Important Environmental Modelling Aspects for Ultra Deep Water Model Tests

Model testing for ultra deep water projects requires special attention to the modelling of waterdepth, wind, waves and current. Due to the large water depths, vessel displacements are large and coupling and interaction effects are strong. The present paper discusses a year of experience in this field in the new deep water Offshore Basin of the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN), with projects such as Unocal’s West Seno TLP in 1000M waterdepth, the Bonga FPSO and SPM in 1000M water depth for Shell and SBM and the Deepstar Theme Structure model tests (SPAR, TLP and FPSO). Focus will be one the experience and critical points in the modelling of environmental conditions for deep water model tests: current, wind and waves.