Mobile Offshore Base

Mobile offshore base (MOB) was first conceived in the 1990s under “SeaBasing” concept of US Navy. Three concepts, discrete connectors MOB, flexible bridge MOB, and dynamically positioned MOB, were developed followed by preliminary investigation. MOB Science and Technology project by Office of Naval Research (ONR) was initiated to advance engineering design capabilities sufficient to design of MOB by industry. Engineering design tasks and associated design tools were reviewed and industry state-of-the-art standard, deficiencies in the engineering design and attainable advancement goals and performers were identified. Highlights of MOB S&T project are development of multiple-module dynamic positioning system, numerical hydrodynamic modeling and hydroelastic response, wave field characteristics, and MOB classification guide. Keywords: very large floating structure (VLFS); mobile offshore base (MOB); discrete connectors MOB; flexible bridge MOB; dynamically positioned MOB; hydroelasticity; wave field characteristics; classification guide