Offshore loading and unloading terminals for crude oil in Azerbaijan, Iran and Kazakstan for transshipment to the Black Sea and Persian Gulf combined with western technology's quality control and certified shipping form the basis of this crude oil export project. The offshore terminals are based on fast deployment Single Point Mooring (SPM) systems. The SPM principle incorporates a weathervaning feature which allows for the mooring of tankers in open, water so there is no need to construct jetties and breakwaters; hence the "instant" supply characteristics of this crude oil loading and unloading terminal.
Caspian Offshore Oil Terminals (COOT) will provide much needed additional export capacity for the crude oil produced in the Caspian Sea and surrounding countries and can be installed in 6-9 months in the congested and underdeveloped Caspian ports. The Single Point Mooring (SPM) system allows for the deployment of an additional monthly capacity of 150,000 to 300,000 metric tonnes per SPM, without the need for jetty construction or dredging.
The deeper water around the mooring buoy allows the already small capacity River Sea Tankers to load and discharge at their maximum capacity of 7,000 metric tonnes in all weather, tide and port conditions. Currently, the often observed limit is 3,500 - 5,000 metric tonnes. These projects will allow a higher port capacity, reduced congestion, increased safety and lowered transportation costs for the Caspian Regions crude oil exports. Trans-Caspian Shipping, our partners, are planning and financing the first facility at Sangachal Cape, south of Baku. The remaining three terminals in Kazakstan and Iran are projects of Optimarket.