Search Results (7)

In this paper, fatigue analysis of oil offloading lines (OOLs) in the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) catenary anchor leg mooring (CALM) buoy offloading system under wave and current loads in the West Africa Sea area is carried out by the numerical simulation method. The hydrodynamic coupling response is calculated, and fatigue damage is analyzed. Firstly, the numerical model is verified by comparison with the experimental results. Then, according to the environmental statistics in West Africa, the influence of various parameters on the fatigue damage of OOLs is analyzed, including tension characteristics, wave parameters, and structural parameters. Additionally, the effect of current load is studied. Results show that accumulated fatigue damage mainly occurs near the CALM buoy and is mainly caused by the 0° wind wave. Appropriately reducing the cover length of buoyancy material and increasing the wall thickness can reduce fatigue damage. Moreover, the effect of the shuttle tanker can increase the fatigue damage of the OOL near the CALM buoy by about 1.5 times, and the effect of vortex-induced vibration can increase the fatigue damage of the OOL in the middle part by up to 5–10 times. Full article

Floating offshore structures (FOS) must be designed to be stable, to float, and to be able to support other structures for which they were designed. These FOS are needed for different transfer operations in oil terminals. However, water waves affect the motion response of floating buoys. Under normal sea states, the free-floating buoy presents stable periodic responses. However, when moored, they are kept in position. Mooring configurations used to moor buoys in single point mooring (SPM) terminals could require systems such as Catenary Anchor Leg Moorings (CALM) and Single Anchor Leg Moorings (SALM). The CALM buoys are one of the most commonly-utilised type of offshore loading terminal. Due to the wider application of CALM buoy systems, it is necessary to investigate the fluid structure interaction (FSI) and vortex effect on the buoy. In this study, a numerical investigation is presented on a CALM buoy model conducted using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in ANSYS Fluent version R2 2020. Some hydrodynamic definitions and governing equations were presented to introduce the model. The results presented visualize and evaluate specific motion characteristics of the CALM buoy with emphasis on the vortex effect. The results of the CFD study present a better understanding of the hydrodynamic parameters, reaction characteristics and fluid-structure interaction under random waves. Full article

The application of marine bonded hoses has increased in recent times, due to the need for more flexible conduits and flexible applications in the offshore industry. These marine structures include Catenary Anchor Leg Moorings (CALM) buoys and ocean monitoring buoys. Their attachments include floating hoses, submarine hoses and submarine cables. However, the structural performance challenges of a CALM buoy system from its hydrodynamics water waves and other global loadings, have led to the need for this investigation. In this study, a detailed presentation on the motion characterisation of the CALM buoy hose system is presented. The CALM buoy is a structure with six degrees of freedom (6DoF). A well-detailed experimental presentation on the CALM buoy hose model conducted in Lancaster University Wave Tank is presented using three novel techniques, which are: a digital image captured using Imetrum systems, using an Akaso 4K underwater camera, using wave gauges arranged in a unique pattern and using underwater Bluetooth sensors. The buoy model was also found to respond uniquely for each motion investigated under water waves. The results showed that the higher the profile, the higher the response of the buoy. Thus, this study confirms the existence of flow patterns of the CALM buoy while floating on the water body. Full article

There is an increase in the utilization of the floating offshore structure (FOS) called Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring (CALM) buoys and the attached marine hoses due to the increasing demand for oil and gas products. These hoses are flexible and easier to use but have a short service life of about 25 years. They are adaptable in ocean locations of shallow, intermediate and deep waters. In this research, a numerical model was developed using a coupling method modeled by utilizing ANSYS AQWA and Orcaflex (Orcina Ltd., Ulverston, UK) dynamic models of the CALM buoy hoses. Two cases were comparatively studied: Lazy-S and Chinese-lantern configurations, under ocean waves and current. Comparisons were also made between coupled and uncoupled models. This research presents the hydrodynamic characteristics with a sensitivity analysis on the influence of waves, current attack angle, soil gradient, soil stiffness and environmental conditions that influence the performance of marine hoses. The study comparatively looked at the configurations from dynamic amplification factors (DAF) on marine hoses. The results show that marine hoses can be easily configured to suit the designer’s need, seabed soil type, seabed topography and the profiles that are useful for manufacturers. The sensitivity analysis also shows the effect of hose parameters on its hydrodynamic behavior from the wave–current interaction (WCI). Full article

