Improving Decommissioning Through Secondary Usage of Platforms
Decommissioning of platforms can often be a troublesome task, with opposition from environmental campaigners and various regulations preventing oil drilling companies from simply leaving a rig dormant in the ocean. Conversely, it is not sustainable for a company to provide on-going maintenance for an offshore rig after its useful lifespan has expired. For many companies, it is then a case of undertaking the somewhat difficult process of not only removing the rig itself but also ensuring that any environmental imbalances caused by its presence are rectified as quickly as possible.
Instead of taking down a rig altogether, many oil drilling companies are now willing to consider secondary usage of the platforms. It is sometimes possible to deconstruct a rig at one location and rebuild it elsewhere to continue using it for the intended purpose. However, as oil drilling becomes more difficult with most of the ‘easier’ wells already used, most rigs are heavily customised, making them likely to be unsuitable for use elsewhere.
One of the most prevalent suggestions for use of abandoned rigs is within the marine research area. Old rigs are highly coveted by such scientists, as they provide a readymade platform that can be used to house offices and laboratories, directly in the middle of the wildlife that they are looking to analyse. Fishermen also support such an idea, although for different reasons.
An abandoned rig generally attracts marine wildlife as it provides a simple area in which for the fish and other creatures to set up home. For marine biologists, this gives them an unprecedented opportunity to observe different species in effectively a natural habitat without technically needing to leave dry land. The view of fishermen is that an abandoned rig will eventually attract enough fish to make it something of a gold mine for catching certain species. In this case, the rig acts as an artificial reef, serving to increase the bio productivity of the surrounding area, making it popular in many areas around the world.
Alternatively, a rig can be reused even if it is not left in its current position. Regardless of the science and technology that went into construction, the owner is left with a lot of expensive materials when the rig is deconstructed. One of the most famous examples of this was Brent Spar in the North Sea. The rig’s abandonment was a drawn out process that involved numerous companies and opinions from around the area, with the original plan being to simply sink the platform. However, ultimately, the platform was deconstructed onshore, with the majority of the recycled materials used to build new ferry facilities at a port in Norway, vastly reducing the expense of the Port Authority in the area.
Decommissioning of Oil and Gas Structures in the North Sea
Since the development of gas and oil reserves in the North Sea, there have been many offshore structures erected to extract these fuels. The water in the North Sea can be quite hostile and conditions are very harsh so there is a lot of expertise required in this area especially when it comes to decommissioning. North Sea structures have been around for quite some time and many of them are coming to the end of their lives so decommissioning is necessary.
When it comes to decommissioning North Sea structures, there are strict regulations in place and a decommissioning programme must be adhered to. By following this decommissioning programme, oil and gas companies can ensure the public that they are committed to safeguarding the environment and that they are being responsible. In 1999 the Maureen field stopped production and a formal decommissioning plan was submitted. This was the first main oil field in the North Sea to be earmarked for decommissioning.
North Sea oil structures are extremely difficult to decommission as mentioned before because they are based in hostile waters where conditions are very harsh. This means that it will take quite some time for these jobs to be completed and in many cases, the costs can be very high. When it comes to decommissioning North Sea structures it is necessary for the company involved to take a lot of care to ensure that the environment is protected as well as the people doing the work.
It is very important to realise that it is a very dangerous job to decommission an oil or gas rig because there are very hazardous materials used. Those working on decommissioning are risking their lives to make sure this job is done correctly. There are also the health implications for later life to take into account especially when dealing with chemicals such as asbestos.
The size of the oil or gas structure will determine the length of time that it takes for decommissioning to be complete. This will also be affected by any problems that might arise and when decommissioning North Sea structures, the harsh conditions also need to be taken into account.
Many of these structures can be floated away to a mainland base where they can be decommissioned easier but for a number of structures, the job is trickier because they have to be dismantled at sea. This requires more work and more costs. The job of decommissioning North Sea structures can be made all the more tricky depending on the time of year and the weather conditions.
Precautionary Measures you need to Take When Travelling with Your Laptop
Laptops are extremely handy and they make for the perfect travel companion. If you are going to be travelling with your laptop then you will want to take certain precautions to ensure the safety of this precious device.
Use a Carrying Case
A carrying case is one of the most important accessories that you will purchase along with your laptop. This carrying case will keep your laptop safe when you are travelling and it will prevent the laptop from being damaged along the way. You need to ensure that the padding on the bag is sufficient and take care to place your laptop back into the bag the moment you are finished using it.
Carry the Base of the Laptop
When you are carrying the laptop, it is important to carry it by the base and not the screen itself. If you carry the laptop by the screen then you will not only damage the screen itself but you might also cause the screen to detach from the base and cause it to fall and break.
