A Semi Submersible in Combined Extreme Waves and Current: Comparison of Model Tests and Existing Software

Floating production systems are often exposed to combined waves and current. Normally, the effects from a steady current are neglected in the calculation methods for dynamic loads and motions. In some parts of the world the current velocities can be so large that neglecting wave-current interaction effects is questionable. Computer programs that handle wave-current interaction have been available for decades. However, so far very little results have been documented which validate the theories. Model test results for a semi submersible in extreme North Sea waves are presented, with and without current. The comparison with wave-current interaction computer models shows that the effect is generally over-estimated for the present case with a mean current velocity equal to 1.3 m/sec.

FPSO Transient Responses During Cyclonic Storms

This paper presents the key results and conclusions of the study of FPSO transient responses in the cyclonic storm. The measured wind, wave and current data of recent cyclonic events are utilized to simulate the FPSO responses in terms of mooring loads, vessel yaw motion and relative FPSO heading to waves as it weathervanes in the wind, waves and current, input as time series. The primary objectives are to check the FPSO responses as the cyclone (eye or fringe) passes over it, causing rapid changes in the intensity and the direction of environmental loads, and to confirm the adequacy of the present mooring system design criteria. The results of the study serve as a good benchmark of the current industry standard for mooring design and address industry’s concern of the safety of FPSO platforms in the event of cyclonic storm. This study has used the hindcast data to inspect the event of a strong cyclonic storm passing over an FPSO. Despite the fact that the wind direction changes for about 140° in only one hour in the path of the cyclone eye, higher mooring line tension has not been observed due to reduced wind speed in the eye of the storm. The extreme mooring line tension is still governed by the responses in the path of cyclone fringe due to its maximum wind speed. Note that the transient analysis has shown that, during the rapid change of wind direction, the vessel can potentially be exposed to beam sea waves. Although this does not correspond with the highest tension in mooring legs, it can lead to critical green water impact.

Experimental Study on the Response Behaviour of SeaStar Mini Tension Leg Platform Against Random Water Waves

Among the compliant platforms, TLP is a vertically moored structure with excess buoyancy, used for deep water oil exploration. In this structure tethers can be tensioned to such an extent that heave, roll and pitch motions of the platform induced by ocean waves are virtually eliminated. SeaStar is new generation of mini tension leg platforms which is similar to a spar and has favorable response features of a TLP. This paper illustrates the results of experimental work performed on a 1/100 scaled model of SeaStar TLP in a wave flume. The study refers to the induced tension in different tendons of the model and the motion response behaviour of the model on different degrees of freedom under several directional impinging random water waves. The results are presented in the frequency domain and the response amplitude operator for each motion of the platform has been calculated.

Sloshing Effects Accounting for Dynamic Coupling Between Vessel and Tank Liquid Motion

Sloshing, a violent behaviour of liquid contents in tanks submitted to the forced vessels’ motion on the sea represents one of the major considerations in LNG vessels design over several past decades. State of the art of sloshing analysis relies on small-scale sloshing model tests supported by extensive developments of CFD computation techniques, commonly studying one isolated tank submitted to the forced motion without their mutual interaction. In reality, wave-induced response of the vessel carrying liquid cargo is affected by internal liquid motion, and consequently, tank liquid flow is altered by the vessel motion in return. An efficient numerical model for dynamic coupling between motions exerted by tank liquid (sloshing) and rigid body motions of the vessel (seakeeping) was developed in Bureau Veritas, formulated under the assumptions of linear potential theory in frequency domain. As already experienced with anti-rolling tanks, strong coupling effect is perceived on the first order transverse motions. However, consequences of coupled motions on sloshing loads have not been explored yet. This paper presents comparative analysis of sloshing effects induced by coupled and non-coupled vessel motion, introduced as the excitation to 6 d.o.f. small-scale model test rig. Possible risk of coupled effects is demonstrated on the example of standard size of LNG carrier operating with partly filled cargo tanks.

Failure Modes of Tapered Suction Caissons Under Vertical Pull-Out Loads

The pull-out performance of conventional upright suction caissons has been investigated by different researchers. However, no attention has been formerly paid to tapered suction caissons. Some numerical studies already conducted by the authors demonstrated that tapered caissons exhibit pull-out capacities well above than that from their corresponding upright caissons. This paper deals with different failure mechanisms of tapered suction caissons and discusses some reason for their superior performance. A numerical approach has been used and different combinations of caisson types/ soil categories have been examined. With tapered suction caissons two different modes of failure have been discerned. The first mode has been noticed to develop in weak clays and sands under drained conditions. This mode corresponds to a shear sliding failure in the soil plug along the caisson’s interior wall. Concurrently a soil wedge is formed in the soil body adjacent to the caisson. The second mode of failure has been observed in higher strength drained clays and undrained clays and sands. With this failure mode a local failure at the bottom of the soil plug has been noticed to happen. At the same time the failure is extended to the lower surfaces of a soil wedge outside of the caisson. The detached soil plug accompanies the caisson in its movement upward following the local failure.

