TRANSPORTATION ANALYSIS OF STEEL JACKET SUBSTRUCTURE USING

MOSES SOFTWARE

NORHAMIMI BINTI MOHD HANAFIAH

A report submitted in partial fulfillment of the

requirements for the award of the degree of
Bachelor of Civil Engineering

Faculty of Civil Engineering

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

MEI 2009

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ABSTRACT

For many years, offshore structure has been transported on flat topped of bargelaunched type or on its own buoyancy from fabrication yard to offshore installation site.
The final year project emphasises on the transportation analysis of steel jacket
substructure using MOSES software. The result of analysis will give a better insight in
regard to the motion stability of the jacket and the transportation barge. The process of
transporting the jacket by barge need to be evaluated thoroughly by the design engineer
for the purpose of selecting the most economical transportation method. This can be
seamlessly done by considering the acceleration, motions, forces and moments during
the transportation. The barge selected for transportation procedure must be robust and
can greatly withstand the structure total weight as well as the environmental forces
experienced during voyage to installation site. The analysis is based on the actual data of
a project in Malaysia which the jacket is to be transported to the Malaysias oilfield.
MOSES, an acronym for Multi Operational Structural Engineering Simulator, is a
simulation and modelling language with great capability of motion analysis. The
software can be utilised to generate the result of motions, forces and moments of the
jacket members placed on the selected barge due to wave, wind and current effects. The
analysis procedure covers two barges which is the required standard dimension of barge
and an alternative barge as a comparison. The selection of the alternative barge will be
done using trial and error method as for optimization purpose. The selected barge will be
deployed for the jacket transportation as the analysis result satisfies the required
compatibility, limit state condition as well as safety aspects throughout the journey.

ABSTRAK

Selama beberapa tahun, struktur luar pantai telah diangkut di atas barj
permukaan rata jenis peluncuran atau dengan apungannya sendiri dari tempat pembuatan
ke tapak pemasangan luar pantai.

Projek tahun akhir ini merangkumi analisis

pengangkutan substruktur jaket besi menggunakan perisian MOSES. Hasil analisis ini
akan memberikan pemahaman yang lebih baik berdasarkan kestabilan pergerakan jaket
dan barj. Proses pengangkutan jaket menggunakan barj perlu dinilai dengan teliti oleh
Jurutera Rekabentuk bagi tujuan memilih kaedah pengangkutan yang paling ekonomik.
Ini boleh dijalankan secara tersusun dengan mempertimbangkan pecutan, gerakan, daya
dan momen semasa proses pengangkutan. Barj yang dipilih untuk prosedur analisis
pengakutan ini haruslah boleh menanggung berat keseluruhan struktur termasuklah daya
persekitaran yang dihadapi semasa pelayaran ke tapak pemasangan. Analisis ini adalah
berdasarkan data sebenar satu projek di Malaysia dimana jaket itu akan diangkut ke
lapangan minyak di Malaysia. MOSES adalah akronim bagi Simulator Pelbagai Operasi
Kejuruteraan Struktur dimana ia menggunakan bahasa simulasi dan permodelan dengan
keupayaan yang tinggi untuk analisis gerakan. Perisian ini boleh digunakan untuk
menghasilkan keputusan bagi pergerakan, daya dan momen yang dihasilkan oleh
anggota jaket yang diletakkan di atas barj yang dipilih berdasarkan keadaan ombak,
angin dan keadaan semasa. Prosedur analisis merangkumi dua barj yang mana satu
daripadanya adalah mengikut dimensi standard barj manakala satu lagi sebagai barj
alternatif bagi tujuan perbandingan. Pemilihan barj alternatif akan dilakukan dengan
cara cuba jaya bagi tujuan pengoptimisan. Barj yang dipilih akan digunakan untuk
pengangkutan jaket kerana keputusan analisis telah memenuhi keperluan kesesuaian,
keadaan had limit dan termasuklah aspek keselamatan sepanjang perjalanan.

