General information
Dynamic Positioning (DP) and Dynamic Tracking (DT) are methodologies to keep a vessel at a certain position (DP) or track (DT) using thrusters instead of mooring lines. By measuring its position (and heading) and comparing it to the required position, the DP system on board can determine its position error. The control system reacts on that by determining what thruster action is needed to bring the vessel as close as possible to the required position. DP systems can nowadays be found on many types of vessels: drilling vessels, installation vessels, heavy lift vessels, cable and pipelaying vessels and FPSOs.
Dynamic Positioning (DP) and Dynamic Tracking (DT) are methodologies to keep a vessel at a certain position (DP) or track (DT) using thrusters instead of mooring lines. By measuring its position (and heading) and comparing it to the required position, the DP system on board can determine its position error. The control system reacts on that by determining what thruster action is needed to bring the vessel as close as possible to the required position. DP systems can nowadays be found on many types of vessels: drilling vessels, installation vessels, heavy lift vessels, cable and pipelaying vessels and FPSOs.
Services & Activities
The Offshore Department has a lot of expertise in the field of Dynamic Positioning. This Dynamic Positioning methodology requires insight in (Kalman) filtering of the motions, (PID) control, optimum thruster allocation, thruster capabilities and interaction, possible thuster ventilation in waves, and the optimisation of the Power consumption. All these aspects are studied by MARIN in both model tests and simulations. Also new DP methodologies are under development, such as wave feed forward to anticipate rather than to react on the action of the wave groups. Model testing of DP performance allows the optimisation of the DP system with its settings in realistic extreme situations in an effective way, something that is not possible in full scale trials.
The Trials & Monitoring Department has been involved in the DP-JIP and can assist with full-scale measurements to assess the dynamic positioning performance.
The Offshore Department has a lot of expertise in the field of Dynamic Positioning. This Dynamic Positioning methodology requires insight in (Kalman) filtering of the motions, (PID) control, optimum thruster allocation, thruster capabilities and interaction, possible thuster ventilation in waves, and the optimisation of the Power consumption. All these aspects are studied by MARIN in both model tests and simulations. Also new DP methodologies are under development, such as wave feed forward to anticipate rather than to react on the action of the wave groups. Model testing of DP performance allows the optimisation of the DP system with its settings in realistic extreme situations in an effective way, something that is not possible in full scale trials.
The Trials & Monitoring Department has been involved in the DP-JIP and can assist with full-scale measurements to assess the dynamic positioning performance.
Facilities & Tools
Dynamic Positioning model tests are carried out in the following MARIN facilities :
Dynamic Positioning model tests are carried out in the following MARIN facilities :
- Offshore Basin: DP model tests in combined current, waves and wind
- Seakeeping and Manoeuvring Basin: model tests in waves
The following tools are used to study Dynamic Positioning :
DPCAP: Analysis of thruster capacity in dynamic positioning
DPSIM: Low frequency motion simulation of moored and DP vessels
DPSEMI: Dynamic positioning simulation for semi-submersibles
DPSIM: Low frequency motion simulation of moored and DP vessels
DPSEMI: Dynamic positioning simulation for semi-submersibles
Software Sales
Some software tools are available for commercial use outside MARIN. A complete overview of these software tools for sale can be found under Software Sales.
Some software tools are available for commercial use outside MARIN. A complete overview of these software tools for sale can be found under Software Sales.
