skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Industry approach to aging offshore platforms

Journal Article · · Applied Mechanics Reviews; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3120328· OSTI ID:5539012
 [1]
  1. Texaco, Bellaire, TX (United States)

The US offshore oil industry started in the late 1940's in the Gulf of Mexico. At the beginning of 1992, there were over 4,000 platforms in US coastal waters with the oldest being 44 years old. Since platforms in the Gulf of Mexico are demanned and shut-in prior to the passage of a hurricane, the life and environmental safety records have been excellent with these mitagation procedures inplace. However, as the facilities continue to age and new technology is developed that allows for additional oil recovery, the desire to extend service life is becoming more frequent. In efforts to manage both the safety and economic aspects of the facilities, many operators have established inhouse programs for inspection and evaluation of their platform inventories. The industry is currently involved in collaborating in efforts to develop general guidelines for all facilities for establishing Recommended Practice for the continued safe and economical use of offshore platforms. 11 refs., 3 figs.

OSTI ID:
5539012
Journal Information:
Applied Mechanics Reviews; (United States), Vol. 46:5; ISSN 0003-6900
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English