Keep an Eye on your Laptop at all Times
Never leave your laptop unattended while you are travelling. Whether you are travelling by plane, bus or train, leaving it unattended might result in it getting stolen and this is something that everyone wants to avoid.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is important if you are going to be travelling a lot. If you have already insured your laptops then you should call your insurance company and inquire about the areas that you are covered for. If you are going to be leaving the country then you will want to ensure your insurance company will pay in the event that it is stolen abroad.
Keep all of the Accessories in One Place
When you are using your laptop, be sure to keep all of the accessories together. If you are going to be using these accessories while you are travelling then you will want to ensure that you don’t lose certain items. Keeping them in your carrying case is a good idea as it allows you to access all of your computer components and accessories in one convenient location.
Engineering Services
When running any kind of production company, you need to have superb engineering services at your fingertips. It is impossible to guarantee quality and performance if the engineering part of the production is lacking in standards.
This is where companies such as Claxton Engineering come in. These companies offer a whole variety of professional engineering services aimed at providing quality engineering goods and services. Engineering companies are expected to manufacture and provide items that will make oil rigs work well, help with off-shore projects as well as the necessary consulting services that are needed to make these initiatives run smoothly.
Engineering uses science and maths to design and build various things such as machines and devices. Engineers use materials and processes to improve people’s lives. The art of engineering has a long history and has culminated in modern attempts to make structures bigger, better and safer.
There are several branches to engineering. These include civil engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering.
Each one of these branches contributes to the development of new products and services that engineers can use to solve production questions and other structural and mechanical etc. problems. The branches are separated and specifically designed to complement each other when in use and as such have become specialist fields of study.
Modern times have also brought with it the era of the computer. This fine machine helps engineers like Claxton Engineering to use science, math, logic etc. to solve design and manufacturing problems. The computer can simulate how different materials will react to a variety of situations, thereby cutting down the possibilities of structural failure of whatever is produced out of that material. Computers also help design simulations which cuts down design time and therefore unnecessary costs.
In order to do all of this, computers used by engineers use sophisticated software to contribute to what is called CAD (Computer- aided Design). There are various types of software that engineers can choose from and they can use them for a number of reasons.
Along with CAD comes CAM (Computer-aided manufacture). This is where computers are used to generate instruction manuals, make various circuit boards etc. All of these components are controlled and regulated by the engineer in order to produce, test and model the product s/he is manufacturing.
Engineering is one of the cornerstones of modern society. Without engineers there would be no high-rise buildings, no innovative machines, no essential chemicals and too many problems to solve. The part of engineering that is most often seen is when there is the almost miracle of a high-rise building being erected or the wonder of a space shuttle shooting into space. It is a truly miraculous vocation.
Life on an Oil Rig
Living on an oil rig with HPHT wells can be both terrifying and exciting. As it is, life on an oil rig is unusual and challenging.
When you’re dealing with HPHT wells and drilling, you’re dealing with natural gas and oil that are under pressure in the sea bed. Once you’ve drilled into it, you need to be able to control and stabilise the pressure that it gives off.
This is where life gets interesting. The drilling and the wells are done under very controlled conditions, but the slightest mistake can cause a disaster. Even if one little valve is malfunctioning, there is a chance that the whole rig can explode and go up in flames. This is something that has happened before and, despite many improvements and precautions might happen again.
Living on the rig is therefore quite challenging. It is high tension work with tremendous attention to detail. You’re away from your family for long periods of time and any social life that you have is with your mates on the rig.
The accommodation on an oil rig, though adequate, is not what you would call home comfort and you need to live in close quarters with a number of other people. It is important that you maintain good relationships with the men (and women) that work with you, as your life could one day be in their hands. You may also, one day, have to hold one of their lives in your hands.
Considering all of this, it takes a special kind of person to live and work on an oil rig. You need to be hardy, self-sufficient and emotionally mature. You need to be able to work under constant pressure while performing at your best. The pressure does not ease off when your shift is over, because the possibility of an explosion or some other disaster is always looming in the shadows.
It’s not all dire and gloomy though. As with any other lifestyle and job, there are the high points to consider. Because of the close quarters, the inhabitants of the oil rig become close and a special kind of camaraderie develops among them. There is always time for the odd joke (or prank) and the crew share as much laughter as possible. Problems and sorrows are also frequently shared and resolved.
No matter how high the tension and the pressure gets, the crew of an oil rig is trained to deal with danger and potential disaster. In case of an emergency they are prepared to risk life and limb to help fellow crew mates out of danger.
In their veins run the high pressure, high temperature of the oil rig.