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In February 2017, we were asked to deliver a fast turnaround offshore engineering project for a Sea Swift platform, destined for the Iguana field, offshore Trinidad. The platform was intended for an extremely seismically active region. But that’s not the only time we’ve been asked to consider seismic activity when developing a conductor supported platform (CSP).
Working in a seismic area presents new challenges, putting crew at risk as well as the surrounding environment. At its worst, it could lead to platform collapse. Earthquakes can vary in magnitude. This means frequent, smaller quakes can build pressure on the platform, or a large one can create testing conditions for operations. However, some intelligent offshore engineering can reduce the risk of failures.
Explore the ground
Seismic activity often isn’t the only challenge an offshore platform can face. At the start of any project, you’ll want to know what you’re dealing with, but here it can matter more than ever with seismic activity presenting new challenges. Tectonic plate movements are known, but the how far, when and with what impact are harder to predict. By undertaking a proper assessment of the area, we are equipped with more information, including details like soil quality, to apply an appropriate offshore engineering solution.