Figure 13 - uploaded by Chiemela Victor Amaechi
Content may be subject to copyright.
Source publication
Diverse forms of offshore oil and gas structures are utilized for a wide range of purposes and in varying water depths. They are designed for unique environments and water depths around the world. The applications of these offshore structures require different activities for proper equipment selection, design of platform types, and drilling/product...
Similar publications
This paper presents the data from model-scale experiments on shallow water ice-structure interaction. The data is related to the original research article ’Model-scale tests on ice-structure interaction in shallow water: Global ice loads and the ice loading process’ [1]. During the conducted experiments, a ten-meter wide initially intact ice sheet...
Dear Colleagues,
Constructional steel has been used widely for developing infrastructures, e.g., bridges, building structures, offshore structures, and tower structures. Theoretically, constructional steel is fully recyclable, which is promising for promoting carbon neutrality. Benefiting from the inherent advantages, constructional steel is incre...
Citations
... Offshore structures are used for multiple purposes. Some of them are implemented in fixed platforms, others in floating platforms, such as production, storage, offloading platforms, oil/gas rigs, offshore high voltage stations (OHVS), and offshore wind turbines (OWT) - Amaechi et al. (2022) and Haritos (2007). ...
Due to the marine environment’s complexity, optimising offshore foundations’ design is still a major focus of the scientific and industrial community, since foundations represent a large portion of the total investment. Scour is one of the main causes that lead to ultimate, and service limit states, impacting design optimization and costs. Scour at monopile foundations has been extensively studied. However, advances in scour protections for hybrid structures, and other bottom-fixed foundations for offshore renewable energy harvesting technologies are often kept confidential by stakeholders, and knowledge gaps must be covered. Thus, the present paper provides a summary of the most recent physical and numerical studies related to scour and riprap scour protections for complex bottom-fixed foundations, such as jackets, tripods, gravity-based foundations (GBF), high-rise structure foundations (HRSF), and suction buckets, while covering other marine energy harvesting technologies as well, including wave energy converters (WEC) and tidal energy converters (TEC). This manuscript presents knowledge gaps, recent improvements, and potential studies on hybrid foundations – offshore wind turbine foundations combined with WECs or TECs. It is shown that offshore scour protection is a study field with a wide margin of development, but crucial for the future of the offshore renewable energy sector, thus pointing out key challenges and major opportunities for future research.
... These platforms consist of a rigid structure with vertical legs or piles that are driven into the seabed to provide stability [3]. In some concrete platform designs, the weight of the legs and the platform itself is substantial enough that they do not require physical anchoring to the seabed; they can simply rest on their own mass [4]. Fixed platforms are widely used for drilling and production operations in the oil industry. ...
Offshore platforms deal with challenges brought by the marine environment, providing workplaces for oil production, wind energy, and marine research. Offshore platforms play important roles in the ocean development. Although there are still challenges such as stability, control, and sensing technology, offshore platforms hold the potential to further improve their performance and application value with the continuous progress in technology. This paper presents a summary of the present research status within the domain of offshore platform studies, introducing different types of offshore platforms from the perspectives of their applications and basic structures. In terms of technology, this paper presents the technical aspects and architectural framework of offshore platforms. Additionally, the applications of offshore platforms are discussed. Comprehensive analysis indicates that offshore platforms exhibit strong adaptability and stability in marine environments. With the advancement of technologies, the reliability and performance of offshore platform are expected to improve in practical scenarios. This paper may offer a reference for the research of offshore platforms.
... Oil explorations had a large increase on land in the nineteenth century. However, since the early twentieth century, with the depletion of some oil and gas reserves onshore, petroleum companies have been on a constant lookout for the availability of offshore resources [41,42]. ...