TABLE OF CONTENT

CHAPTER

TITLE

PAGE

DECLARATION

ii

DEDICATION

iii

ABSTRACT

iv

ABSTRAK

TABLE OF CONTENT

vi

LIST OF TABLES

xi

LIST OF FIGURES

xiii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

xiv

LIST OF SYMBOLS

xv

LIST OF APPENDICES

xvi

INTRODUCTION
1.1

Introduction

1.2

Problem Statement

1.3

Objectives

1.4

Scope of Study

1.5

Significance of Study

LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1

Introduction

2.2

General Informartion

2.2.1

Sea State Criteria

2.2.2

MOSES Sign Convention, Coordinate System, Units

9

2.2.3
2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

Sign Convention

Environmental Criteria

12

2.3.1

Basic Considerations

12

2.3.2

Risk Levels

12

2.3.3

Reduced Criteria

13

2.3.4

Practical Application

14

2.3.5

Long Transportation

15

2.3.6

Statistical Reservations

16

Motion Criteria

17

2.4.1

Empirical Approach

17

2.4.2

Analytical Methods

18

2.4.2.1 Design Storm

18

Motion Responses

19

2.5.1

Periods

19

2.5.2

Motions Response on Computer Programs

20

Strength Criteria

21

2.6.1

Loadings

21

2.6.2

Overhang

22

2.6.3

Fatigue

22

2.6.4

Seafastening

22

2.6.5

Cribbing

23

2.7

Stability

23

2.7.1

Intact Stability

23

2.7.1.1 Wind Overtuning

24

2.7.1.2 Wind Velocity

24

2.7.1.3 Angle of Downflooding

24

Damage Stability

25

2.7.2.1 Range of stability

25

2.7.2.2 Wind Overtuning

25

2.7.2.3 Wind Velocity

25

2.7.2

METHODOLOGY
3.1

Introduction

26

3.2

Barge Selection

27

3.3

Computer Modelling

28

3.3.1

Modifications

28

3.3.2

Boundary Condition

29

3.3.3

Design Criteria for Transportation

30

3.3.4

Other Consideration

31

3.4

Loads
3.4.1

3.5

3.6

31
Basic Load Cases

32

Transportation Analysis

33

3.5.1

Weight Grown Factors

33

3.5.2

Design Load Factors

34

3.5.3

Load Combinations

34

Hydrostatic and Stability Computations

36

3.6.1

Tow Condition

36

3.6.2

Stability Assessment

36

3.6.3

Intact Stability

37

3.6.4

Damage Stability

38

3.7

MOSES Output

40

3.7.1

Motion, force and Moment

40

3.7.2

Summary of Single Amplitude Motion

40

3.7.3

Summary of Single Amplitude Forces and Moments

40

3.7.4

Summary of Acceleration

40

3.7.5

Flow Chart of Work Procedures

41

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

4.1

Introduction

42

4.2

Barge Selection Result

42

4.3

Barge Information

45

4.3.1

Standard Barge

45

4.3.2

Alternative Barge

46

4.4

4.5

4.6

4.7

Payloads Data

47

4.4.1

47

Substructure

Radii of Gyration and Windage Area for Substructure

48

4.5.1

Accordance to Standard Barge

48

4.5.2

Accordance to Alternative Barge

49

Hydrostatic and Stability Computations

50

4.6.1

Tow Condition

50

4.6.1.1 Substructure on Standard barge

50

4.6.1.2 Substructure on Alternative Barge

50

Tow Condition Summary

4.7.1

51

Tow Condition of Substructure on Standard Barge

51

4.7.2

Tow Condition of Substructure on Alternative Barge

52

4.8

Summary of Hydrostatic and Stability Analysis

53

4.8.1

Accordance to Standard Barge

53

4.8.1.1 Intact Stability Check

53

4.8.1.2 Damage Stability Check

54

Accordance to Alternative Barge

55

4.8.2.1 Intact Stability Check

55

4.8.2.2 Damage Stability Check

56

4.8.2

4.9

Motion Output

57

4.9.1

Motion, Force and Moment

57

4.9.2

Summary of Single Amplitude Motion

58

4.9.2.1 Accordance to Standard Barge

58

4.9.2.2 Accordance to Alternative Barge

59

4.9.3

4.9.4

4.10

Summary of Single Amplitude Forces and Moments 60

4.9.3.1 Accordance to Standard Barge

60

4.9.3.2 Accordance to Alternative Barge

61

Summary of Acceleration

62

4.9.4.1 Accordance to Standard Barge

62

