A HEAVY LIFT WITH A DIFFERENCE
In 1984, surveys revealed that the North Sea Ekofisk Field complex, owned by Phillips Petroleum Company, Norway, and consisting of eight steel platforms, one concrete platform and two steel flare structures, was eight feet lower in the water than in 1976. The subsidence, which put personnel at risk in the event of a "hundred- year" storm wave's occurring, was attributed to the compaction of soft chalk layers in the field reservoir by heavy overlying rock as oil was withdrawn over a decade of production. The heavy lift operation commissioned by Phillips to rectify the problem while leaving the complex in place is described. The jack-up operation, which was successful, involved over 70 contractors and subcontractors. Crane barges, supply bases and boats, helicopters, and accommodation vessels all had to be organized in a massive logistics exercise. At project peak, 3,200 people--twice the normal complement--were working offshore at Ekofisk and 1,600 helicopter passengers were commuting from bases in Norway.
- Journal article
- Maclachlan, M
- Publication Date: 1988-11
- Pagination: 3 p.
- Issue Number: No.19
- TRT Terms: Floating cranes; Offshore platforms
- Uncontrolled Terms: Modifications
- Old TRIS Terms: Ekofisk field; Heavy lift equipment
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Marine Transportation;
- Accession Number: 00656271
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: Maritime Technical Information Facility
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Jul 21 1994 12:00AM