Condeeps. The Dinosaurs of the North Sea

When oil was found in water depths larger than 150 meters in the North Sea in the 1970s, a new and revolutionary concept was needed to be able to support deck structures for production of petroleum. Norwegian entrepreneurs introduced a new design based on their experience with large structures of co...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Harald Sandberg, Finn
Language:French
Published: 2019
Subjects:
Gaz
Online Access:https://www.cairn.info/article.php?ID_ARTICLE=JEHRHE_002_0001l
Description
Summary:When oil was found in water depths larger than 150 meters in the North Sea in the 1970s, a new and revolutionary concept was needed to be able to support deck structures for production of petroleum. Norwegian entrepreneurs introduced a new design based on their experience with large structures of concrete. The design, named Condeep, was developed. For a period of 25 years this design became the dominant support structure for platforms placed in water depths up to 300 meters. By early 1990s new technology had been developed and deeper waters were being challenged. The Condeeps could no longer withstand the competition and the industry had no longer use for the giant structures. However, the world needs a symbol or monument over a very special period that may come to an end sooner than we know. One such platform may be well suited for a UNESCO world heritage – the Draugen platform in the Norwegian Sea. This article introduces the reasoning behind such a suggestion.