The Mother of All Resilient Structures: Fixed-Base Tower in 3000-Foot Water and Some Outstanding Issues

by Peter W. Marshall, Shell Oil Co, Houston, United States,
Susan L. Smolinski, Shell Oil Co, Houston, United States,
Denby G. Morrison, Shell Oil Co, Houston, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Civil Engineering in the Oceans V

Abstract:

This paper describes design and development work for 40- to 80-well fixed- base - yet compliant - towers for 2000- to 3000-foot water depths. Technical issues which are covered include: oceanographic criteria selection; dynamic response to random directional wave forces; the influence of platform architecture on its behavior and cost; constructability studies; optimization of member design to provide adequate flotation for installation; tubular connection design and fatigue. It will be shown that these inherently reliable structures provide a technically viable alternative for developing large scale oil and gas production in deep water. A number of outstanding issues for ongoing research are also mentioned: hydrostatic interaction, fracture control, hydrodynamics and damping, and wear.

Subject Headings: Underwater structures | Structural reliability | Random waves | Water waves | Fluid-structure interaction | Building design | Wave forces

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