1.

System description
a. Complete system for high production field (150.000 bpd)
1 FPSO
16 Riser Systems (production and injection) consisting of:
o 16 Jumpers from the FPSO to Buoys
o 16 Buoys
o 32 Tethers from Buoys to Sea Floor, called Down-Tethers or T 1-2
o 16 Suction Anchors (2 Tethers in each one)
o 16 SCRs from Buoy to Sea Floor
Therefore, 1 Individual Riser System consists of:
o 1 Jumper, 1 Buoy, 2 Tethers from Buoy to Sea Floor, 1 Suction Anchor,
and 1 SCR.
No Mooring Lines:
o 16 Tethers from FPSO to Buoys for station keeping purposes, called UpTethers or T3
b. Top view with radial lengths (XXX sketch XXX)
Spreaded buoys as a taught mooring system
Angle between buoys: 22.5 degrees
c. Lateral view with horizontal and vertical lengths (XXX sketch XXX)
Water depth: 3,000 m
FPSO to Buoy
o Horizontal distance: 270 m
o Vertical distance: 200 m
Buoy to TDP of SCR
o Horizontal distance: 1,424 m
o Vertical distance: 2,800 m
Buoy to Suction Anchor
o Horizontal distance: 342 m
o Vertical distance: 2,800 m
d. Spacing (XXX sketch XXX)
In the FPSO:
o Horizontal spacing between Jumpers: 2.5 m > 5*OD
o Horizontal spacing between Up-Tethers in the FPSO: 2.5 m (to maintain
symmetry)
o Vertical spacing between Riser and Up-Tether of the same Riser System: 5
m
In the Buoy:
o Spacing between Down-Tethers: 3 m
In the Suction Anchor:
o Spacing between Down-Tethers: 3 m (to maintain symmetry)
e. Advantages
FPSO:
o Any: new or conversion
o Turret: no needed
o Payload of the Riser system: reduced (only support a part of the
weight of the jumper)
Riser Systems:
o Jumpers: Reduced length
o SCRs: Maximum length
Mooring System:
o Reduced to one Tether between each Buoy and the FPSO
Therefore, Main Advantage = Availability and Cost effectiveness

f. Parameters of the System

FPSO: L = 310 m, B = 48 m, H = 24 m, DWT = (XXX Check XXX)
Jumpers: OD = 424 mm, ID = 254 mm, W = 420 kg/m
SCRs: OD = 458 mm (including coating), ID = 254 mm, W = 244 Kg/m
Buoys: L = 18.1 m, D = 7 m, W = 204 tonne
Down-Tethers: OD = 139 mm, W = 12.1 kg/m
Up-Tethers: OD = 201 mm, W = 21.9 kg/m
g. Parameters of the System Reasons:
FPSO based on Production Storage Capacity (7 days)
Jumpers and SCR:
o Diameter based on production and injection
o Thickness based on loads
Buoys based on buoyancy
Tethers based on loads
h. Tethers table

2. Extreme conditions design

a. Environmental loads:
Wave:
o 100-years
o 10-year wave
Current:
o 100-years
o 10-years
Design Matrix
o 100-years wave & 10-years current
o 10-years wave & 100-years current
b. Wave loads
Jonswap spectrum
100-years wave:
o Hs = 7.6 m
o Tp = 12.7 s
10-years wave:
o Hs = 7.4 m
o Tp = 12.4 s
c. Current loads
Depth (m)
0

10-years current (m/s)

1.65

100-years current (m/s)

1.85

50
100
200
300
400
500
600
800
1000
1200
1500
3000

1.26
1.25
1.09
0.83
0.74
0.73
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.46
0.46

1.4
1.4
1.2
0.9
0.8
0.8
0.65
0.65
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.5

d. Extreme Conditions Design Matrix (XXX sketch repetition XXX)

The fails are considered in the worst tether depending on the direction of the environmental
loads, in the table is indicated the tether which fails in each case.
Angle of
environmental
conditions
0
45
90
135
180

