scope:

FOREWORD

The purpose of this document is to present a rational method for analyzing, designing or evaluating mooring systems used with floating production systems (FPS). This method provides a uniform analysis tool which, when combined with an understanding of the environment at a particular location, the characteristics of the unit being moored, and other factors, can be used to determine the adequacy and safety of the mooring system. Guidelines for inspecting and maintaining FPS mooring systems are also included.

The technology of mooring floating units is growing rapidly. In those areas where the committee felt that adequate data were available, specific and detailed recommendations are given. In other areas general statements are used to indicate that consideration should be given to those particular points. Designers are encouraged to utilize all research advances available to them. As offshore knowledge continues to grow, this recommended practice will be revised. It is hoped that the general statements contained herein will gradually be replaced by detailed recommendations.

This document is closely related to API RP 2P, "Recommended Practice for the Analysis of Spread Mooring Systems for Floating Drilling Units" because both documents address mooring of floating units. However, there are significant differences between a floating drilling mooring system and a floating production mooring system. Therefore, this document is different in many ways from AP RP 2P. Major differences of this document from API RP 2P are summarized below:

(1) The design environment is generally significantly higher.

(2) Dynamic instead of quasi-static mooring analysis is recommended. Tension criteria are modified.

(3) Guidelines for thruster assisted mooring are included.

(4) Fatigue analysis is recommended, and guidelines for fatigue design are provided.

(5) Guidelines for inspections and maintenance are included.

This document is applicable to FPS with a catenary mooring (spread, turret, CALM, etc.). It is not applicable to FPS mooring with no catenary mooring components, such as the SALM (single anchor leg mooring) system. Also design for ice and earthquake environments is not addressed. This document will be extended in the future to include additional design aspects.

This Standard shall become effective on the date printed on the cover but voluntary conformance to the revisions may be used in whole or in part and either in lieu of or in conjunction with the current specification from the date of distribution to constitute conformance with the edition applicable at the date of manufacture.