It is difficult to predict the ultimate extent of expansion of 

 various shipyards and fabricating yards associated with the frontier OCS 

 areas. There are a variety of factors that could prompt a builder to 

 expand from the Gulf Coast to the East and West Coasts: 



1. degree of success of oil and gas discovery; 



2. backlog of orders in his current facilities; 



3. company forecast of new business a facility 

 could generate and its profitability; and 



4. zoning regulations and environmental restrictions 

 that may preclude timely development of a 



new facility. 



For the next few years a wholesale shift of construction facili- 

 ties to the OCS frontier area is not anticipated. However, if these 

 new zones are productive, many companies will consider moving construc- 

 tion facilities to the areas during the mid-1 980' s. 



Description 



The diversity and quantity of requirements for marine repair and 

 maintenance facilities increase as the number of vessels increases. Two 

 or three vessels are associated with pre-lease drilling; more substantial 

 needs appear in the exploratory phase, and even more extensive needs are 

 indicated by a mature field with production workover phases. 



A repair and maintenance yard (or facilities) is located on the 

 waterfront in a developed harbor. The equipment and layout of the yard 

 reflect the needs of the port and can vary considerably. A large facility 

 servicing a major port might include pipe, plate, and welding shops, 

 storage buildings, dockside ship service facilities, and a dry dock. 

 These facilities would be situated within the site to allow docked 

 vessels to be easily serviced. 



Dry docks are needed for repairs on the hull, shafts, and propellers. 

 The majority of boat repairs can be made while the vessel is in the 

 water. If possible, boats are "hauled out" only in cases of necessary 

 bottom work or for periodic Coast Guard certification and licensing 

 inspections. 



Marine repair and maintenance facilities are located in developed 

 harbors in response to demand associated with initial commercial harbor 

 users. Existing facilities will be used initially unless a major field 

 is found in a frontier area where no developed ports are available 

 within an appropriate distance. As the field is explored and developed 



137 



