New production semi designs introduced

David Paganie
Managing Editor

OMAE, San Diego -- New designs for semisubmersible production systems were introduced today, June 14 at OMAE in San Diego.

The first design was presented by Alaa Mansour of VersaMarine Engineering Llc. The H-shaped pontoon is an alternative to the conventional semisubmersible production unit, Mansour says.

It has shown in model testing to reduce heave and pitch, improving fatigue of SCRs at touchdown, which is extremely important, he says. SCR fatigue is improved by 30% in hurricane conditions.

The design is part of an independent study and has not yet been adopted for field application. It is being marketed for worldwide use.

The other design, presented by Alexia Aubault of Marine Innovation & Technology, is configured with a triangular deck and three columns, dubbed Minifloat.

Four versions of the concept have been developed with the largest, Minifloat IV, capable of processing 50,000 b/d of oil. Genetic algorithms were used to determine parameters for the concept design, Aubault says.

The Minifloat design is being marketed for development of marginal fields worldwide.

6/14/2007