Abstract
A brief description is given of the present methods of exploiting offshore hydrocarbon discoveries by locating development drilling and production equipment on fixed platforms or on the seabed. At present, these methods are inadequate, or unsuitable for water depths greater than about 200 m. A novel underground method of development is described, and comparisons are made with the existing platform developments.
The underground oilfield development system may be applied in locations where extreme weather, busy shipping lanes or very deep water prohibit existing methods. No new technology is required, as well-developed mining and civil engineering techniques would be used.
There are many incidental advantages in using the underground method, including safety of oil operations located underground, security from sabotage, and environmental protection. In addition, capital and operating costs will be considerably less than with fixed platform developments.
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