Method of and apparatus for stabilizing a tension-leg platform in deep

Abstract

A process comprising: generating a stabilizing moment, before the platform is secured and tensioned to the sea floor, wherein the generating vertically aligns the central axis of the TLP; and reducing the size of the TLP in the wave zone, after a tendon of the platform is secured to the sea floor. A device comprising: a generator of a stabilizing moment, before the platform is secured and tensioned to the sea floor, wherein the generator vertically aligns the central axis of the TLP; and a reducer of the size of the TLP in the wave zone, after a tendon of the platform is secured to the sea floor. A tension-leg platform (TLP) comprising: a buoyancy structure for floating the TLP at the sea surface; a platform for mineral production operations located above the sea surface; a support which connects at a lower end to the buoyancy structure and connects at an upper end to the platform; a tendon which fixes the TLP to the sea floor; a generator of a stabilizing moment, before the tendon is fixed to the sea floor, wherein the generator vertically aligns the central axis of the TLP; and a reducer of the size of the TLP in the wave zone. A process comprising: stabilizing the buoyancy-support with the float; ballasting the buoyancy-support until the buoyancy-support resides lower in the sea relative to the sea surface; and assembling the platform to the buoyancy-support.