Marine Construction In Cook Inlet

Abstract

Marine construction in Cook Inlet, Alaska is probably more difficult and more hazardous than in any other area in the world. Marine construction in Cook Inlet for the petroleum industry began 1960 with the construction of a gas transmission line across Turnagain Arm to bring gas from the Swanson River Field to the city of Anchorage. (See orientation map) This project is considered by most to be the pioneer project of Cook Inlet marine construction. Though Turnagain is not the worst location with respect to weather, tide and current, the lack of experience with these elements made this a very difficult project. Methods of coping with the hostile environment of Cook Inlet have improved steadily since that time and oil companies and contractors have all benefited from studying the efforts of predecessors. CONSTRUCTION TO DATE At the present time, there are eleven offshore platforms installed in Cook Inlet with seventy-five miles of pipeline installed to service these structures. (See orientation map) Generally, production is being delivered about evenly to the east side of the Inlet and to the west side of the Inlet.] Production from six platforms is going eastward and production from five platforms is going westward. All platforms, except one, are of the four-leg type. One unique platform, the Monopod, is a single leg type developed especially for Cook Inlet. This platform has proven to be particularly successful in fabrication and construction. CONSTRUCTION PLANNED FOR 1968 The smaller 1968 program probably represents a breathing spell for the oil companies as there has been a tremendous investment in Cook Inlet and returns on investment are not yet fully developed. COOK INLET MARINE CONSTRUCTION PROBLEMS Marine construction is hazardous in any locale as marine construction is particularly vulnerable to uncontrollable factors of weather, tide and current.