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Platform Data for the Gulf of Mexico

WP or Well Protectors have been defined as:

Similar to conventional platforms, well protectors consist of small piled jackets (with legs generally less than 36 in), which may or may not support decking. Used primarily to safeguard producing wells and their associated production trees from boat damage and debris, the design of most well protectors tends to avoid the large tubulars and deck reinforcements often necessary for supporting drilling and production equipment.

FIXED or jacketed structures have been defined as:

Consisting of one or more above waterline decks tied atop a submerged tubular frame, jacketed platforms are the most common non-well structures found in the GOM. There are currently over 2,375 jacketed platforms in place on the OCS, making up about 60 percent of all bottom-founded, surface structures. Brought on location in sections, the platforms are secured to the seafloor by piles driven through the jackets legs, which may number anywhere from 3 to 12 or more with leg and pile diameters spanning from around 18 in (46 cm) to over 96 (244 cm) in (NRC, 1996). Commonly called conventional piles, these pilings are driven tens to hundreds of feet into the seabed and are often grouted or cemented to the surrounding jacket leg for added stability. Once leveled, the deck assemblies, collectively called topsides, are welded to the tops of the piles protruding from the jacket legs with additional bracing where necessary. Most jacketed platforms are typically placed above previously drilled exploration wells to support their production, additional drilling operations, and equipment housing. Though not as common, some platforms are not associated with any well operations and are instead used to support generator, berthing, and storage facilities (DEMEX, 2003).

Conventionally piled structures make up the majority of jacketed platforms on the OCS (Figure 1-4), but in situations where additional load support and/or storm protection is needed, support bracing and sleeves are added to the lower jacket to accept skirt piles. Similar to conventional pilings, the skirt piles are driven deep into the seabed to pin the bracing and jacket; however, the subsea termination of the sleeves requires the use of submersible piling hammers and in many cases ROV's for guidance and observation (CSA, 2004). Skirt pilings may also be grouted to their surrounding sleeves depending upon environmental conditions and platform requirements. In many circumstances, platforms use both conventional piles through the jacket legs in addition to braced skirt pilings to compensate for extreme load weights and stresses.