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The US does not have a facility large enough to construct
Classic SPAR hulls. Therefore, almost all SPAR hulls have been
manufactured overseas , typically in Finland, and then transported
to the US, which increases the cost of the project.
The hull of a truss SPAR is smaller, reducing both material
cost and the cost of transportation. Also for some truss SPARs, the
actual truss system can be made in the US and then mated with the
hard tank when it arrives.
Because of the reduced size of the cylinders, fabrication of
cell SPARs can take place in the US, meaning that there is no
transportation cost.
The Hard Tank of a Truss SPAR is constructed in halves
(fig. 2.26, a). Later the two completed halves are brought together
(fig. 2.26, b). Then the two halves are joined to form the top of the
Truss SPAR’s Hard Tank (fig. 2.26, c).
a b
c
a – halve of hard hand; b – halves are brought together; c -
two halves are joined
Figure 2.26 – Construction of SPAR
The SPAR hull is shipped in sections that will later be mated
together (fig. 2.2, a). The hull is joined and towed out to the well
location (fig. 2.27, b).
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