Assessment of Motion Effects on the FPSO (Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading) Vessel Terra Nova

Abstract : Current oil and gas exploration requirements to exploit deeper water change the method of oil extraction. Floating Production Storage and Off-loading (FPSO) vessels are increasingly being used to operate in these fields where the environment can be very extreme. The Petro Canada Terra Nova Floating, Production, Storage, Offshore vessel (FPSO) is the first of its kind built for operations on the Grand Banks at the Terra Nova field and is the first to operate in Canadian waters. The crew on these vessels is expected to operate for as long as possible under extreme weather conditions within certain safety margins. Seasickness and its after-effects, motion-induced fatigue and motion-induced interruptions remain a potential threat to crewmembers at sea. Understanding the incidence, severity and the effects of seasickness on performance, can improve effective scheduling and task assignment. This survey attempts to (1) define the incidence and severity of the symptom complex of seasickness, motion-induced fatigue and task performance problems encountered on the Terra Nova FPSO vessel and (2) to examine correlations (if any) between FPSO vessel motions, seasickness, motion-induced fatigue and task performance, towards the development of recommendations to provide operations guidance to ameliorate seasickness and improve comfort and performance in the environment described above. A questionnaire-based survey of motion effects including sleep problems, symptoms and severity of seasickness and task performance was administered at various times during 3-week offshore shifts. Ship motion data provided for this analysis was based on data gathered from the helideck (at the bow of the FPSO vessel) motion analysis and was provided by the radio operator from the FPSO Offshore Installation Office. Based on 911 questionnaires returned, problems reported for sleep disturbance and motion sickness symptoms were slight to moderate.