A fresh approach to mooring production vessels

Journal Article · Thu Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Sea Technology; (United States)

OSTI ID:6213320

Graney, D P

Designers of floating production vessels (FPV) for the development of marginal and deep water oil fields are learning to consider a new kind of mooring system that makes use of a linear chain puller for mooring such vessels - instead of relying on the traditional chain windlass or wire rope systems. FPVs require a system that provides passive yet high capacity mooring capability. Such a system is in conflict with weight restrictions and the available deck space needed for production equipment. In order to achieve maximum operating cost efficiencies, field developers are demanding that the deck load of floating production vessels be increased with various production equipment and that deck space be freed up to accommodate such increased loading. Consequently, a need has arisen for a new kind of mooring system that cuts back on the valuable space that would otherwise be required to accommodate bulky chain windlasses while at the same time achieves savings in weight. For certain applications, linear chain tensioning systems offer significant advantages in terms of weight and deck space. Careful analysis that considers such variables as environmental loading, water depth, and likely dynamic behavior of the vessel will allow proper selection of the mooring system, whether it be wire rope, chain windlass, or the new linear chain tensioner.

• OSTI ID: 6213320
• Journal Information: Sea Technology; (United States), Journal Name: Sea Technology; (United States) Vol. 34:7; ISSN 0093-3651; ISSN SEATAD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300 -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
42 ENGINEERING
423000* -- Engineering-- Marine Engineering-- (1980-)
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
DEVELOPERS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
EQUIPMENT
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MINERAL RESOURCES
MOORINGS
OFFSHORE OPERATIONS
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
OFFSHORE SITES
OIL FIELDS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESOURCES
SPACE
WEIGHT