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This paper was prepared for presentation at the Offshore Technology Conference held in Houston, Texas, USA, 2–5 May 2011.
This paper was selected for presentation by an OTC program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been
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Abstract
This paper proposes a generalized methodology to determine motion criteria for required performance of process facilities
using the Abadi Floating LNG (Abadi FLNG) as a sample. The Abadi FLNG is planned to be installed in the Indonesian
territory of the Arafura Sea by INPEX Masela, Ltd.
Although existing FPSOs all have its own motion criteria fed into topside equipment design, it is known that there is no
codified nor comprehensive approach as to how those motion criteria can be specified. Those circumstances could lead to
misunderstanding of information among owner, contractors and vendors, and potentially unnecessary cost increase. One of
the conventional methods is that the design motion criteria are given as single maximum motion amplitude in the extreme
condition for operation. Usually 1 year or 10 year cyclonic condition is adopted as the extreme condition for operation where
motion is calculated under assumed wave heading angle with short term prediction manner. In this approach, the wave
heading has to be conservatively assumed with some fixed angle, as there is no concurrent environmental data, such as wind,
wave, and current, which should be utilized. In addition, the common method to present associated period is not established.
For the application to FLNG case, there are some motion sensitive process facilities, such as cryogenic heat exchangers
and acid gas absorbers, whose performances degrade with given motion criterion, and the degree of degradation varies with
concurrent motion period. To establish the comprehensive motion criteria, FLNG wave heading analysis followed by motion
analysis were performed for 10 years time-series concurrent wind, wave, swell and current data including extreme and non-
extreme conditions. Calculated motions were incorporated into scatter diagram, which is a table of occurrence probability for
motion amplitude and period to develop motion envelope of amplitude and period. This envelope was adopted as design
motion criteria of motion sensitive process facilities.
This envelope approach to define performace of process facilities due to motion criteria is recommended to other FPSO
and FLNG as a generalized approach which has great benefit for clear understanding among owner, contractors and vendors
while minimizing unnecessary margins which could have tremendous cost impact particularly for those with motion sensitive
floaters.
Introduction
There are more than 100 FPSOs in operation in the world today. Those FPSOs apply their own design motion criteria their
facilities, however there is no standard method to define those motion criteria.
There are two types of design motion criteria. One is design motion criteria for extreme condition, which is applied to all
structural design on FPSO. Another one is design motion criteria for operation condition. Under such condition, all topside
process facilities are designed to satisfy its full performance. As process facilities performance can be affected by relatively
small motion amplitude, both dynamic and static motions are included in design motion criteria for operation condition.
In this paper, only dynamic motion of design motion criteria for operation condition are discussed. As for static motion
condition, equipment fabrication tolerance, equipment installation tolerance, module frame fabrication tolerance, module
frame deflection, hull main deck construction tolerance and ballast water control margin are considered..
On the FLNG, there are some motion sensitive facilities and their process performance can degrade due to FLNG motion.
The degree of performance degradation is dependent on both motion amplitude and motion period. To assess the impact of
performance degradation due to motion, it is essential to grasp possible motion envelope composed of concurrent motion
amplitude and motion period, which cannot be presented with conventional approach adopted for existing FPSOs.
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To establish the comprehensive motion criteria for the Abadi FLNG, wave heading and motion analysis were conducted.
Calculated concurrent motion amplitude and motion period were incorporated into possible motion envelope. This envelope
was adopted as design motion criteria of motion sensitive process facilities.
Methodologies
There are several methodologies to define design motion criteria adopted for existing FPSOs. One typical approach is to
give motion criteria as single maximum motion amplitude in extreme condition. Another approach is to give motion criteria
as single maximum motion amplitude and possible range of motion period. (P.J.M Lapidaire et al, 1996) In both approaches,
criteria can only specify a part of possible envelope of motion amplitude and motion period.
Facility Description
The main purpose of the Floating LNG is to produce LNG and export to LNG Carriers. The facility is a floating ship
shaped structure with the process plant on it, which is single point moored with turret system. This facility consists of two
parts, those are hull and topside. Hull is the barge part of the facility, which contains storage systems for the products, i.e.
LNG and condensate, and other marine related equipment and machineries. Topside is the upper part of the facility, which
consists of living quarters, utility plant and process plant. Utility plant includes power plant and other miscellaneous utility
systems. Process plant consists of 4 units, and those are inlet, pre-treatment, liquefaction and stabilization units.
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Topside
Hull
Overview of the Abadi Floating LNG is shown in Figure 1. The produced fluid from the subsea wells go through the subsea
flowlines, the risers, the swivel in the turret, then go into the Floating LNG facilities. Produced fluid is then separated into
gas, oil and water in the inlet unit. Separated gas goes into the pre-treatment unit, where acid gas, mercury and residual water
are removed from the gas. Pre-treated gas is liquefied in the liquefaction unit and stored in the LNG storage tanks in the hull.
Separated oil in the inlet unit is stabilized in the stabilization unit and stored in the condensate storage tanks in the hull.