Due to the demand for oil production in varying water depth regions, the advantage of flexible buoyant conduits has led to an increase in bonded marine hoses for fluid transfer and (un)loading operations. The fluid transfer system for bonded marine hoses is dependent on floating offshore structures (FOS). This paper presents an overview of different systems for sustainable fluid transfer and (un)loading operations via FOS, such as Single Point Mooring (SPM) systems. SPMs are component aspects of the techno-economic design and FOS operation. This review aims to present sustainable fluid transfer technologies while addressing the subject of bonded marine hoses based on application, configuration, test models, hose selection criteria, hose-mooring configurations and operational views. This paper also includes an overview of the hose dynamics, with the loading and unloading (or discharging) techniques for sustainable fluid transfer via marine bonded hoses, based on operational challenges encountered. To dynamically present the hose performance in this review, an overview of the test methods’ guidance as specified in available industry standards was conducted. The pros and cons of marine hose application were also presented. Finally, this study presents different marine hose types and novel design configurations applied in implementing hose-mooring systems. Some concluding remarks with recommended solutions on the technology were presented in this review. Full article

The application of mathematical analysis has been an essential tool applied on Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring (CALM) buoys, Wave Energy Converters (WEC), point absorber buoys, and various single point mooring (SPM) systems. This enables having mathematical models for bonded marine hoses on SPM systems with application with CALM buoys, which are obviously a requisite for the techno-economic design and operation of these floating structures. Hose models (HM) and mooring models (MM) are utilized on a variety of applications such as SPARs, Semisubmersibles, WECs and CALM buoys. CALM buoys are an application of SPM systems. The goal of this review is to address the subject of marine hoses from mathematical modeling and operational views. To correctly reproduce the behavior of bonded marine hoses, including nonlinear dynamics, and to study their performance, accurate mathematical models are required. The paper gives an overview of the statics and dynamics of offshore/marine hoses. The reviews on marine hose behavior are conducted based on theoretical, numerical, and experimental investigations. The review also covers challenges encountered in hose installation, connection, and hang-off operations. State-of-the-art, developments and recent innovations in mooring applications for SURP (subsea umbilicals, risers, and pipelines) are presented. Finally, this study details the relevant materials that are utilized in hoses and mooring implementations. Some conclusions and recommendations are presented based on this review. Full article

Recent design challenges in ocean observations, energy storage, offloading/discharging, and loading operations in both the offshore-renewable industry have led to advances in the application of catenary anchor leg moorings (CALM) buoys. Due to different seabed profiles, soil stiffness and environmental conditions, there is the need for numerical assessment to investigate the behaviour of the submarine hoses, based on the structural and hydrodynamic behaviour. In this study, experimental and numerical investigations are carried out on the dynamic behaviour of the submarine hoses attached to a CALM buoy in Lazy-S configuration. Six mooring lines are attached to the CALM buoy with a water depth of 100 m in the numerical model. A hydrodynamic model utilising ANSYS AQWA was developed then coupled unto the dynamic model in Orcina’s Orcaflex. The studies were carried out to study the effect of flow angles, wave height, soil stiffness and hydrodynamic loads on the structural behaviour of the submarine hoses. Waves at different angles to the submarine hose affected the effective tension more where the hose bends due to the floats attached. Parametric studies were carried out on both linear and nonlinear seabed models, and recommendations were made from the investigations on the submarine hose models. Full article