Preliminary results of global performance evaluation of a FPSO designed for Mexican GoM

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative study of FPSO model tests and numerical analyses that have been carried out for a joint project between KIOST and IMP. With a proposed design of FPSO for Mexican GoM (Gulf of Mexico), IMP and KIOST have been collaborating with each other. IMP proposes a FPSO which is aimed for environmental conditions of Mexican GoM. For evaluation of global performance of the FPSO, IMP carries out numerical analysis while KIOST does the model testing. The first part of the project is focused upon the hydrodynamic performance of the vessel motion and coupled analysis of mooring system with body motion. Environmental conditions under consideration are individual cases of wind, waves and current for both operational and extreme sea states (hurricane conditions). This work shows selected results, from which we can make assessment for feasibility of the proposed design of the FPSO with the given conditions. Copyright ？ 2013 by the International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE).