State-of-the-art review in foundation design and analysis for tension leg platforms and vertically moored platforms. Final report. [203 references]

Technical Report · Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1983

OSTI ID:5648789

As offshore oil and gas development have moved into deeper waters, conventional, fixed, bottom-supported platforms have become less attractive economically. The Tension Leg Platform (TLP), or Vertically Moored Platform (VMP), a buoyant, compliant, drilling and production platform for deep water sites, is one of the new platform concepts that has evolved. The unique foundation loading characteristics and applicable water depth for deployment of TLPs are placing new demands on offshore foundation engineers. The behavior of foundations subjected to a sustained uplift (tension) load with large cyclic loads superimposed is not well understood. TLPs will require that methods for performing site investigations and in situ testing and methods for installing foundations be developed for deep water areas. This report is a state-of-the-art review of the technology required to reliably design and construct TLP foundations in deep water. It evaluates the key aspects of the TLP schemes proposed by various designers, and documents past and current experimental work (laboratory, model, and prototype) relevant to the behavior of TLPs. The Earth Technology Corporation has identified those geotechnical aspects at TLP facilities in which data, theories, techniques, and equipment are currently insufficient. These include site investigations, soil property determination, foundation behavior, and facility installation and operation. Finally, the report identifies critical areas in which additional research and development work is needed. 203 references, 22 figures, 16 tables.

• Research Organization: Earth Technology Corp., Houston, TX (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5648789
• Report Number(s): SAND-83-7120; ON: DE84002891
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
42 ENGINEERING
FOUNDATIONS
CONSTRUCTION
DESIGN
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
OIL WELLS
OFFSHORE OPERATIONS
REVIEWS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
DOCUMENT TYPES
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
SUPPORTS
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
030300 - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing
420206 - Engineering- Mining & Drilling Equipment & Facilities- (1980-1989)