Semi-submersible floating structure

Abstract

A floating system comprising a plurality of buoyant columns, a top portion of the columns extending above a water surface, and a bottom portion of the columns submerged in a body of water; a deck connected to the top portion of the columns; at least one pontoon connected to the bottom portion of at least two of the columns; a plurality of heave plates, each heave plate connected to the bottom portion of at least one of the columns; and a conduit connected to the deck and extending to a bottom of the body of water.

1 . A floating system comprising:
 a plurality of buoyant columns, a top portion of the columns extending above a water surface, and a bottom portion of the columns submerged in a body of water;   a deck connected to the top portion of the columns;   at least one pontoon connected to the bottom portion of at least two of the columns;   a plurality of heave plates, each heave plate connected to the bottom portion of at least one of the columns; and   a conduit connected to the deck and extending to a bottom of the body of water.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising drilling equipment on the deck. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising anchor lines connected to the bottom portion of at least two of the columns 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit comprises a top tensioned riser. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a dry tree connected to a top end of the conduit, the dry tree installed above the water surface. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pontoons are buoyant. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of buoyant columns comprises from 3 to 6 buoyant columns 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system has a displacement of at least about 25,000 tons. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising supporting beams, each beam connected to the heave plate and the buoyant column. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pontoon is connected to the column above a location of the heave plate. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pontoon is connected to the column below a location of the heave plate. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one telescopic column extenders connected to the column at a first end and the heave plate at a second end. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the telescopic column extenders are extendable from a first position at least partially within the column to a second position outside the column. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a column extender stabilizer connected to at least two of the column extenders.