4.9.4.2 Accordance to Alternative Barge

63

MOSES Output

64

4.10.1 Accordance to Standard Barge

64

4.10.2 Accordance to Alternative Barge

76

CONCLUSIONS
5.1

Introduction

88

5.2

Conclusion

89

5.3

Recommendation for Future Research

91

REFERENCES

92

APPENDICES

94

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE NO.

2.1

TITLE

PAGE

Tows from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah waters for 1-year Return period
8

3.1

Towing Metocean Criteria

30

3.2

Transportation Analysis Basic Load Cases

32

3.3

Weight Growth Factors

33

3.4

LRFD Load Factors

34

3.5

Load combinations

35

4.1

Dimension and result of selected barges

43

4.2

Result of towing condition

44

4.3

Particulars of Standard barge

45

4.4

Particulars of Alternative barge

46

4.5

Ballast pattern of Standard barge

50

4.6

Ballast pattern of Alternative barge

51

4.7

Summary of single amplitude motion on Standard barge

58

4.8

Summary of single amplitude motion on Alternative barge

59

4.9

Summary of single amplitude forces and moments on Standard barge

60

4.10

Summary of single amplitude forces and moments on Alternative barge

61

4.11

Summary of acceleration on Standard barge

62

4.12

Summary of acceleration on Alternative barge

63

5.1

Dimension of selected barges

89

5.2

Result of ballast pattern of selected barges

90

LIST OF FIGURE

FIGURE NO.

2.1

TITLE

Barge Coordinate System

PAGE

11

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

MOSES

Multi Operational Structural Engineering Simulator

API-RP2A

American Petroleum Institute

ISSC

International Ship Structure Congress

SES

Standard Engineering Specifications

SACS

Structural Analysis Computer System

COG

Centre of Gravity

LIST OF SYMBOLS

+ve

Positive

-ve

Negative

Percent

Inch

TP

Peak Period

Gravity

Degree

Heel Angle

LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX

TITLE

PAGE

User Interface before run the software (input)

94

User Interface after run the software (output)

96

AutoCAD Modelling

98

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1

Introduction

Offshore structures used for oil and gas extraction have the common function of
providing a safe, dry working environment for the equipment and personnel who operate
the platform (Yahaya, 2008). The traditional offshore installation shown an utilises a
welded steel, tubular framework jacket to support the topside facilities. The single
jacket installation is typical of the rig found in deep water environment. An offshore
structure installation usually consists of four project phases which is loadout,
seafastening, offshore transportation and installation (Yahaya, 2008).

Offshore transportation phase will comprises the tow to the location offshore and
the analysis to confirm the resistance of the structure and the barge toward the related
load like acceleration, motions, forces and moments during the transportation as well as
the ballast for positioning procedure. Transportation analysis will be done after the steel
jacket placed on the barge and be start towing to the oilfield by considering the sea-state
criteria and related environmental load (Chakabarti, 1994).

Tubular steel jackets are completely fabricated onshore prior to transportation to

site by dumb barge. The smaller jackets may be lifted in place by a floating crane whilst
the larger jackets may employ floatation devices to assist in their installation once
launched from the barge (Mather, 2000). The floatation devices are sequentially flooded
to enable the jacket to sink slowly into its final resting place. Once located on the
seabed the jackets are normally secured by foundation piles.

