This invention relates to the field of offshore constructions such as platforms, which are located usually above sea level, supported from the sea bed from columns, towers or pylons.

Typical offshore platforms comprise a plurality of towers supported vertically in a barge, for towing to or self propelled navigation to the position of deployment, whereupon the towers are lowered vertically until they reach the sea bed. Subsequently the barge, which is to serve as a platform or the like, is jacked up the towers, clear of the surface of the sea.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a jack-up construction comprising a column and a vessel, said column being supportable on said vessel in a substantially horizontal position for storage or transport, and supportable in relation to said vessel in a substantially vertical position for deployment or use, wherein said construction includes a support structure for supporting said column for rotation between said horizontal position and said vertical position, and wherein said support structure includes an element which selectively allows for said vessel and said column to be disconnected to enable said vessel to embark from and dock to said column.

Preferably said support structure includes a pivotal connection extending between said column and said vessel. In this manner, the pivotal connection provides for rotation of the column relative to the vessel.

Preferably said support structure includes a carriage for supporting said column for selective sliding movement in relation thereto. In this manner, the column slides relative to the carriage as the vessel is jacked up or down the column.

Preferably said carriage includes flanged wheels or concave shaped pulleys for guiding said column.

Preferably said pivotal connection extends between said carriage and said vessel.

Preferably said carriage is dismountable from said column to enable said vessel and said column to be disconnected.

Preferably said element comprises a pivoting portion on said carriage which in a closed condition secures said column for sliding movement, and restrains said column in said vertical position.

Alternatively said pivotal connection is dismountable from said column and said carriage to enable said vessel and said column to be disconnected. With such a configuration, it would be necessary to secure said column against sliding, relative to said column, when said vessel is detached.

Preferably said jack-up construction includes hoisting means to move said column vertically, relative to said vessel, when said column is in said vertical position.

Preferably said vessel includes an opening extending vertically through the hull and deck of said vessel, through which said column is received in said vertical position.

Preferably said opening includes a recess along the edge of said vessel.

Preferably said opening is located away from the edge of said vessel, and said recess provides access to said opening from the edge of said vessel.

Preferably said opening is located at a relative central position in said vessel.

Preferably said recess extends to the stern of said vessel.

Preferably said vessel includes cover means for covering said recess when access thereto is not required.

Preferably said cover means comprises removable cover portions.

Preferably said column includes a weight distribution structure at the lowermost end thereof.

Preferably said weight distribution structure comprises at least three fold out legs.

Preferably each of said fold out legs includes a footing.

Preferably said footing includes a floodable chamber.

Preferably said footing comprises a sealable enclosure formed by an upper cup and a lower cup arranged one inside the other in telescoping alignment and defining a pressurable chamber therein, said pressurable chamber having inlet/outlet means for transfer of fluid in or out of said chamber.

Preferably said footing includes an axial guide assembly for alignment of the cups relative to each other.

Preferably said axial guide assembly includes a pair of members arranged to telescope along an axis co-parallel with the axial extent of said footing.

Preferably said cups are cylindrical.

Preferably said axis is coincident with the axial extent of said footing.

Preferably said members are tubular.

Preferably said members include a locking device to secure said members relative to each other.

Preferably said locking device comprises a wedge driveable into an annular collar located at the junction of said members.

Preferably said wedge is slidable along the inner member of said telescoping member and comprises a frustum bored along the axis thereof.

Preferably said vessel includes floodable compartments to allow balancing of the weight distribution of said vessel, relative to said column.

Preferably said vessel supports cranes for loading and unloading equipment. The cranes may be pedestal mounted or gantry mounted cranes as required.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a vessel adapted for deployment as an offshore structure supported above the sea floor, said vessel including a support structure for supporting a column for rotation between a substantially horizontal stowed position and a vertical position for deployment, said support structure including an element allowing for said vessel and said column to be connected to enable said vessel to dock to said column, and disconnected to enable said vessel to embark from said column.

Preferably said support structure includes a pivotal connection point for forming a pivotal connection between said column and said vessel.

Preferably said support structure includes a carriage for supporting said column for selective sliding movement in relation thereto. In this manner, the column slides relative to the carriage as the vessel is jacked up or down the column.

Preferably said carriage includes flanged wheels or concave shaped pulleys for guiding said column.

Preferably said pivotal connection extends between said carriage and said vessel.

Preferably said carriage is dismountable from said column to enable said vessel and said column to be disconnected.

Preferably said carriage includes guide means for guiding vertical displacement of said vessel relative to said column.

Preferably said element comprises a pivoting portion on said carriage which in a closed condition secures said column for sliding movement, and restrains said column in said vertical position.

