Ladies, here we meet again for Part II. Ok last time I already explained about the introduction of the offshore structures and now we move to the main contents, types of offshore structures. Either fixed or float, as simple as that. Ah, layman terms. Fixed platforms is a platforms that its substructure attached / piled to the seabed while floats platforms does not. However, floating systems normally moored i.e chained or anchored.
Fixed Platforms
Steel Jacket Platform
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| Semangkok-A Platform |
In Malaysia, especially in Peninsular Malaysia (PM) blocks, water depth is range to 50-70 metres (shallow waters). Hence, it is economically feasible to built a steel jacketed platforms. But the application of the jacket platform usually up to 300 metres. Topside of jacket platform are normally built either integrated (alltogether) or modular type (section per section e.g Living Quarters + Power Generation + Booster Compression + bla bla bla). For middle school level of understanding, JACKET PLATFORM = TOPSIDE + JACKET.
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| Compliant Tower Design |
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| Petronius - Compliant Tower Platform |
Obviously, the compliant tower platform are designed for water depth more than jacket platform which are normally up to 600 metres. The difference with jacket is that it has more narrowed frame support structure by a piled foundation. Compliant towers are designed to sustain significant lateral deflections and forces. Kids, read this out loud. COMPLIANT TOWER = TOPSIDE + FLEXIBLE TOWER.
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| Hibernia Platform |
Practically, this type of structures are being used in the harsh environments such as North Sea and Scandinavian. Also known as Gravity Base Structure (GBS) platform, it is design to withstand the loads (environment + iceberg) and also for the storage of its base support. Normally GBS is applicable for water depths up to 300 metres. When completed, a GBS is towed to its intended location and sunk. Again kiddos, GBS = TOPSIDE + CONCRETE BASE.