Transportation analysis is one of an important phase to be done during analysis

process as one step closer to installation process (Guy, Clifford, 1980). These analysis
need to be undertaken to calculate acceleration, motions, forces and moments faced by
the structure and the barge during transportation. All the values were used to determine
whether the barge selected were able to retain the structure total lift weight during the
transportation.

1.2

Problem Statement

To choose the right size of barge is very important depend on the size of the
structure since there is a variety size of barge in the region. If the barge selected is too
big the structure for sure is safe for the transportation but in is not sustain in term of its
cost. The barge selected has to be sure can resist the structure total weight with the
environmental force faced during the transportation.

In order to minimize the associated risk and secure safe transportation from the
fabrication yard to the offshore site, it is important to plan the transportation operation

carefully by considering the aspect required by the procedure. There is also some
guideline from API-RP2A that should be considered like previous experience along the
tow route, seasonal weather system and also appropriate return period for determining
design wind, wave and current condition, characteristic of the tow such as size, structure,
sensitivity and cost.

With the ballast value required known to obtain the required degree of pitch,
towing procedure will run smoothly. If the ballast analysis is not taken during analysis
stage, the structure may be failed during positioning stage and the barge will have a risk
of overturning.

1.3

Objectives

The objective of the transportation analysis is to demonstrate whether the

structure can resist the forces induced by the motions of the combined structure and
barge system without exceeding the allowable stresses. The analysis was carried out to
achieve following specific objectives:

1. To select the most economical and sustainable barge to transport the jacket
compared to required dimension of barge.

2. To calculate the ballast value based on tow condition.

3. To determine hydrostatic and stability value for towing condition.

4. To determine the acceleration, motions, forces and moments during

transportation by considering environmental load.

1.4

Scope of Study

The scope of the research will be focus on the outcome of the analysis using
marine software program MOSES. MOSES software will be used in designing and
analysis process. MOSES, an acronym for Multi Operational Structural Engineering
Simulator, is a simulation and modelling language. The analysis is based on the actual
data of a project in Malaysia which the jacket is to be transported to the Malaysias
oilfield. Motions, forces and moments are derived using ISSC spectrum using
specification sea state of 6.20 m (20.34 ft) significant wave height and mean period of
12.20 sec. These represent the tow condition for Sabah/Sarawak summer tow. The
result will be run on a selected barge and a barge with requirement size (SES 10.1). No
seafastening will be considered in the computer model as a preparation for worst case
scenario.

The motion forces and moments were generated using MOSES. These forces
and moments, coupled with the corresponding motion accelerations. A full motion
analysis of the barge was performed with results of maximum barge responses, payload
forces and moments obtained for beam (90o), quartering (135o) and head (180o) seas.

The analysis will be undertaken at ProEight Offshore Engineering Sdn. Bhd.

with supervision by Design Engineers as a collaboration project with MMC Oil and Gas
Engineering Sdn. Bhd. Guidelines for the transportation have been made with

referenced to Sarawak Shell Berhad Standard Engineering Specification on

Transportation of Substructure and Platform Components and General Transport.

1.5

Significance of Study

The research will show a result of transportation analysis using MOSES software
and the result is commonly used to make an analysis for offshore structure transportation
and as a preliminary study for installation phase. The result will show the compatibility
of the selected barge with the structure based on the acceleration, motions, forces and
moments as the outcome of MOSES.

This research summarized analyses undertaken for the generation of motion

accelerations and forces due to the transportation of steel jacket substructure. The
structure is to be transported to the existing oilfield in Sarawak.

The selection of the transportation barges were based on the feasibility studies
done earlier before running the transportation analysis. The resultant centre of rotation
and relative centre of gravity, as well as the location of the substructure will be shown in
a drawing that will be included in this research report.