Real time mooring line monitoring on Espírito Santo FPSO

Supplying a real-time acoustic mooring line monitoring system (MoorASSURE™) to monitor tension in nine mooring lines.

The problem

The Espírito Santo Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) was supplied by SBM for the Parque das Conchas (BC-10) field, offshore Brazil.

The FPSO which is moored in about 1,780m of water will be operated by Shell in its joint venture with Petrobras and ONGC. The vessel consists of a subsea turret anchored with nine mooring lines.

Pulse supplied a real-time acoustic mooring line monitoring system (MoorASSURE™) to monitor tension in each of the nine mooring lines. The system has been operating since May 2009.

the solution

• Nine acoustically linked inclinometers (INTEGRIpod™-AF) attached to each chain hawse to measure the inclination of the mooring line
• Three acoustic receivers mounted on the chain table
• Specialised tension monitoring software used to convert measured angles from inclinometers into tension with line failure alarm capability
• System installation and offshore commissioning.

the result

• Each inclinometer can communicate with each of the three acoustic receivers ensuring continuous connectivity regardless of turret orientation or position
• The system provides early warning of potential failures which aids planning of inspection schedules
• MoorASSURE Software can present historical tension and angle data enabling informed conclusions regarding mooring line performance
• The devices are not in the load path and have a five-year battery life allowing ease of maintenance.

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