Towing, Positioning and Hook-up for Offshore Production (Oilfield Seamanship Series Volume 8) - Oilfield Seamanship Series - Volume 8

This is a practical guide to the planning and execution of complex high value towing and heavy mooring operations. It covers every phase of the operation from pre-tow out planning to riser hook-up and first oil. Detailed information is provided on tug handling, deep sea towing operations and the laying, tensioning and attachment of complex mooring systems, with an emphasis on best practice and reduction of risk. The book will benefit all personnel who are engaged in these operations, but specifically construction engineering groups, marine superintendents, marine consultants, tugmasters and construction superintendents, as well as oil company personnel seeking information on how these operations are carried out.

The Oilfield Seamanship series describes and explains standard techniques used in marine operations in offshore oilfields. The series concentrates on towing, anchor handling, barge mooring and moving, the operation of jack-up vessels afloat, the practice of stability control on semi-submersibles and ballast control techniques.

SCOPE AND PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK

This book covers the specific marine aspects of the Tow-out, Positioning and Mooring of large floating structures whose function is the exploitation of offshore oil and gas fields. It specifically deals with the work of the Towmaster whose ranges of duties are defined in later sections.

The book is a practical guide to the planning and execution of complex high value towing and heavy mooring operations. It can be used by all those personnel of whatever discipline who are engaged in these operations but specifically by construction engineering groups, marine superintendents, marine consultants, tugmasters, construction superintendents and oil company personnel who want detailed information on how such operations are carried out.

The book covers those areas where skill and knowledge in marine related activities is required such as the handling of multiples of tugs engaged in fine tolerance positioning, towing, deep sea towing operations and the laying, tensioning and attachment of complex mooring systems to a floating vessel.

In terms of value, a floating production system vessel often represents a sum far in excess of the actual vessel insured value. If the unit suffers damage or is lost during delivery to the oilfield, replacing it is not a simple or straightforward process. To replace it, resulting in delays to field production, and thus revenue generation, may cause considerable financial loss to the field owner. For this reason the individual personnel (such as the Towmaster) and the Installation Contractors bear very considerable responsibility and must use the best practice at all times. The book aims to show what is best practice and how risks can be reduced by the use of proper planning, adequate preparation and the exercise of caution.

PART 1. Project Organisation and Management

PART 2. Mooring Systems

PART 3. Mooring Lay Operations

PART 4. Tensioning

PART 5. Towing

PART 6. Towing Vessels

PART 6A. Tow Gear Connections

PART 7. Preparation of Tows

PART 8. Towing Arrangements

PART 9. Tow-out

PART 9A. Initiation of Ocean Tow Operations

PART 10. Ocean Towing Operations

PART 10A. Towing Emergencies/Response

PART 11. Mooring Hook-up Operations

PART 12. Hook-up Towing

PART 13. Mooring Turrets

PART 14. Mooring Line Hook-up

PART 15. Mooring Line Tensioning

PART 15A. Mooring Recovery – FPSO Relocation

PART 16. Riser Hook-up Operations

PART 17. Floating Hose Assembly and Tow-out

PART 18. Shuttle Tanker Towing Operations

Witherbys

Witherbys titles are developed using scripts developed by technical experts that are peer reviewed within work groups. Typically, they seek to improve understanding of the regulations, recommendations and guidelines issued by Industry.

Witherbys staff have significant expertise in the fields of navigation and hazardous cargoes as well as in the presentation of complex subjects in a graphic and easy to understand manner.