2. award-winning platforms Maari Wellhead Platform
Installed in May 2008 in 100m water
depth in the Taranaki Basin, a highly
seismic region, offshore New Zealand.
The platform allows jack-up drilling
with oil processing on a nearby FPSO.
3. Yolla DrillACE PlaTform
ACE platforms can be towed in sea-states
up to 4m Hs and installed in 2m Hs.
We shape a better world
Arup has a well deserved reputation for innovation
and the successful transfer of technology from
industry to industry. Our aim is to deliver cost
effective solutions by encouraging a clear
understanding of our client’s objectives, holistic
thinking and challenging the norm.
We provide a range of design and project
management services to the oil and gas industry
for major onshore and offshore projects. In
particular we have been a pioneer and innovator
within the offshore construction industry and our
desire to improve marginal field development with
a sustainable, environmental and cost-effective
solution, led to us developing specialist skills in
the design and project execution of Arup Concept
Elevating (ACE) self-installing platforms.
ACE platforms are Arup’s award-winning range of
fixed platform solutions for varying environmental and
functional criteria. They are self-installing and
re-locatable platforms that operate as moveable
offshore production units for water-depths up to 110m.
The platforms have been specifically developed to
combine the advantages of traditional fixed platforms
with the flexibility offered by a mobile unit. They are
particularly economical where several reserves are to
be exploited or in less mature oil and gas provinces.
The ACE platforms differ from conventional designs
by offering a lower risk solution to clients who
require rapid installation, without mobilisation of
large offshore construction vessels.
ACE platforms comprise four main components –
barge deck, gravity steel base, tubular or lattice
legs and jacking system.
Barge Deck
The barge deck provides a large uninterrupted
square or rectangular area for supporting the
topsides facilities. Supporting legs do not protrude
into the usable deck space. This sets the concept
apart from previous jack-up platforms.
Lattice or tubular legs
The legs are based on jacket rather than jack-up
technology. Jacking facilities are separated from
the legs, so the high local jacking loads that
necessitate special leg detailing on jack-ups are
avoided. Conventional grades of steel are used and
forged or cast items are unnecessary. These features
keep the market open to the widest number of
potential fabricators.
Steel gravity base
The steel gravity base foundation design incorporates
the flexibility to operate in a range of water depths,
supported by soils of different types and strengths
through adoption of a skirted base.
Jacking system
The jacking system selected is a centre-hole strand-
jacking system commonly used on land for heavy
lift operations and platform load-outs. It is similar to
that used for stressing tendons in post-tensioned
concrete and has been used extensively for civil
engineering heavy lift operations such as installing
bridge decks.
Yolla DrillACE Platform
The platform was fabricated in the Nippon
Steel yard in Batam and transported 8000km
on a sea going heavy lift transport barge
before being installed in approximately 80m
water depth in the Bass Strait off the coast
of Victoria, Australia.
4. HANG TUAH FINAL ELEVATION
The world’s first ACE platform was installed
in the West Natuna Sea in April 2001. The
platform was shipped from South Korea, then
released a short tow distance from site. The
deck was raised to its final in-service elevation
within 48 hours of arrival.
ACE platforms can be fabricated at local yards
almost anywhere in the world, without the need
for extensive equipment or specialist expertise.
They are able to deliver economy and speed of
construction through simple, repetitive fabrication
details based on shipbuilding technology. Topsides
can be readily expanded or modified as field
requirements change. ACE platforms require only
tugs and strand jacks for installation and relocation.
The base can be lowered to the seabed and the
deck can be raised to final elevation within 48 hours.
The same system allows the platform to be moved to
other locations during its lifetime, making incremental
field development or re-use attractive.
At the end of a platform’s operational life,
decommissioning is rapid and economical. ACE
platforms are completely removable and can be
recycled with minimal environmental impact.
ACE platforms are individually tailored to meet a
client’s needs and Arup has an established network
of fabricators and installers who can deliver the
platforms on time and to budget.
Our in-house team can provide all the skills
necessary for the design of ACE platforms
including geotechnics, naval architecture,
structural engineering, seismic design and
offshore installation engineering.
Build Pre-commission
Load out dry tow to offshore
field (can be wet towed if more
economical)
Offload
Position at field
using tugs
Lower base to seabed
Penetrate skirts into
seabed (where needed)
Raise deck
Weld deck to legs
Remove strands
Commission
5. Arup is a global firm of planners,
designers, engineers and business
consultants. We provide a diverse
range of professional services to
clients around the world, exerting
a significant influence on the built
environment. The firm is a creative
force behind many of the world’s
most innovative buildings, transport
and civil engineering projects and
design technologies.
Established in 1946, Arup has over
10,000 employees based in more
than 90 offices across 37 countries,
working on up to 10,000 projects at
any one time. Its unique structure,
with the firm held in trust on behalf
of its employees gives us complete
independence. Our multidisciplinary
approach means that any given
project may involve people from
any or all parts of Arup. Our aim
is to achieve excellence in all we
do by bringing together the best
professionals in the world to meet
our clients needs.
ACE PLATFORM IN OPERATION
Hang Tuah ACE compresses associated
gas from Belida and processes gas from
subsea wells for export to Singapore. It
was designed for several re-locations in
its 25 year operational life.
6. For further information contact:
Europe and Africa
Gordon Jackson
T +44 20 7755 2289
E Gordon.Jackson@arup.com
Americas
Brian Raine
T +1 713 783 2787
E Brian.Raine@arup.com
Australasia
Glynn Thomas
T +61 8 9322 1400
E Glynn.Thomas@arup.com
www.arup.com
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