The evaluation of principal dimensions of a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) system is one of the most critical tasks at the initial design stage of the vessel. It is therefore important to get this right from the onset. This work presents an integrated approach of determining the overall optimal principal dimensions of FPSO vessels of any specified oil storage capacity for a given sea state. An Optimal Design Programme (OPTIMAP) has therefore been developed to analyze and compare the various responses of floating production vessels with the aim of selecting the best possible design to ensure not only a reduction in cost of construction, but also to maintain a safe operation and overall optimal performance of the vessel with regards to her dynamic responses in deep sea waves.Furthermore, FPSOs in harsh environment are often vulnerable to green water. It is therefore necessary to consider the vulnerability of the floating vessel to green water in the design stage. One of the objectives of this research is to determine the optimal principal dimensions of FPSO vessel necessary to prevent or mitigate the effects of green water even in extreme wave environmental conditions. A computer-aided design tool for analysing the susceptibility of FPSOs to green water (ProGreen) has also been incorporated to the optimal design programme (OPTIMAP) in order to select the overall best for any given extreme wave conditions. Also, results of the analysis of a survey of world-wide FPSOs show that the global average length, beam, and depth of the vessels are four, three-quarter, and one-third of the cube root of the cubic number (the overall volume) respectively. This can serve as a vital initial decision-making tool as per weather a given size will be suitable for a specified ocean region. This is because vessel dimensions are directly related to the critical wavelength. Close to the critical wavelength in high wave conditions, the vessel could be subjected to severe bending moments. This research provides the essential technical design solution (in addition to the numerous useful data obtained) which helps to ensure good performance during operation (needed to reduces downtime, and increase uptime), safety and operability of the vessel even under the some harsh or extreme meteorological and oceanographic (metocean) conditions.
Date of Award | 8 Jan 2016 |
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Original language | English |
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Awarding Institution | - University Of Strathclyde
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