Integrating ocean modelling to R&D projects in marine technology: future perspectives for the O&G Industry

Rafael Vergara Schiller (MARINTEK do Brasil)

fshore Brasil led the O&G Industry to push activities beyond the continental shelf and the shelf-break. Offshore O&G production and marine operations become more complex in deep water and in more exposed environments, where new environmental challenges are faced. Those challenges include harsh wave and wind conditions, bidirectional and higher-order sea states and intricate current systems that are not observed on the continental shelf. In particular, the impact of complex deep water currents on hydrodynamic and structural loads of offshore structures is not fully understood, and that leads to a conservative practice by the O&G Industry. In order to ensure successful (and optimal) deep water operations, it is necessary to incorporate an extended knowledge of the offshore circulation into hydrodynamic and structural assessments of floating structures, moorings and risers. One way to achieve that is to integrate ocean modelling into R&D projects that are targeted for engineering applications in marine technology.

During this workshop, I will discuss different examples where ocean modelling products may be used to perform advanced studies on the design, hydrodynamic, and structural assessment of offshore structures. An overview of methods for the study of static and dynamic behavior of moored vessels, moorings and riser systems will be presented. I will also highlight the role of ocean currents in those studies, as well as the areas where integration with ocean modelling may be sought.