Intact

1 tether fail

2 tethers fail

T3-9
T3-11
T3-12
T3-15
T3-16

T3-8&9
T3-10&11
T3-12&13
T3-15&16
T3-1&16

All tethers
fail
All
All
All
All
All

T3-i
T3-i
T3-i
T3-i
T3-i

Orcaflex Modelling Procedure

1. Obtain significant parameters to establish pilot model in Orcaflex from the optimumized parameters for
one COBRA riser from existing reference academic paper. [See ANNEX II]
2. Preliminary calculations of the diameter necessary based on the production (see ANNEX II-mathcad)
and of the thickness based on the code DNV-F202 as above paragraph 2.2.1. Therefore, the optimized
parameters from the paper can be used,
3. Preliminary calculations for one COBRA riser (see ANNEX II-mathcad)
4. Perform catenary calculations for initial flexible Jumper and SCR attributions.
5. Perform trigonometrical calculations for initial tensioned tethers condition.
6. Buoyancy mass calculation (see ANNEX II-mathcad). In addition, the moment of inertia of the buoy has
been calculated, simple cylindrical shape is applied.
7. Set the connection points between the FPSO and the jumpers based on a spacing of 5 times the outer
diameter of the jumper to provide sufficient clearance, mitigating encroachment between lines at both
splash zone and beneath sea surface.
8. Set the initial location of buoyancy modules based on the eight-line mooring theory because the problem
has 16 risers, and trigonometrical calculations. From plan view, Buoy 1 is arranged into angle of 22.5

degrees respect to horizontal axis. The incremental angle between each buoys is 22.5 degrees throughout
the final buoy, 16. Buoy 4, 5, 12 and 13 have the same angle of 90 degrees with the horizontal.

9. Set the initial position of the Touch Down Points (TDP) of the SCR based on trigonometrical
calculations.
10. Set the location of PLETs of SCRs (Fixed point) by adding 900 m (equal to 30% of the water depth) to
the TDP and trigonometrical calculations.
11. Set the connection between the buoys and the tethers location by 3m clearance space between each of
them and trigonometrical calculations based on symmetrical geometry.
12. Set the location of the anchoring points (Fixed point) of the tethers based on trigonometrical
calculations.
13. After these steps, the first problem from tether crossing had occurred because the tethers had an
azimuth angle approaching to the vessel. The azimuth angle of the tethers was changed iteratively to
resolve that problem. Finally, that the maximum angle to avoid crossing 4 degrees was taken into account.
14. However, from previous study as of the reference, the COBRA risers was concluded that they perform
very well in their function to decouple the motion perfectly between FPSO and SCRs. Therefore, it can
presumed that they do not have any influence in the mooring and the FPSO was free to move.
15. It is necessary to change the concept. The additional tether is considered to anchor in order to restrict
the movement of FPSO from moving away from desire position. This new tether is designed to be added
between FPSO and each directional buoyancy module. The final parameters are in ANNEX II.

Results
We have investigated both Extreme 100-year conditions to determine design values for the system and Normal
Operating Condition to determine the typical response of the system.
Results for Extreme Conditions

Offsets for FPSO and BUOYS in ULS and ALS

Buoy Depth Variation

FPSO Forces
Buoy Forces
Strength analysis: Jumper, Tethers, SCR

FPSO Offset in Extreme Conditions (100-year) without Tether Failure

Without failure, the maximum FPSO offset in extreme conditions (100-year) is 530m which is equivalent to 18% of
the water depth (3000m). This is significantly higher than the typical industry-accepted value of 10% water depth,
however, this is under extreme conditions and station-keeping is still maintained without failure, during normal
operation the system offset could be expected at 135m (4.5% water depth). Under extreme conditions the majority of
force is applied to the riser system and up-tethers on the side of current and wave direction and the tethers on the
opposite side undergo a significant loss of tension, this is considered acceptable as stresses are within design
limitations and no line-clashing is observed.

FPSO Offset in Extreme Conditions With all the Up-Tethers Fail

With up-tether failure, the maximum FPSO offset in extreme conditions is 718m, equivalent to 24% of the water
depth (3000m). This is significantly higher than the typical industry-accepted value of 10% water depth, however, in
this very unlikely instance the flexible jumpers alone still maintain station-keeping of the vessel without failure.
This can be considered an additional safety factor in the mooring of the vessel. Under extreme conditions the
majority of force is applied to the flexible jumpers on the side of current and wave direction and the tethers on the
opposite side undergo a loss of tension and reduced minimum bending radius, this is considered acceptable as
stresses are within design limitations and no line-clashing is observed.

