Float-on/float-off wharves: one prepared earlier
Geoff Wong A , Phillip Howard A B and Shaun Holmes AA Sinclair Knight Merz
B Presenter only
The APPEA Journal 53(2) 490-490 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ12101
Published: 2013
Abstract
The recently considered concepts for a wharf development identified a number of options, including conventional wharf topside modules on steel tubular piled foundations, steel-jacket-type modules anchored to the seabed, concrete caissons, and a hybrid wharf substructure with a Gravity Base Structure (GBS) connected into a steel jacket sub-frame. Due to the unprecedented demand for site-based skilled labour and a marine construction plant on the Australian coast from numerous major resource projects, further consideration was given to the pre-assembled hybrid wharf alternative and the associated cost, fabrication yard availability, and transport issues. To overcome the potential limits and risks of constructing and sea-towing a concrete base structure, the preferred option is to use a multi-cell steel base instead of concrete.
The GBS method of construction is to use mature technology in the offshore oil and gas industry and can take advantage of modularisation of the substructure and topsides by fully fitting out larger units in overseas fabrication yards. For alternate wharf applications, the GBS has the potential of allowing pre-assembly and pre-commissioning of equipment and systems, or the ability to enhance the substructure installation in readiness for topsides installation (either floatover integral topsides or modular lift). It also opens up a wide choice of existing fabrication yards and shops in China or Korea that either fabricate wharf or jacket substructure components now, or are in close proximity to existing loading-dock facilities. This can result in considerable schedule and cost savings by reducing site (offshore) labour and plant costs.
Geoff Wong is offshore structures lead at Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM). He has more than 25 years of experience in offshore structures. He has worked on projects from concept through to detail design for clients, such as INPEX, Woodside Energy, Maersk Oil, UNOCAL (Indonesia and Thailand), ShellTodd (NZ), GSPC (India), ConocoPhillips (Bayu Undan), ESSO (Bass Strait), and ENI (Blacktip). His recent tasks have included the management of a gravity-base structure (GBS) concept for mineral export wharf applications, coordinating the FEED design of a riser-support structure (in 250-m-deep water), and managing structural teams in the concept and FEED designs of fixed offshore facilities. He has been based in Perth since 2000; his previous work locations include Sydney, Melbourne, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta, and New Plymouth. |
Phillip is the SKM maritime capability manager, which is a global role focused on leading and coordinating the activities undertaken by the Maritime group. For the previous five years, he was the operation centre manager (within SKM) for the Queensland Buildings and Infrastructure group, which had staff of about 250 with a total income of about $55 million per annum. He also has extensive experience in maritime and structural engineering design and has been responsible for the design and documentation of several major projects. These projects have covered a wide variety of types, including maritime, commercial, retail, residential, tourism resorts, hospitals, sport stadiums, pools, multi-level buildings, road, and pedestrian bridges. He also has experience in civil engineering design and the supervision of construction works. Duties have included design team management; design coordination for multidisciplinary projects; and liaison with clients, architects, and other consultants. Member: Institution of Engineers, Australia. |
Shaun Homes is senior executive, marine structures engineer, at Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM). He has more than 20 years of experience in major marine expansion works from design through to construction. He has specialised experience in designing a range of marine structures using different construction methodologies, including incrementally launch methods, jacket installations, canti-traveller installations, and conventional piled installations. He has been involved in the design of marine works for bulk handling facilities, LNG, and general cargo and small-craft facilities. He has undertaken a number of marine feasibility studies, requiring the development of basis of design, value engineering, and marine optimisation studies for the refinement of marine structures and dredging costs. |
