Offshore Construction

CE- 687

Compliant type offshore structure

Guyed platforms
Articulated towers
Tension leg platforms (TLPs)

SPAR platforms
Semisubmersibles
FPSO

Compliant towers
Comply
Move

Description
Narrow, flexible framed structures supported by piled

foundations
They are connected to the sea floor, allowing them to move
freely with the current, waves and wind.
These structures rely on a restoring buoyancy force to
maintain their stability after lateral movements
These structures avoid resonance by operating at a
frequency well below that of the oceans frequency
Natural period (usually 30 second) is kept above wave
period (14 to 20 seconds) to avoid amplification of wave
loads.
4

 Has no oil storage capacity. Production is through

tensioned rigid risers and export by flexible or

catenary steel pipe.
Undergo large lateral deflections (up to 10 ft) under
wave loading. Used for moderate water depths up to
600 M.
They provide flexibility that is preferred to exploit
energy resources at deep waters

Deep water?
This definition varied with time & updated
In seventies
> 80 m was considered as deep water
In nineties
> 300 m was considered as deep water
In recent past
Deep water: > 500 m
Ultra deep water: > 1500 m
Super deep water: > 2500 m
6

Guyed Towers
Deployed for both drilling and

exploration
Viable in WD 180 m to 600 m

Deck
Truss
Base spud Can (truss reinforces

shell), with or w/0 skirts

Guy lines Multiple

Guy lines are attached to clump

weights and to drag anchors
Other end of guy lines extend to deck
through fairleads
Connected to hydraulic jacking units
to create tension in the cables
7

Structural action of guyed tower

Guy lines restrain the surge/sway motion
Spud can offers a support connection which is position

fixed and rotation free

Treated as Pinned pinned beam in the analysis
Guy lines are attached below water surface
External wave loads are resisted by guy lines
Less horizontal reaction is counteracted by spudcan

Spudcan takes care of lateral sliding forces while lateral

reactions are taken care by guy lines

Rig motions

Surge- displacement along X axis

Sway displacement along Y axis
Heave - displacement along Z axis
Roll rotation along X axis
Pitch -rotation along Y axis
Yaw -rotation along Z axis
9

Rig motions: Types of motions of a floating object

10

 As height increases, for stiff structures, the fundamental period

tend towards the spectral period of the wave

Fundamental period of deepwater platforms are longer than the
wave periods
Their behaviour is quiet different from fixed
11

Articulated towers (AT)

Articulation rotation
The articulated tower is made up of a

tubular column or truss steel lattice

work.
It consists of

Deck
Shaft
Buoyancy chamber (1/3rd ht of tower)
Ballast Chamber (1/3rd ht of tower from
sea bed)
Base
Universal joint (provides position
restraint but no restraint to rotation)

12

 It essentially consists of a buoyant shaft connected to sea

bed through a universal joint

The compliance of the articulated tower avoids the
concentration of high overturning moments and the
resulting stresses
Economically attractive to deep water
Rotation is permissible at base
Hinge joint

Hence simple foundation system

Economically attractive to deep water

Stability from large buoyancy forces
13

Structural action of AT
Whenever there is a disturbance due to lateral load,

restoring moment due to buoyancy force will bring

back the platform to its original position. Oscillation
takes around hinge point
This is achieved by the dynamic change in water plane
area

14

Single anchor leg mooring system

(SALM)

15

AT
Design: small fields
Depth: shallow water (<200 m)
Crude oil is moved up the tower and transferred to a

tethered tanker for processing and storage

Shuttle tanker recieves processed oil and transports it
to shore
Alternatively pipelines are also used instead of shuttle

tankers

16

17

 Pros:
Low cost
Large restoring moments due to high center of
buoyancy
Risers are protected by tower
Attracts less forces due to compliancy
Natural period TN > T waves

(TN = 40 to 90 s, T =15 s)
Results in lower dynamic amplification factor than that of
fixed offshore structure

Light structure
Fabrication simple
Easy to tow, install and decommission
No base moment due to hinged joint
Foundation design is simple
18

 Cons
Shallow water only

Undergoes greater oscillations at greater WD which is

undesirable

Cannot operate in bad whether

Limited to small exploratory fields
Fatigue of universal joint

Leads to a single point failure

19

Tension Leg Platforms

(TLPs)
TLPs are floating facilities that are

tied down to the seabed by vertical

steel tubes called tethers.
This characteristic makes the
structure very rigid in the vertical
direction and very flexible in the
horizontal plane.
The vertical rigidity helps to tie in
wells for production, while, the
horizontal compliance makes the
platform insensitive to the
primary effect of waves.
Have large columns and Pontoons
20

