Method for installing an anchoring system

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for installing an off-shore anchoring system comprising drilling a borehole in a seabed, the borehole comprising a first lower portion in communication with a second upper portion. The cross-sectional dimensions of the first lower portion are smaller than the cross-sectional dimensions of the second upper portion. An inwardly protruding abutment surface is provided at a transition point located therebetween. The method further comprises introducing settable locking media into the borehole. The method further comprises subsequently introducing an off-shore anchoring system comprising an anchor pile and a lateral load transition member into the settable locking media within the borehole, such that the anchor pile is located within the first lower portion of the borehole, and the lateral load transition member is located within the second upper portion of the borehole and spaced apart from the anchor pile.

1 . A method for installing an off-shore anchoring system comprising:
 drilling a borehole in a seabed, the borehole comprising a first lower portion in communication with a second upper portion, in which the cross-sectional dimensions of the first lower portion are smaller than the cross-sectional dimensions of the second upper portion, and in which an inwardly protruding abutment surface is provided at a transition point located therebetween;   
       introducing settable locking media into the borehole; and
 subsequently introducing an off-shore anchoring system comprising an anchor pile and a lateral load transition member into the settable locking media within the borehole, such that the anchor pile is located within the first lower portion of the borehole, and the lateral load transition member is located within the second upper portion of the borehole and spaced apart from the anchor pile. 
 
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising introducing the settable locking media into the first lower portion of the borehole. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the settable locking media is introduced into the first lower portion and to not extend beyond the transition point. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the locking media comprises cement or grout. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the off-shore anchoring system comprises:
 an anchor pile comprising a first elongate body having an upper end and a lower end;   a lateral load transition member comprising a second elongate body having an upper end, and an opposed lower end positioned adjacent and spaced apart from the upper end of the first elongate body of the anchor pile; and   an intermediate portion connecting the lower end of the second elongate body of the lateral load transition member to the upper end of the first elongate body of the anchor pile.   
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 5 , further comprising positioning the second elongate body of the lateral load transition member such that at least a portion of the lower end of the second elongate body extends into the first lower portion of the borehole. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising drilling a first lower portion of the borehole having a cross-sectional dimension of between 300 mm and 500 mm.