To exploit the hydrocarbon reservoirs under the ocean beds, more and more the new technique with underwater pile driving plants will be applied for the installation of the necessary offshore platforms. The development of these plants has been hectic over the last few years because of their economical operation.
Their application is spreading rapidly. Fundamental research and establishment of a technical base have not, however, kept in step with the rapid development of these plants. A point has thus been reached whereby missing basic data must be obtained. Otherwise, problems in the development of such plants for future demands will arise, By the project missing data and knowledge shall be obtained .
The test program has been fulfilled as to schedule. Some problems arose from malfunction of measuring devices and a few tests components which obviously could not withstand the very high shocks generated by the pile hammer. However, the data obtained proved to be more than sufficient for an extensive evaluation. The evaluation results have furnished the missing data on a large scale. They will help to close the gaps in the knowledge and experience of this new technique as expected resp. will give impulse to further researach work
A test program is to be carried out. For This the unique and once -onlyopportunity to use the to date largest pile hammer plant could be made available. This enables to come to realistic basics regarding load limit conditions and the behaviour and control of large oil flow volumes under pressure. Similar severe and demanding operating conditions cannot in any way whatsoever be simulated by models.
The program comprises twelve individual test activities and several pretests. For each the individual equipment has been prepared completely in advance in order to shorten changing and operation times for this extraordinary expensive plant to a minimum, but yet to obtain a maximum of data output. After finishing the program an evaluation of measurements accompanied by several verification tests with a small hammer plant will follow.