Since 1983, LAMCSO faculty and researchers have been engaged in research activities related to the development of computational methods and their applications in the analysis and design of offshore oil production systems.

These activities have been carried out in partnership with Petrobras and, more recently, with private companies in the oil and gas sector.

Types of Offshore Systems Studied

Among the different offshore systems considered, the following stand out:

• Fixed or compliant platforms;

• Anchored floating systems, such as:

  • Semi-submersible platforms;

  • Ship-based units (FPSOs);

• Riser systems, including:

  • Flexible pipelines for lifting and transporting production from the seabed to the platform;

• Pipelines:

  • Rigid pipelines for transporting production on the seabed or in onshore situations.

Development of Computational Methods

The development of computational methods involves the formulation of new algorithms and numerical methods, composing more efficient solution procedures for static and dynamic, linear and non-linear problems, which can be applied to different engineering problems in general.

These methods are implemented in computer programs mainly focused on the structural and hydrodynamic analysis of offshore systems.

Computational Tools

Of particular note is the SITUA-Prosim program, widely used by Petrobras in various offshore system design activities.

The tools developed include:

• Advanced numerical solvers;

• Graphical interfaces, with features such as:

  • Pre-processing (model generation);

  • Post-processing (results visualization).

In addition, soft computing or computational intelligence techniques are applied to:

• Complementar ou substituir métodos numéricos;

• Synthesis and optimization of offshore systems;

• Handling uncertainties.

Examples of systems developed:

• OtimRota: synthesis and optimization of submarine pipeline routes;

• OtimRiser: optimization of catenary risers, based on Genetic Algorithms.

Applications in Offshore Systems Design

The application activities focus on the study of behavior and the design of various offshore systems, considering situations of:

• Production;

• Installation;

• Breakdown.

For this purpose, the following are used:

• Programs developed by LAMCSO itself (such as SITUA-Prosim);

• Commercial software widely used in the industry, such as:

  • Ansys;

  • Abaqus, mainly for local Finite Element analyses.

Innovative Concepts

There is a special focus on developing innovative designs for platforms and riser systems, including:

• Self-elevating platforms;

• Compliant towers;

• Hybrid riser system with large submerged buoy;

• Mid-water transfer systems;

• Stiff catenary risers (SCRs);

• Ultra-short radius mooring systems;

• Oceanic hose and terminal systems.

Installation Operations Analysis

Recently, there has been a special focus on the analysis of offshore system installation operations.

SITUA-Prosim has been used in the modeling and analysis of operations involving:

• Installation and handling of:

  • Pipelines;

  • Risers;

  • Anchorage systems;

  • Subsea equipment, such as:

    • Christmas trees;

    • Manifolds.

Advanced Design Methodologies

One of the most relevant activities in the context of offshore systems design is the development of new design methodologies, advancing beyond the current state of the art.

As an example, the use of coupled analysis methods (hull–anchorage–risers), implemented in SITUA-Prosim, allows:

• Establishing integrated methodologies;

• Progressively move toward complete integration between:

  • Projeto de sistemas de ancoragem;

  • Riser system design.