Alternatively said pivotal connection is adapted to be selectively connectable to connect/disconnect said vessel and said column.

Preferably said vessel includes hoisting means for moving said column vertically relative to said vessel, when said vessel is attached to said column and when said column is in said vertical position.

Preferably said vessel includes an opening extending vertically through the hull and deck of said vessel, through which said column is received in said vertical position.

Preferably said opening includes a recess along the edge of said vessel.

Preferably said opening is located away from the edge of said vessel, and said recess provides access from the edge of said vessel to said opening.

Preferably said opening is located at a relative central position in said vessel.

Preferably said vessel includes cover means for covering said recess when access thereto is not required.

Preferably said cover means comprises removable cover portions.

Preferably said vessel includes floodable compartments to allow balancing of the weight distribution of said vessel, relative to said column.

Preferably said vessel supports cranes for loading and unloading equipment. The cranes may be pedestal mounted or gantry mounted cranes as required.

In accordance with a third aspect of the. invention there is provided a column for supporting a vessel and adapted for deployment as an offshore structure supported above the sea floor, said column having a support structure for selectively attaching to said vessel to allow said vessel to dock to or embark from said column, said support structure including a pivotal connection point for forming a pivotal connection between said column and said vessel when said column and said vessel are attached to allow said column to be rotated relative to said vessel from a horizontal stowed position to a vertical position for deployment.

Preferably said supporting means includes a carriage adapted to traverse said column, and which may be fixed to said column as required.

Preferably said column is adapted to be hoisted vertically up or down relative to said vessel when said pivotal connection is disconnected.

Preferably said column includes a weight distribution structure at the lowermost end thereof.

Preferably said weight distribution structure comprises at least three fold out legs.

Preferably each of said fold out legs includes a footing.

Preferably said footing includes a floodable chamber.

Preferably said footing comprises a sealable enclosure formed by an upper cup and a lower cup arranged one inside the other in telescoping alignment and defining a pressurable chamber therein, said pressurable chamber having inlet/outlet means for transfer of fluid in or out of said chamber.

Preferably said footing includes an axial guide assembly for alignment of the cups relative to each other.

Preferably said axial guide assembly includes a pair of members arranged to telescope along an axis co-parallel with the axial extent of said footing.

Preferably said cups are cylindrical.

Preferably said axis is coincident with the axial extent of said footing.

Preferably said members are tubular.

Preferably said members include a locking device to secure said members relative to each other.

Preferably said locking device comprises a wedge driveable into an annular collar located at the junction of said members.

Preferably said wedge is slidable along the inner member of said telescoping member and comprises a frustum bored along the axis thereof.

Alternatively, said locking device comprises a grout injection system adapted to in ject a settable grout composition to lock said members.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a footing for a weight distribution structure as hereinbefore described, said footing comprising a sealable enclosure formed by an upper cup and a lower cup arranged one inside the other in telescoping alignment and defining a pressurable chamber

therein, said pressurable chamber having inlet/outlet means for transfer of fluid in or out of said chamber.

Preferably said footing includes an axial guide assembly for alignment of the cups relative to each other.

Preferably said axial guide assembly includes a pair of members arranged to telescope along an axis co-parallel with the axial extent of said footing.

Preferably said cups are cylindrical.

Preferably said axis is coincident with the axial extent of said footing.

Preferably said members are tubular.

Preferably said members include a locking device to secure said members relative to each other.

Preferably said locking device comprises a wedge driveable into an annular collar located at the junction of said members.

Preferably said wedge is slidable along the inner member of said telescoping member and comprises a frustum bored along the axis thereof.

Alternatively, said locking device comprises a grout injection system adapted to in ject a settable grout composition to lock said members.

The invention will now be described in the following description of one specific embodiment thereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of an offshore construction jack-up barge having a column shown in the stowed condition;

Figure 2 is a side view of the construction jack-up barge showing the weight distribution structure of the column being deployed;

Figure 3 is a side view of the construction jack-up barge showing the column being deployed;

Figure 4 is a side view of the construction jack-up barge showing the column deployed in an in field transit configuration;

Figure 5 is a side view of the construction jack-up barge with the column in the horizontal (stowed) position, showing the pivotal connection between the barge and the column;

Figure 6 is a side view of the construction jack-up barge with the column in the vertical position, also showing the pivotal connection between the barge and column;

Figure 7 is a plan view of guide means for the column in the vertical position;

Figure 8 and 9 are side views showing hoisting means for moving the barge and column relative to each other;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the barge;

Figure 11 is a side view of the construction jack-up barge shown in a pre-load configuration;

