Offshore locations

In a normally pressured reservoir, the pressure is transmitted through a continuous column of water from the surface down to the reservoir. At the datum level at surface the pressure is one atmosphere. The datum level for an offshore location is the mean sea level (msl), and for a onshore location, the ground water level. 

Since going online in 1993, the joint venture has reaped large dividends from the P15/P18 blocks of Holland s Rijn field, some 40 km (25 miles) from Rotterdam. BP-Amoco processes 13 MMm (500 MMft ) of natural gas from the field each day also, nearly 2,000 m (12,300 bbl) of condensate are produced daily. The project marks the first time Dutch gas has been produced to sales specification at an offshore location. Seven reservoirs, developed separately, are tied back... 

For offshore locations where ignitible gas-air concentrations are neither continuously present nor present for long periods, API RP 14F also allows type MC cable with a continuous aluminum sheath and an outer impervious jacket (such as PVC) and armored cables satisfying ANSI/ Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Standard No. 45. API RP 14F does not recommend IMC for offshore installations and cautions users that installations of MI cable require special precautions. The insulation of MI cable is hygroscopic (able to absorb moisture from the atmosphere). 

Seawater muds are commonly used on offshore locations, which eliminate the necessity of transporting large quantities of freshwater to the drilling location. The other advantage of seawater muds is their inhibition to the hydration and dispersion of clays, because of the salt concentration in seawater. The typical composition of seawater is presented in Table 4-48 most of the hardness of seawater is due to magnesium. 

The methods of evacuation offshore are dependent on the ambient environmental conditions that may develop in the area and relative distance to the mainland. Regions that experience colder ambient conditions inhibit immersion opportunities and remote offshore locations retard onshore assistance capabilities. The preferred and most expedient evacuation means from an offshore installation is by helicopter. Because of the nature of fire and explosions to affect the vertical atmosphere surrounding an offshore installation, helicopter evacuation means cannot always be accommodated and should be considered of low probability where the accommodation quarters are located on the same structure as a hydrocarbon process. 

MW turbines on onshore locations. For the offshore locations, the characteristic of a 4.5 MW turbine (ENERCON El 12) is used. 

The influence of the anticyclones separating from the coast on the structure of the RC was also well traced in October-November 1993, when the offshore location of a deep-sea anticyclone centered approximately at 44°N, 36.8°E resulted in a departure of the RC from the coast and formation of a large meander [8,23], and in September 1997 (Fig. 5). Due to the movement of the anticyclonic eddies separated from the coast on the one hand and to the position of the RC changing with respect to the current location of the eddies and the wind direction on the other hand, situations are possible when the same deep-sea anticyclone finds itself now on the right-hand side of the RC mainstream or its branches and now on their left-hand side. In addition, the movement of the anticyclones from the eastern basin to the western... 

In this age of multinational companies most project managers/engineers will be asked sooner or later to come up quickly with a cost estimate to build a given facility at an offshore location. 

The ratio of TIC s between the United States and various offshore locations is readily available through several publications. This information would be sufficient when the intended location is an industrial country (Western Europe or Japan). However, for other locations, especially in the so-called Third World, the TIC ratios do not give any insight into specific local conditions that could impact... 

Appendix N illustrates the conversion of the study case estimate to an offshore location. 

This Appendix illustrates the conversion of the U.S. basis estimate for the case study (see Appendix L) to an offshore location. The new location is in a Southeast Asia country that we have named Jauja after an old Spanish children s storybook. 

Offshore Estimating Example (Appendix N presents a rational way to convert U.S. base estimates to offshore locations.)... 

The damage caused by detergents and dispersants during the cleanup of shorelines polluted by the Torrey Canyon spill were an important lesson. Subsequent cleanups of oil spills involved a much more judicial use of less toxic chemicals. In addition, their use became largely restricted to offshore locations and places of high value for industrial or recreational purposes, rather than natural habitats. 

There are significant ocean currents in many offshore locations. For some locations the submerged floats will be designed like boat hulls to reduce the drag produced by the current. Such designs will reduce the loads placed on the tether cables holding the platform in the proper location. 

Solids disposal. This can be expensive, particularly if the solids are oil contaminated. On offshore locations, the cost could be large because of the need for additional treating capacity. Special facilities for cleaning and disposal of solids may be required because of the presence of oil, saltwater, and leachates. 

The enclosure or casing of the machine needs to withstand the ingress of liquids and dust that become present at oil industry sites. For outdoor locations the enviromnent can range from cold and stormy marine conditions to hot and dry desert conditions. In offshore locations the machines are usually, but not always, placed indoors in a room or module. This protects them from heavy rain and saltwater spray. Even inside the room or module they need to withstand firewater spray, if used, and hosing down with water. The environment in land-based plants can also be hostile and the machine needs protection against ingress from, for example, coastal weather, desert sand storms, smoke pollution. 

The tidal fronts near the boimdary of the shallow coastal area and channel are developed dm-ing smnmer when thermal stratification is established in the channel and a vertically homogenous water mass developed by strong tidal currents is sustained in the shallow coastal area. These fronts may affect the transport of terrestrial materials (including N) to offshore locations, and hence the biogeochemical activity. 

Coatings and cathodic protection of steel structures used in exploitation of oil in offshore locations, harbors, parts, and vessels. 

Depending on the site-identification survey in the area, the chosen offshore location is expected to be a 2 km by 2 km section within the above sea area lying approximately 55 km East of the Danish island of Bornholm in depths between 70 and 130 m. 

Professional services Accounting, consulting, logistics, and engineering support Routine tasks can often be off-loaded however,their absence in an offshore location can be a deterrent to globalization... 

Techniques for Completion and Workover Operations on Offshore Locations... 

The Offshore Reliability Data Bank (OREDA) provides data to do with the reliability of offshore components and systems. It was created by eight oil and gas companies. They collect and exchange rehabUity data with one another. Although OREDA is based on North Sea data, it is widely used in offshore locations around the world. It also covers some onshore equipment. 

A considerable amount of work has been expended on extending the working range of nitrile rubber, so that its invaluable properties of oil and fluid resistance can meet the more severe operating conditions now encountered. Typical of these changing conditions is the use of higher engine temperatures in the motor vehicle industry and the requirements of the oil industry for elastomeric parts needed to help extract the more difficult oil deposits from offshore locations. 

When it was determined that some colorants might hurt the environment, they were no longer available or they were manufactured at offshore locations. Some colorants are safe under all end use conditions but can be a problem when discarded at the end of their useful life. Other colorants might be a problem in fires or when incinerated. 

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