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Zainab Ahmed Alhaddad

201100327

John webb

31MAY 2015

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This assignment is my own work Any information used has been properly referenced. I understand that a copy of my work may be used for moderation. I have kept a copy of this assignment I have read and/or attached the Turnitin Originality Report

Maritime operations

TLB 6202-001

Contents

Introduction.................................................................................................................................................3

Oil production and infrastructure................................................................................................................4

Offshore Platforms Types............................................................................................................................9

Deepest oil rig in the world.......................................................................................................................12

Oil Tankers.................................................................................................................................................13

Oil storage and discharge..........................................................................................................................16

Standardization.........................................................................................................................................18

Bibliography...............................................................................................................................................19

Introduction

Gulf of Mexico area, both onshore and offshore, creates an important advanced energy

resources and infrastructure in the region. The offshore oil production coordinates by 17% of

total U.S. crude oil production and the offshore natural gas production accounts for 5% of total

dry production. Over than 45% of petroleum refining capacity, and almost 51% of natural gas

processing plant capacity are allocated along the Gulf coast. The latest 15 years were the period

of changing the locations of oil and gas navigations activities. This has cooperated in shifting the

operations locations onto deeper offshore locations. Currently Gulf of Mexico contains 4,000

drilling, thousands of producing wells off the coast of Louisiana platforms, Texas and

Mississippi. Each producing well is regulated by the state jurisdiction. Each platform serves a

number of producing wells that produce crude oil and natural gas transporting it to the onshore

refineries through pipelines. (eia, 2010)

This assignment is going to indicate oil production capacity, ports, refineries and drilling

locations in the Gulf of Mexico. The differences between the platforms types are going to be

mentioned showing its most critical elements. General pipelines structure is going to be

included showing its relation to oil extracting process. Not to forget, oil tankers types are going

to be included showing oil storage and offloading process considering the environmental

challenges.

Oil production and infrastructure

These map show that many offshore fields produce at the highest rates encountered in the

GOM. Oil production rates are significantly higher off the southeast Louisiana coast than off the

Texas coast. In general Gulf of Mexico supplies more than 25% of the Nation’s domestic

oil production. (eoearth, 2010)

US include 69 oil seaport and import sites, 24 gas hubs in total. The seaports of oil and gas

import facilities are largely concentrated into Gulf Coast region. 22 oil ports and 11 natural gas

hubs are located in the gulf mainly in southwest Texas and Louisiana. (leanweb, 2013)

The map shows the most advanced ports which are ranked among the top 10 leading Nation’s

ports. (eoearth, 2010) The most advanced oil terminal in GOM is located in Louisiana Offshore

Oil Port “loop offshore port”. It is the only port that can handle and offload the largest crude

carriers the VLCC and the ULCC. The port operations may be disrupted in hurricane season, but

this disruption is not significantly impacting the profit due to the large storage facilities. The

storage facility at LOOP boasts capacity of nearly 210 million gallons of crude oil (50 million

barrels). This port receives many oil tankers including the Middle East tankers. VLCC and ULCC

carriers contain around 84 million gallons of oil (2 million barrels), where they need huge

storage facilities. The port uses three mooring buoys for offloading the crude oil, and a marine

terminal consisting of a two-level pumping platform and a three-level control platform. The

LOOP's onshore storage facility is up to 25 miles inland connected to the port by 48" diameter

pipeline. This allows the port to handle oil before it is delivered via pipelines to refineries all

over the United States.

United States contains 134 operating petroleum refineries, 37% of its operations are location

in the Gulf Coast region producing eight million barrels of crude oil each day.

Texas operate twenty six refineries

Louisiana contains eighteen petroleum refineries

Mississippi contains three petroleum refineries

Alabama three contains petroleum refineries (leanweb, 2013)

Gulf of Mexico includes one of the most developed infrastructures in the world. It does expand

up to 200 miles off the shore (eoearth, 2010) Pipeline infrastructure is important to transport

the crude oil because it is a fixed assets and lasts for long period of time. It needs less

construction and less costs compared to crude carrier as a mode of transportation.

