Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) systems comprise a new branch in offshore technology. In keeping with the innovative spirit of the offshore industry, this design of an FPSO will implement this moderately unused expertise to utilize the oil fields. The site has a shallow water depth of 27 m (88ft), storm generated swells, low daily production output, and various regulatory bodies govern the overall design. Two FPSO’s were analyzed a ship-shape option and a squareshape option. The ship-shape was design along the principle of the more traditional FPSO and the square-shape was a more innovative design that would take into account the site specifics of the oil field. After determining the feasibility of the ship-shape option and the square-shape option; the ship-shape option was chosen due to its more
conventional design, cost factors, and building factors.
The team decided to use a 12-line catenary system to moor the vessel consisting of all chain with a 114 mm
(4.49 in) diameter. Offloading will be done using the tandem-stern approach due to safety, cost, and
reliability factors. Environmental loads for the ship-shape at a 10 m (32.8 ft) draft are largest on the beam
at 701 kips (3,118 kN) and least on the bow at 111 kips (494 kN).
Hydrodynamics show that the heave period of the ship shape FPSO, 7.97 seconds, is close to the maximum
environmental periods, but is still allowable. Intact stability shows that for the 100% capacity and the 30% capacity cases the area ratio of 1.4 is satisfied. Damage stability shows that when one side ballast tank is damaged regulations are satisfied for both cases. There is 14 degrees between the first intercept and the second intercept, regulations require 7 degrees. Also at some 13.5 degrees, which is before the
downflooding angle the righting arm is twice that of the heeling arm at the same angle is a damage requirement.
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