Offshore platforms

Abstract

An overview of the state-of-the-art on offshore platforms is provided, highlighting the various structural concepts (such as fixed, gravity, and compliant, floating, and subsea platforms) developed during the past 75 years of active offshore exploration and exploitation. It starts with a birdseye- view of the various platforms that dot the ocean space. Some of the advantages and disadvantages that influence the choice of the structural concepts to be used are discussed. The holistic and integral structural behavior depends on the environmental influences exerted on the important components of the platform in terms of permissible stresses, allowable rotations/deformations, fatigue endurance, vortex-induced-vibration, unobstructed flow of hydrocarbons and overload on the total structural performance; the overview also mentions some effects of the above on marine risers, conductors, wells and pipelines. Finally, possible offshore structural developments that are likely to take place in future are discussed.