Construction of Offshore Platforms

The size and weight of offshore platforms have increased steadily as the search for oil and gas moves into deeper water and more hostile environments. This growth is portrayed in terms of water depth record setting projects. The capabilities and limitations of conventional construction techniques and equipment are described along with their impact on the fabrication and erection phases at construction. In the past five years, three offshore platforms have been installed in water depths approaching 1000 ft (305 m) and more with each project utilizing a different installation concept. The relationship between each of these concepts and the capacities of available equipment are explored. Future developments in water depths greatly exceeding 1000 ft (305 m) will utilize the compliant structural concepts, which require radically different installation procedures and more sophisticated equipment.