scope:

These Guidance Notes provide direction for the design and analysis for nearshore position mooring systems used for floating structures such as Floating Offshore Liquefied Gas Terminals (FLGTs), Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs), Floating Production Storage and Offloading installations (FPSOs) and accommodation barges.

The nearshore mooring system in this document is intended to provide a long-term permanent stationkeeping solution, in that it is designed to keep the floating structure on position throughout its design life.

Position mooring systems should be designed in accordance with applicable rules or guides with a level of safety that matches the intended service. The requirements for mooring systems are in ABS Rules for Building and Classing Floating Production Installations (FPI Rules). Industry guidelines, such as Mooring Equipment Guidelines, 3rd Edition (MEG3), published by Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), may be used for nearshore position mooring systems where applicable.

Nearshore position mooring systems have special characteristics in comparison with offshore mooring systems and nearshore temporary berthing covered by OCIMF MEG3. Comparisons of those mooring systems are shown in 1/3.9.

These Guidance Notes primarily focus on:

i) Jetty mooring or tension pile mooring

ii) Design environment considerations

iii) Operating conditions

iv) Survival conditions of mooring systems

vi) Environmental Loads and bearing capacity of the mooring systems

vii) Emergency release of the mooring system

viii) Mooring equipment qualification

ix) Maintenance, monitoring and inspection

The design of bottom fixed structures, such as a jetty, a pier, quay, sea island, wharf, or dolphins, which serve as holding foundations for the mooring systems, is generally the responsibility of the owner. Those structures should be designed in accordance with relevant industry guidelines and standards, and they should be able to provide the required holding capacity for the mooring systems.