The coastal zone is a fascinating place that comprises the interface between sea and land. This interface, which is both very dynamic and sensitive, has been affected by strong urban and industrial pressures, and an increase in both traffic and recreational uses, leading to the deterioration of natural habitats and the growing instability of residential areas. Added to this disruption is ongoing climate change, which will lead to rising sea levels and increased wave action. Another problem we are increasingly concerned about is ocean pollution, which has been one of the main causes of threats to deep-water coral reef areas. The main sources of pollution include oil spills and offshore oil drilling. The effects of pollution caused by oil spills can not only seriously affect the global environmental balance of our planet but can also, on a different scale, seriously affect the economy of countries whose main resources depend heavily on the sea. Wave energy has the potential to alleviate the world's dependence on depleting fossil energy resources. With regard to coastal protection, the development of ecological solutions to preserve ecosystems and address coastal processes as an alternative to traditional coastal protection structures (seawalls, groins and breakwaters) is becoming increasingly important. These structures, generally referred to as passive measures, are usually built to alter the effects of sea waves, currents and the movement of sand along the coastline, with the aim of protecting beaches, ports and harbors. The concerns outlined are critically addressed throughout this review article. All of them are highly relevant today and, as demonstrated throughout this article, are expected to grow even more and with much more pronounced consequences starting from the middle of the current century.
... This architectural framework offers advantages such as well-distributed stress, dependable connections, and convenient construction processes. Its applicability extends beyond terrestrial spatial frameworks, encompassing diverse settings like exhibition centers, sports venues, and industrial factories, while also finding progressive integration within the realm of marine engineering [1][2][3]. Prominent applications include floating platforms, deep-sea fish cages, and more, as depicted in Figure 1. In the marine environment, the corrosion of steel materials can rapidly lead to a reduction in the cross-sectional area and load-bearing capacity of steel components. ...
With the increasing utilization of bolted ball joint steel mesh structures in offshore floating platforms and deep-sea fish cages, the issue of seawater infiltrating the joints and members through the installation gaps of the bolted ball joint, leading to subsequent corrosion, has become increasingly prominent. This article presents an innovative method to improve the sealing performance of bolted ball joints. The approach involves creating sealed surfaces within the contact gaps between the sleeve and connecting components by adding circular grooves and sealing washers to both ends of the sleeve. Subsequently, a two-dimensional finite element analysis model of the bolted ball joint with the sealing structure was created using SOLIDWORKS 2021 and ANSYS Workbench 2022 R1. The study analyzes the sealing gasket’s contact pressure at various compression levels and evaluates its performance with bubble tests for air tightness. Research results show a linear relationship between the contact pressure and compression rate, achieving sealing pressures of 2.91 MPa, 4.22 MPa, and 5.95 MPa at compression levels of 8%, 11%, and 14%, respectively. Experimental testing demonstrates that the improved bolted ball joint exhibits excellent sealing performance.
... There are several types of platforms, though they can be categorized into two main groups: fixed (to the seabed) and floating. The adoption of a particular layout depends mostly on the depth of waters [1]. ...
Closed Joule–Brayton thermodynamic cycles working with carbon dioxide in supercritical conditions (sCO2) are presently receiving great attention, for their multiple attractive aspects: high energy conversion efficiency, compact size, flexibility of operation, and integration with energy storage systems. These features make the sCO2 technology interesting for several energy and industrial sectors, including renewable sources and waste heat recovery. A further promising area of application of sCO2 systems is bottoming gas turbines in combined cycles installed in off-shore platforms, where the lack of space complicates the application of steam Rankine cycles. The use of steam implies large-scale components and demands for large space availability for the plant installation; in such context, the combination of gas turbines with sCO2 cycles could open the way for developing novel combined cycles, which could be attractive for all the sectors which might take advantage from the footprint savings, the enhanced flexibility, and the fast dynamics of sCO2 systems. In this work, we investigate the thermodynamic potential of combining sCO2 cycles with an existing gas turbine for off-shore applications. We consider a midsize (25 MW) gas turbine available on the market and perform a series of thermodynamic optimizations of the sCO2 bottoming cycle to maximize the exploitation of the heat discharged by the gas turbine. We analyze four alternative configurations and include realistic technical constraints, evaluated by leveraging on the most recent technical outcomes from ongoing sCO2 research projects. A comparison is also proposed with a state-of-the-art steam Rankine cycle, in terms of system efficiency and footprint of the largest components. This study clarifies the advantages and challenges of applying sCO2 in combination with gas turbines, and it confirms the relevance of sCO2 systems for off-shore applications, calling for further technical studies in the field.