The table above explains in details Gulf of Mexico offshore pipeline infrastructure, their lengths,

capacities and their functions. (enterpriseproducts, 2014)

Offshore Platforms Types

1- Fixed platform:

These platforms are supported by steel structure called the “Jacket” extended from the

seabed to the barge deck. The Jacket does also create the rig base, holding the Barge and

the operational units. These fixed rigs cannot be moved to other locations than the shallow

water, but they are highly stable. So, it is more effective to be used for a long term oil

deposits to justify their construction which drives more profitability. The drills can go up to

1,500 feet below the surface, which equals 457 meters. (mnn, 2010) (BP, 2015)

2- Compliant tower:

It is mostly like the fixed platforms since it contains all its equipments on the barge, but it’s

taller and narrower and sways with wind and water. This is due to the Jackets structure that

is divided into many sections (2 or 3 sections). The lower part is the base and the upper is

dedicated for facilities. This platform can go up to 3000 ft which equals 914 meters. (mnn,

2010) (BP, 2015)

Jack-up rig:

This platform is not permanent and used in shallow offshore areas. It’s considered as a

floating rig towed by barges. It has limited lengths for the rig legs. It is considered safer than

other types of floating rigs, because it is less susceptible to waves and weather conditions.

This rig goes up to 3500 ft which equals 1066 meters. (mnn, 2010) (BP, 2015)

4- Floating production system:

It is the most common types of offshore rigs in Gulf of Mexico. Those required oil pumps in

order to extract oil. Some rig utilize wires and ropes to connect with a stabilizing anchor,

while other platforms including the now-sunken Deepwater Horizon, are "dynamically

positioned," using computer-coordinated thrusters to keep it stable. The machines used in

the deepwater wellheads are known by "blowout preventer" to prevent oil leakage. These

systems can go up to 6,000 ft which equals 1828 meters. (mnn, 2010) (BP, 2015)

5- Tension-leg platform:

This rig consists of floating surface structure held in place by taut, vertical tendons

connected to the sea floor. It is used for drilling small deposits in narrow areas. Some oil

drilling companies use a miniature version "Sea star," which cuts the cost of production of

deepwater oil reserves and make drilling process more economical. The rigging depth for the

tension-leg platform can go up to 7,000 ft which equals 2133 meters. (mnn, 2010) (BP, 2015)

6- Spar platform:

It uses a single, wide-diameter cylinder to support the deck and make it more stable. 90% of

the platform structure is based underwater. This platform can go up to 10,000 ft which

equals 304 meters. The best example is Perdido platform which is going to be explained in

depth in the next session. (mnn, 2010) (BP, 2015)

7- Subsea system:

It is a machine used to extract oil. Mainly used in floating production systems, drill ships and

pre-existing platform rigs. (mnn, 2010) (BP, 2015)

The map indicates the excising and the potential offshore hubs. As it is shown the offshore oil

drill consumes large capacity of the gulf. The hubs and refineries are connected through

pipeline infrastructure. Noticeably all the potential hubs are moving into deeper waters.

(cornell, 2013)

However, the Gulf of Mexico faces many barriers in order to extract oil from the deep water.

The depth of the water needs more specialized equipments in order to reach the seabed. Not

to forget that there are many environmental concerns that needs to be followed specially after

the MOCONDO blow out in 2010. The largest oil spill historically. (cornell, 2013)

Beside that the deepwater operations are expensive in nature and it consumes long time

between the explorations and the production. The reason behind increasing the efforts in

offshore oil drills is the large discoveries. (cornell, 2013)

The platforms could be moved from one area to another using two methods. Tugboats are used

to move Jackups and semis for infield moves. Semis sometimes are called wet-towed, in which

the rig is towed while in the water and the drill ships move under their own power in any

situation. Dry-tow is another method used by the heavy-lift vessels to move the rigs from one

geographic area to another. (Roach, 2014)

Deepest oil rig in the world

The picture shows Perdido structure (bioage, 2008) Perdido offshore oil driller has been

established in 2010. It is the largest oil rig in the world. Perdido drills goes up to 300 km depth.

Since the drilling operations are established in the deep water, it faces many obstacles to

operate efficiently. (Largest-Dams, 2013) (Shell, 2010)

Drilling inside water is a barrier itself. The drills need to be protected from water in order to

ease the movement of the driller and eliminate water resistance. The operation is done

through covering the rig by a tube that empties the water and simplifies the drilling operations.