Figure 11a is a plan schematic showing the ballast configuration of the barge for pre-load configuration;

Figure 12 is a side view of the construction jack-up barge shown preparing a permanent offshore platform installation;

Figure 13 is a side view of the completed permanent offshore platform installation;

Figure 14 is a side view of the construction jack-up barge showing stage 1 of a typical installation sequence;

Figure 14a is a plan view of the ballast configuration of the construction jack-up barge for stage 1 of the installation sequence shown in figure 14;

Figure 15 is a side view of the construction jack-up barge showing stage 2 of the installation sequence;

Figure 16 is a side view of the construction jack-up barge showing stage 3 of the installation sequence;

Figure 17 is a side view of the construction jack-up barge showing stage 4 of the installation sequence;

Figure 18 is a side view of the construction jack-up barge showing stage 5 of the installation sequence;

Figure 19 is a side view of the construction jack-up barge showing stage 6 of the installation sequence shown in figure 14;

Figure 20 is a side view of the construction jack-up barge showing the dismantling thereof after completion of the installation sequence shown in figures 14 to 19;

Figure 21 is a side view of the construction jack-up barge equipped with a haul winch for hauling materials along the seabed;

Figure 22 is a view of detail of a footing assembly;

Figure 22a is a cut away view of detail of part of the footing assembly shown in figure 22;

Figure 22b is a cut away view of detail of the axial guide for the footing assembly shown in figure 22; and

Figure 22c is a cut away view of detail of the footing assembly shown in figure 22.

The embodiment is directed towards a construction jack-up barge assembly for transporting and erecting an offshore tower for supporting a platform or the like.

The construction jack-up barge comprises a vessel in the form of a barge 11 supporting a column in the form of a large chord square section tower 13. The tower 13 has a weight distribution structure in the form of three fold out legs 15, each equipped with a footing assembly 17. The legs 15 are folded along the tower 13, in a retracted position, in which the tower assembly may be transported on the barge 11 , as shown in figure 1. Referring to figure 5, the tower 13 is supported for rotation between a horizontal stowed position and a vertical position for deployment, about the barge 11 , by a pivotal connection 19. The pivotal connection 19 is achieved by a pin and clevis arrangement secured to a carriage in the form of a travelling frame 20 which has concave shaped rollers 21 which track each chord of the tower 13. The carriage and pivotal connection 19 form a support structure for the tower 13. The construction jack- up barge may conveniently include suitable means for securing the tower 13 in the horizontal stowed position, to prevent damage in transit, in the event of rough seas or swell.

The tower 13 is pivotable from the horizontal position as shown in figure 5 to a vertical position as shown in figure 6, the vertical position corresponding to the deployed condition. The tower 13 is guided in the vertical position by two guide assemblies 22 and the travelling frame 20, which allow for sliding vertical

movement of the tower 13 therein. Each guide assembly 22 has removable end portions 23 which are locked into place after the tower has been received within the guide assembly 22. The guide assemblies 22 and moveable end portions 23 are preferably lined with a bearing surface such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (uhmw). Movement of the removable end portions 23 is accomplished by two hydraulic rams 24, one connected to each end portion 23. The guide assemblies 22 are provided at the top of the cabin superstructure 25 of the barge 11 , and in the hull below the waterline of the barge 11. The guide assemblies 22 may be considered as defining an opening which extends vertically from the bottom of the hull through to the deck of the barge, for receiving the tower in the vertical position. Referring now to figure 10, the guide assemblies 22 and clevis-like parts 27 of the pivotal connection 29 may be seen, in the perspective view of the barge 11.

The barge 11 includes a pair of gantry type cranes 29, each mounted on a track 31 for movement fore and aft, along the side of the barge 11. Removable cantilever beams 32 are provided at the stern of the barge 11 in order to permit outboard travel of the gantry cranes 29, to provide greater access for hoisting loads and reduce the turning moment exerted on the crane when doing so.

The barge 11 also includes a central cut out portion 33 extending from the stern of the barge 11 , to the opening through which the tower 13 extends in the vertical position. The central cut out portion 33 extends vertically through the hull and deck of said vessel, and provides a pathway for transit of the tower 13 between the horizontal and the vertical positions.

Referring now to figures 1-4, the construction jack-up barge includes enough stowage space on the deck, alongside the tower 13, for storage of further tower sections 35, which are provided to be fitted to the top of the tower 13, once it has been deployed in the vertical position, and the barge 11 has been jacked up the tower 13.

