Model testing of Norwegian ship designer Sevan Marine's cylindrical hull concept for use in the Gulf of Mexico's ultra deepwaters has shown positive results, the firm has reported.
The hull design has been tested at the Offshore Technology Research Centre (OTRC) at Texas A&M University under a program organized by the Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America (RPSEA). Engineering group Doris was also involved in the work.
Saven said: "The model tests at OTRC confirm the favorable motion characteristics of the Sevan Marine design enabling the application of with steel catenary risers (SCR) and permanent mooring in even the harshest hurricane conditions."
Sevan says several major oil companies attended an Industry Day, held on Wednesday 11 May, highlighting the keen interest in the market for Sevan Marine's cylindrical design.
Further research and testing is planned in order to bring Sevan Marine's patented SCR concept to its full potential, says Sevan.
"Sevan Marine is confident that this can be a game-changing technology for deep water offshore applications particularly in the US Gulf of Mexico's outer continental shelf in years to come," the firm says.
Funding for the projects is provided through the "Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other Petroleum Resources Research and Development Program," authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
This program-funded from lease bonuses and royalties paid by industry to produce oil and gas on federal lands-is designed to assess and mitigate risk enhancing the environmental sustainability of oil and gas exploration and production activities. RPSEA is under contract with the US Department of Energy's
National Energy Technology Laboratory to administer three areas of research.
RPSEA, based in Sugar Land, Texas, is a nonprofit consortium with more than 180 members, including 24 research universities, five national laboratories, other major research institutions, large and small energy producers and energy consumers.
Image: The Sevan Brasil. Photo from Sevan.
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