FLOATING PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

The paper reviews the different types of floating productions systems available to the petroleum industry and addresses why these platforms presently represent attractive candidates for future worldwide offshore field developments. Attention is focused on tension leg platforms monohull production vessels and semi- submersible production platforms. The potential of new concepts such as the Spar platform are mentioned. Also, the paper focuses on important design features and engineering challenges for the various platform types. In order to highlight the global design aspects, both topside facilities and support structures as well as mooring systems, risers, subsea facilities and motion behaviour are addressed. References to recent designs are made to illustrate the present state-of-the-art technology.