Buoy Offset in Extreme Conditions without Tether Failure

The chart below shows the identity of buoys at their respective positions around the FPSO:

The figure below shows the buoy offset in extreme conditions (100-year) without tether failure. The green boxes
indicate the buoy with maximum offset at the angle of incoming current and wave forces (i.e. 0, 45, 90 etc.). The
maximum offset is observed at 600m. Again, considering that this is extreme 100-year conditions no failure is
observed at this point.

BUOY Offset in Extreme Conditions with all the Up-Tethers Fail

The figure below shows the buoy offset in extreme conditions (100-year) with failure of all tethers. Here the
maximum offset is observed at 665m. It should be noted that under normal conditions the offset of the buoy would
be significantly lower. Again, considering that this is extreme 100-year conditions no failure is observed at this point.

BUOY Depth in Extreme Conditions

The vertical depth of the buoy will also change in extreme conditions as follows:
Equilibrium depth = 200 m
Without Failure
o Minimum depth = 170 m (-30 m respect original depth)
B1 & B2 in 0 degree and B8 & B9 in 180 degree
o Maximum depth = 294 m (+94 m respect original depth)
B12 & B13 in 90 degree or B4 & B5 in 270 degree
With all the Up-Tethers Fail
o Minimum depth = 175 m (-25 m respect original depth)
o Maximum depth = 338 m (+138 m respect original depth)
TDP Offset in Extreme Conditions
Without Failure
o Minimum arc length = 2,874 m
o Maximum arc length = 3,665 m
o Difference = 791 m
With all the Up-Tethers Fail
o Minimum depth = 2,854 m
o Maximum depth = 3,645 m
o Difference = 791 m
Both, in 90 degree, in SCR S12 and S13
FPSO Results For Extreme condition
Without Failure
o Maximum tether forces = 6,000 kN
o Maximum jumper forces = 1,200 kN
With all the Up-Tethers Fail
o Maximum jumper forces = 3,900 kN
Time History for FPSO Results
Maximum tether forces in tethers T3-12 in 90 degree

Maximum jumper forces in jumper J12 in 90 degree

BUOY Results
Without Failure
o Maximum jumper forces = 500 kN
o Maximum SCR forces = 4,200 kN
o Maximum up-tether forces = 6,000 kN (vs. Tether Breaking Load = 11,000 kN)
o Maximum down-tether forces = 3,000 kN (vs. Tether Breaking Load = 5,000 kN)
With all the Up-Tethers Fail
o Maximum jumper forces = 2,900 kN
o Maximum SCR forces = 4,200 kN
e. Time History for BUOY Results
Maximum SCR forces in SCRs S12 in 90 degree

Maximum up-tether forces in T3-12 in 90 degree

Maximum down-tether forces in T2-12 in 90 degree

f. JUMPER Results
Without Failure
o Maximum effective tension = 1,200 kN
o Minimum bending radius = 290 m
With all the Up-Tethers Fail
o Maximum effective tension = 3,900 kN
o Minimum bending radius = 410 m
g. SCR Results
Without Failure
o Maximum tension = 4,200 kN
o Minimum bending radius = 131 m
o Maximum Von Mises Stress = 290.7 MPa (vs the Yield Strength X65 448
MPa)
With all the Up-Tethers Fail
o Maximum tension = 4,200 kN
o Minimum bending radius = 76 m
o Maximum Von Mises Stress = 429.6 MPa (vs the Yield Strength X65 448
MPa)
h. Time History for SCR
Maximum Von Mises Stress in SCRs S12 in 90 degree

i. TETHER Results
Down-Tether Breaking Load = 5,000 kN
Up-Tether Breaking Load = 11,000 kN
Without Failure
o Up-Tethers, Maximum Tension = 6,000 kN
o Down-Tethers, Maximum tension = 3,000 kN
With all the Up-Tethers Fail
o Down-Tethers, Maximum tension = 2,800 kN

Clashing

No clashing was gotten from the simulations done.

Fatigue Analysis
j. Basic Scatter Diagram
Wave number
W1
W2
W3
W4

Wave number
W1
W2
W3
W4

Height Hs (m)
1.5
2
3
7

Period Tz (s)
11
13
17
24.5

Time %
40
50
8
2

Operational life = 25 years = 219,000 hours

Basic Scatter diagram in hours
Height Hs (m)
1.5
2
3
7

Period Tz (s)
11
13
17
24.5

Time %
40
50
8
2

Hours (25 Years)

87,600
109,500
17,520
4,380

k. Fatigue Life matrix

The basic scatter diagram has been applied in 0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 degrees.
Scenario
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5

Degree
0
45
90
135
180

Waves
W1, W2, W3, and W4
W1, W2, W3, and W4
W1, W2, W3, and W4
W1, W2, W3, and W4
W1, W2, W3, and W4

l.

