Driftsplattform

Driftsplattform is a term used in the Norwegian and Swedish offshore oil and gas industries to describe an offshore installation dedicated to the day-to-day operation and processing of a petroleum field. It forms part of the field’s infrastructure and provides housing for personnel, power and utilities, and processing equipment for the production stream. The platform serves as a central point for managing wells, processing fluids, and coordinating field support activities.

The primary purpose of a driftsplattform is to receive produced fluids from subsea wells and perform processing steps such as separation of oil, gas, and water, as well as dehydration, conditioning, and gas handling. It also houses power generation and distribution, control systems, and safety equipment. After processing, the hydrocarbons are prepared for export via pipelines or tanker terminals. The platform includes control rooms, instrumentation, alarms, maintenance facilities, and emergency response capabilities.

Typical components and layout include topside process modules, electrical and control rooms, living quarters, a helideck, and crane equipment. The platform is connected to the seabed through risers and flowlines and linked to other field facilities, enabling supply of utilities, chemical injections, and backup systems as needed. Operation relies on automated process control (DCS/SCADA), monitoring and alarm systems, and rigorous safety practices, with ongoing maintenance and inspections to ensure reliability and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Types of offshore platforms exist, including fixed jacketed or gravity-based structures and floating production systems, depending on field conditions and water depth. In some contexts, the term may be used more generally for an operational platform in industrial settings, but it predominantly refers to offshore production facilities.