Condeep is a make of gravity-based structure for oil platforms invented and patented by engineer Olav Mo in 1972,[1] which were fabricated by Norwegian Contractors in Stavanger, Norway.[2][3][4] Condeep is an abbreviation for concrete deep water structure. A Condeep usually consists of a base of concrete oil storage tanks from which one, three or four concrete shafts rise.[5] The Condeep base always rests on the sea floor, and the shafts rise to about 30 meters above the sea level. The platform deck itself is not a part of the construction.
The Condeep is used for a series of production platforms introduced for crude oil and natural gas production in the North Sea and Norwegian continental shelf.[2]
Following the success of the concrete oil storage tank on the Ekofisk field, Norwegian Contractors introduced the Condeep production platform concept in 1973.[6]
This gravity-based structure for a platform was unique in that it was built from reinforced concrete instead of steel, which was the norm up to that point. This platform type was designed for the heavy weather conditions and the great water depths often found in the North Sea.[2]
Condeep has the advantage that it allows for storage of oil at sea in its own construction. It further allows equipment installation in the hollow legs well protected from the sea. In contrast, one of the challenges with steel platforms is that they only allow for limited weight on the deck compared with a Condeep where the weight allowance for production equipment and living quarters is seldom a problem.
- ^ "Norwegian Industrial Property Office".
- ^ a b c Fagerberg; Mowery; Verspagen, p.192
- ^ Mehta, Povindar K. p.4
- ^ Gerwick, Ben C. p.166
- ^ Dr. techn. Olav Olsen, Condeep platforms Archived 2011-09-27 at the Wayback Machine, (in Norwegian) 2011, web page by Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, retrieved 2011-08-30
- ^ Arentsen; Künneke p. 90