FLOATING CAISSON VESSEL SYSTEM FOR OIL PRODUCTION IN DEEP WATER.

The caisson vessel system is a deep-water floating production concept which is currently being developed for use in water depths of 600 to 1500 meters. Its operational capabilities include the following aspects of oil production: development drilling, subsea production, surface processing, well maintenance, storage, and off-loading. All the subsystems necessary to provide these capabilities are integrated into the design of the 400,000-tonne moored concrete vessel. Constraints of vessel stability, environmental loading, equipment accessibility, safety, ease of construction, and cost govern the design of such a vessel. The objectives, capabilities, and design criteria for the caisson vessel system are discussed along with a description of each major subsystem.