Support spacer for semi-submersible

Abstract

A semi-submersible offshore structure, including a deck supported by a plurality of support columns, a submersible pontoon structure having the plurality of support columns extending to the deck therefrom, and a support spacer disposed between a sea bed and the pontoon structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A semi-submersible offshore structure, comprising:
 a deck supported by a plurality of support columns;   a submersible pontoon structure having the plurality of support columns extending to the deck therefrom; and   a support spacer disposed between a sea bed and the pontoon structure.   
     
     
         2 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the pontoon structure comprises a plurality of pontoon sections connecting the plurality of support columns. 
     
     
         3 . The structure of  claim 2 , wherein the support spacer supports at least one of the plurality of pontoon sections. 
     
     
         4 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of support columns comprises a polygonal cross-section. 
     
     
         5 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of support columns comprises a circular cross-section. 
     
     
         6 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the support spacer comprises a plurality of spacer sections. 
     
     
         7 . The structure of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the plurality of spacer sections is disposed underneath at least one of the plurality of support columns. 
     
     
         8 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the support spacer is detachable from the pontoon structure. 
     
     
         9 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the support spacer is configured to have the pontoon structure disposed thereon prior to placing the semi-submersible in a position for use. 
     
     
         10 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the support spacer is configured to be disposed on the sea bed prior to placing the semi-submersible in a position for use. 
     
     
         11 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the semi-submersible and the support spacer comprises an attachment device to attach the pontoon structure to the support spacer. 
     
     
         12 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the support spacer is configured to be affixed to the sea bed. 
     
     
         13 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the pontoon structure is configured to be affixed to the sea bed, retaining the support spacer therebetween. 
     
     
         14 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the semi-submersible and the support spacer comprises at least one guiding member to guide the semi-submersible when disposing the pontoon structure on the support spacer. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus to support a semi-submersible having a pontoon structure, the apparatus comprising:
 a support spacer configured to be disposed on a sea bed,   wherein the support spacer is configured to have the pontoon structure disposed thereon, and   wherein the support spacer is separable from the pontoon structure.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the pontoon structure comprises a plurality of pontoon sections connecting a plurality of support columns. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the support spacer comprises a plurality of spacer sections with at least one of the plurality of spacer sections is positioned underneath at least one of the plurality of support columns. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the support spacer is configured to have the pontoon structure disposed thereon prior to placing the semi-submersible in a position for use. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the support spacer is configured to be disposed on the sea bed prior to placing the semi-submersible in a position for use. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the semi-submersible and the support spacer comprises an attachment device to attach the pontoon structure to the support spacer. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the support spacer is configured to be affixed to the sea bed and wherein at least one of the sea bed. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the semi-submersible and the support spacer comprises at least one guiding member to guide the semi-submersible when disposing the pontoon structure on the support spacer. 
     
     
         23 . A method to submerge a semi-submersible offshore structure, the method comprising:
 submerging a semi-submersible comprising a pontoon structure having a plurality of support columns connected thereto; and   supporting the semi-submersible with a support spacer,   wherein the support spacer is disposed on a sea bed,   wherein the pontoon structure is disposed on the support spacer, and   wherein the support spacer is separable from the pontoon structure.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising attaching the support spacer to the pontoon structure prior to submerging the semi-submersible. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising disposing the support spacer on the sea bed prior to submerging the semi-submersible. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein at least a portion of the support spacer penetrates the sea bed.