The terminal operates 24/7 hours nonstop. (Largest-Dams, 2013) (Shell, 2010)

Time consumed in preparing, transporting and the assembly of the terminal take long time and

high technologies to prevent the parts from sinking. When transporting the rig for instance, it is

tied up by steel chains that prevent it from sinking. (Largest-Dams, 2013) (Shell, 2010)

The weather conditions in the Gulf of Mexico make the stability of the barge and grill difficult

which drive the engineers to produce new procedures. Perdido attaches wired huge calendars

into the ground in order to secure the rigging process by making it more stable.

Moreover, to make the rig more stable, the rig bottom is filled with pulverized INO gas to

prevent flipping. This process reduces the vibrations and protects the crew from sea sick or

disruptions of operations. (Largest-Dams, 2013) (Shell, 2010)

Another danger is presented in the heat. Perdido rig is made of steel which is sensitive to heat

and fire which could lead to break the rig and the terminal to sink. New technology called “The

formations of shukako” is used on the rig paint. It delays the steel damage caused by fire

damage and buys around 30 minutes time for the crew to escape. For additional safety, fire

proof paint is also applied on the steel separating the living area from the operational units.

(Largest-Dams, 2013) (Shell, 2010)

Oil Tankers

Oil tankers classifications are based on their carrying capacity in deadweight tons (DWT). DWT

refers to the total weight of the ship including cargo, crew and provisions, deducting the ship

weight when it’s empty. The investor tends to maximize the tankers size in order to increase

their profit casing less cost per gallon. The following picture gives more detailed information.

(gov, 2014) (maritime, 2007) (largestships, 2015)

Oil tankers main categories are Panamax which is the maximum size to go through panama

canal, Aframax which complies with the Average Freight Rate Assessment standards, Suezmax

the maximum size to go through Suez canal, VLCC and the ULCC the largest tankers where it

utilizes the alternative waterways. It’s important to highlight that ULCC can be only handled by

the Loop terminal. (gov, 2014) (maritime, 2007) (largestships, 2015)

It’s important to indicate that oil tankers produce its own electricity in order to operate. Mainly

electricity is utilized to heat the cargo and run the equipments. (largestships, 2015)

VLCC needs single 30,000 horse power diesel engines. The ease of vessel movements in water is

depending on the tankers size. Larger is the tanker, more easily it can slip into the water but

it’s hard to turn and stop where it needs the help of tugboats. (largestships, 2015)

The tugboats are very strong where they can escort the tankers, change its direction and pull

equipments. Most of large crude carriers can’t turn because it needs massive area and it has no

breaks. Around three to four tugs are capable to escort the tankers through pushing them to

the desirable direction. (maritime, 2007)

Oil storage and discharge

In large vessels the tanks are subdivided into three large compartments that extend the width

of the haul to increase the stability of the cargo. The tanker includes stbd tanker, main tanker

and port tanker. The vessel also contains large steel pipes between the oil tankers and vessel

deck (on board) to carry the oil into and out the storage tankers. (largestships, 2015)

However, during cargo discharge compatible gases are present on the deck pipes reaching both

the stbd and port tanks. The vessels uses Hydraulic pumps to create vacuum inside the steel

pipes sending the oil to the deck pipes. Then oil is send to refineries or it’s called storage

containers. (largestships, 2015)

The picture clearly shows the integration of oil tankers with drilling platforms.(wikipedia,

2015)

Discharging oil from the vessel tankers is a long process and it consumes around 30 hours to be

completed on average; depending on the vessels size. This process is the most hazardous

operation and it needs continues monitoring in order to prevent any incident whereas a single

spark could lead to explosion. So, even after emptying the cargo, the harrier can still be a

dangerous place. The weather could also be a barrier because it could cause damages to the

vessel, so regular monitoring and navigations are required in bad weather conditions.

(largestships, 2015)

Oil tankers vessels compliance arriving to the US is monitored by the coast guard monitors

daily. Their role is so important because oil spill accidents have made changes to the maritime

operations nature. For example;

Valdez oil spill in 1990 have resulted in enforcing new regulations regard the tanker

designs. So, within 2010, all vessels operating in Alaska sea and Gulf of Mexico have to

implement the double hauls tankers in order to enhance the level of protection.

The European Erika oil spill 2002 in Spain resulted on international enforcements of the

double hauls regulations.

