HSE SCOPING STUDY FOR THE EFFECTS OF EXTREME SEAS AND WAVES ON FPSOS

摘要

The UK HSE initiated a scoping study with the objective "to provide an informed view from a respected panel of relevant stakeholders of the future work that would need to be undertaken to determine the characteristics of extreme sea states / waves, the likely consequences for an FPSO subjected to such an environment and whether a satisfactory rationale for survival design currently exists or needs to be developed."rnThis paper describes why this study was undertaken; the process adopted to achieve its goal; identifies the panel members and details their input to the study.rnPreliminary findings are available at the time of drafting this paper and these are identified. They fall under the five categories: general design issues; FPSO heading control; steep waves and non-linear surface effects; model testing and feed-back to design. The panel has identified a number of issues that remain relevant to survival design of such vessels on the UK Continental Shelf. The issues have been ranked with respect to level of concern for the threat that they may yet pose to existing vessels and appropriate approaches to deal with them are indicated. The panel largely agreed on the highest priority issues and common themes are emerging in their conclusions. Final conclusions of the study are expected by the time this paper is given in verbal presentation.