Experiences From Handling Mooring Line Polyester Fibre Ropes During Installation and Retrieval

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Hilmersen
Keyword(s):  
Polyester Fibre ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Test Program ◽  
Mooring Lines ◽  
Bottom Part ◽  
Load Bearing ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Large Fibre ◽  
Offshore Industry ◽  
Water Depths

The use of fibre ropes made by synthetic fibres have been used more frequent as the offshore industry is moving towards larger water depths. An important aspect is the effect of handling on the large, but delicate, ropes during installation offshore using tools and equipment that easily can destroy the load bearing capacities of the ropes. In order to get hands on experience in the field large polyester ropes have been used as inserts in catenary mooring lines for Mobile Offshore Units (MODU) working on depths ranging from 80 to 350 meters. The ropes have been integrated in the catenary chain mooring lines both in the suspended part and in the bottom part of the mooring leg thus having been exposed to seafloor clay. Subsea buoy have been attached to the ropes using smaller size fibre ropes in order to lift the mooring lines from the seafloor. The paper will detail how the large fibre ropes have been mobilised and demobilised repeatedly from/to storage drums to/from the installation vessel winch drum. During installation and retrieval the fibre ropes have been installed from the vessels winch drum using regular anchor handling equipment and vessels. When the MODU has been moved between locations some ropes have been retrieved to the vessels winch drums while the others have been used to tow and to keep the units station. Samples of the used ropes are taken and is subjected to a test program in the laboratory in order to document the effect of extensive use and handling and exposure to seabed clay.

Research on the Arrangement of the Mooring Lines of the Thruster Assisted Mooring System

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang Zou ◽  
Lei Wang ◽  
Feng Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Mooring Line ◽  
Mooring System ◽  
Main Function ◽  
Time Domain Simulation ◽  
Mooring Lines ◽  
Dynamic Positioning System ◽  
Optimum Arrangement ◽  
Line Angle ◽  
Mooring Forces ◽  
Offshore Industry

As the offshore industry is developing into deeper and deeper water, station keeping technics are becoming more and more important to the industry. Based on the dynamic positioning system, the thruster assisted mooring system (TAMS) is developed, which consisted of mooring lines and thrusters. The main function of the TAMS is to hold a structure against wind wave and current loads with its thruster and cables, which is mainly evaluated by the holding capacity of the system. The arrangement of the mooring lines (location of anchor or the mooring line angle relative to platform) will directly affect the TAMS holding capacity because of the influence of the directions of the mooring forces. So finding out an optimum arrangement of the mooring lines is essential since the performance of the TAMS depends greatly on the arrangement of the mooring lines. The TAMS of a semi-submersible platform, which is studied in this paper, consisted of eight mooring lines. By fixing the layout of the thrusters and changing the location of each mooring line for every case, the performances of the TAMS are analyzed. The platform motions, mooring line tensions and power consumptions are compared to obtain the optimum arrangement of mooring lines, and thus a thruster assisted mooring system with a better performance can be achieved. Time domain simulation is carried out in this paper to obtain the results.

Dual Stiffness Approach for Polyester Mooring Line Analysis in Time Domain

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arcandra Tahar ◽  
Djoni Sidarta ◽  
Alex Ran
Keyword(s):  
Traditional Method ◽  
Dynamic Stiffness ◽  
Performance Comparison ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Axial Stiffness ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Floating Platform ◽  
Mooring Lines ◽  
Nonlinear Stress ◽  
Offshore Industry