Stored LNG is exported to the LNG carriers through the off-loading arm with side by side configuration and stored
condensate is exported to the condensate carriers through the floating hose with tandem configuration.
environmental data. Those data are produced utilizing existing data base, measured data at Abadi location and hindcast ocean
model.
Wave heading and motion analysis are conducted based on this time series environmental data.
Environmental Data Environmental Data
(Wind, Current) (Wind Wave, Swell)
Data
Motion Data
Analysis (Motion Amplitude and Motion Period)
Schematic flow chart of wave heading and motion analysis is shown in figure 2. In each of 29,208 environmental cases,
following processes are conducted.
1. Wave heading angle is calculated in wave heading analysis using concurrent wind, current, wind wave and current
data.
2. Motion amplitude and motion period are calculated using wave heading angle, wind wave and swell data.
Detailed procedures of wave heading analysis and motion analysis are described below.
An angle, χ , where the moment at the turret position is zero, gives balanced heading angle of the FLNG, because the
turret is free from moment, showing weather-vane effect. Balanced heading angle of the FLNG is calculated for each of
29,208 environmental cases.
Motion Analysis
Roll and pitch motion amplitudes and motion periods are calculated for the 29,208 environmental cases. Combined
responses of the FLNG in two wind waves and a swell are given as a sum of the three responses to individual wind waves
and a swell. Equations are shown below for standard deviations and representative periods of the FLNG motions.
3
ν j ( n) = ∑m
j =1
0 ( j , n)
3
∑ m ( j , n)
j =1
0
T j (n) = 2π 3
∑ m ( j , n)
j =1
1
π
2
2 ∞
⎛ω 2
⎞
m0 ( j , n) = ⎜⎜
⎝ g
⎟⎟
⎠
∫π ∫ S
0
n (ω , j )Ai2 (ω , χ (n, j ) + θ )G (θ , j )dωdθ for Roll, Pitch and Yaw
−
2
π
2
2 ∞
⎛ω 2
⎞
m1 ( j , n) = ⎜⎜
⎝ g
⎟⎟
⎠
∫π ∫ ωS 0
n (ω , j )Ai2 (ω , χ (n, j ) + θ )G (θ , j )dωdθ for Roll, Pitch and Yaw
−
2
n : environmental case number, n =1~29,208
ν j (n) : standard deviations of the FLNG motions due to wave/swell
T j (n) : representative periods of the FLNG motions due to wave/swell
A(ω , χ ) : response functions of the FLNG motions
χ ( n, j ) : direction of wind wave or swell incident to FLNG
ω : circular frequency
Sample of calculated wave heading angles, motion amplitudes and motion periods for some environmental cases are
shown in Table 1.
Table 1: Sample of calculated wave heading angles, motion amplitudes and motion periods for some environmental cases
Calculated motions for the 29,208 environmental cases are incorporated into a scatter diagram, which is a table of
occurrence probability for combination of motion inclining amplitude and motion period. Scatter diagram of combined angle
of roll and pitch is shown in Table 2.
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0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.014% 0.075% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000%
1.100 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.010% 0.031% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000%
1.200 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.021% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000%
1.300 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.007% 0.007% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000%
1.400 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.010% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000%
1.500 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000%
1.600 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.007% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000%
1.700 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.003% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000%
1.800 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000%
1.900 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.003% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000%
2.000 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000%
2.100 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000%
2.200 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000%
2.300 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000%
2.400 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000%
2.500 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000% 0.000%
From the scatter diagram shown above, the possible motion envelope for inclining motion, i.e. combined angle of roll and
pitch, can be made as shown in Table 3. By adding sufficient margin on this envelope sustaining the future design flexibility,
this possible motion envelope is applied as design motion criteria for performance of motion sensitive equipment. Under
these motion criteria, equipment shall be designed to satisfy its full performance.
1.100
1.200
1.300
1.400
1.500
1.600
1.700
1.800
1.900
2.000
2.100
2.200
2.300
2.400
2.500
Conclusion
The methodology to determine the motion criteria for required performance of process facilities on floating LNG is
established. Compared with the conventional methods applied for existing FPSOs, this new methodology has following
advantages.
¾ Wave heading angles calculated with concurrent directional environmental data are used. In conventional methods,
conservative wave heading with some fixed angles are used, which could result in unrealistic harsh motion.
¾ Obtained motion criteria can cover all of the possible motion amplitude and motion period, while only a part of the
possible motion envelope can be specified with conventional method.
This envelope approach to define design motion criteria is recommended to other FPSO and FLNG designs as a
generalized approach which has great benefit for clear understanding among owner, contractors and vendors while
minimizing unnecessary margins which could have tremendous cost impact particularly for those with motion sensitive
floaters.
Acknowledgement
Authors appreciate Akishima Laboratories (Mitsui Zosen) Inc. and INPEX Corporation for supporting the study and allowing
the publishing of this paper.
OTC 21292 7
References
P.J.M. Lapidaire and P.J. de Leeuw, “The Effect of Ship Motions on FPSO Topsides Design”, Offshore Technology Conference, pp. 411-
420 (May 1996)