Introduction
The DP JIP is a MARIN initiative for a Joint Industry Project on Dynamic Positioning. The proposal is to combine full-scale monitoring with model test correlation, and use that as a basis for validating improved DP control methods. A group of experts from Oil Companies, Drilling Contractors, Engineering Companies and DP Manufacturers has cooperated in the development of the Work Scope.
The DP JIP is a MARIN initiative for a Joint Industry Project on Dynamic Positioning. The proposal is to combine full-scale monitoring with model test correlation, and use that as a basis for validating improved DP control methods. A group of experts from Oil Companies, Drilling Contractors, Engineering Companies and DP Manufacturers has cooperated in the development of the Work Scope.
Objective
Development of a Real-Time Environmental Force Estimator (RTEFE), to improve DP control by feeding forward all forces acting on the vessel. Upon application, the following results are expected:
· Reduction of fuel consumption on DP vessels of at least 20 %
· Significantly increased positioning accuracy and less downtime
· More reliable positioning in harsh weather and increased limit sea state.
· Improved on-board decision support to the DP operator
In the end, the benefits of the technology will lead to more cost-effective designs.
Development of a Real-Time Environmental Force Estimator (RTEFE), to improve DP control by feeding forward all forces acting on the vessel. Upon application, the following results are expected:
· Reduction of fuel consumption on DP vessels of at least 20 %
· Significantly increased positioning accuracy and less downtime
· More reliable positioning in harsh weather and increased limit sea state.
· Improved on-board decision support to the DP operator
In the end, the benefits of the technology will lead to more cost-effective designs.
Application
The project results are quite useful for application in vessels for deep water drilling, floating production, offshore offloading of oil and/or gas (LNG), dredging, cable laying and pipe laying. The RTEFE will be applicable in new and existing DP systems, and may be used in decision support to the DP operator.
The project results are quite useful for application in vessels for deep water drilling, floating production, offshore offloading of oil and/or gas (LNG), dredging, cable laying and pipe laying. The RTEFE will be applicable in new and existing DP systems, and may be used in decision support to the DP operator.
Scope of work
The main aspects are:
· Carry out full-scale monitoring on DP shuttle tanker in full DP and Offloading DP Mode, with measurement of thruster actions, DP control settings, position, motions, waves, current, etc. Optionally, also DP logging will be made on a new generation drilling vessel.
· Development of an improved control system, using a real-time estimator of the environmental forces acting on the vessel.
· Model tests in MARIN Offshore Basin, in which a selected number of actually measured full-scale conditions will be reproduced. This will correlate the model test to the full scale and be sound basis for validation of the RTEFE.
· Carry out a study to describe the way in which the RTEFE technology affects the design of a DP vessel
· Carry out a study to compare CAPEX and OPEX for a conventionally moored FPSO, and a DP FPSO with and without RTEFE.
The main aspects are:
· Carry out full-scale monitoring on DP shuttle tanker in full DP and Offloading DP Mode, with measurement of thruster actions, DP control settings, position, motions, waves, current, etc. Optionally, also DP logging will be made on a new generation drilling vessel.
· Development of an improved control system, using a real-time estimator of the environmental forces acting on the vessel.
· Model tests in MARIN Offshore Basin, in which a selected number of actually measured full-scale conditions will be reproduced. This will correlate the model test to the full scale and be sound basis for validation of the RTEFE.
· Carry out a study to describe the way in which the RTEFE technology affects the design of a DP vessel
· Carry out a study to compare CAPEX and OPEX for a conventionally moored FPSO, and a DP FPSO with and without RTEFE.
Deliverables
License to have royalty-free use of the results
Reports of the full scale monitoring campaign, of the correlation and validation model tests
Detailed specification of the RTEFE Technology
Report describing how the RTEFE technology can be incorporated in the design of DP vessels and what the cost consequences are.
License to have royalty-free use of the results
Reports of the full scale monitoring campaign, of the correlation and validation model tests
Detailed specification of the RTEFE Technology
Report describing how the RTEFE technology can be incorporated in the design of DP vessels and what the cost consequences are.
Schedule
Jan/Feb. 2000: Kick-off
Jan. 2001: Start full-scale Measurements
Mar. 2002: Model tests
Nov. 2002: Finalization
Jan/Feb. 2000: Kick-off
Jan. 2001: Start full-scale Measurements
Mar. 2002: Model tests
Nov. 2002: Finalization
Contact
A.B. Aalbers, MARIN
Tel. (+31) 317 493352
Fax. (+31) 317 493245
E-mail a.b.aalbers@marin.nl
A.B. Aalbers, MARIN
Tel. (+31) 317 493352
Fax. (+31) 317 493245
E-mail a.b.aalbers@marin.nl
FPSO Research Forum
The participating companies have initiated a FPSO Research Forum for joint research work on FPSO's.
The participating companies have initiated a FPSO Research Forum for joint research work on FPSO's.