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Content archived on 2022-12-27

FLOATING PRODUCTION SYSTEM FOR THE EXPLOITATION OF DEEP WATER MEDITERRANEAN OIL FIELDS

Objective

The scope of the research is the development of a floating production system suitable for the exploitation of hydrocarbon fields in very deep waters in the Mediterranean Sea. The system to be developed in the research consists of a Tension Leg type platform and the relevant production riser.
The following are believed to be the main innovative aspects of the project:
- firstly, this project must be considered as the basis of a possible industrial application of the Tension Leg solution in very deep waters (830 m, Aquila field).
- secondly, the installation procedures foreseen are innovative for what it concerns assembling and deployment of tethers (it is this the only one detailed study of a TLP with welded anchoring lines) and for all the technical and operative aspects influenced by the high water depth.
OPTIMIZATION OF PLATFORM AND MOORING SYSTEM CONFIGURATION :
The hull and deck configuration was studied and optimized through extensive sensitivity hydrodynamic studies.
COMPLETION SYSTEM AND RISERS :
The topside equipment layout was revised and integrated with the new deck structural configuration.
The riser components and stress joint configuration were analysed both by the functional and structural point of view.
The safety level of the whole completion system was increased by including, at the mud line level, a newly developed component : the Underwater Safety Block (USB).
CALCULATION PROCEDURES :
A complete set of calculation procedures was developed for TLP global motion analysis both in service and during installation, for tether and riser dynamic analysis, for hull and deck and for riser and tethers structural analysis of the significant parameters. EXPERIMENTAL TESTS ON CRITICAL COMPONENTS/PROCEDURES
GTAW welding machine prototype with three torches and NDE system for assessing weld quality and will be installed and operated within a Tether Laying Experiment Plant (TLEP) which is in the design stage.
Basic design of mobile cathodic Protection Tester is completed. Field tests with Veritec in progress to study influence of high water on different steel grades. Joint industry project with NGI on pile behaviour.
The present contract follows 3 previous one (TH. 03121/82) related to stage 1 of this research project. The present phase (Stage 2) aims at testing critical components and procedures, as well as at re-examing and perfecting the system design in the light of results obtained during Stage 1 and at preparing design procedures and computer programs required for the engineering phase. The following components and systems will be tried and tested : Automatic Welding Machine (WM) and Non Destructive Equipment (NDE); for the development of welding and fabrication inspection procedures, and for a first complete check of their practical performance.
Tether Laying Experimental Plant for reproducing the overall laying sequence; this will include, in addition to the above mentioned WM and NDE, equipment for pipe handling, positioning and centering which will allow for a full scale testing of the tether lowering operations.
- Lower anchor connector (on scale model); to verify its correct working and in-service behaviour.
- Stress joint; to test the material and the welding process.
- Corrosion and cathodic protection deep water experimental station; to study the effects of deep marine environment on corrosion phenomena.
- Foundation piles; to verify the behaviour tension piles under cyclic loads.
- Completion system; to verify the capability and behaviour of component(s).
The critical analysis of the design will be directed mainly towards: hull configuration, tethers, installation procedures, risers and completion system. Results of basin tests, of particular studies and analysis presently in progress and precertification information will form the basis of the design review.
The design of certain components and aspects of particular importance will be greatly improved. Among these:
- most important structural modes, with special emphasis on fatigue analysis
- risers
- behaviour of tethers
- temporary mooring system
- installation operations
Special computer procedures will be prepared for Tension Leg type structures, mainly with regard to the overall calculation of the platform, the detailed structural analysis of hull, tethers and risers.
Design procedures indicating basic design criteria and methods, including procedures for weight control, will be elaborated as well as standards for certain structural components.

Call for proposal

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Coordinator

ENI SpA- AGIP
EU contribution
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Address
VIA EMILIA 1
20097 S. Donato Milanese (MILANO)
Italy

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