Numerical Simulation of the Mooring Procedures of the BGL-1 Pipeline Launching Barge

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to present the application of a computational tool intended to help the crew of the BGL-1 pipeline launching barge to develop safe mooring procedures. This tool is able to calculate the deformed catenary configuration of all mooring lines, regarding the subsea layout and the local environmental conditions, and taking into account one or more buoys attached to the mooring lines in order to avoid interference and accidents with subsea obstacles. One of the main characteristics of this computational tool is the fact that it is able to incorporate the correct definition of the seabed from bathymetric curves, and to automatically consider the position of the subsea obstacles, and possible interferences between the mooring lines and the obstacles. This is performed through a specialized interface with the SGO (Obstacles Management System) database system. This system, developed by Petrobras, contains frequently updated information about the bathymetry and position of subsea obstacles, gathered by a special vessel equipped with a ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle). Case studies will be presented, in order to illustrate the application of the system to the design of actual mooring procedures.