Mittelplate Drilling and Production Island

At a total cost of around € 50 million, the high-tech drilling rig T-150 is one of the most modern of its kind in Europe. It is specially adapted for environmentally compatible operation in the ecologically sensitive Wattenmeer tidelands.

Sheet pile wall with wave deflector. The sheet pile wall extends to a height of eleven meters above the level of the open sea. Only a little rain and spray water reaches the island from the outside. Nothing can escape from within the island to the world outside.

Floodwater treatment. As the internal pressure of the reservoir decreases as oil is extracted, water is injected into the wells to compensate for this loss in pressure. This measure is designed to maintain pressure within the reservoir and helps to optimize production.

Crude oil processing. The process tanks used to treat crude oil on Mittelplate Drilling and Production Island are linked in a closed system fitted with vapor recovery pipes, which effectively prevents emissions.

Scour protection. In the external section of the island, a system of fascines consisting of granite and cement provides protection from ice and
wave movements as well as against scouring and shifts that occur in the seabed formation.

Crude oil storage tank.The double-walled oil storage tank for intermediate storage of the extracted oil has a capacity of 2,000 m3. In the event of damage to the inner wall, the outer hull would safely contain the entire volume of oil.

Harbor basin. The island has an integrated harbor basin sealed off from the outside for unloading and loading supply vessels and material transporters.

The living quarters were built and fitted out at a cost of around € 20 million. Comparable with the services provided by a hotel, up to 96 persons can be accommodated and provisioned round the clock.

Portal crane. By the end of 2005, much of the equipment and facilities on Mittelplate Island had been upgraded, optimized or replaced. This also includes a new, heavy-duty portal crane whose slewing range is adequate to meet all lifting requirements on the entire island.

Rig cellars made of concrete, featuring oil-tight construction design. This ensures that impenetrable barriers are maintained even when drilling work is under way. The island has a total of 44 so-called slots or sealable exits from which wells can be sunk. Approx. 20 wells have been drilled successfully to date.