Subsea nuclear power generating stations for offshore oil production operations. Preliminary safety and licensing information document

This document presents preliminary safety and licensing information relating to the manufacture, installation, and operation of small subsea nuclear generating stations in remote offshore locations, and the associated onshore base-site activities of reactor refueling and system refurbishment at 4-year intervals. The purpose of the proposed facilities is to provide a subsea power capability for offshore oil production operations in areas where surface conditions, water depths, or other environmental constraints may preclude the use of surface-mounted power sources. This will provide the capability to achieve the maximum recovery of petroleum resources from the U.S. frontier areas. Summary descriptions of a typical subsea nuclear generating station and a typical base site-facility are presented. General safety and licensing considerations are discussed, and a representative schedule of licensing activities is outlined