Design and Operation of Offshore Gravity and Displacement Terminals

Offshore gathering, storage processing and transfer to transport are integral requirements for effective ocean exploitation. Recent developments of prefabricated gravity, displacement and tension-leg platforms caissons and other type of port facilities offer many alternative approaches to the provision of these requirements. The design and operating characteristics of both steel and concrete terminals are evaluated and alternative approaches to configuration, layout, support, positioning and retention are reviewed. The characteristics of alternative terminals are discussed and a method which permits design and operating characteristics to be optimized under given environmental conditions and service requirements is proposed.