... There are several types of platforms, though they can be categorized in two main groups: fixed (to the seabed) and floating. The adoption of a particular layout depends mostly on the depth of waters [1]. ...
Closed Joule-Brayton thermodynamic cycles working with CO2 in supercritical conditions (sCO2) are presently receiving great attention, for their multiple attractive aspects: high energy conversion efficiency, compact size, flexibility of operation, integration with energy storage systems. These features make the sCO2 technology interesting for several energy and industrial sectors, including renewable sources and waste heat recovery.
A further promising area of application of sCO2 systems is bottoming gas turbines in combined cycles, replacing steam. The use of steam implies large-scale components and demands for large space availability for the plant installation. In some relevant applications, such as in off-shore platforms, the lack of space complicates the implementation of steam combined cycles, unless accepting a significant efficiency penalty, along with operation issues related to the necessary use of saltwater as cooling medium as well as the need of continuous supervision by dedicated personnel. In such a context, the combination of gas turbines with sCO2 cycles could open the way for developing new efficient, compact, and flexible combined cycles, potentially suitable for off-shore systems but also attractive for several other sectors which might take advantage from the footprint savings, the enhanced flexibility, and the fast dynamics of sCO2 systems.
In this work we investigate the thermodynamic potential of combining sCO2 cycles with an existing gas turbine for off-shore applications. In particular, we consider a mid-size (25 MW) gas turbine available on the market, and perform a series of thermodynamic optimizations of the sCO2 bottoming cycle in order to maximize the exploitation of the heat discharged by the gas turbine. Systematic optimization strategies are applied to the sCO2 cycle, considering four alternative configurations and including realistic technical constraints, evaluated by leveraging on the most recent technical outcomes from ongoing sCO2 research projects. A comparison is also proposed with a state-of-the-art steam Rankine cycle, in terms of system efficiency and footprint of the main components. The study clarifies the advantages and challenges of applying sCO2 in combination with gas turbines. The comparison with steam technology clearly indicates the relevance of sCO2 systems for off-shore applications and calls for further technical studies in the field.
... В указанных интернет-ресурсах [7,8], а также в [11][12][13] приводятся примеры перепрофилирования платформ в туристические объекты, в объекты для занятий подводными видами спорта, жилые здания, военно-промышленные комплексы и т.д. ...
... Отметим, что анализ преимуществ и недостатков различных типов МНП, представленных в [11], показывает, что некоторые недостатки МНП при перепрофилировании, наоборот, становятся необходимыми требованиями для организации изменения объемно-планировочных и конструктивных решений надводной части. Например, для платформ с совместимой башней одним из недостатков считается установка тяжелой буровой вышки. ...
the paper holds that the disposal of offshore oil platforms (OOP) after the expiration of their
lifecycle is inexpedient and unjustified from the environmental standpoint, since this process results in
a dramatic adverse impact imposed on the hydrosphere, which explains the relevance of OOP conver�sion into objects with other functional purposes. The focus is on the global experience of converting
offshore oil platforms into residential and industrial buildings. Special attention is paid to the fact that
the conversion of an object leads to a reduced construction timeline, which is possible due to optimiz�ing the timeframe of dismantling works that become unnecessary during the subsequent operation of
the OOP structural parts. The point is emphasized that OOP repurposing, and in particular creating so�called floating cities on their basis, is capable of meeting a handful of environmental, socioeconomic
and town-planning challenges, which however calls for a rigorous professional approach and a thor�ough study of the OOP lifecycle stages both before and after their functional conversion. This, in turn,
may lay the ground for the development of an information model of OOP functional repurposing. The
research is aimed to explore the specifics of developing an information model of OOP conversion into
other type facilities, and as such identifies the key OOP types (submersion depth and underwater de�sign solutions, principal advantages and disadvantages) required to build individual information blocks
to form part of the overarching information model of OOP conversion. Also, a scheme of information
environments is provided showing the algorithm of creating an information model of OOP conversion
and singling out the stages of various lifecycle phases.