Wave Climate Analysis for a Wave Energy Conversion Application in Brazil

A variety of ocean wave energy conversion devices have been proposed worldwide considering different technology and energy extraction methods. In order to support full-scale prototype design and performance assessments of a conversion scheme to be deployed on the northern coast of Brazil, a long-term wave climate analysis is under development. A 5-year pitch-roll buoy data series has been investigated through an adaptive technique to enhance spatial resolution and allow for accurate wave directionality evaluation. Device design most influential variables such as extreme significant wave height, peak period and directionality were considered. Temporal variability in wave energy levels was particularly investigated for energy resource assessment. The major findings of this work include the narrow directional amplitude of the incident wave and higher significant wave heights of locally generated waves. The estimated energy resource levels agreed well with literature, also showing little annual fluctuation. The wave climate demonstrated to be in full agreement with the large-scale Equatorial Atlantic atmospheric variability, dominated by either local wind waves or by distant storm swells.

The Role of Offshore Monitoring in an Effective Deepwater Riser Integrity Management Program

As offshore field developments move into deeper water, one of the greatest challenges is in designing riser systems capable of overcoming the added risks of more severe environments, complicated well requirements and uncertainty of operating conditions. The failure of a primary riser component could lead to unacceptable consequences, including environmental damage, lost production and possible injury or loss of human life. Identification of the risks facing riser systems and management of these risks are essential to ensure that riser systems operate without failure. Operators have recognized the importance of installing instrumentation such as global positioning systems (GPS), vessel motion measurement packages, wind and wave sensors and Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) units to monitor vessel motions and environmental conditions. Additionally, high precision monitoring equipment has been developed for capturing riser response. Measured data from these instruments allow an operator to determine when the limits of acceptable response, predicted by analysis or determined by physical limitations of the riser components, have been exceeded. Regular processing of measured data through automated routines ensures that integrity can be quickly assessed. This is particularly important following extreme events, such as a hurricane or loop current. High and medium alert levels are set for each parameter, based on design analysis and operating data. Measured data is compared with these alert levels, and when an alert level is reached, further response evaluation or inspection of the components in question is recommended. This paper will describe the role of offshore monitoring in an integrity management program and discuss the development of alert levels based on potential failure modes of the riser systems. The paper will further demonstrate how this process is key for an effective integrity management program for deepwater riser systems.

Nonstationary Extreme-Value Predictions in the Gulf of Mexico

In the present work, return periods of various level values of significant wave height in the Gulf of Mexico are given. The predictions are based on a new method for nonstationary extreme-value calculations that have recently been published. This enhanced method exploits efficiently the nonstationary modeling of wind or wave time series and a new definition of return period using the MEan Number of Upcrossings of the level value x* (MENU method). The whole procedure is applied to long-term measurements of wave height in the Gulf of Mexico. Two kinds of data have been used: long-term time series of buoy measurements, and satellite altimeter data. Measured time series are incomplete and a novel procedure for filling in of missing values is applied before proceeding with the extreme-value calculations. Results are compared with several variants of traditional methods, giving more realistic estimates than the traditional predictions. This is in accordance with the results of other methods that take also into account the dependence structure of the examined time series.

Numerical Prediction of MODUs Drift During Hurricane Katrina

During severe hurricanes, such as Katrina, the mooring system of a number of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs) in the Gulf of Mexico failed. Drifting MODUs may potentially damage other critical elements of the offshore oil and gas infrastructure by colliding with floating or fixed production systems and transportation hubs, or by rupturing pipelines owing to their dragging anchors over the seabed. To avoid or mitigate the damage caused by a drifted MODU, it is desirable to understand the mechanics of the drift of a MODU under the impact of severe wind, wave and current and have the capability of predicting the trajectory of the drift. To explore the feasibility and accuracy of predicting the trajectory of a drifting MODU based on real-time or hindcast met-ocean conditions and limited knowledge of the condition of the drifting MODU, this study employed a simplified equation describing only the horizontal (surge, sway and yaw) motions of a MODU under the impact of steady wind, current and wave forces. The simplified hydrodynamic model neglects the first- and second-order oscillatory wave forces, unsteady wind forces (owing to wind gustiness), wave drift damping, and the effects of the body oscillation on the steady wind and current forces. It was assumed that the net effects of the oscillatory forces on the steady motion are insignificant. To verify the accuracy and feasibility of our simplified approach, the predicted drifts of two MODUs were compared with the corresponding measured trajectories recorded by the Global Positioning System (GPS).

Investigation of Directional Spreading of Waves in Relatively Shallow Water

The directional spreading of waves is investigated for relatively shallow water (20m depth) wave data, collected with acoustic current profilers, along the Atlantic Coast of South America. Values for the wave kinematics or wave spreading factor, recommended by API and ISO for reduction of in-line particle velocities and accelerations under waves due to directional spreading, are calculated in order to allow judgement of approximate values that can be used in shallow water regions for practical design applications.