A new oil tanker is going to be completed by 2015 called the Alska frontier designed by

DP Company. It’s a double-double hauls and engines, in order to increase safety

standards and prevent oil spill accidents. (NationalGeographic, 2014)

Standardization

Every offshore hub in the Gulf of Mexico have to implement the Safety Alerts determined by

the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcements BSEE. These regulations indicates all the

offshore incidents and all the circumstances surrounding any possible accidents, determining

the proper respond and recommendations to prevent the recurrent of the incidents.

BSEE is collaborating with Standards Development Organizations (SDOs) and the international

community in order to produce safety and environmental protection standards. This program

reduces the time consumed in indentifying the updated industry and regulatory standards.

(BSEE, 2015)

USA has also indicated the minimum standards of oil tankers to be used under U.S. Code 3705:

The new crude oil tanker of at least 20,000 deadweight tons shall be equipped with a protective

segregated ballast tanks; crude oil washing system and cargo tank protection system consisting

of a fixed deck froth system and a fixed inert gas system.

The existing crude oil tanker of at least 40,000 deadweight tons shall be equipped with

segregated ballast tanks or washing system.

Any crude oil tanker engaged in transferring oil from offshore exploitations or production

facilities on Outer Continental Shelf of the US; must be equipped with segregated ballast tanks,

or operate with dedicated clean ballast tanks or special ballast arrangements. (cornell, 2013)

Bibliographyappone. (2015, March 6). Logistics Sales Manager. (L. COWAN SYSTEMS, Editor) Retrieved April 1st, 2015, from https://www.appone.com/maininforeq.asp?Ad=348153&R_ID=880351&Refer=http://www.indeed.com/q-Logistics-Sales-Manager-jobs.html&B_ID=91bayt. (2014). Sales Manager. (ARAMEX, Editor) Retrieved April 2nd, 2015, from http://www.bayt.com/en/job/sales-manager-in-egypt-2950436/bioage. (2008). photos. Retrieved May 2015, from http://bioage.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/08/18/perdido1.png BP. (2015). Building production facilities. Retrieved MAy 2015, from http://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/about-bp/what-we-do/extracting-oil-and-gas/building-production-facilities.htmlBSEE. (2015). Current Safety Alerts. (BSEE, Editor) Retrieved May 2015, from http://www.bsee.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Safety-Alerts/Safety-Alerts/#cornell. (2013). Crude oil tanker minimum standards. Retrieved May 2015, from https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/46/3705 eia. (2010). GULF OF MEXICO FACT SHEET. (U. e. information, Editor) Retrieved May 2015, from http://www.eia.gov/special/gulf_of_mexico/enterpriseproducts. (2014). Offshore Oil Pipelines. (E. P. L.P., Editor) Retrieved May 2015, from http://www.enterpriseproducts.com/operations/offshoreOilPipe.shtmeoearth. (2010, September 24). Deepwater Gulf of Mexico oil reserves and production. (M. Nomack, Editor) Retrieved May 2015, from http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/158852/eoearth. (2010, July 26). Gulf of Mexico. (P. Saundry, Editor) Retrieved May 2015, from http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/153197/gov. (2014, SEPTEMBER 16). Oil tanker sizes range from general purpose to ultra-large crude carriers on AFRA scale. (T. M. Hamilton, Editor) Retrieved May 2015, from http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=17991Largest-Dams. (2013, Nov 26). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMX8BEWMtlw . Retrieved May 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMX8BEWMtlw largestships. (2015). Biggest Oil Tankers Overview. Retrieved May 2015, from http://www.largestships.com/biggest-oil-tankers/ largestships. (2015). Biggest Oil Tankers Overview. Retrieved May 2015, from http://www.largestships.com/biggest-oil-tankers/ leanweb. (2013, May 31). THE ENERGY COAST ALONG THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO. (L. E. Network, Editor, & W. Subra, Producer) Retrieved May 2015, from https://leanweb.org/public-health/the-energy-coast-along-the-northern-gulf-of-mexico/linkedin. (2015, April 1st). Logistics Sales Manager. (O. U. DCR Group - Oklahoma City, Editor) Retrieved April 3rd, 2015, from https://www.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/54352192?trk=jserp_job_details_textmaritime. (2007). Oil tanker. (M. conncetors, Editor) Retrieved May 2015, from http://maritime-connector.com/oil-tanker/#mnn. (2010, May 19). Types of offshore oil rigs. (R. McLendon, Editor) Retrieved May 2015, from http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/energy/stories/types-of-offshore-oil-rigs#

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