Construction of large artificial islands for oil exploitation in the Arabian Gulf
Type:
Presented during:
CEDA Dredging Days 2012 - Virtue, Venture and Vision in the Coastal Zone
Authors:
Lambarki M, Bouwmeester B and Van de Putte K - National Marine Dredging Company, United Arab Emirates
Abstract: The oil and gas industry in the UAE has investigated the application of artificial islands as an alternative method to traditional steel jack platforms over the last years. The industry has found substantial benefits of this alternative development methodology from both a production and operational point of view. The Zakum project is the first project to which this alternative technology will be applied by constructing four artificial islands built on strategic locations in the Upper Zakum oil field. The Zakum project lays the foundation for the redevelopment of ZADCO's Upper Zakum field and will facilitate increased production up to 750kbd.
This paper describes the design & engineering process of these islands and the challenges associated with constructing the islands in an active offshore oilfield environment.
The four artificial islands are being built in water depths ranging from 7m to 15m. Their locations have been determined by considering the reservoir plans, existing field production facilities, seabed bathymetry, etc. The design of the Islands' sea-defense systems and their harbours include extensive hydraulic modeling and consideration of location specific soil conditions.
The construction of the four islands has involved the mobilisation of more than 100 marine vessels and comprises around 25 million m³ of land reclamation, which needs to be improved using vibro compaction technique, the construction of revetments and breakwaters using around 14 million tonnes of rock and 285,000 m³ of concrete armour units, and the construction of mini harbours involving the construction of about 1,720 m of quay walls (+/- 88,000 m³ concrete).
Working inside the active operating oil field, which is currently producing nearly a quarter of Abu Dhabi's oil, requires close coordination with the ongoing field operations personnel to ensure that any risk to the production facilities is effectively managed and thus minimized.
Keywords: Artificial Islands, Land Reclamation, Vibro compaction, Quay Wall construction, Breakwater construction