:DWHU 6XSSO\ À 5DZ :DWHU ,QWDNH - WILO

Planning guideOffshore applicationsDefinitionThe term "offshore installations" refers to structures permanently locatedeither on the open sea or in coastal areas. An example of this isan oil rig.Platforms are referred to as oil rigs if they are used to bore holes inthe sea bed for the purpose of tapping crude oil and natural gasfields.TypesThere are different types of oil rigs. Our pumps are used chiefly on thefollowing two types:• Jack-up rig: This platform stands on the rig's legs which in turn standon foundations on the sea bed. The platform can be moved vertically– i.e. along the legs. The internal structure of the platform is therebyused partially as a ballast tank which is filled with sea water. Transportis performed by special ships. Jack-up rigs are usually to befound in flat water.• Semi-submersible rig: The platform floats on pontoons, which ensurethe buoyancy of the structure while being used at the same time asballast tanks. It is possible to keep the oil rig itself stable, even underadverse weather conditions, by filling or emptying the ballast tanks.Positioning above the borehole is ensured by the use of an anchor orby its own drives. This type of oil rig is very mobile and can be used inwater depths down to approximately 1800 m.MaterialsSea water is an extremely corrosive fluid. To be able to use pumps init, materials which are resistant to sea water must be used . All partsthat come into contact with the fluid in our units that are made foruse in sea water are either made of bronze or stainless steel or arecoated with Ceram. The use of these high-quality materials makes itpossible to achieve a long service life of the pumps.ApplicationSubmersible pumps or polder pumps and submersible sewage pumpsare used on oil rigs.On jack-up rigs, the submersible pumps are installed either on therig's legs or on the derrick itself. They pump sea water on to the deckwhere it is then distributed to various consumers, e.g. the fire-fightingsystem.The submersible pumps are also installed on the derrick on semisubmersiblerigs and pump – like with jack-up rigs – sea water on tothe deck. In addition, polder pumps are installed in the ballast tanks inorder to fill or empty them.Submersible sewage pumps are used for the rapid filling of the ballasttanks on jack-up rigs before the platform is raised to its workingheight.Oil rig equipmentThe complete equipment and planning of our units on oil rigs is carriedout by our partner, the S&N Pump Company in Houston, Texas(www.snpump.com).12 Wilo Water Management catalogue – 50 Hz – Water supply – Raw water intake – Edition 2012/2013 – Subject to change without prior notice