Shell Special Intensive Training Programme

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12 INTRODUCTION TO OFFSHORE TECHNOLOGY
12.1 Basic Introduction to Offshore Platforms and Facilities
The basic types of offshore platforms are:
1. The Submersible platform
These are platforms mounted on barges that can be installed in up to 150 ft of
water depth.
2. Lock up systerns
These can be used in up to 250 ft of water depth
3. Large Jackup
These can be used in up to 350 ft of water
4. Concrete platforms
These are being used up to 3000 ft of water and beyond especially in Brazil.
5. Drillships
These have application in over 4000 ft of water
6. Semi-submersible Platforms
These are used up to depths greater than 4000 ft of water.
7. Floating Production and Storage Systems(FPS0s)
These are floating production systems that can be remotely hooked up to
production platforms for initial offshore loading and processing of produced
fluids.

Other key features of the Platforms are
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1. Marine Riser
This link the Wellhead/BOP to the rig floor and provide conduit for drilling fluid
from sea bed to platform tanks
2. Temporary Guide Base
These are for the initial landing of wellhead for spudding and drilling.
3. Permanent Guide Base
These are permanent foundation support at sea bed for subsea wellhead and
subsurface BOP systems.
Factors for the selection of Platforms
1. Water depth
2. Environmental criteria
3. Type and density of sea water
4. Drilling Depth
5. Operational limitations
6. Rig move.