1. Describe the installation procedure for a jacket platform with the help of neat sketches.
A jacket platform is a type of fixed offshore structure made of a tubular steel space frame (the
"jacket") which is piled into the seabed and supports the topside facilities (decks, modules, drilling
rigs, etc.). The installation procedure involves multiple stages, each of which must be carefully
planned to account for marine conditions, soil properties, and structural stability.
1. Transportation to Site
The jacket is fabricated in an onshore yard.
It is loaded out onto a launch barge using skidways and load-out systems.
The jacket is securely sea-fastened for transport to the offshore location.
Sketch: Show jacket lying horizontally on a barge, secured with bracing.
2. Launching of Jacket
At site, the barge is ballasted, and the jacket is launched into the sea by sliding it off the barge stern.
Controlled buoyancy and ballast tanks ensure the jacket floats and maintains stability.
Sketch: Jacket sliding into water from the stern of a barge.
3. Upending of Jacket
Once afloat, the jacket is rotated from a horizontal to a vertical position.
This is achieved using ballasting tanks, cranes, or tugboats.
Stability analysis is critical during this stage to avoid capsizing.
Sketch: Jacket being upended, one end anchored at seabed while the other rotates down.
4. Positioning on Seabed
The jacket is carefully positioned at the predetermined location using DGPS navigation systems and
anchor-handling tugs.
Temporary holding piles or mud mats may be used to stabilize it on the seabed.
Sketch: Jacket standing upright on seabed with guiding lines and anchor chains.
5. Piling and Fixing
Driven piles are inserted through the jacket legs or skirt piles.
Piles are hammered deep into the seabed using hydraulic hammers until required penetration and
bearing capacity are achieved.
Pile-to-jacket connections are grouted to secure the structure permanently.
Sketch: Jacket legs with piles being driven into seabed.
6. Installation of Deck (Topside)
The topside modules (accommodation, drilling, process, and utilities) are lifted using heavy-lift
vessels and placed on the jacket.
Modules may be installed as a single unit ("float-over method") or as multiple lifts.
Sketch: Crane vessel lifting deck module onto jacket.
7. Final Hook-Up and Commissioning
Mechanical, electrical, and piping systems are connected.
Safety checks, structural alignment, and stability verification are carried out.
The platform is then made ready for operation.
Summary of Key Stages
Fabrication and load-out.
Transportation by barge.
Launching into water.
Upending to vertical.
Positioning on seabed.
Piling and grouting.
Topside installation and hook-up.
2. Difference between wave refraction and wave diffraction using sketches.
1. Wave Refraction
Definition:
Wave refraction is the bending of wave crests as they approach the shore at an angle and enter
shallow water.
Cause:
Due to changes in wave speed across the crest – the part of the wave in shallower water slows
down, while the deeper part continues faster.
Effect:
Waves become parallel to the shoreline; energy gets concentrated at headlands and dispersed in
bays.
Example:
Waves bending around a coastline, focusing energy at a promontory.
2. Wave Diffraction
Definition:
Wave diffraction is the spreading of waves when they encounter an obstacle (like a breakwater,
jetty, or island) or pass through a gap.
Cause:
Waves bend around edges or spread after passing through openings due to wave energy
redistribution.
Effect:
Energy spreads into sheltered zones, creating wave patterns in shadow regions.
Example:
Waves spreading inside a harbor after passing through its entrance gap.
Aspect Wave Refraction Wave Diffraction
Phenomenon Bending of wave crests due to depth Spreading of waves after
change obstacle or gap
Cause Variation in wave speed with depth Redistribution of energy
around edges
Common Coastlines (headlands, bays) Harbors, breakwaters, islands
Location
Effect Waves align parallel to shore; energy Waves spread into shadow
focused/dispersed zones