 TLP has excess buoyancy

which keeps tethers in

tension.
The legs allow for
significant side to side
movement (up to 20 feet),
with little vertical
movement.
Topside facilities, no. of
risers etc. have to fixed at
pre- design stage.
Used for deep water up to
1200 M.
It has no integral storage.
It is sensitive to topside
load.
Variations as tether
tensions are affected
21

 TLP is an unique type offshore platform

This is a hybrid structure as it contains two groups of
natural periods of vibration namely: stiff and flexible
Highly flexible in horizontal plane
Sway, surge and yaw have large periods (about 80-120 s)
Very stiff in the vertical plane
Heave, roll and pitch have lower periods (2-5 s)

22

TLP mechanics

23

 Pros
Mobile and reusable
Stable because of minimum vertical motion
Marginal increase in cost with increase in water depth

Hence preferred for deep waters

Deep water capability

Low maintenance cost

Cons
High initial cost
High subsea cost
Fatigue of tension legs
Difficult maintainence of subsea systems
Little or no storage
24

TLPs
Total 19 TLPs around the world
S.No

Continent

No. Of Platforms

1.

North America

15

2.

Europe

3.

Africa

S.No

Water depth (m)

No. Of Platforms

1.

250 - 500

2.

501 - 1000

3.

<1500

6
25

 Deepest Platforms
S.No

Platform name

Water depth
(m)

Location

1.

Magnolia

1433

US

2.

Shenzi

1333

US

3.

Marco Polo

1311

US

Shallowest Platforms
S.No

Platform name

Water depth
(m)

Location

1.

Oveng TLP

280

Equatorial Guniea

2.

Snorre A

350

Norway

3.

Heidrun

351

Norway
26

SNORRE A TLP
Main dimensions
Centre to centre distance between

columns: 76 x 76 m
Column diameter: 25.0 m
Column height: 63.0 m
Pontoon height and width: 11,5 x 11,5 m
Deck-payload: 25,000. Tonnes
Steel-weight hull: 24,000. Tonnes
Pretension in tethers: 25,000 Tonnes
Displacement: 106,500 Tonnes
Platform draft: 37.5 m
Water depth: 310 m

27

Hull fabrication in ITALY

28

Hull fabrication in ITALY

29

Hull Assembly in Rosengerg Yard,

Stavanger

30

31

32

Tethers onboard

33

Tether System

34

Magnolia TLP
WD : 1433 m
7900 m 3 of oil
42,00,000 m 3 of gas

Pontoons extend outwards

to support tethers

35

Neptune TLP
WD: 1295 m
2007
50000 B/D

50 MMcf/d of gas
6 tendons are used
Tendons are anchored by six piles

with dia 2400 mm

36

SPAR Platform
Concept of a large

diameter single vertical

cylinder supporting deck.
These are a very new and
emerging concept: the first
spar platform, Neptune,
was installed off, was
installed off the USA coast
in 1997.
A spar is a deep-draft
floating caisson, which is a
hollow cylindrical
structure similar to a very
large buoy. Its four major
systems are hull,
moorings, topsides, and
risers.

37

 Spar platforms have taut catenary moorings and deep

draught, hence heave natural period is about 30 seconds.

Depending on hull size and water depth, the moorings can
vary in number up to 20 lines and contain 3,700 ft of chain
and wire.
Approximate hull diameter for a typical GOM spar is 130
feet, with an overall height, once deployed, of
approximately 700 feet (with 90% of the hull in the water
column).
The distinguishing feature of a spar is its deep-draft hull,
which produces very favorable motion characteristics
compared to other floating concepts. Low motions and a
protected center well also provide an excellent
configuration for deepwater operations.
Used for Ultra deep water depth of 2300 M.
Due to space restrictions in the core, number of risers has
to be predetermined.
38

 The number of wells, surface wellhead spacing, and facilities

weight determine the size of the centerwell and the diameter of

the hull.
In the classic or full cylinder hull forms, the upper section is
compartmentalized around a flooded center well containing the
different type of risers. This section provides the buoyancy for the
spar.
The middle section is also flooded but can be economically
configured for oil storage.
The bottom section (keel) is compartmentalized to provide
buoyancy during transport and to contain any field-installed,
fixed ballast.
Spars are anchored to the sea bed by way of a spread mooring
system with either a chain-wire-chain or chain-polyester-chain
composition
39

 Installation is performed in stages similar to those

of other deepwater production systems, where one

component is installed while another is being
fabricated. Installation schedules heavily depend
upon the completion status of the hull and
topsides.
3 types of spar
Classic Spar
Truss Spar
Cell Spar

40

 Classic Spar has cylindrical hull with a heavy ballast at

the bottom of the cylinder

Truss Spar has a shorter cylinder called a hard tank
Has a truss structure connected to the bottom of hard
tank.
Truss is further connected to its bottom to a soft tank
which houses ballast material
Most common type of spar
Cell spar has a large central cylinder surrounded by
smaller cylinders of alternating lengths
Soft tank is attached to the bottom of longer cylinder
to house ballasting material
41

 17 total no of spars in world out of which 16 in US

3 classic spar, 13 truss and 1 cell spar
S.No

Water depth (m)

No. Of Platforms

1.