Experience
The list below gives a review of DP projects for semi-submersibles carried out at MARIN:
The list below gives a review of DP projects for semi-submersibles carried out at MARIN:
- ‘Ocean Confidence’ for Diamond Offshore
- ‘Petrobras P-XIII’ for Petrobras
- ‘Stena Tay’ for FELS/Stena Drilling
- DSS semi-submersibles for Keppel FELS and Marine Structure Consultants
- ‘Thialf’ Semi Submersible Heavy Lift Vessel for Heerema
- S7000 Semi Submersible Heavy Lift Vessel for Saipem
The list below gives a review of DP projects for mono hulls carried out at MARIN:
- 'Smit Pioneer’ offshore installation vessel
- Global Marine drill ships (‘C.R. Luigs’ / ‘Jack Ryan’)
- AESA M.O.T. for Navion
- Saipem 10000 drillship for Samsung
- R&B Falcon DS4M Drillship
The following Joint Industry Projects (JIPs) were focussed on DP:
- DP JIP: development of wave feed forward
- DP FPSO JIP
Most recent Dynamic Positioning papers presented by MARIN
(complete overview of papers can be found under Publications)
(complete overview of papers can be found under Publications)
Close-In Precision DP using Wave Feed Forward: STLVAST Phase 2 & 3
Hughes, G., Harris, R., Quadvlieg, F.H.H.A. and Hallmann, R., Dynamic Positioning Conference, Houston, 2009
A Tighter Watch Circle at Higher Speeds
Hughes, G., Harris, R. and Quadvlieg, F.H.H.A., Dynamic Positioning Conference, Houston, 2008
Model Tests and Computer Simulations for Njord FPU Gas Module Installation
Remmelt van der Wal, Hans Cozijn (MARIN) and Chris Dunlop (Saipem UK), Marine Operations Specialty Symposium (MOSS), Singapore, 2008
A dynamic model for lifting heavy modules between two floating offshore structures
R.R.T. van Dijk (MARIN), A. Hendriks (Heerema Marine Contractors) and L. Friisk (Statoil), EuroDyn Conference, Paris, 2005
Wave feed forward DP and analysis of the effect on Shuttle Tanker Operation
Albert B. Aalbers, O.J. Waals, R. Frank Tap (MARIN) and Nick J. Davison (BP Shipping), Dynamic Positioning Conference, Houston, 2004
Hughes, G., Harris, R., Quadvlieg, F.H.H.A. and Hallmann, R., Dynamic Positioning Conference, Houston, 2009
A Tighter Watch Circle at Higher Speeds
Hughes, G., Harris, R. and Quadvlieg, F.H.H.A., Dynamic Positioning Conference, Houston, 2008
Model Tests and Computer Simulations for Njord FPU Gas Module Installation
Remmelt van der Wal, Hans Cozijn (MARIN) and Chris Dunlop (Saipem UK), Marine Operations Specialty Symposium (MOSS), Singapore, 2008
A dynamic model for lifting heavy modules between two floating offshore structures
R.R.T. van Dijk (MARIN), A. Hendriks (Heerema Marine Contractors) and L. Friisk (Statoil), EuroDyn Conference, Paris, 2005
Wave feed forward DP and analysis of the effect on Shuttle Tanker Operation
Albert B. Aalbers, O.J. Waals, R. Frank Tap (MARIN) and Nick J. Davison (BP Shipping), Dynamic Positioning Conference, Houston, 2004
Most recent Dynamic Positioning articles written for MARIN Report
(complete overview of articles can be found under Publications)
(complete overview of articles can be found under Publications)
Pioneering purpose-built wind turbine installation vessels under test
Willemijn Pauw & Arjen Koop, MARIN Report, 2010
Bridge simulator training for the Munin FPSO
Dimitri van Heel, MARIN report, 2010
Four decades of DP innovation at Transocean
MARIN report, 2010
New initiatives probe thruster interaction effects
Hans Cozijn, MARIN report, 2010
Oasis of the Seas
Giedo Loeff, Jaap van Heerd & Reint Dallinga, MARIN report, 2009
Willemijn Pauw & Arjen Koop, MARIN Report, 2010
Bridge simulator training for the Munin FPSO
Dimitri van Heel, MARIN report, 2010
Four decades of DP innovation at Transocean
MARIN report, 2010
New initiatives probe thruster interaction effects
Hans Cozijn, MARIN report, 2010
Oasis of the Seas
Giedo Loeff, Jaap van Heerd & Reint Dallinga, MARIN report, 2009
Contact
For more information on how MARIN can help your organisation with Dynamic Positioning, please contact theOffshore Department, the Manoeuvring Department, the Trials and Monitoring Department or the Ships Powering Department.
For more information on how MARIN can help your organisation with Dynamic Positioning, please contact theOffshore Department, the Manoeuvring Department, the Trials and Monitoring Department or the Ships Powering Department.