To consider the worst scenario, the fatigue life has been calculated considering each scenario
separately.
The parameters for the tether T-N curve are:
o K = 1000
o m = 3 (conservative taking into account the manufacturer assume 5)

Results

Element

Name

Jumper

Ji (i = 1, , 16)

SCR

Si (i = 1, , 16)
T1-i (i = 1, , 16)
T2-i (i = 1, , 16)
T3-i (i = 1, , 16)

Down-Tethers
Up-Tethers

Fatigue life (years)

> 10,000,000 except hang-off point
> 1,000,000 at hang-off point
> 10,000 except hang-off and TDP
> 1,000 in hanging (stiffeners are needed)
> 100 in TDP (stiffeners are needed)
>10,000
> 9,000

m. Worst scenario
The shortest fatigue life occurs in the F3 scenario, this is 90 degree, and in the following points.
o In the Jumpers J12 and J13
o In the SCRs S12 and S13 in the TDP
o In the Down-Tethers T1-12, T1-13, T2-12, and T3-13
o In the Up-Tethers T3-12 and T3-13

n. Graphs
Jumper

SCR

Down-Tethers

Up-Tethers

Normal operation
In normal operating conditions the maximum FPSO offset in is significantly less than in extreme conditions at 135m,
equivalent to 4.5% of the water depth (3000m).

FPSO Offset Time History

The figure below shows the X-offset time history response of the FPSO in normal conditions with 0 current
and wave direction:

The figure below shows the Y-offset time history response of the FPSO in normal conditions with 0 current and
wave direction:

BUOY Offset in Normal Conditions

The figure below shows the buoy offset in normal conditions. The green boxes indicate the buoy with maximum

offset at the angle of incoming current and wave forces (i.e. 0, 45, 90 etc.). The maximum offset is observed at
148m.

BUOY Depth

Equilibrium depth = 200 m

Minimum depth = 180 m (-20 m respect original depth)
o B1 & B2 in 0 degree and B8 & B9 in 180 degree
Maximum depth = 240 m (+40 m respect original depth)
o B12 & B13 in 90 degree or B4 & B5 in 270 degree

TDP Offset in Extreme Conditions

Minimum arc length = 3,064 m

Maximum arc length = 3,174 m
Difference = 110 m
Both, in 90 degree, in SCR S12 and S13

FPSO Results

Maximum tether forces = 300 kN (vs. Tether Breaking Load = 5,000 kN)
Maximum jumper forces = 1,000 kN

Time History for FPSO Results

Maximum tether forces in tethers T3-1 in normal condition.

Maximum jumper forces in jumper J1normal condition

BUOY Results
o
o
o
o

Maximum jumper forces = 500 kN

Maximum SCR forces = 3,000 kN
Maximum up-tether forces = 300 kN (vs. Tether Breaking Load = 5,000 kN)
Maximum down-tether forces = 900 kN (vs. Tether Breaking Load = 5,000 kN)

Time History for BUOY Results

Maximum SCR forces in SCRs S1 in normal condition

Maximum up-tether forces in T3-1 in normal condition

Maximum down-tether forces in T1-1 in normal condition

JUMPER Results

Maximum effective tension = 1,000 kN

Minimum bending radius = 530 m

Time History for SCR

Maximum Von Mises Stress in SCRs S1 in normal condition

3. Validation of results
a. Result from COBRA riser paper
Although the data from the paper are from 1,500 m water depth and now the
water depth is 3,000 m, it is a good reference to compare results. The result
from the paper are shown in the following table
Concept
SCR maximum tension
SCR Von Mises maximum stress
Jumper maximum tension at FPSO
Jumper maximum tension at Buoy
Down-Tether maximum tension

Value
1,687
413.6
1,315
412
529

Unit
kN
Mpa
kN
kN
kN

Value
4,200
290.7
1,200
500
3,000

Unit
kN
Mpa
kN
kN
kN

b. Summary of results in extreme conditions

Concept
SCR maximum tension
SCR Von Mises maximum stress
Jumper maximum tension at FPSO
Jumper maximum tension at Buoy
Down-Tether maximum tension

c. Conclusion
The comparison of both sets of results as shown in the following seems to be
correlatives with the difference in the water depth.