Polyester mooring lines have been used in the offshore industry since the late ’90s. With increasing oil exploration and production in deeper waters, using polyester lines provides greater benefit than using traditional steel wires and chains. Some advantages of using polyester include a reduction of mooring line weight, a reduction in vessel offset and a reduction in the dynamics of the line tensions. However, unlike steel, polyester lines exhibit axial stiffness characteristics that are nonlinear and vary with time and loading history. Tahar (2001) developed a comprehensive theory and numerical tool to capture this behavior. The formulas allow relatively large elongation and nonlinear stress-strain relationships, as typically observed in polyester fibers. The mooring line dynamics are based on a rod theory and finite element method (FEM), with the governing equations described in a generalized coordinate system. Since this theory is computationally intensive, the benefits outweigh the costs less than they do for the practical approach recommended by API. Therefore, the fully coupled dynamic analysis tool CHARM3D has been modified to incorporate the API-recommended approach. Two axial stiffnesses (EA), post installation (static) stiffness and storm (dynamic) stiffness, have been convoluted into a dual stiffness to represent the total response of the floating platform in a single run. In the traditional method, the analyses are done twice, one run for each stiffness. Then, the extremes from each run are used as governing values for design. This paper presents the global performance comparison between the dual stiffness method and the traditional method. The effect of motions on SCR strength is also investigated using ABAQUS software.

scholarly journals Effect of Water Depths on the Hydrodynamic Responses of an FPSO Platform

2018 ◽  
Vol 203 ◽  
pp. 01022
Author(s):  
Matthew Guan ◽  
Montasir Osman Ahmed Ali ◽  
Cheng Yee Ng
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Response Spectrum ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Random Wave ◽  
Statistical Parameters ◽  
Mooring Lines ◽  
Line System ◽  
Wave Condition ◽  
Water Depths

Ship-shaped Floating Production Storage Offloading platforms (FPSO) are commonly used in the production of oil and gas in offshore deepwater regions. The vessel is held in place by mooring lines anchored to the seabed during operation, either in spread or turret mooring arrangement. When designing such systems, water depth is a main factor that needs to be considered. At greater depths, the hydrodynamic properties of mooring lines become important and may not be accurately predicted through traditional experiments or numerical quasi-static models. Numerical simulation using coupled dynamic analysis is thus recommended, as the hull-mooring behaviour is analysed simultaneously, and the damping and added mass properties of the entire mooring line system is taken into account. This paper investigates the motions and mooring line tensions of a turret-moored FPSO at various water depths ranging from 1000 m to 2000 m. The analysis focuses on numerical simulations in the fully coupled dynamic time domain. The study utilizes the commercial software AQWA, with the FPSO model subjected to a unidirectional random wave condition. The hull hydrodynamics is first solved using the 3D radiation/diffraction panel method, and the hull response equation is then coupled with the mooring line equation. The dynamic motions and mooring line tensions results are presented in terms of statistical parameters as well as response spectrum. The results highlight the significance of greater water depths on low frequency responses in surge motions and mooring line tensions, and provides insight on the increasing and decreasing trend of these responses.

A Reliability-Based Comparative Study for Mooring Lines Design Criteria

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Omar Vazquez-Hernandez ◽  
Gilberto Bruno Ellwanger ◽  
Lui´s Volnei Sudati Sagrilo
Keyword(s):  
Return Period ◽  
Design Procedure ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Design Criteria ◽  
Mooring Lines ◽  
Load Effect ◽  
Extreme Response ◽  
Line Design ◽  
Water Depths

The characteristic load effect for the design of mooring systems can be defined by means of three procedures: 1) an extreme sea state with a given return period, 2) a set of sea states on a contour line associated to a return period or 3) extreme response (tension) statistics for a long-term period. This work presents the result of a reliability-based partial safety factor calibration study for a LRFD mooring line design criteria considering the three approaches mentioned above. The calibration exercise is applied to three FPSOs considering North Sea environmental conditions and different water depths: 200m, 800m and 3000m. The mooring systems investigated take into account lines made up of chains and polyester ropes. It is shown that the design procedure based on the long-term response, among all water depths investigated, is the one that presents less scattered reliability indices around the target level.

