Course content

Challenges with respect to marine operations related to installation and operation of offshore oil and gas fields are presented. Examples are towing of offshore structures, lifting, launching, pipelying, different subsea operations and factors influencing regularity for critical operations. Further, issues related to design and operations of subsea vehicles are discussed. Main focus is on analysis of dynamic and hydrodynamic problems of relevance when planning and performing marine operations. Methods for estimating loads and responses in waves and current are discussed.

Learning outcome

Having completed the course the student should be able to give an overview of and describe physical processes for typical marine operations related to offshore activities. Through the course the student will learn how to make order of magnitude estimates of loads and responses, understand the background for more advanced numerical methods and get experience of applying dedicated simulation tools for selected marine operations.

Knowledge and skills:
Intended learning outcomes for the students are:
- To be able to describe physical processes behind forces and motions of fixed and floating structures
- To explain the development of linear and non-linear motion equations for AUVs and ROVs
- To use the linear motion equations to investigate if and AUV is dynamically stable
- To understand and apply methods for estimating added mass and damping forces of surface and subsea vehicles/structures
- To describe challenges met when designing model tests of marine operations
- To show how weather windows can be specified
- To explain difference between light and heavy lift operations
- To be able to model forces on lifted objects in all phases of a lifting operation
- To explain and calculate effective stiffness of a lifting gear
- To define and explain principles used in active have compensation
- To understand basic assumptions and apply specific simulation tools for studies of marine operations
- To explain the major modeling elements in SIMA
- To describe different methods used for pipeline installation
- To define the concept effective tension
- To apply the catenary equation in connection with pipeline installation
- To explain the key functionality of the SIMLA numerical engine

Generic competence:
The students should be able to take part in oral discussions in buzz group regarding model assumptions.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and exercises. Final grading is based upon written exam (100%). Postponed/repeated exams may be oral. Examination papers will be given in English only. Students are free to choose Norwegian or English for written assessments.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

Subjects Marine Structures, BC.

Course materials

F.G. Nielsen: Lecture notes: Marine Operations 2007 version.
T.E. Berg: Lecture notes: Marine operations - Submarines, AUVs - UUVs and ROVs.
S. Sævik: Course notes.
Handouts.

Credit reductions