Scour Around Marine Foundations

Machemehl, Jerry L.; Abad, Greg L.

doi:10.4043/2313-ms

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…9) and a patchy distribution. This is the effect of increased turbulence around platform piles and pipelines which causes scour and winnowing of sediments (Machemehl and Abad 1975). Agitation of sediments around structures is an intermittent and nonuniform process which varies with sea state, velocity, direction and duration of bottom currents, and size and design of the structure.…”

Section: Geology and Geological Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Active sedimentary processes will influence the levels of accumulation and ultimate fate of trace metal contaminants from the oil/gas operations. For example, scour of sediments from around platform piles due to current and oscillatory wave action is a well-documented phenomenon (Machemehl and Abad 1975) active in the Buccaneer field. Erratic winnowing of sediments around structures results in constant resuspension, redistribution, and erosion according to varying conditions of current direction, velocity, and wave height.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sedimentary processes and trace metal contaminants in the buccaneer oil/gas field, northwestern gulf of Mexico

Wheeler

Anderson

Schwarzer

et al. 1980

Geo

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/ Sediments are the ultimate sink for contaminants in the marine environment, and physical processes of sedimentation influence the distribution and accumulation of these contaminants. Evaluation of contaminant levels in sediments is one approach to assessing environmental impact; data interpretation depends on consideration of sediment texture and mineralogy, however, which profoundly influence chemical composition. In this study, comparison of potentially contaminated sediments from the production field with control populations was done only within the context of similar (as to texture and organic carbon and carbonate content) sample groups as determined by cluster analysis. Ba, Cd, and Sr are identified as contaminants. Supported by the identification of a well-crystallized expandable clay--possibly bentonite---drilling fluids are a potential source of Ba, Ba and Sr may be unnaturally high because of their abundance in discharged produced formation waters, but may also be naturally controlled by the unique faunal assemblage associated with the structures. Cd is probably derived from corrosion of the structures and assorted debris on the seafloor. In general, contamination is limited to an area within 100 m of the platforms. Furthermore, substantial erosion around platforms has probably effectively removed and dispersed the bulk of the contaminants introduced intothe marine environment by the offshore exploration/production operations.

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Section: Geology and Geological Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%