Offshore oil exploration vessel or platform - has buoyant unit consisting of reinforced concrete tube clusters

摘要

A floating platform or oil transporting vessel for offshore use, consists of =1 tube cluster(s) made of e.g. reinforced concrete, with a circular bore and a square or polygonal outer configuration. The tube clusters may be interconnected and tubes may intertwine with one another, and may carry spacers for securing together by tightening or clamping members, and may include resilient spacers, such as flat or square section hollow rings. Portions of the tubes, which are relatively small dia. can be blocked off by valves. As a safety measure against bursting, a high strength thread embedded in an adhesive cna be wound around the tubes. The method of manufacture is described. A power unit may be detached from the floating portion.