Atwood Oceanics, Inc.

David Rowan

Mark Alan Childers

Alan Quintero

A bottom-founded offshore structure in relatively shallow waters is protected against sliding. It uses at least one pile and a suction pump inside the pile. The pile has a length-to-diameter ratio such as to achieve sufficient pile imbedment with the selected suction pump. A dedicated pile lowering and lifting device lowers and lifts the pile as needed. Guides allow the pile's vertical motion and limit its rotational motion during imbedment and extraction. A stop device limits the vertical motion of the pile's top rim during pile extraction. The pile is reusable, light weight, easy to install and to extract, self-contained, and economical in relationship to its high holding power when imbedded.

Sliding-resistant bottom-founded offshore structures

A load transfer device and method is disclosed for rapid, controlled transfer of a load between two support surfaces such as transfer of a prefabricated deck from a barge to an offshore deck support structure. The load transfer device connects a piston chamber to a support base on the barge and receives the prefabricated deck on one end of the piston rod, the other end of which is received within the piston chamber and is supported upon an enclosing membrane of a bladder assembly which distends and contracts as hydraulic fluid enters and is dispelled therefrom to raise, support or lower the piston rod.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

David Rowan