MMS approves cell spar
  by: OilOnline
  Monday, February 10, 2003

The Minerals Management Service has given broad approval for use of the world's first cell spar in a Gulf of Mexico deepwater oil and gas project. Approval came as part of a Conceptual Deepwater Operations Plan review of Kerr-McGee's Red Hawk project in 5,300 feet of water in Garden Banks Block 877. Red Hawk will be developed using the world's first cell spar and the second permanent use of synthetic moorings in the Gulf of Mexico.

The third generation cell spar, 64 feet in diameter and 480 feet in length, will be composed of seven tubes; a center tube will surround the other six tubes, all connected by structural steel. The platform's deck will be 110 feet by 132 feet.

Kerr-McGee has selected Technip Offshore Inc. to construct Red Hawk's cell spar. The new type spar platform is said to reduce the reserve threshold needed for an economic development in deep waters.