Reliability Characteristics of a Platform in the Mississippi River Delta

Abstract

In August 1995, the Energy Development Corporation installed a conventional drilling and production platform in South Pass Block 47. Due to its proximity to the delta of the Mississippi River, this platform is exposed to the environmental forces developed by hurricanes and movements of the seafloor. This paper summarizes results from probability-based study of the oceanographic, geotechnical, and structural reliability characteristics of a conventional platform installed in South Pass Block 47. Experience with other structures installed in this area that have failed due to seafloor slides is correlated with results from these analyses. The analyses indicated that a conventional platform could be safely installed at the proposed location. The platform has experienced several severe hurricanes without signs of distress.