Deployment of the tower 13 to the vertical position begins with the folding out of the legs 15 to the outward position as shown in figure 2, at which they are secured. The cranes 29 are utilised at this stage to assist with laying back of the legs 15 and the footing assemblies 17. The lowermost leg 15a and its footing 17 passes through the central cut out portion 33.

The cranes 29 are then used to assist in rotating the tower 13 from the horizontal stowed position shown in figure 1, as shown in figure 3, until the tower 13 reaches the vertical position.

Hoisting of the tower 13 relative to the barge, either upwards or downwards is provided for by a pair of 4.5 metre tension type jacks 37 which connect to the travelling frame 20 which may be pinned to the tower cords through apertures 41 located therein. The jacks 37 are shown in the retracted position in figure 8, and the extended position in figure 9. In order to lower the tower 13 relative to the barge 11 , and pull the barge up the tower, once the footings 17 reach the seabed, the pivotal connection 19 is broken, and then the frame 39 is secured to the tower 13 as shown in figure 9, and the jacks 37 are retracted to the position shown in figure 8. The tower 13 and barge 11 are pinned together, while the frame 39 is detached from the tower 13, and moved to the extended position as shown in figure 9, before being secured again for repeating of the step.

In order to raise the tower 13 relative to the barge, (i.e. lower the barge 11 on the tower 13) the same operation is performed, but in reverse.

Referring now to figure 4, once the tower 13 reaches the vertical position, the end portions 23 of the guide assembly 22 are fitted in place, to lock the tower 13 in the vertical position. The jacks 37 and frame 39 are then fitted, and the tower 13 may be jacked down until the footing assemblies 17 reach the seabed. Alternatively, if it is desired to set the offshore installation up in shallow water, the tower 13, with its legs extended, may be raised to as high a position as

possible, as shown in figure 4, to provide minimum draft while the barge 11 and tower 13 are manoeuvred to the final site for the offshore installation.

To assist with settling the footings 17 in the seabed, whilst minimising their weight for transport, the footings are of hollow construction and floodable with seawater, in order to reduce their buoyancy. Conversely, to assist in dislocating the footing 17 from the seabed, if it is desired to dismantle the offshore installation, an air pump and valve assembly is provided for each footing 17 so that the footings 17 may be filled with air to displace the water, and to increase the buoyancy of the footing 17 as the tower 13 is raised relative to the barge 11.

Referring now to figure 11 , once the footings 17 have reached the seabed 45, the barge 11 is jacked up the tower 13, clear of the surface 47 of the sea. The barge 11 has three separate sea water ballast tanks 49, which are filled to increase the downward bearing weight on the tower structure 13, and settle the footings 17 in the seabed. The seawater ballast tanks 49 may be filled appropriately to counterbalance any uneven loading on the barge 11. It will be understood that the number of ballast tanks incorporated into the barge may be varied as required. The footings 17 also include height adjustment means, to counteract the effects of the seabed 45 being uneven or there being uneven settling of the footings 17 into the seabed 45.

Referring to figures 12 and 13, steps in the construction of a permanent offshore installation incorporating a heli-deck 51 and living and working space 53, are shown. The crane 29 is shown in figure 12 positioning tower sections 35 atop the tower 13 until the desired height is reached, whereupon the heli-deck 51 and other structures are installed. A material barge 55 is shown in figure 12, and is utilised in order to bring additional materials to the construction site as required.

Once the offshore installation has been completed, the barge 11 may be lowered down to the sea surface, and disengaged and manoeuvred away from the tower 13. In figure 13, a floating boat landing 57 which extends around the tower 13,

is shown. The boat landing 57 is fitted once the barge 11 has left. Hoists on the super structure of the installation may be utilised to hoist the boat landing clear of wave action, when it is not in use, or when there are large seas or swell. The footings 17 are shown with foundation piles 59 providing securing of the offshore installation to the seabed 45.

Figures 14 to 19 show steps in building an offshore installation 61 using the construction jack-up barge and tower assembly. Figure 14a shows the seawater ballast tanks 49 which are employed in such applications. Hoisting of a primary substructure 63 is achieved by a pair of strand jacks 65 mounted on a beam across the central cut out portion 33 of the barge 11. Referring to figure 20, once the offshore installation 61 is complete, the installation tower formed by the construction jack-up barge 11 and its tower 13 are dismantled and returned to the stowed condition, as shown in figure 1.

Referring to figure 21 , the construction jack-up barge assembly is shown in a hoisting configuration, for hoisting undersea pipelines or cables or the like. A rotary drum hoist 71 is fitted to beams extending across the central cut out portion 43 of the barge 11 , and exerts tractive force on a cable 73 which extends downward to a pulley 75 located below the surface 47 of the sea, the cable 73 then extending outward, to where it is joined onto pipelines or cables which are being pulled out toward the construction jack-up barge.

