Seahorse Equipment Corporation

Mcdermott International, Inc.

Larry Dwayne Breaux

James Allan Haney

Mark DeWitt Slider

Daniel M Houser

A driven pile anchor suitable for securing a tendon of a tension leg platform to the seafloor is supplemented with added weight. A load frame is added to the individual pile to accommodate ballast weights. Pre-manufactured ballast weights are placed on the frame to increase the holding power of the pile anchor system. In a second embodiment, the pile is intentionally plugged and installed with the plug intact. Pre-manufactured ballast weights are then placed inside the pile and may be held in place by gravity. In a third embodiment, the pile is a conventional driven friction pile installed with an underwater pile hammer. The pile is initially open but subsequently evacuated and intentionally plugged near its pile tip. Pre-manufactured ballast weights are placed inside the pile to increase its holding capacity. The first embodiment may be retrofitted to existing, driven-pile anchor systems.

Ballasted driven pile

A pile is plugged at its lower end or tip region so as to make it easier to drive. Additionally, such a plugged pile facilitates the transportation and handling of the pile prior to its driving.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Larry Dwayne Breaux