Dry tree jacket semi-submersible platform

Abstract

Column-stabilized floating offshore platform structure for dry tree application is provided. The offshore floating platform can include a deck, a jacket frame attached to the bottom of the deck for supporting the deck, a hull structurally coupled with the jacket frame for providing buoyancy and a restoring force to stabilize the platform, and a mooring system coupled with the hull for maintaining the position of the platform. A method for providing the offshore floating platform is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An offshore floating platform comprising:
 a deck;   a jacket frame attached to the bottom of the deck for supporting the deck;   a hull structurally coupled to the jacket frame for stabilizing the offshore floating platform;   and wherein the hull is not directly assembled with the deck for reducing the pry-squeeze load caused to the deck.   
     
     
         2 . The offshore floating platform according to  claim 1  wherein the hull comprises a column. 
     
     
         3 . The offshore floating platform according to  claim 2  wherein the shape of the column is selected from the group consisting of square, rectangular, round, stepped, and multi-sided. 
     
     
         4 . The offshore floating platform according to the  claim 2  wherein the number of the column is at least three. 
     
     
         5 . The offshore floating platform according to  claim 4  wherein the columns are spaced apart for stability of the platform. 
     
     
         6 . The offshore floating platform according to  claim 1  wherein the hull comprises a pontoon structure. 
     
     
         7 . The offshore floating platform according to  claim 1  further comprising a topside facility on the deck. 
     
     
         8 . The offshore floating platform according to  claim 7  further comprising a riser extending from an underground oil well to the topside facility for oil and gas production. 
     
     
         9 . The offshore floating platform according to  claim 8  wherein the riser extends through the hull and the jacket frame. 
     
     
         10 . The offshore floating platform according to  claim 8  wherein the type of riser is selected from the group consisting of a top-tensioned riser, a centenary riser, a flexible riser, and a rigid riser. 
     
     
         11 . The offshore floating platform according to  claim 1  further comprising a mooring system coupled with the hull for maintaining the position of the platform. 
     
     
         12 . The offshore floating platform according to  claim 11  wherein the mooring system comprises multiple mooring lines. 
     
     
         13 . The offshore floating platform according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one guide frame coupled to the jacket frame. 
     
     
         14 . The offshore floating platform according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one heave plate coupled to the jacket frame. 
     
     
         15 . The offshore floating platform according to  claim 14  wherein the heave plate is positioned below the hull. 
     
     
         16 . A jacket semi-submersible platform comprising:
 a deck;   a jacket frame attached to the bottom of the deck for supporting the deck;   a guide frame structurally coupled to the jacket frame;   multiple columns structurally coupled to the jacket frame for stabilizing the platform; and   wherein the columns are not directly assembled with the deck for reducing the pry-squeeze load caused to the deck.   
     
     
         17 . The jacket semi-submersible platform according to  claim 16  further comprising a riser to be guided by the guide frame. 
     
     
         18 . A method for providing an offshore floating platform comprising:
 providing a deck;   attaching a jacket frame to the bottom of the deck for supporting the deck; and   coupling a hull to the jacket frame without contacting the deck.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18  further comprising coupling a guide frame to the jacket frame for allowing pipes extending through. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18  further comprising coupling a mooring system with the hull for maintaining the position of the platform.