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Investigation of New Techniques for Abandonment of Offshore Structures

Office/Division Program
TAP
Project Number
232
Research Initiation Date (Award Date)
Research Performing Activity
Ensign-Bickford Co.
Research Principal Investigator
John J. Walsh
Research Contracting Agency
Description

This is a Joint Industry Project (JIP). The purpose is to demonstrate that new explosives technology can be used to lessen the environmental impact of offshore platform removal. The company has developed a shock wave reflective tape which uses a lower velocity plastic bonded sheet explosive and a patented shock wave refracting wave shaper to cause material fracture in a different way then current techniques. This project will use underwater instrumentation arrays to measure peak pressure levels at known distances from an oil platform pile being severed by explosives. This data will be correlated with known theoretical models to analyze the key parameters harming marine species, such as fish kills.

Latest progress update

Cancelled. Explosives tests of the shock wave reflective tape were undertaken at Explosive Services International's facility at Clinton, LA on July 14, 1995.