Abstract

A method of preparing a mooring rope for use in a mooring system for a floating offshore structure. The method comprises laying the mooring rope between a buoy and a seabed anchor; and tensioning the mooring rope between a buoyancy force from the buoy and the seabed anchor, thereby elongating the mooring rope towards a worked length condition. In another aspect, there is provided a method of preparing a mooring system for a floating offshore structure. The mooring system has at least one mooring line between a buoy and a seabed anchor, and the mooring line comprises a mooring rope. The method comprises tensioning the at least one mooring line between a buoyancy force from the buoy and the seabed anchor, thereby elongating the mooring rope towards a worked length condition. Preferred embodiments include tensioning the at least one mooring rope or mooring line between a buoyancy force from the buoy and a tensioning device acting against the buoyancy force. The tensioning device may be a part of the mooring system.

IPC Classes  ?

• B63B 21/50 - Anchoring arrangements for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers
• B63B 22/02 - Buoys specially adapted for mooring a vessel
• B63B 21/20 - Adaptations of chains, ropes, hawsers, or the like, or of parts thereof
• B63B 22/04 - Anchoring arrangements

Abstract

The invention provides a disconnectable mooring system for a floating offshore structure. The system may comprise: a buoy comprising a connector which enables connection and disconnection of the buoy from the floating structure. The system has a disconnected configuration in which the buoy is not connected to the floating structure and the buoy at least partially supports a dynamic riser conduit above the seabed. The system has a connected configuration in which the buoy is connected to the floating structure; and wherein the system is configured to enable pull-in of the buoy to the connected configuration and pull-in of the dynamic riser to a connection position. Aspects of the invention include related pull-in sequences, independent through connection of first and second dynamic riser conduits, and conductive coupling of a dynamic riser conduit to a floating structure. Further aspects of the invention include related rapid / emergency disconnect systems and methods, use a clump weight in an installation sequence, connection structures and buoy configurations, and rope connectors.

IPC Classes  ?

• B63B 1/10 - Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls
• B63B 21/50 - Anchoring arrangements for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers

Abstract

A disconnectable mooring system for offshore semi-submersible floating structures. A disconnectable buoy has a number of mooring lines which include a buoy chain between the mooring chain and the buoy. The mooring chain and the buoy chain are connected via a three way mooring connector, with the third connection configured to pull the mooring connector to a mooring point on the structure. In a first configuration the buoy is disconnected and supports the mooring chains for recovery at shallow depths to be pulled in. In a second configuration, the mooring lines are pulled in via the mooring connectors thereby providing a spread mooring to the structure with the buoy chain left as a catenary between the buoy and mooring point.

IPC Classes  ?

• B63B 21/50 - Anchoring arrangements for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers
• B63B 21/00 - Tying-upShifting, towing, or pushing equipmentAnchoring
• B63B 21/20 - Adaptations of chains, ropes, hawsers, or the like, or of parts thereof
• B63B 21/26 - Anchors securing to bed
• B63B 22/02 - Buoys specially adapted for mooring a vessel