Electrified Offshore Drilling and Production Facilities on Island Esther

The value of offshore oil reservoirs relatively close to large onshore refineries is becoming increasingly important as onshore oilfields become depleted. This paper describes the electrical supporting facilities for Standard Oil Company of California's man-made, rock-filled drilling island located one and one-half miles off the Southern California Coast in 38 feet of water. Installation of electrical equipment and submarine cable are described. Capital expenditure and costs of power consumption and electric drilling are developed. Finally, the need for an adequate preventive maintenance program due to the corrosive marine atmosphere is demonstrated, and a sample chart of routine maintenance attached.