Bottom-Supported Fixed Structures

1. Minimal Platforms

For the marginal field development in shallow water, fixed production platforms with
a small deck are often used. At a minimum these structures may support the following:
(1) a few wells typically less than 10: (2) a small deck with enough space to handle a coil
tubing or wireline unit; (3) a test separator and a well header; (4) a small crane; ( 5 ) a
boat landing; and (6) a minimum helideck.

2. Jacket Structures:
Fixed jacket structures consist of tubular members interconnected to form a three-
dimensional space frame (fig. 1.12). These structures usually have four to eight legs
battered to achieve stability against toppling in waves.
Main piles, which are tubular. are usually carried with the jackets and driven through the
jacket legs into the seafloor. The term jacket structure has evolved from the concept of
providing an enclosure (“jacket”) for the well conductors.
These platforms generally support a superstructure having 2 or 3 decks with drilling and
production equipment. and workover rigs.
The use of these platforms has generally been limited to a water depth of about 500-600
ft (150-180 m) in the harsh North Sea environment (typical design wave of 100 ft130 m).
In the more intermediate Gulf of Mexico environment (typical design wave of 75 ft’23 m)
half a dozen jackets have been installed in deeper water.

The single piece Bullwinkle jacket weighs 49,375 tons and was installed at a site with
1350 ft (412 m) water depth in 1988. The initial deck weight for Bullwinkle was 2033
tons. Four thousand tons were added in 1996 to accommodate more production.
 (A floating platform to accommodate this payload would weigh in the order of 6000-
10000 tons.)

3. Gravity Base Structures

Offshore structures that are placed on the seafloor and held in place by their weight are
called gravity structures. Thus these structures do not require additional help from piles or
anchors. These structures are quite suited for production and storage of oil. They are built
near-shore location or sheltered water, such as, fjords. Upon construction they are towed
in the upright position to the final destination and submerged in place. It is often possible
to carry the topside deck with the structure. Because of the nature of these platforms, they
are often susceptible to scour of their foundation and sinkage.