Fibre Rope Moorings for Shallow Waters

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arne Ulrik Bindingsbo̸
Keyword(s):  
Breaking Strength ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Shallow Waters ◽  
Mooring Lines ◽  
Deep Waters ◽  
Significant Research ◽  
Small Footprint ◽  
Drilling Rigs ◽  
Water Depths

During the last decade significant research has been carried out related to use of fiber ropes as moorings lines for offshore vessels. Most of this research work has been related to use in deep waters as taut mooring systems. The advantages of using fiber ropes include better station keeping, reduced vertical load on vessel, small footprint on seabed compared with conventional chain/wire systems. Due to very congested seabed at some drilling locations Norsk Hydro decided to use polyester fiber rope inserts for crossing of pipelines instead of wire segments and uplift buoys. Fiber rope inserts were used at seven drilling locations in water depths ranging from less than 100 m to 330 m. The mobile drilling units were Scarabeo 6 and Transocean Arctic. Two to four mooring lines had polyester inserts with lengths of approximately 800 m. The corresponding breaking strength was 1000 tons. With the use of modern anchor handling vessels (AHT) there was no rig time lost using the fiber inserts. No modifications were done to any of the AHTs. The crews were briefed onboard the AHTS and no problems occurred during installations. The only precautions taken was to clean the AHTS deck before spooling/unspooling the polyester rope. In addition two 5–7 ton spring buoys were used on each mooring line to avoid seabed contact with the rope. The ropes were inspected by DNV before installation. Our experience was only positive and fiber ropes inserts are now considered a proven tool for mooring of drilling rigs in congested seabed areas.

Experimental Validation of a Numerical Model for a Dry-Tree Semisubmersible in Benign Environments

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce Martin ◽  
Oriol Rijken ◽  
Kent Davies
Keyword(s):  
Model Test ◽  
Nonlinear Behavior ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Mooring System ◽  
Mooring Lines ◽  
Test Configuration ◽  
Numerical Tools ◽  
Offshore Industry ◽  
Heave Motion

The offshore industry has spent the last several years developing semisubmersible platforms capable of supporting both drilling and production activities. The production trees are located on top of the top tensioned risers (TTRs) on a Dry Tree Semisubmersible. A key challenge in the design of these vessels is to reduce the heave motion as much as possible to enable the use of state-of-the-art riser tensioners. A model test campaign was executed as part of the developmental program. The primary objective of this campaign was to improve the accuracy of the numerical tools to be used in the design process. Riser tensioners are typically hydro-pneumatic devices, with a nonlinear tension-stroke relationship. A riser tensioner was developed at model scale which had a similar nonlinear behavior to the prototype. Examining the effect of this tensioner on the global motions was an additional objective of this test campaign. The techniques used to model this nonlinear spring is described, and its effect on global motions investigated. A key challenge in model testing platforms intended for ultra-deep water (e.g. greater than 7000 ft) is the modeling of the mooring and riser system. The premise for the design of the model mooring system is 1.) maintain as best as possible the force-offset relationship of the mooring lines and 2.) be able to describe the model test configuration in the numerical tools to be used for global design. The near taut behavior of the prototype mooring system is modeled using heavy chain and a high-catenary mooring line.

Influence of Fibre Stiffness on Deepwater Mooring Line Response

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Davies ◽  
Patrice Baron ◽  
Karine Salomon ◽  
Charles Bideaud ◽  
J.-P. Labbe´ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Input Data ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Polyester Fibre ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Test Program ◽  
Production Platform ◽  
Property Transfer ◽  
Extensive Test ◽  
Break Load

Polyester fibre ropes are now an accepted solution for deepwater mooring of production platforms and a single high tenacity fibre grade is widely used. Few studies of other fibres have been reported but polyesters can be produced with a range of properties by varying drawing parameters, and other stiffer fibres are also available. This paper presents a study of these alternative fibre rope solutions, performed within the French Mooring Line project. First, in order to obtain the input data necessary for mooring line analyses an extensive test program was performed to characterize polyester, improved polyester, PEN, LCP, aramid and HMPE fibre ropes from yarns up to 800 ton break load ropes. Tests at different scales have allowed property transfer to be quantified. Rope modelling has been used in parallel to examine the influence of material and structural parameters. Then, using these data, a series of analyses was run by engineering contractors, which quantified the benefits of higher stiffness for different supports (semi-submersible, production platform and offloading buoy) down to 2500 meter depth. Under certain conditions the stiffer ropes can result in significantly reduced rope diameter and weight.

