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: 3-D potential theory including wave diffraction
DRIFTP/DBDRIFT: Second order wave excited (drift) forces
LIFSIM/LIFMOT: Analysis of multi body dyamics and lift operations
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
LIFSIM/LIFMOT: Analysis of multi body dyamics and lift operations
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)
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.
Full depth TLP model testing
The 30 m deep pit in MARIN’s Offshore Basin makes it possible to test TLPs, including their tendons, in ultra deep waters without truncation of the tendons. Report dives into the deep pit of the Offshore Basin and explains...
Current Affairs JIP improves current insight
In the last few years the importance of current on the behaviour of offshore structures has become evident. For example, the strong loop current in the Gulf of Mexico delayed installation projects and resulted in Vortex Induced...
Deep pit attracts full-tendon Shenzi TLP
With its deep pit of 30 metres, the Offshore Basin 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 set-down...
VIM tests for multi-column platforms
In the last few years the importance of current on the behaviour of offshore structures has become increasingly evident. For instance, the strong loop current in the Gulf of Mexico has delayed installation projects and resulted...
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.
Full depth TLP model testing
The 30 m deep pit in MARIN’s Offshore Basin makes it possible to test TLPs, including their tendons, in ultra deep waters without truncation of the tendons. Report dives into the deep pit of the Offshore Basin and explains...
Current Affairs JIP improves current insight
In the last few years the importance of current on the behaviour of offshore structures has become evident. For example, the strong loop current in the Gulf of Mexico delayed installation projects and resulted in Vortex Induced...
Deep pit attracts full-tendon Shenzi TLP
With its deep pit of 30 metres, the Offshore Basin 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 set-down...
VIM tests for multi-column platforms
In the last few years the importance of current on the behaviour of offshore structures has become increasingly evident. For instance, the strong loop current in the Gulf of Mexico has delayed installation projects and resulted...
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