Large offshore remote terminal- first step towards offshore community settlement

Abstract

Building a mega offshore structure with infrastructures for human settlement is what investors are working on right now. Engineers and architects are recreating the legendary Atlantis; drawing ideas from current oil and gas subsea platforms and projecting possibilities into the future by exploiting science and technology to their advantage. It is not as an undertaking to solve overcrowding on land but rather taking opportunity from project such as Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) where electricity is generated from turbines turned by fluids at large temperatures gradient for the sustenance of facilities permanently supporting the need of community settlement. An opening to a much wider application is made possible. One such application is the creation of sustainable artificial hub island for deep sea fishing. This paper presents the methodological approach in establishing Large Offshore Remote Terminal. Highlights are on defining its shape and sizes, system and facilities, optimisation of sustainability related resources such as production of desalinated water and corn and rice and its worthiness beyond the boundary of conventionally defined life cycle economic assessment. Applications and modifications of standard methodological tools are briefly outlined. Potential role as a bridge between islands to overcome constraints arising from spatial distance, inter-state border control and isolation requirement is also highlighted. Potential application within archipelagic environment is discussed.