Offshore working platform - includes dry central shaft for pipes and maintenance and widened base

摘要

An artificial island for use as platform for off-shore drilling, power or distributor stations is a massive cylindrical tower which rests by its own weight on the bottom of sea and has a widened flange at the bottom, with perforated walls. The centre of the island is a stiff watertight shaft to accommodate pipes, cables and other functional appts. protected from attack by sea water and impacts. The shaft forms a pillar to support the superstructure which protrudes above sea level. The shaft can readily be extended downwards as deep as an impervious stratum so that no divers are reqd. Any eruption of oil from a well would pass through the shaft and could not upset the stability of the platform.