Offshore Tendon Assembly on Barge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assembling tension leg platform (TLP) tendons are costly and inefficient, requiring large offshore cranes and onshore facilities, with risks associated with long tendon towing and increased assembly time when using shorter joints.
Innovation Solution
Assembling tendons offshore in a horizontal orientation using a barge with connectors or weld stations, tensioning them with a tug or work vessel, and then up-ending them for installation, reducing the need for large cranes and minimizing risks associated with wet towing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If tendons are assembled vertically using tall cranes and assembly towers, then assembly is possible, but fabrication and installation costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical tendon assembly to horizontal tendon assembly on a barge. By changing the assembly dimension from vertical to horizontal, the method eliminates the need for tall cranes and assembly towers, thereby reducing fabrication and installation costs while maintaining assembly capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a barge as a mobile copying platform that replicates the assembly function of fixed onshore facilities. The barge equips welding or connector stations that copy the assembly capabilities of traditional facilities, enabling offshore horizontal assembly without requiring expensive onshore infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If tendons are assembled onshore and wet-towed to installation site, then installation is possible, but risks associated with long tendon towing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary assembly actions offshore on the barge before the tendon needs to be installed. By assembling the tendon horizontally on the barge near the installation site, the method eliminates the need for long-distance wet towing, thereby reducing towing risks while maintaining installation capability.
3Ease of operation
If shorter tendon joints are used, then handling and lifting becomes easier, but assembly time increases and coupling costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By switching from vertical to horizontal assembly on a barge, the patent can handle longer tendon joints effectively. The horizontal orientation on the barge provides better stability and accessibility for working on longer joints compared to vertical assembly, thereby reducing assembly time and coupling costs while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A tendon is assembled in a horizontal orientation using connectors or by welding at a weld station on a barge or other vessel located at or near the installation site of a tension leg platform. During assembly, the tendon is pulled away from the assembly vessel and tensioned by a tug or offshore work vessel. When fully assembled, the tendon may be up-ended in a manner similar to a wet-towed tendon, and then either pre-installed using floats or passed over to a TLP which is on-site and ready to receive tendons.