Sea Water Intake
Technical Profile
A seawater intake system capable of delivering water requirements without harming the ecology is required to provide cooling water, firewater supply, ballasting, injection water and a source of water for potable water production. Most offshore facilities use a pipe with passive screens or strainers to convey seawater to the platform.
A typical offshore platform may require a total cooling demand of 13 to 21 million BTU per hour for its engines and drawworks brake alone. Seawater intake requirements range from 2 to 10 million gallons per day (315 - 1575 m3 /hour) with as much as one-third or more needed for cooling. Demand for injection water can raise requirements even higher. Additionally, the firewater system must stay pressured at all times. Pumps will run to maintain pressure discharging a reject stream back overboard.