750 - 1000

2.

1000 - 1500

3.

1500-2000

4.

>2000

42

 Deepest Platforms
S.No

Platform name

Water depth
(m)

Location

1.

Perdido

2377

US

2.

Devils Tower

1710

US

3.

Hom mountain

1653

US

Shallowest Platforms
S.No

Platform name

Water depth
(m)

Location

1.

Neptune

588

US

2.

Medusa

762

US

3.

Genesis

790

US
43

Perdido Spar
WD: 2377 m
2008
Polyester rope mooring lines

Worlds deepest

44

Semi submersibles
Design: exploratary and production
Floating structure
Towed to site

Ballasted and moored (anchored)

Large vertical columns connected to large pontoons
Columns support the deck structure and equipment
Depth: shallow to medium : 90 100 m

45

Semi submersibles
Pros
Mobile with high transit speed (~ 10 kts)
Stable minimal response to wave action
Large deck area
Cons
High initial and operating costs
Limited deck load (low reserve buoyancy)
Structural fatigue
Expensive to move large distances
Limited dry docking facilities available
Difficult to handle mooring system and riser in rough areas
46

Semi submersibles
Approx 48 platforms are constructed
About 50 % of semi submersibles are located in Brazil
S.No

Continent

No. of platforms

1.

Europe

16

2.

North America

3.

South America

22

4.

Asia

47

Semi submersibles
S.No

Water Depth

No. of Platforms

1.

100 200

11

2.

201 0 500

16

3.

501 1000

4.

1001 2000

10

5.

>2000

Semi submersibles are used for various water depths between

100 200 m except Janice A which is used at depths below 100 m WD

48

 Deepest Platforms
S.No

Platform name

Water depth
(m)

Location

1.

Atlantis

2156

US

2.

Blind Faith

1980

US

3.

Thunder Horse

1849

US

Shallowest Platforms
S.No

Platform name

Water depth
(m)

Location

1.

Janice A

80

UK

2.

P 12

100

Brazil

3.

P 21

112

Brazil
49

50

Submersibles
Submersibles are among the oldest offshore exploratory

rigs
They typically operate in wetlands and swamps, standing in
water depths upto 30 m
Submersibles include postage Barges, bottle types, Arctic
types and inland Barges
A submersible rig floats on the water surface when moved
from one drilling site to another
When it reaches its destination, certain compartments are
flooded to submerge the lower part of the rig to the sea
floor
With the base of the rig in contact with the ocean bottom,
wind, waves and currents have little effect on it.
51

 They typically have two or more air-filled steel floats

(pontoons) on which the rig rests and held in position

by massive anchors
Because the pontoons are usually submerged a few feet
below the waters surface, these offer a stable drilling
platform than a drill ship
A semi submersible can be moved to a new drill site by
tow boats
Some semisubmersibles are self propelled, housing
built-in power units that can move them from one site
to another
52

 Total 48 platforms are constructed

About 50% are located in Brazil

S.No

Continent

No. Of Platforms

1.

Europe

16

2.

North America

3.

South America

22

4.

Asia

S.No

Water depth (m)

No. Of Platforms

1.

100 200

11

2.

201 500

16

3.

501 1000

4.

1001 2000

10

5.

>2000

North America

53

 Deepest Platforms
S.No

Platform name

Water depth
(m)

Location

1.

Atlantis

2156

US

2.

Blind Faith

1980

US

3.

Thunder Horse

1849

US

Shallowest Platforms
S.No

Platform name

Water depth
(m)

Location

1.

Janice A

80

UK

2.

P-12

100

Brazil

3.

P-21

112

Brazil
54

 Pros
Mobile with transit speed (~10 Knots)
Stable minimal response to the wave action
Large deck area
Cons
High initial and operating costs
Limited deck load (low reserve buoyancy)
Structural fatigue
Expensive to move large distances
Limited dry-docking facilities available
Difficult to handle mooring systems, land BOP stack
and riser in rough seas
55

Blind Faith
Installed in 2001

WD: 1981 m
65000 barrels of crude oil

per day
55 million cubic feet of
natural gas per day

56

Types of semisubmersibles
Bottle type

Column Stabilized

57

 Mooring patterns

58

FPSO
FPSO floating, production, storage and offloading

systems; offloading of the crude oil to a shuttle tanker

These are typically converted or newly built tankers
that produce and store hydrocarbons, which are
subsequently transported by other vessels to terminals
or deepwater ports

