Buoyancy assembly

Abstract

A device includes at least one float. The at least one float is configured to provide a buoyancy force away from a seabed when placed in water. The device also includes an enclosure configured to house the at least one float. The enclosure comprises at least one connection configured to couple the enclosure to a self-elevating unit used in offshore oil operations or offshore gas operations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device, comprising:
 at least one float configured to provide a buoyancy force away from a seabed when placed in water; and   an enclosure configured to house the at least one float, wherein the enclosure comprises at least one connector configured to couple the enclosure to a self-elevating unit used in offshore oil operations or offshore gas operations.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises a fixed frame as a top portion of the enclosure. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the enclosure comprises a second fixed frame as a side portion of the enclosure. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the enclosure comprises a third fixed frame as a bottom portion of the enclosure. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises an affixable support as a side portion of the enclosure. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises an affixable support as a bottom portion of the enclosure. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising a propulsion mechanism configured to propel the device. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising a compressor configured to be coupled to the at least one float to adjust the buoyancy force. 
     
     
         9 . A system, comprising:
 a first connector configured to be attached to a self-elevating unit used in offshore oil operations or offshore gas operations; and   a buoyancy assembly, comprising:
 at least one float configured to provide a buoyancy force away from a seabed when placed in water; 
 an enclosure configured to house to the at least one float; and 
 a second connector coupled to the enclosure and configured to couple with the first connector. 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the first connector comprises a receptacle configured to receive the second connector. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the first connector comprises a slot with a releasable latch that affixes the second connector at a particular location when engaged. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the second connector comprises a protrusion extending from the enclosure. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , comprising a third connector configured to be attached to the self-elevating unit. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the buoyancy assembly comprises a beam coupled to the enclosure. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , comprising a locking mechanism configured to couple the beam to the third connector wherein the locking mechanism is engaged. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , comprising a strut coupled to the beam and the enclosure. 
     
     
         17 . A method, comprising:
 coupling a buoyancy assembly to a self-elevating unit used in offshore oil operations or offshore gas operations, wherein the buoyancy assembly comprises at least one float configured to provide a buoyancy force away from a seabed to reduce a draft of the a self-elevating unit and an enclosure configured to house to the at least one float.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the coupling of the buoyancy assembly to the self-elevating unit comprises:
 reducing the buoyance force provided by the at least one float;   moving the buoyancy assembly to a first position adjacent to the self-elevating unit; and   increasing the buoyance force provided by the at least one float to move the to a second position adjacent to the self-elevating unit, wherein the second position is above the first position relative to the seafloor.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the coupling of the buoyancy assembly to the self-elevating unit comprises:
 jacking down the self-elevating unit from a first height relative to the seafloor to cause a first connector of the self-elevating unit to interact with a second connector of the buoyancy assembly; and   engaging latch to lock the first connector to the second connector.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the coupling of the buoyancy assembly to the self-elevating unit comprises:
 moving the buoyancy assembly into position to connect to a connector of the self-elevating unit;   forming a connection between the connector and the buoyancy assembly; and   moving the buoyancy assembly into an operational position.