Offshore Oil Terminals?Potential Role in U.S. Petroleum Distribution

by Larry Maloney, U.S. Dept of the Interior, Washington, United States,
Edward Wall, U.S. Dept of the Interior, Washington, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Zone '91

Abstract:

The construction of port facilities in deep water, several miles seaward from the nations's coastline, is one of the measures that have been suggested for reducing oil tanker accidents. This paper briefly describes the issues associated with such ports (referred to as offshore oil terminals), including their estimated construction and operating costs, siting and operating constraints, and environmental and economic factors associated with their operation. Such offshore oil terminals would be constructed several miles offshore in deep water and would be designed to accommodate the largest classes of oil tankers in operation. To date, only one such offshore terminal -- the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) -- has been constructed and is operating in the United States. The LOOP, located in deep water 18 miles off the coast of Louisiana, became fully operational in 1982.

Subject Headings: Offshore platforms | Offshore structures | Hazardous materials spills | Offshore construction | Water pollution | Ports and harbors | Ship collisions | United States | Louisiana

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