Method for mating floating sections of an offshore structure

Abstract

A method for horizontal mating of multiple floating sections of an offshore platform using a single point mooring is disclosed. The single point mooring is installed at a predetermined mating site. The first section of the platform is transported to the mating site. Anchor handling vessels tow the section to the single point mooring and connect it to that mooring. Subsequent sections of the platform are then transported to the mating site while an anchor handling vessel attends to the horizontally floating moored sections. When all sections have been mated together at the mating site, the platform is disconnected from the single point mooring and towed to the installation site.

What we claim is: 
     
       1. A method for mating the first and second floating sections of an offshore structure at a mating site in the ocean comprising the steps of: (a) installing a single point mooring at said mating site;   (b) towing said first floating section to said mating site;   (c) attaching said first floating section to said single point mooring;   (d) towing said second floating section to said mating site; and   (e) mating said second floating section to said first section so that the mated sections freely rotate about said single point mooring.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein said offshore structure comprises one or more additional floating sections and wherein said method further comprises the steps of: (a) towing said first additional floating section to said mating site;   (b) mating said first additional floating section to said mated section so that the mated sections freely rotate about said single point mooring; and   (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for each subsequent section of said additional floating sections.