Referring now to figure 22, details of the most preferred footing assembly are shown. Each footing assembly 17 comprises a sealable enclosure formed by an upper cup 76 and a lower cup 77. The upper and lower cups 76 and 77 are of cylindrical form, with the lower cup 77 being of smaller diameter than the upper cup 76. The lower cup 77 is arranged for telescoping movement within the upper cup 76 and may be pressurised or have the volume of water or air within the enclosure formed by the cups varied, to provide a travel of nominally 1.5 meters vertically in relation to the upper cup, providing planar and settlement

adjustment for the tower structure. The lower cup 77 is shown in the extended position in dashed outline, indicated at 79.

The cups are nominally 5.5 meters in diameter and approximately 2.9 meters in depth.

A pair of circular bearing pads 80 and 80a attached to the lower cup 77 and upper cup 76 respectively, provide bearing surfaces for relative movement of the cups. The sealable enclosure is maintained sealed from the outside environment by a packer 81 formed of rubber or a composite synthetic material. Alternatively, the packer may be an inflatable type which may receive fluid under pressure to prevent leakage therepast from the sealable enclosure, to permit pressurisation of the sealable enclosure with either air or water. If required, further packers may be provided to give some redundancy, ensuring that the event of leakage past one packer will not cause failure of the footing.

The top and bottom of the cups are formed as a flattened cone with the tower outrigger structure/legs 15 tied directly into the upper cup 76.

An axial guide assembly is incorporated along the sealable enclosure/cup centreline, and comprises a pair of tubular members 82 and 83 attached to the lower cup 77 and upper cup 76 respectively.

A telescopic mechanical locking device consisting of a bearing collar 84 and an hydraulically operated wedge collar 85 is incorporated on the tubular members 82 and 83, to fix the cup travel after adjustment. The telescopic mechanical locking device may be replaced by a grout plug, which is achieved by a conduit extending down the tubular member 83, to inject a settable grout composition, to secure the tubular members relative to each other. The grout plug arrangement would be utilised in more permanent installations which on decommissioning would require ejection of the set grout plug under hydraulic pressure, and

disassembly of the sealable enclosure to remove the plug before the footing could be restored to a servicable condition.

The sealable enclosure includes valves to seal the interior thereof, the valves being connected to piping to selectively allow for flooding, venting, air blow down, and suction, and a pressure relief system to ensure that the footing is not overstressed. Water is used for pressurisation for level adjustment. The footing assembly may be deballasted for additional buoyancy, using air blowdown.

While the footing described is particularly advantageous, alternate seabed support configuration options include conventional mud mats with hydraulic rams, fixed mud mat and pile sleeve combinations for permanent piled installation and a rectangular footing with a plan area similar to that of the jack-up barge.

Apart from the seawater ballast tanks 49, below the cabin superstructure 25, there is provided one level of accommodation including a workshop, stores, a galley and mess, and a lounge, including space for storage of food, water, and waste. In the cabin superstructure, there is provided accommodation for 28 workers, in addition to the ablutions and other space as may be required. The central cut out portion 33 has removable decking, which may be put into place when construction work has been completed. This is particularly useful, if the barge 11 is to be used as accommodation space atop a tower in an offshore installation.

The construction jack-up barge according to the invention offers advantages over existing known equipment. It may be conveniently deployed in shallow water, and relatively deep water although, it is primarily intended for application in waters having a depth range from 4 to 40 metres, assuming a tidal range of 3m. The barge in the embodiment has a length of 27 metres and a beam of 20 metres, with a loaded draft ranging from 4 to 9 metres.

The principle of using a single tower allows floating access beneath the barge which allows loads to be positioned closer to a crane located on the barge. This decreases the turning moment placed on any crane, especially where the crane pedestal is located near the edge of the deck of the barge, due to the configuration of a single tower allowing heavy loads to be lifted closer to the pedestal of the crane.

The single tower with the three leg or outrigger distribution structure at the base also permits better distribution of loads onto the seabed.

Furthermore, and importantly, the method of stowage of the tower, whereby the tower is laid out in a substantially horizontal position, reduces the height of the overall assembly above the water line, and allows access of the jack-up barge assembly to areas on water, where due to height restrictions, traditional jack-up barges would not be able to reach.

The erected tower may support more than one jack-up barge if this is required. This enables a further barge containing process equipment or the like to be deployed on the same erected tower.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein, whereby the invention may be applied to jack-up barges having more than one column or tower.