Extraction of foundation in offshore platforms

Abstract

The present invention provides a foundation that facilitates the extraction process by minimizing the soil resistance. When the foundation is lowered onto a seabed, it penetrates the seabed and experiences soil resistance therefrom. In particular, the suction generated at the base of the foundation contributes significantly to the soil resistance. The foundation is configured to uniformly distribute pressurized fluid to the base external via a plurality of outlets. The outlets are terminated with an interface layer to allow the transfer of pressurized fluid to the base external and prevent the ingress or seabed sediments into the body. The pressurized fluid released to the base external increases the pore pressure at the base external, thus minimizing the suction at the base.

1 . A foundation for use in an offshore platform comprising: 
 a body having a base, wherein the body is adapted to receive pressurized fluid; and    a plurality of outlets disposed on the base, wherein the plurality of outlets are terminated with an interface layer for allowing pressurized fluid to be released to the base external and preventing the ingress of seabed sediments into the body,    whereby the body is configured to provide a uniform distribution of the pressurized fluid to the base external through the plurality of porous outlets, wherein the pressurized fluid released through the plurality of porous outlets increases the pore pressure at the base external, and thereby minimizing the suction on the base.    
   
   
       2 . The foundation of  claim 1  further comprising a chamber disposed within the body, wherein the chamber is adapted to receive pressurized fluid, thereby regulating the pressurized fluid to provide a uniform distribution of the pressurized fluid through the plurality of outlets.  
   
   
       3 . The foundation of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of outlets are arranged to ensure that the coverage area of the pressurized fluid released from one outlet overlaps the neighboring outlets.  
   
   
       4 . The foundation of  claim 1 , wherein the interface layer is made from porous materials.  
   
   
       5 . The foundation of  claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises a pressure sensor to monitor the pore pressure at the base external.  
   
   
       6 . The foundation of  claim 1 , wherein the body of the foundation is a spudcan.  
   
   
       7 . The foundation of  claim 1 , wherein the body of the foundation is a caisson.  
   
   
       8 . A system for extracting an offshore platform foundation penetrated in a seabed, comprising: 
 a channel for transferring pressurized fluid to the foundation;    a chamber disposed within the foundation, wherein the chamber is adapted to receive pressurized fluid from the channel; and    a plurality of outlets disposed on the base of the foundation, wherein the plurality of outlets are terminated with an interface layer for allowing pressurized fluid to be released to the base external and preventing the ingress of seabed sediments into the chamber,    whereby the chamber regulates the pressurized fluid received, thereby providing a uniform distribution of the pressurized fluid to the base external via the plurality of porous outlets, wherein the pressurized fluid released through the plurality of porous outlets increases the pore pressure at the base external, thereby minimizing the suction on the base.    
   
   
       9 . The foundation of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of outlets are arranged to ensure that the coverage area of the pressurized fluid released from one outlet overlaps the neighboring outlets.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the foundation further comprises a plurality of conduits for transferring pressurized water from the channel to the chamber.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the interface layer is made from porous materials.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the base of the foundation further comprises a pressure sensor to monitor the pore pressure at the base external.  
   
   
       13 . The foundation of  claim 1 , wherein the foundation is a spudcan.  
   
   
       14 . The foundation of  claim 1 , wherein the foundation is a caisson.