can be utilized in the distribution of refined products as well as crude 

 transfers. 



One desirable feature of SPM's is they diminish tanker traffic 

 around port areas and confined harbors, where maneuverabili'ty may be 

 constrained. However, SPM's have been designed to work with the largest 

 tankers; smaller tankers still operate along the /coast and in industrial 

 ports. In some areas, such as along the west coaSt of the United States, 

 this trend is expected to grow rapidly when oil from the North Slope 

 is transported into ports in California. 



Decisions about single point mooring systems are generally made 

 within two realms--the first relating to the whole transportation 

 strategy for offshore oil, and the second relating to national policy on 

 importation of oil . 



An SPM operates solely as an oil transfer unit, however, the complete 

 system would involve a power unit for pumping, submarine pipeline, 

 landfall and a network of onshore pipelines, oil storage terminals and 

 at times, refineries. An SPM system as proposed by Seadock would 

 employ a number of SPM's connected to a complex of platforms by buried 

 pipes. Discharged cargo at an SPM would flow through a floating hose to 

 a buried submarine pipeline to a platform complex. From the platform, 

 booster pumps would move the crude to an onshore storage terminal. From 

 the storage terminal, the crude oil would be distributed by pipelines to 

 refineries. 



SPM's connected to shore terminals, as currently proposed, are 

 primarily designed to handle imported crude oil. The approvals for 

 SPM's--which require extensive State and Federal reviews--are therefore 

 influenced by national policy toward reduction of dependence on imported 

 crude. 



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