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Structures

TAP-571-Loads due to Extreme Wave Crests

The Offshore Federal Oil & Gas infrastructure includes over 4,000 platforms, some extending in life over 40 years. Extreme wave crests and wave heights beyond those envisioned during of 100-year storm events were experienced during recent hurricane events and are believed to have resulted in the destruction and/or damage of hundreds of offshore fixed and floating structures.

The objective of this research proposal was to develop a procedure to estimate local and global green water loads at the point of contact between extreme wave crests and offshore structures.

TAP-570-Measurement of the Effect of Depth Below Mudline of Charge Placement During EROs

The objective of this study was to measure the effects of charge placement techniques and depth (15, 20, 25, and 30 feet below the mudline) to determine the charge's impact to the marine environment. These tests will generate new data for use by MMS and other agencies to verify the added safety benefits to personnel, lower environmental effects, and provide additional mitigation achieved by increasing the depth below mudline for charge placement.

TAP-560-Performance Data Base for Deepwater Production Platforms

OBJECTIVE: Develop and maintain a database of benchmark field or model test data on responses of deepwater floating structures that can be used by the industry to 1. Objectively validate/ qualify design analysis tools and procedures, and 2. Serve as a common basis for identifying areas of needed improvement and for focusing research and development efforts to address those needs.

TAP-556-Risk Assessment of Submarine Slope Stability - Hydroplaning

Prior research on submarine slides performed by OTRC has consisted of numerical and physical modeling and the development of both empirical and numerical models to predict the initiation and movement of slides. Research shows that under certain conditions a moving slide mass can hydroplane on a layer of water that becomes trapped between the moving slide mass and the underlying soil. One of the most important aspects of hydroplaning is the interaction between the moving slide mass and surrounding fluid.

TAP-552-Mudslides during Hurricane Ivan and an Assessment of the Potential for Future Mudslides in the Gulf of Mexico

During 2004 and 2005, Hurricanes Ivan, Katrina, and Rita damaged and destroyed hundreds of Gulf of Mexico (GOM) offshore pipelines and platforms, many from mudslides both in line with and adjacent to the hurricanes' path. This two-phase project examined the mudflow/mudslide areas in the high risk mudslide regions of the Gulf of Mexico, offshore Mississippi Delta in order to better understand these events.

TAP-551-Assessment of Drilling and Workover Rig Storm Sea Fastenings on Offshore Floating Platforms During Hurricane Ivan

Drilling and workover rigs on Floating Production Systems (FPSs) are fastened to the decks of offshore structures sea fastenings to prevent movement during hurricanes. During Hurricane Ivan, a number of drilling or workover rigs shifted. These movements are being assessed along with the current design philosophy and criteria for storm sea fastenings, rig and storm sea fastening installation practices, and onboard storm operational practices to ready FPSs for a hurricane. Results will provide information that can be used to assess any needs to revise tie-down criteria or practices.

TAP-550-A Pilot Study for Regionally-Consistent Hazard Susceptibility Mapping of Submarine Mudslides, Offshore Gulf of Mexico

During Hurricane Ivan in 2004, a number of Gulf of Mexico (GOM) pipelines and platforms were believed to have been impacted by mudslides in the region of Ivan's path. This project, proposed under two phases, will provide hazard information for the design and placement of new pipelines and structures by determining the applicability of developing regionally consistent hazard maps that delineate relative susceptibility of GOM offshore regions to future submarine mudslides, including identification of past and future probable locations of underwater slope failures.

TAP-549-Assessment of Fixed Offshore Platforms in Hurricane Ivan, Andrew

Based on the damage data collected from Hurricanes Ivan (2004), Andrew (1992) and Lili (2002), this project determined the effectiveness of current structural design standards and MMS regulations.

It analyzed the effectiveness of API RP2A and Section 17 to see if both, the MMS regulations and API standards perform as expected for the Assessment of Existing Fixed Platforms. The Final Report presented recommendations on how to avoid damages from a hurricane of a similar size to Ivan, Lili or Andrew.

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