An Overview of Structural Design, Analysis and Common Monitoring Technologies for Floating Platform and Flexible Cable and Riser

Abstract

AbstractOffshore oil and gas development plays an important part in the global energy sector. Offshore platforms and flexible pipes are the key equipments in the whole offshore oil and gas development system. Because of the randomness and uncertainty of wave and current loads in the ocean environment, the structural design and mechanical analysis of the marine equipment can be highly complicated. Therefore, this paper reviews the recent works of the theoretical model, numerical simulation, and experimental test in three research areas: hydrodynamic analysis of offshore platforms, structural mechanics analysis of flexible pipe and cable, and monitoring technology of offshore floating structures under marine loads. By analyzing their main research methods and key technical difficulties, this paper provides theoretical basis and technical support for the reliability engineering application of offshore platforms and flexible pipelines. Also, China is relatively backward in the design of marine floating platform, the design, analysis and testing of flexible pipeline and cable, as well as the marine equipment prototype monitoring technology research. Calling for breakthroughs at the earliest possible stage in the above fields, prime research should be focused on and strategic planning should be made to deal with “key areas and stranglehold problems”. It is of great significance for the development of China’s deep-sea energy and resource development of independent technology and on time to achieve the “carbon peak” national strategic objectives.