NG-2

Name: Harshith Renikindi

Reg.no:19MIC0004
Q:Compare various types of offshore platforms in
detail
1. Floating Offshore Production Systems: Semi-submersibles and Drill
ships are designed to remain afloat hundreds of miles in deep waters. Though
floating in nature, they are also a type of permanent oil production systems.
The idea of commissioning these specialized drilling units is to cater for oil
and gas production and also be capable of pumping oil / gas to the receiving
stations via flexible risers. The idea of commissioning
these specialized drilling units is to cater for oil and gas production and also
be capable of pumping oil / gas to the receiving stations via flexible risers.
2. Tension leg platforms (TLP): TLP structures are also a part of the floating
production systems which a capable of providing buoyant production facilities.
They are moored to the sea bed via the tendons fixed vertically to the
structure. The foundation of TLP’s intricate mooring pattern is kept stationary
by piling. They experience more of horizontal stresses due to waves as
compared to the vertical movements which are restricted by the tendons fixed
to the foundation. These structures are able to drill at depths beyond 5,000
feet and are more stabilized as compared to the other ultra deep water drilling
units.

3. Spar Platforms: For drilling wells beyond 10,000 feet, naval architects have
designed a type of drilling and production platform which has a hollow
cylindrical hull that can descend upto a sea depth of 200 meters. This are
called Spar Platforms. It is secured to the ocean floor by a complex network of
cables and tendons. The weight of the cylindrical hull stabilises the drilling
platform and caters for the drilling risers to descend upto the drilling well on
the sea floor.

4. Subsea Production System: As the name suggests, this system is based on

the idea where wellheads are mounted on the sea floor after the wells have
been drilled by one of the many deep sea drilling platforms. The wellheads
are remotely controlled and their automated system is so designed that it
allows for transporting the oil or gas directly to the production facilities using a
network of undersea pipelines and risers.Apart from those mentioned
above, shuttle tankers are also used in offshore oil production systems.As
technology advancements are progressively made, deep water exploration
possess superior challenges for all the operating parties. These massive
structures are home to some highly improved and advanced systems,
machineries and equipments for carrying out the coveted job of offshore
drilling.