and   connecting another TTR support system between the third column and the fourth column.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the platform is supported by each of the first, second, third, and fourth columns. 
     
     
         5 . A tension leg platform (TLP) comprising:
 a first column;   a second column spaced from the first column; and   a top tension riser (TTR) support system extending between the first column and the second column, the TTR support system including at least one TTR guide member configured and disposed to receive a TTR.   
     
     
         6 . The TLP according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a third column spaced from the first column and the second column;   a first pontoon extending from a first end connected to the first column to a second end connected to the third column; and   a second pontoon extending from a first end connected to the second column to a second end connected to the third column.   
     
     
         7 . The TLP according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a third column spaced from the first column and the second column;   a fourth column spaced from the first column, the second column and the third column;   a first pontoon extending from a first end connected to the first column to a second end connected to the third column; and   a second pontoon extending from a first end connected to the second column to a second end connected to the fourth column.   
     
     
         8 . The TLP according to  claim 7 , further comprising: another TTR support system extending between the third column and the fourth column, the another TTR support system including at least one TTR guide member. 
     
     
         9 . The TLP according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one TTR guide member extends substantially parallel to each of the first and second columns. 
     
     
         10 . The TLP according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one TTR guide member includes a plurality of TTR guide members extending between the first and second columns. 
     
     
         11 . The TLP according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of TTR guide members includes a first plurality of TTR guide members extending along a first axis between the first and second columns and a second plurality of TTR guide members extending along a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis. 
     
     
         12 . The TLP according to  claim 11 , wherein each of the first plurality of TTR guide members is substantially aligned with corresponding ones of each of the second plurality of TTR guide members. 
     
     
         13 . A tension leg platform (TLP) comprising:
 a first column arranged on a first side of at least one top tension riser (TTR);   a second column spaced from the first column on a second side of the at least one TTR, the first column, second column and at least one TTR being in substantial alignment; and   a top tension riser (TTR) support system extending between the first column and the second column, the TTR support system including at least one TTR guide member disposed about the at least one TTR.   
     
     
         14 . The TLP according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a third column spaced from the first column and the second column;   a first pontoon extending from a first end connected to the first column to a second end connected to the third column; and   a second pontoon extending from a first end connected to the second column to a second end connected to the third column.   
     
     
         15 . The TLP according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a third column spaced from the first column and the second column, the third column being arranged on a first side of another TTR;   a fourth column spaced from the first column, the second column and the third column, the fourth column being arranged on a second side of the another TTR, the third column, fourth column and another TTR being in substantial alignment;   a first pontoon extending from a first end connected to the first column to a second end connected to the third column; and   a second pontoon extending from a first end connected to the second column to a second end connected to the fourth column.   
     
     
         16 . The TLP according to  claim 15 , further comprising: another TTR support system extending between the third column and the fourth column, the another TTR support system including at least one TTR guide member disposed about the another TTR. 
     
     
         17 . The TLP according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one TTR guide member extends substantially parallel to each of the first and second columns. 
     
     
         18 . The TLP according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one TTR guide member includes a plurality of TTR guide members extending between the first and second columns. 
     
     
         19 . The TLP according to  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of TTR guide members includes a first plurality of TTR guide members extending along a first axis between the first and second columns and a second plurality of TTR guide members extending along a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis. 
     
     
         20 . The TLP according to  claim 19 , wherein each of the first plurality of TTR guide members is substantially aligned with corresponding ones of each of the second plurality of TTR guide members.