A deepwater actively frozen seabed (DAFS) drilling/production structure for the Beaufort Sea
The development of concepts for drilling and production facilities in the Beaufort Sea in water depths exceeding twenty-five meters poses major engineering problems. A drilling/production structure concept based on the utilization of the sustained low temperatures of the Arctic has been developed. It consists of a pre-assembled, fully equipped steel caisson, towed to the Beaufort Sea and ballasted with seawater to rest on the seabed. The seabed is subsequently frozen, utilizing active thermal piles, to provide the required foundation strength. The Deepwater Actively Frozen Seabed (DAFS) drilling/production structure is suitable for water depths ranging from approximately twenty-five meters to fifty meters or more. Due to the fact that it relies on the frozen seabed soil mass for its stability, it is relatively lightweight and suitable for installation on virtually any seabed soil conditions that may be encountered. Since it does not require ballast other than seawater, it can be completely installed in a matter of weeks and can be relocated if necessary. Storage space for more than 1,000,000 barrels of crude oil is available within the structure.
- Research Organization:
- Han-Padron Assocs.
- OSTI ID:
- 6325034
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8405208-
- Journal Information:
- Proc., Annu. Offshore Technol. Conf.; (United States), Vol. 1; Conference: 16. annual offshore technology conference, Houston, TX, USA, 7 May 1984
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
The Heidrun Field -- Development overview
Designs created to support Alaskan offshore exploration
Related Subjects
42 ENGINEERING
BEAUFORT SEA
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
DEPTH
FOUNDATIONS
SEA BED
FREEZING
ENGINEERING
INSTALLATION
LOADING
OFFSHORE DRILLING
PERMAFROST
STABILITY
STEELS
STORAGE FACILITIES
WEIGHT
ALLOYS
ARCTIC OCEAN
DIMENSIONS
DRILLING
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
MATERIALS HANDLING
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MINERAL RESOURCES
RESOURCES
SEAS
SUPPORTS
SURFACE WATERS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
423000 - Engineering- Marine Engineering- (1980-)