scholarly journals Transient Responses Evaluation of FPSO with Different Failure Scenarios of Mooring Lines

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Dongsheng Qiao ◽  
Binbin Li ◽  
Jun Yan ◽  
Yu Qin ◽  
Haizhi Liang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Service Condition ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Mooring System ◽  
Transient Effects ◽  
Floating Platform ◽  
Transient Responses ◽  
Mooring Lines ◽  
Performance Deterioration ◽  
Steady State Responses ◽  
Influence Process

During the long-term service condition, the mooring line of the deep-water floating platform may fail due to various reasons, such as overloading caused by an accidental condition or performance deterioration. Therefore, the safety performance under the transient responses process should be evaluated in advance, during the design phase. A series of time-domain numerical simulations for evaluating the performance changes of a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) with different broken modes of mooring lines was carried out. The broken conditions include the single mooring line or two mooring lines failure under ipsilateral, opposite, and adjacent sides. The resulting transient and following steady-state responses of the vessel and the mooring line tensions were analyzed, and the corresponding influence mechanism was investigated. The accidental failure of a single or two mooring lines changes the watch circle of the vessel and the tension redistribution of the remaining mooring lines. The results indicated that the failure of mooring lines mainly influences the responses of sway, surge, and yaw, and the change rule is closely related to the stiffness and symmetry of the mooring system. The simulation results could give a profound understanding of the transient-effects influence process of mooring line failure, and the suggestions are given to account for the transient effects in the design of the mooring system.

Experimental Investigation vs Numerical Simulation of the Dynamic Response of a Moored Floating Structure to Waves

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Dessi ◽  
Sara Siniscalchi Minna
Keyword(s):  
Dynamical Behavior ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Floating Structure ◽  
Mooring Lines ◽  
Wave Energy Converters ◽  
Time Histories ◽  
Actual Configuration ◽  
Proper Orthogonal ◽  
Dynamic Wave

A combined numerical/theoretical investigation of a moored floating structure response to incoming waves is presented. The floating structure consists of three bodies, equipped with fenders, joined by elastic cables. The system is also moored to the seabed with eight mooring lines. This corresponds to an actual configuration of a floating structure used as a multipurpose platform for hosting wind-turbines, aquaculture farms or wave-energy converters. The dynamic wave response is investigated with numerical simulations in regular and irregular waves, showing a good agreement with experiments in terms of time histories of pitch, heave and surge motions as well as of the mooring line forces. To highlight the dynamical behavior of this complex configuration, the proper orthogonal decomposition is used for extracting the principal modes by which the moored structure oscillates in waves giving further insights about the way waves excites the structure.

Optimized Mooring Line Simulation Using a Hybrid Method Time Domain Scheme

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels Hørbye Christiansen ◽  
Per Erlend Torbergsen Voie ◽  
Jan Høgsberg ◽  
Nils Sødahl
Keyword(s):  
Hybrid Method ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Computation Time ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Mooring Lines ◽  
Fem Model ◽  
Input Variables ◽  
The Time Domain ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Short Time

Dynamic analyses of slender marine structures are computationally expensive. Recently it has been shown how a hybrid method which combines FEM models and artificial neural networks (ANN) can be used to reduce the computation time spend on the time domain simulations associated with fatigue analysis of mooring lines by two orders of magnitude. The present study shows how an ANN trained to perform nonlinear dynamic response simulation can be optimized using a method known as optimal brain damage (OBD) and thereby be used to rank the importance of all analysis input. Both the training and the optimization of the ANN are based on one short time domain simulation sequence generated by a FEM model of the structure. This means that it is possible to evaluate the importance of input parameters based on this single simulation only. The method is tested on a numerical model of mooring lines on a floating off-shore installation. It is shown that it is possible to estimate the cost of ignoring one or more input variables in an analysis.

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