The movable loading platform: At the oil port of Caripito (Venezuela): Feasibility study

This study considers the feasibility of a special floating pier at the port of Caripito. This port, located along the Rio San Juan, is the port of embarkment for many oil fields in north-east Venezuela. A few years ago some dolphins at the port collapsed. These problems are mainly caused by river bank slidings. As a result one pier has not been used since. In this situation a floating pier might offer some interesting advantages: - the pier itself it not affected by river bank slidings; - meander processes can change the course of a river. If the pier can not be used at it's original place anymore, it can be moved to another; - the pier and the tanker follow the tide together. Loading operations are influenced less; - the pier can be build off site, at a place where work conditions are optimized. It is finally floated and transported to the right location. Until today floating piers have served at many cargo ports. Generally these cargo piers are very large. On the other hand conventional oil piers always have a small loading platform. It is mainly used to support the oil pipes which lead to the tanker. A floating oil pier can only be economically competitive if it is small too. A small floating platform can be displaced easily. This study will evaluate a new type of floating pier, which utilizes this ability: When the tanker has arrived, then it's head and stern mooring lines are fastened to buoys. Next the spring lines are fastened to the small floating platform. The tanker's winches pull the platform to it's hull. Now the oil loading process can be executed. Finally the platform is withdrawn towards the river bank and the tanker leaves the pier. Different aspects of the platform are investigated. The construction itself, it's stability, the wind and current forces on the tanker and on the platform, the resulting displacements of the tanker and the magnitude of the breasting energy. Unfortunately it must be concluded that the piers at the port of Caripito do not provide enough space. Nevertheless the movable platform will offer an interesting alternative when it is used in an area which provides more space than the Rib San Juan. It's main advantages are: - the tanker berths at some distance of the platform. This can be done in relatively bad weather conditions (e.g. with hardly any sight, strong winds). Tugs can be needed less or not at all; - tankers of any size can be served. The dimensions of the platform construct i on are not related to the size of the tanker nor to any forces on it. The platform can be used at a port where the size of the tankers might increase in the future; - the platform can be installed quickly (this might also be interesting for military operations).Hydraulic EngineeringCivil Engineering and Geoscience