Concept
SCR maximum tension
SCR Von Mises maximum stress
Jumper maximum tension at FPSO
Jumper maximum tension at Buoy
Down-Tether maximum tension

Value from
Paper in
1,500 m
1,687
413.6
1,315
412
529

Value from
Orcaflex in
3,000 m
4,200
290.7
1,200
500
3,000

Unit
kN
Mpa
kN
kN
kN

Strength Analysis/Validation
The strength analysis was performed for considering the following states for ULS and ALS:
- normal case which refers to most frequent wind, current and wave in 0 o heading
- extreme case with the worst condition which is wind, current and wave at 90 0 heading for
100-year and 10-year return periods
The results obtained are represented and compared with the results of a paper about COBRA
riser which has some similarities which this concept
Normal Case
Extreme Case
ULS
ULS

ALS

Jumper
Maximum effective
tension (kN)
Minimum bending
radius (m)
Tether:
FPSO to Buoy
Maximum Tension (kN)
Buoy to Seabed
Maximum Tension (kN)

1,000
530

1,200
3,900
290
410

300

6,000
-

1,000
2,200
1,400

SCR
Maximum tension (kN)
Minimum bending
radius (m)
Maximum wall tension
(kN)
Max. Von Misses Stress
(MPa)

3,000
600
3,000
158

4,200
4,200
131
76
4,000
4,000
290.7
430
As presented in the table xxx above, the tethers connected from the buoy to the FPSO have
a maximum tension of 2,300kN in the ULS. With a safety factor of 0.95 according to DNV-OSE301 of the minimum breaking load of 4905kN, the maximum tension in the tethers is 0.49
of the characteristic strength of the tether.
The SCR Von Mises utilization for extreme case ULS is 0.66 while for ALS is 0.98. This implies
that for ALS the SCR doesnt exceed its specified minimum yield stress since the maximum
along the SCR length is 430 MPa, which occurs at the sag bend of the SCR.

The figure below shows the Von Mises Stress across the length of the SCR from the top end
connection at the buoy to the touch down point for normal condition.
180000.0000
160000.0000
140000.0000
120000.0000
100000.0000

Max. Von Mises' Stress (MPa)

80000.0000

Minimum

60000.0000

Maximum
Mean

40000.0000
20000.0000
0.0000
2000.0000
0.0000 4000.0000
Arc Length (m)

Von Mises stress along riser length From Top end to TDP

Result from COBRA riser paper:

Although the data from the paper are for 1,500 m water depth as opposed to our case of 3,000 m water depth, it is a
good reference to compare results. The ALS result from the strength analyses as obtained in the paper for 100-year waves and
10-year currents extreme conditions are shown in the following table:
Concept
SCR maximum tension
SCR Von Mises maximum stress
Jumper maximum tension at FPSO
Jumper maximum tension at Buoy
Down-Tether maximum tension

Value
1,694
413.6
1,305
406
535

Unit
kN
Mpa
kN
kN
kN

4,500
4,000
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0

Paper
Case Study

Comparison of paper result and the current study

The Von Mises utilization from the paper is 0.8 while that of this work is 0.98. Although it is considerably higher, it
is never the less within the characteristic strength of the SCR.
As expected, the top tension of the SCR is higher considering the increased water depth i.e from 1500m in the paper
to 3000m as in this study.

Further Study
We have also investigated the effect of the failure of down-tethers considering single failure and failure of both
tethers. The results showed that with a single tether failure the system stayed in position and with both failing the
buoyancy module rose to the waters surface whilst the integrity of the system remained intact
a

Conclusion
The comparison of both sets of results as shown in the following seems to be correlatives with the
difference in the water depth.

Concept
SCR maximum tension
SCR Von Mises maximum stress
Jumper maximum tension at FPSO
Jumper maximum tension at Buoy
Down-Tether maximum tension

Value from
Paper in
1,500 m
1,687
413.6
1,315
412
529

Value from
Orcaflex in
3,000 m
4,200
290.7
1,200
500
2,200

Unit
kN
Mpa
kN
kN
kN

Under the expected normal operating conditions and environmental loads in Brazils Santos Basin the system
has been shown to be stable and effective at vessel station-keeping with small FPSO and buoy excursions and
no clashing.