While the world continues to invest insustainable energy solutions, offshore oil and gas platforms are critical inmeeting current global energy demands. These immense structures are designed towithstand harsh weather conditions and extreme environments while extracting,storing, and processing petroleum and natural gas beneath the ocean floor. Thisarticle will explore the world's ten biggest oil rigs, detailing their uniquefeatures and capabilities.
1. Berkut Oil Rig
Location and Design
The Berkut oil rig, located off theRussian Pacific coast near the island of Sakhalin, is the largest oil platformin the world. Weighing approximately 200,000 tons and situated 35 meters deepfrom the seafloor, this engineering marvel has an estimated maximum oilextraction capacity of 4.5 million tons annually.
The platform is designed to withstandsubarctic conditions, including 60-foot waves and temperatures as low as -44degrees Celsius. Its gravity-based structure (GBS) is fixed to the seabed,providing stability and durability in extreme weather and environmentalchallenges.
Construction and Operation
Constructed to tap the vast Arkutun-Dagioil reserves, the Berkut platform was one of the most expensive and challengingprojects undertaken by a consortium of major oil companies from the US, Japan,India, and Russia. The $12 billion project, named after the Russian word for"Golden Eagle," is expected to generate more than $9 billion inrevenue over the next ten years.
The platform's massive topside measures105 meters in length, 60 meters in width, and 144 meters in height. It weighsover 42,780 metric tons and houses various modules, emergency equipment, asecurity system, a rig, a processing unit, a living area, a helipad, and otherfacilities.
2. Stones Floating Production, Storage,and Offloading Facility (FPSO)
Location and Design
Shell operates the Stones FPSO inthe US Gulf of Mexico, approximately 322 kilometres off the coast of NewOrleans. It holds the record for the planet's deepest operating oil and gasproject, reaching an astonishing depth of 9,500 feet below sea level.
The FPSO, named Turritella, is aconverted Suezmax tanker secured in place using buoyant turret mooring (BTM)technology. It connects to two wells with plans to expand to six over time and utilisesa flexible "steel lazy wave riser" to carry oil and gas to thesurface.
Capacity and Production
The Stones project can produce anestimated 60,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day at peak production. Thefield is estimated to hold more than 2 billion barrels of oil equivalent,significantly contributing to global oil production.
3. Perdido Oil Platform
Location and Design
Located in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately200 miles south of Galveston, Texas, the Perdido oil platform is the world'sdeepest spar-type platform. Operated by Shell, it is moored in 2,450 meters(8,000 feet) of water and produces oil and gas from depths of between 2,300 and2,800 meters (7,500 to 9,500 feet).
The Perdido's cylindrical spar measures170 meters (555 feet) and is moored securely to the sea floor. Its hull has aheight of 267 meters, almost as tall as the Eiffel Tower, and weighs 22,000 tons.
Capacity and Production
The platform can handle 100,000 barrelsof oil and 200 million cubic feet of gas daily. It serves as a hub for threefields in the Gulf of Mexico - Great White, Tobago, and Silvertip - and isconnected to 22 oil wells through a 44-kilometre (27-mile) network of pipelineson the ocean floor.
4. Olympus Oil Platform (Mars B)
Location and Design
The Olympus oil platform, also known asMars B, is owned by Shell and operates within the Mars B field in the Gulf ofMexico. The platform was built to extend the life of the Mars field to at least2050 and increase production capacity.
Weighing 120,000 tons and standing at aheight of 406 feet from the base of the hull to the top of the derrick, Olympusis one of the largest floating deep-water platforms in the world. The platformoperates in a water depth of around 3,100 feet and produces approximately100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
Capacity and Production
Since its inception in 2014, the Olympusplatform has produced over 700 million barrels of oil. It supports 192 offshorejobs and has a combined deck area of 342,000 square feet, larger than an NFLSuperdome.
5. Hibernia Platform
Location and Design
The Hibernia platform, situated about196 miles east of Newfoundland, Canada, is the world's largest offshoreplatform and the first iceberg-resistant gravity-based structure. It operatesin the North Atlantic and has a total weight of 496,040 tons.
The platform is designed to withstandcollisions with icebergs up to 1.1 million tons in weight. It features a106-meter cement caisson made of concrete, protected by a surrounding steelstructure to resist icebergs. The gravity-based structure (GBS) can store 1.4million barrels of oil.
Capacity and Production
The Hibernia platform has operated sinceNovember 1997, producing over 1400 barrels of oil daily. It is expected tocontinue producing oil beyond 2040, contributing significantly to global oilproduction.
6. Petronius Platform
Location and Design
The Petronius platform, located in theGulf of Mexico close to New Orleans, is one of the tallest free-standingstructures in the world. Constructed between 1997 and 2000, this fixed-complianttower-type rig weighs 47,399 tons and operates at a depth of 1,754 feet.
Petronius' unique design allows it tosway with the tidal currents instead of resisting movement due to waves orwinds. It stands at an impressive height of 2,001 feet and features amulti-deck topside containing essential equipment, living quarters for workers,pipelines, an operations room, and a drilling rig.
Capacity and Production
The Petronius platform can handle 60,000barrels of oil equivalent and 3,100,000 cubic meters of oil and natural gasevery day. It remains an essential contributor to global oil production.
7. Baldpate Platform
Location and Design
Located off the coast of Louisiana, theBaldpate platform was the first-ever free-standing offshore compliant tower. Baldpate,designed by Hudson Engineering in Houston, Texas, stands in an impressive 1,650feet of water. The platform reached its production peak in 1999.
Capacity and Production
Baldpate's unique design andconstruction have made it an essential part of the global oil productionlandscape. Its continued operation contributes to the overall global oilsupply.
8. Troll A Platform
Location and Design
The Troll A platform, located off thewest coast of Norway, is one of the tallest structures in the world, with 1,210feet of structure below the water's surface. The platform uses high-strengthconcrete reinforced with steel rods and prestressed tendons, making it a marvelof engineering and design.
Capacity and Production
The Troll A platform has operated since1996 and has contributed significantly to global oil production. Its uniquedesign and construction have allowed it to withstand harsh North Sea conditionswhile maintaining efficient production levels.
9. Olympus (Mars B) Floating Platform
Location and Design
The Olympus (Mars B) floating platform,owned by Shell, is the company's largest floating deep-water platform. The hullwas built in South Korea and became operational in February 2014. With a heightof 405 feet and a weight of 122,000 tons, Olympus combines the latesttechnologies and modern amenities for its 195 workers.
Capacity and Production
The Olympus platform supports theextraction and processing of more than 360,000 barrels of oil daily through its48 oil wells. The platform's supporting pillars are coated with specialcorrosion-resistant paint, ensuring its durability and longevity in the Gulf ofMexico.
10. Olympus Oil Platform
Location and Design
The Olympus oil platform, also known asMars B, is owned by Shell and operates within the Mars B field in the Gulf ofMexico. The platform was built to extend the life of the Mars field to at least2050 and increase production capacity.
Weighing 120,000 tons and standing at aheight of 406 feet from the base of the hull to the top of the derrick, Olympusis one of the largest floating deep-water platforms in the world. The platformoperates in a water depth of around 3,100 feet and produces approximately100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
Capacity and Production
Since its inception in 2014, the Olympusplatform has produced over 700 million barrels of oil. It supports 192 offshorejobs and has a combined deck area of 342,000 square feet, larger than an NFLSuperdome.
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