59

FPS
FPS floating production system
Universal term to refer to all production facilities that float

rather than are structurally supported by the seafloor

TLPs, spars, semi submersibles, shipshape vessels etc. come
under FPS
The term is also frequently used to describe the general
category of floating production facilities that do not have
onsite storage
The term is also used by the American Bureau of Shipping
to describe a classification of floating production facilities
that do not have storage capability
60

FSO
FSO floating, storage and offloading system
Like the FPSO, these are typically converted or newly

built tankers
They differ from FPSO by not incorporating the
processing equipment for production
The liquid are stored for shipment to another location
for processing

61

offloading
Offloading transfer of produced hydrocarbons from

an offshore facility into shuttle tankers or barges for

transport to terminals or deepwater ports

62

FPSO
An FPSO relies on subsea technology for the

production of hydrocarbons and would typically

involve pipeline export of produced gas with shuttle
tanker (offloading) transport of produced liquids.
FPSOs are relatively insensitive to water depth
compared with other types of FPSs
To date, nearly all FPSOs have been installed in water
depths more than 1000 m

63

64

Subsea trees and flowlines to FPSO

65

66

Hull of FPSO
The hull of FPSO is typically ship shaped
Can be a monohull structure such as a spar or purpose-

built barge shaped vessel

The typical existing FPSO can be characterized simply
as a tanker with dimensions ranging as follows
Length 200 to 400 m
Breadth 30 to 60 m
Depth 20 to 30 m

Of those systems deployed to date, most have been

conversions of smaller and older tankers

67

Hull of FPSO
One of the major advantages of conversions is the

rapid time to first producton

New, purpose-built FPSOs have become more
prevalent in recent years as operators incorporate
specialized needs, move into challenging (weather)
environments

68

Processing FPSO
The main topsides processing system components

consist of
Crude oil, gas, and water seperation
Water injection equipment
Gas compression
Chemical injection
Control systems for the subsea production equipment

Associated piping

69

Mooring & station keeping

Two options exist for FPSO station keeping
Majority of existing FPSOs employ a fixed mooring system

using anchors and anchor lines

A few rely on dynamically positioned systems (DPS) that
employ a series of thrusters and positioning technology
(satellite, GPS etc.)
The fixed mooring can be temporary or permanent
Mostly permanent they are designed to remain at
location throughout anticipated environmental situations
There are few that have been designed to be disconnected
under severe weathers such as typhoons, hurricanes, threat
of icebergs etc.
70

Turret mooring systems

71

72

73

74

Typical turntable and turrent assembly

75

Risers
Risers provides a path for transporting the produced

fluids to the processing equipment on the FPSO from

the seafloor production equipment
Gas export lines (used in addition to the shuttle tanker
operations) also exit the FPSO in a similar manner as
that of risers
Riser system associated with FPSO can be integrated
into the mooring system for turret-moored systems
and must be accounted for in the mooring system
design.
If the FPSO mooring is a fixed-point system, as used
for semisubmersibles, risers can be hung off the side of
the facility.
76

Power generation
Design basis for power supply focuses on three categories:.
Main power supply (all electrical functions during normal
operation)
Essential power supply (startup of essential services,
shutdown of facilities as needed)
Emergency power supply (life support during a survival at
sea situation)
In addition to the conventional power generation needed

for production processing, an FPSO may need power for

the thrusters used in support of or in lieu of the mooring
system
77

Storage
The FPSOs installed to date have storage capacities

ranging up to 2.3 million barrels

Storage capacity depends on
Ship size
Availability and size of off-take vessel
Projected downtime
Cargo destination

78

Offloading (Offtake system)

Liquid hydrocarbons from an FPSO are offloaded into

a shuttle tanker that transports the product to onshore

Offtake system includes
Equipment associated with storage tanks to the shuttle

tanker
Moorings
Buoys
Transfer hoses

Common offtake systems

Tandem
Side-by-side
Single point
79

FPSO quipped with Tandem

Offloading System

FPSO quipped with Side-by-side

Offloading System

80

FPSO
Total around 86 FPSO constructed so far
S.No

Continent

No. Of Platforms

1.

North America

2.

South America

14

3.

Africa

29

4.

Europe

20

5.

Asia

10

6.

Australia

10
81

 33 platforms out of 86 are above 500 m WD

S.No

Water depth (m)

No. Of Platforms

1.

<100

17

2.

101 500

32

3.

501 1000

10

4.

1001 2000

22

5.

>2000

82

 Deepest Platforms
S.No

Platform name

Water depth
(m)

Location

1.

Cidade de Angra

2149

Brazil

2.

PSVM FPSO

2000

Angola

3.

Espirito Santo FPSO

1780

Brazil

Shallowest Platforms
S.No

Platform name

Water depth
(m)

Location

1.

Armada Perkasa

13

Nigeria

2.

Bohai Shi Ji FPSO

20

China

3.

Bohai Ming Zhu FPSO

31

China
83

84

85

86

87