Linear chain tensioning of moored production vessels
- Bardex Corp., London (United Kingdom)
As need for development of marginal and deepwater oil fields grows, demand increases for floating production vessels (FPVs) such as floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) units; spread-moored production semi-submersibles; and turret-moored production vessels. The FPV may be purpose-built; or an existing vessel such as an exploration drilling semi-sub or ship-shape vessel may be modified to suit the purpose. In either case, requirements for tensioning systems for the mooring lines on the FPV are quite unique, and are not without the potential for problems when traditional chain windlasses or wire rope systems are employed. This two-part article discusses the range of available technologies and systems for tensioning mooring lines on FPVs. It examines problems of size, weight and safety associated with some available designs; and it considers in detail a specific family of new units. Part 1, presented here, discusses the FPV market, worldwide potential locations and different requirements and evolution of the linear puller concept. The three principal types of chain jack systems - hollow ram, single cylinder and twin cylinders - are introduced and illustrated. And advantages of this relatively new form of passive mooring tensioning are outlined.
- OSTI ID:
- 6338980
- Journal Information:
- World Oil; (United States), Vol. 214:4; ISSN 0043-8790
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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