Mikroplattform

Mikroplattform, or micro platform, is a term used in offshore oil and gas engineering to describe a small, compact offshore production facility designed for developing marginal or small fields. The concept focuses on minimizing capital expenditure and construction time while providing essential processing and production support, often in environments where larger platforms would be uneconomical.

A mikroplattform typically features a compact topside module mounted on a fixed or floating support structure. Its processing capacity is limited compared with larger platforms and may include basic separation, liquid handling, and limited gas treatment. The design emphasizes modularity and prefabrication, allowing faster installation and easier integration with subsea infrastructure. Depending on water depth and seabed conditions, the structure may be a jacket, gravity-based, or floating unit.

In operation, mikroplattformen are frequently tied back to a nearby processing facility or export system via subsea pipelines, flowlines, and risers. They are often deployed in shallow or relatively shallow-water regions and can serve as satellites or extensions to larger hubs, enabling field development without building a full-scale platform on every well.

Advantages of mikroplattformen include lower capital expenditures, shorter project timelines, reduced environmental footprint, and improved suitability for marginal fields. Limitations involve constrained processing capacity, reliance on subsea systems, and potentially higher risk concentration if a single unit serves multiple wells.

See also offshore platform, satellite platform, mini platform, tie-back, and marginal field development.