Platform integration and stationing

Abstract

There are many kinds of platforms designed to be suitable for the specific working environment. For each platform design, there is a best corresponding platform integration method to make the operation safe and cost effective. Discussions in this chapter present various kinds of platforms and the corresponding integration method options. Through discussions with examples, the history of platform concept development and the corresponding platform installation technology are presented with information in certain depth. For fixed platform and floaters, the most used platform integration method is still by heavy lifting for both modularized topsides and integrated topsides. However, the design and fabrication of massive and heavy integrated topsides make the floatover method a better choice. The conclusion can be drawn from the installation activities of real projects carried out at different time along the offshore industry history.