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Abstract

A semi-submersible floating structure for the drilling and production of offshore oil and gas is provided. The semi-submersible floating structure includes a pontoon having a plurality of pontoon sections, an outer edge, and an inner edge, the pontoon sections defining an interior space. The semi-submersible floating structure further includes a plurality of columns extending vertically upward from the pontoon. Each column has an upper section having an upper column width; and a lower section. The lower section has a bottom end coupled to the pontoon and aligned with the outer edge of the pontoon, the bottom end having a lower column width greater than the upper column width, at least part of the bottom end protruding into the interior space. The lower section further has a flared portion between the upper section and the bottom end; the flared portion having a width that varies from the upper column width at the upper section to the lower column width at the bottom end. A pontoon center-to-center distance between central axes of opposing sections of the pontoon is greater than a corresponding column center-to-center distance between central axes of opposing upper sections of the columns coupled to the opposing sections of the pontoon.

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First Claim