This paper presents a new concept of mini tension leg platform (mini--TLP).The deck and equipment of the platform are supported by a framed structure which is erected on a cylindrical buoyancy/ballast tank submerged. The analytical investigation and model test indicate that the mini--TLP is possessed of satisfactory motion response and cost less compared to the conventional facilities. It is suitable for the design of wellhead platform for marginal fields in medium water.
The marginal oil fields in 100m to 300m water depth of China offshore are highly worth exploiting. It seems that the conventional fixed offshore platforms are no longer suitable for the operations in these marginal fields due to the increment of weight and cost. China offshore industry has become increasingly interested in the design of advanced offshore production facilities to exploit the oil and gases in these areas. A new concept of mini tension leg platform(mini--TLP) as shown in Fig. 1 is suggested herein. The mini--TLP utilizes a framed structure supported by a cylindrical buoyancy/ballast tank below the ocean surface. The bucked foundation is applied in this mini--TLP. The tank and foundation are connected by four groups of tendons (4 tendons per group). Analytical investigation of motion response, tendon fatigue, bucket foundation and cost assessment of the mini--TLP have been carried out. And model tests have been done in the State Key Laboratory of Ocean Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, to examine the motions and tendon tension in regular and random waves. The experimental results compared very well with the analytical findings. The investigations performed indicate that the mini--TLP has satisfactory motion characteristics and costs less compared to the conventional jacket platform.
