New mooring tether improves strength, resistance

David Paganie
Managing Editor

HOUSTON -- Samson has developed an offshore mooring tether, which is stronger than polyester, equal in strength to wire, but only 1/7th the weight of steel, according to the company. Samson used DOT in Houston to promote the new technology.

Samson's tether, made up of 100% Dyneema, is ideal for mooring of mobile offshore drilling units and floating production systems, according to the company.

The Dyneema tether has a number of advantages over other mooring options, Samson said. It floats in water, which can lead to the downsizing of certain equipment and simplify handling in mooring and anchoring applications. Dynemma also has greater resistance to flex fatigue and cyclic bending over sheaves than wire, and is unaffected by most chemicals, including salt water.

Shell is the first company to use a 100% Dyneema mooring system, which will be fitted on its TLP slated for the North Sea, according to Samson.

02/13/2008