From The Tpg 500, A Production Drilling Quarter Jack-Up To The TPG 3300, A Semi-Submersible Platform For Deep Water
Authors: Thomas Pierre Armand 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
This paper shall endeavour to present the now proven reliable and cost effective technological solutions developed by Technip-Geoproduction (TPG) for oil and gas field exploitation.
The first TPG 500 was successfully installed offshore in the U.K. sector of the North Sea in early 1996. This drilling, production and quarter jack-up capable of operating in North Sea conditions in up to 500 ft water depth, can be seated on either piled steel foundations or on a concrete storage base.
The drill floor may be located either directly over the moonpool, over a wellhead jacket in cantilever mode or over a wellhead jacket in skid-mode. A new platform design with drilling/production and accomodations facilities, the TPG 3300, has now been developed for fields located in very deep water (3300 A and below). The concept combines the main advantages of the deep draft semi-submersible during operations with the proven jack-up technology of the TFG 500 used for construction and installation. Its anchoring is a conventional catenary mooring system and its hydrodynamic behavior allows the use of dry wellheads.
Both platforms present common features. The surface wellhead trees are supported by the deck platform. They can be constructed onshore, at most fabrication yards because of their simplified l o a d d procedure. They can be wet towed or alternatively the TFG 500 may be barge transported. Their main assets are the self-installation of a fully quipped and pre-commissioned platform which meets the high safety requirements of fixed offshore structures. Major offshore hook-up and commissioning operations are therefore avoided.
At the end of the field life, the platforms may be self removed and transported to another site. The combination of all these advantages significantly reduces the capital and life-time costs.

INTRODUCTION
Following the success of the TFG 500, this jack-up was targeted for further development Techinp-Geoproduction has extended the range of platforms it offers the oil industry with the TFG 3300. The TPG 3300 is a deep draft semi-submersible platform with dry surface wellheads and catenary moorings, designed for the deep water field developments (3300 A water depth and below). Both versions are self-installing fully integrated platforms which combine all the functions usually found on fixed platforms : drilling, production facilities and accommodation. As implied by their similar names, these platforms have many common inherent features such as the construction method, easy transportation to the site, self-installation, and adaptability to differing environmental conditions. Their designs are targeted to fit small to large topside facilities with potentially a high number of wells being drilled from the central platform location.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATFORMS
The platform watertight deck supports all the equipment required for production, drilling facilities and accommodation. The rigid connection between the deck and the legs is ensured by the locking mechanisms.