The conclusion is made that the functional repurposing of offshore oil platforms is required to as�sure safety of the natural environment, suggesting that the assessment of the environmental perfor�mance and energy efficiency of the organizational and technological solutions of OOP functional con�version must be made part of the front-end design engineering milestone
... Digital Twin Technology is still in the infancy stage when considering the maritime domain. Less research work has been conducted compared to other industrial sectors, but the researchers have identified the potential of this innovative concept and DTs are being developed for various maritime applications such as surface ships, underwater vehicles [43,44], offshore platforms [45,46], coastal electrical power stations [47], etc. Apart from the described examples, the limits to the application of DT technology are boundless, with numerous possible applications in the entire maritime domain. However, implementation is to be done by the marine industry with an opportunity-driven approach [48]. ...
This paper highlights the development of Digital Twin (DT) technology and its admittance to a variety of applications within the maritime domain in general and surface ships in particular. The conceptual theory behind the evolution of DT is highlighted along with the development of the technology and current progress in practical applications with an exploration of the key milestones in the extension from the electrification of the shipping sector towards the realization of a definitive DT-based system. Existing DT-based applications within the maritime sector are surveyed along with the comprehension of ongoing research work. The development strategy for a formidable DT architecture is discussed, culminating in a proposal of a four-layered DT framework. Considering the importance of DT, an extensive and methodical literature survey has also been carried out, along with a comprehensive scientometric analysis to unveil the methodical footprint of DT in the marine sector, thus leading the way for future work on the design, development and operation of surface vessels using DT applications.
... Offshore structures such as oil rigs, reside in harsh environments which are especially corrosive for materials such as steel (Amaechi et al., 2022a(Amaechi et al., , 2022b. Unlike steel, FRP composites have been successfully used in flexibles pipes and risers on many offshore projects due to their superior corrosion resistance (Chandrasekaran, 2020;Amaechi et al., 2022cAmaechi et al., , 2022dKayser and Nowak, 1989). ...
Offshore structures play an important role in the current economy, from oil and gas to facilitating offshore renewable energies. It is inevitable that steel structures residing in an offshore environment will corrode over time due to salt accumulation. Such structures, often utilizing plate girders as structural members, frequently require repair to operate safely and efficiently. The conventional method of repair involves entire sections being replaced and welded underwater. This method has proven to be a costly approach due to the operational losses of a shutdown during repair. In this study, the practicability of an alternative repair method using fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites along with an associated adhesive is investigated. Various studies have been conducted on this topic, however this project aims to fill the gaps in the understanding of FRP repaired steel beams which have been stiffened with transverse web stiffeners located at loading points. This is a very applicable scenario to the offshore industry and prevents supporting beams from undergoing lateral torsional buckling. Three compact plate girders are tested under four-point bending; an intact section, a damaged section and a damaged section repaired with FRP. Testing was undertaken on the Amsler machine in the UWA Structures Laboratory. For the purpose of this study, corrosion is imitated through cutting a section of web and both flanges in the midspan. A strength regain ratio (SRR) is utilised to compare the extent of capacity regained through repair.
... Many kinds of floating platforms or special marine-used materials/structures have been developed for different marine applications [4][5][6]. However, most of these designs are aimed at large/very large/mega-sized platforms [7,8], and very few designs are aimed towards small, self-leveling drifting platforms or drifters that can be used for special observations or in areas where anchoring equipment is more difficult to install, such as in an abyssal area. ...
This paper proposes an offshore, unmanned auto-leveling sea-surface drifting platform, with a compact size of 0.7 m in diameter, used for obtaining air-sea interface environmental parameters. The platform was designed based on the parallel mechanism with limited degrees of freedom. The mechanical structure, control system hardware, and software of the principal prototype are introduced. A ground-based device was developed to simulate wave disturbance, based on which the static and dynamic simulation experiments were carried out. Experimental results show that the auto-leveling system can achieve real-time leveling against the angle deviation induced by waves, with a leveling accuracy of 0.2° in a simulated wave with an angle of 12°, which meets the requirements of observation equipment.
