There is no element of the system that has not already been deployed in any type of operating system. The most unique component is the articulating connection detail (the "joint") between the buoys and the topside. The joint design has been subjected to more than five years of operating service on the Versabar twin-gantry marine heavy-lift vessels the VB-4,000 and VB-10,000. The design includes a double joint configuration which provides 100% load path redundancy, which facilitates the removal, inspection, and replacement of any component of the wear surface while in-service. The main wear surfaces and support pins within the connections are removed for inspection on an annual basis. The synthetic bushing material used on the key wear surfaces requires no maintenance or lubrication during service, and no replacement has been required

Versabuoy platform supporting full API drilling rig.

The technology has been developed and refined through multiple engineering studies and scale model test programs. The introduction of the connections between the buoys and topsides results in a multi-body class numerical analysis problem. The individual bodies are able to move independently of each other in one or more degrees of freedom. A key attribute of the system is the low topsides motions experienced even under extreme hurricane storm conditions. Another operating capability of the technology is to rigidly connect together two or more Versabuoy platforms to create larger offshore platforms. This presents the option of a phased development approach where additional platform modules are combined over the life of the development

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