John F Mercier

US Patent:

43544460, Oct 19, 1982

Filed:

Aug 22, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/180767

Inventors:

Riley G. Goldsmith - Houston TX
John A. Mercier - Houston TX

Assignee:

Conoco Inc. - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

B63B 2100

US Classification:

114230

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus are provided for temporarily mooring a tension leg platform while the permanent vertical tethering elements thereof are connected between the platform and an anchor located upon the ocean floor.

US Patent:

53302931, Jul 19, 1994

Filed:

Feb 26, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/023507

Inventors:

Charles N. White - Houston TX
John A. Mercier - Houston TX

Assignee:

Conoco Inc. - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

B63B 3544

US Classification:

405211

Abstract:

A floating production and storage facility (FPS) or "floating atoll" comprises a very large tension leg platform (TLP) having a regular or irregular polygonal horizontal cross-section (including a circle) and having a centralized opening (moonpool) therethrough. The floater has wave transparent attributes, stanchions sited interior of the moonpool adapted to receive risers and maintain the risers within a limited horizontal zone with reference to the vessel while allowing vertical freedom of motion with reference to the vessel. It also has risers sited in the stanchions and connected to the bottom of the body of water upon which the TLP floats. The risers have sufficient buoyancy means below but near the surface of the water to tension the risers into vertical position, and can have additional buoyancy means distributed over much of their length. The floater can have large oil storage means, and can be moored by lateral mooring as well as the TLP tendons.