OFFSHORE PLATFORM WITH OUTSET COLUMNS

A tension leg platform (TLP) (100, comprising buoyant columns (110, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310) having a generally polygonal transverse cross section and buoyant pontoons (112, 512, 712, 812, 912, 1112, 1212, 1312) interconnecting adjacent columns. In certain embodiments at least one axis of said polygonal transverse sections is generally radially aligned with a central vertical axis of the hull. Some embodiments comprise tendon porches (30a, 30b, 130, 930, 930', 1030, 1130) mounted on different surfaces of the buoyant columns. In one embodiment of the TLP, tendon porches (1192) are mounted to the outboard surface of the pontoons (1112). Also disclosed is a semi submersible (200, 300) comprising buoyant columns (210) with generally rectangular transverse section, an inboard surface, an outboard surface and a pair of opposing side surfaces, a plurality of pontoons, connected between adjacent columns. The pontoons of the tension leg platform and the semi-submersible are generally rectangular in cross section and the outboard, generally vertical surface of each pontoon may be connected to a side surface of an adjoining column at a location which is substantially inboard of the outermost face of the column (210). WO 2013/006358 PCT/US2012/'044535 -- 150 [313 146 146 ---100 --- - --- 15 8 --- 142 122? 120 125 124 a 125 -110 112 155 -152