General information
A Tension Leg Platform (TLP) is a floating platform which is connected to the seabed by vertical tendons or tethers. The tendons are kept under tension by the buoyancy of the platform and this pre-tension is designed to keep the tendons under tension under all circumstances, even in large waves with high crests and deep troughs. The stiff connection of the platform with the seabed reduces the vertical motions to a minimum and gives it a short natural period, outside the wave frequency region (2-4s). This allows the use of dry trees.
A Tension Leg Platform (TLP) is a floating platform which is connected to the seabed by vertical tendons or tethers. The tendons are kept under tension by the buoyancy of the platform and this pre-tension is designed to keep the tendons under tension under all circumstances, even in large waves with high crests and deep troughs. The stiff connection of the platform with the seabed reduces the vertical motions to a minimum and gives it a short natural period, outside the wave frequency region (2-4s). This allows the use of dry trees.
Services & Activities
The Offshore Department has performed a lot of tests on TLPs in recent years. With its deep pit of 30 metres, the OffshoreBasin offers the possibility of testing TLPs with their full tendon length, even in ultra deep waters. This allows reliable testing, including important effects such as setdown and the related airgap in large waves.
The Trials & Monitoring Department has initiated a Joint Industry Project to measure and assess the environmental and structural loads on the Marco Polo TLP (operated by Anadarko), located in the Gulf of Mexico in 4,300 ft of water. With hurricane Ivan in 2004 and hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the Gulf of Mexico has suffered significant damage to its offshore structures. The Marco Polo JIP provides high quality environmental and structural data to all stakeholders and their technical experts.
The Offshore Department has performed a lot of tests on TLPs in recent years. With its deep pit of 30 metres, the OffshoreBasin offers the possibility of testing TLPs with their full tendon length, even in ultra deep waters. This allows reliable testing, including important effects such as setdown and the related airgap in large waves.
The Trials & Monitoring Department has initiated a Joint Industry Project to measure and assess the environmental and structural loads on the Marco Polo TLP (operated by Anadarko), located in the Gulf of Mexico in 4,300 ft of water. With hurricane Ivan in 2004 and hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the Gulf of Mexico has suffered significant damage to its offshore structures. The Marco Polo JIP provides high quality environmental and structural data to all stakeholders and their technical experts.
Facilities & Tools
TLPs are tested in the following MARIN facilities :
TLPs are tested in the following MARIN facilities :
- Offshore Basin: DP model tests in combined current, waves and wind
- Seakeeping and Manoeuvring Basin: model tests in waves
- Depressurised Towing Basin: towing tests
The behaviour of TLPs is simulated with the following tools : (DIFFRAC, DRIFP and DYNFORC for MARIN internal use only)
DIFFRAC: 3-D potential theory including wave diffraction
DRIFTP/DBDRIFT: Second order wave excited (drift) forces
DYNFORC: Hydrodynamic load input for structural analysis
WINDOS: Assessment of wind loads on ships and offshore structures
DRIFTP/DBDRIFT: Second order wave excited (drift) forces
DYNFORC: Hydrodynamic load input for structural analysis
WINDOS: Assessment of wind loads on ships and offshore structures
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 record
The list below gives a review of TLP model tests carried out at MARIN :
The list below gives a review of TLP model tests carried out at MARIN :
- Okume TLP (Hess, 2006)
- Shenzi TLP tests (BHP/Modec/Sea Engineering, 2005)
- Snorre TLP tests (AkerKvaerner/Statoil, 2004)
- West Seno TLP (Unocal, 2000)
- Deepstar TLP (Deepstart, 2000)
- MOSES TLP (Sea Engineering, 1995)
Most recent papers on TLPs presented by MARIN
(complete overview of papers can be found under Publications)
(complete overview of papers can be found under Publications)
Effect of hurricanes on the cumulative fatigue life consumption of a GOM TLP
P. Aalberts, R. van Dijk, Weizhong Zheng, OMAE, 2008
Flow Induced Motions of Multi Column Floaters
Olaf J.Waals (MARIN), Amal C. Phadke (ConocoPhillips) and Stephen Bultema (Bultema Marine), OMAE Conference, San Diego, 2007
Full Scale Monitoring Marco Polo Tension Leg Platform
van Dijk R.R.T. & van den Boom H.J.J. , OMAE, 2007
Extreme Wave Effects on Deepwater Floating Structures
Bas Buchner and Tim Bunnik (MARIN), Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), 2007
Extreme Wave Effects on Deep Water TLPs - Lessons Learned from the Snorre A Model Tests
T.B. Johannessen (Aker Kværner Engineering & Technology), S. Haver (Statoil), T. Bunnik and B. Buchner (MARIN), DOT Conference, Houston, 2006
P. Aalberts, R. van Dijk, Weizhong Zheng, OMAE, 2008
Flow Induced Motions of Multi Column Floaters
Olaf J.Waals (MARIN), Amal C. Phadke (ConocoPhillips) and Stephen Bultema (Bultema Marine), OMAE Conference, San Diego, 2007
Full Scale Monitoring Marco Polo Tension Leg Platform
van Dijk R.R.T. & van den Boom H.J.J. , OMAE, 2007
Extreme Wave Effects on Deepwater Floating Structures
Bas Buchner and Tim Bunnik (MARIN), Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), 2007
Extreme Wave Effects on Deep Water TLPs - Lessons Learned from the Snorre A Model Tests
T.B. Johannessen (Aker Kværner Engineering & Technology), S. Haver (Statoil), T. Bunnik and B. Buchner (MARIN), DOT Conference, Houston, 2006
Most recent TLP articles written for MARIN Report
(complete overview of articles can be found under Publications)
(complete overview of articles can be found under Publications)
Deepwater pit proves popular for TLP model tests
MARIN’s deepwater pit in the Offshore Basin allows modeling of TLPs, including their tendons, over the full water depth. Here, we delve the inner depths of the deepwater pit and examine these challenging projects.
Complex coupled model tests for Petrobras
Model tests were carried out simultaneously on three floaters in MARIN’s Offshore Basin and these were followed by two-body, coupled VIM tests in the Depressurised Towing Tank. The complexities of this coupled model test...
Increasing interest in tests for Vortex Induced Motions
For Marin 2010 was a very busy year for Vortex Induced Motions (VIM) tests. Report highlights the latest tests.
Managing fatigue in riser systems
Following discussions with the industry and the success of Monitas, a new three-year JIP has launched, designed to provide the offshore industry with specifications and a methodology for Advisory Monitoring Systems for risers....
World’s deepest TLP becomes MARIN’s 9,000th test model!
In Spring 2010, the world deepest TLP (5,187 ft) was tested at MARIN for Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and FloaTEC. The ‘Big Foot’ TLP represents MARIN’s 9,000th test model since the maritime research institute opened in 1932.
MARIN’s deepwater pit in the Offshore Basin allows modeling of TLPs, including their tendons, over the full water depth. Here, we delve the inner depths of the deepwater pit and examine these challenging projects.
Complex coupled model tests for Petrobras
Model tests were carried out simultaneously on three floaters in MARIN’s Offshore Basin and these were followed by two-body, coupled VIM tests in the Depressurised Towing Tank. The complexities of this coupled model test...
Increasing interest in tests for Vortex Induced Motions
For Marin 2010 was a very busy year for Vortex Induced Motions (VIM) tests. Report highlights the latest tests.
Managing fatigue in riser systems
Following discussions with the industry and the success of Monitas, a new three-year JIP has launched, designed to provide the offshore industry with specifications and a methodology for Advisory Monitoring Systems for risers....
World’s deepest TLP becomes MARIN’s 9,000th test model!
In Spring 2010, the world deepest TLP (5,187 ft) was tested at MARIN for Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and FloaTEC. The ‘Big Foot’ TLP represents MARIN’s 9,000th test model since the maritime research institute opened in 1932.
Contact
For more information on how MARIN can help your organisation with TLPs, please contact:
For model test and simulation activities: Offshore Department
For full scale measurements: Trials and Monitoring Department
For more information on how MARIN can help your organisation with TLPs, please contact:
For model test and simulation activities: Offshore Department
For full scale measurements: Trials and Monitoring Department