Bridge simulator training for the Munin FPSO


Bluewater recently started operating the Munin FPSO at the Huizhou 21-1 Field in the South China Sea, after the field’s permanent FPSO suffered Typhoon damage. MARIN provided Bridge Simulation training and once again, this proved to be an effective tool to prepare a team for a very challenging job. Report outlines the training involved.


T


he Munin FPSO is located at the Huizhou 21-1 Field, in the South China Sea, 120 miles south-east


of Hong Kong. When the Huizhou Field’s permanent FPSO was damaged by a pass- ing Typhoon, the Munin was brought in to allow the field to continue production.


The FPSO Munin is ideal for the Huizhou Field job because it can use its Dynamic Positioning (DP) system for station-keeping during oil production. Munin’s DP capabilities meant that no mooring lines and no exten- sive changes needed to be made to the underwater infrastructure. The DP Class 2 vessel is equipped with two bow thrusters, two azimuth thrusters at the stern and a main propeller with high lift rudder. The FPSO Munin can be permanently moored but still disconnectable, using a submerged turret production system, or it can be stationed on DP.


Dimitri van Heel d.v.heel@marin.nl


22 report


To get oil onboard the FPSO in DP mode, two of the risers of the Huizhou Field are connected to a buoy. This buoy can be coupled to an outrigger onboard the Munin. The Munin will then use its DP capability to keep the outrigger in a stationary position. Oil is exported from the Munin using con- ventional, (non DP), tankers up to Aframax


size. These tankers are moored to the stern of the FPSO using a hawser. During offloading operations the tanker is assisted by a tug. This ensures that tension is kept on the hawser. Munin’s DP propulsion then has to counteract the forces exerted by the tanker and tug.


Demanding environment The South China Sea is an extremely demanding place for such operations. There are many major factors influencing the weather over the South China Sea, including the two mon- soon seasons and the tropical revolving storm (Typhoon) season. In addition Solitons, (a very particular type of current), are caused by the riptides. Solitons are sub- surface waves that travel along thermo clines in the ocean. A Soliton will cause a sudden change of current direction and this is combined with an increase in velocity. These rapidly changing environments can be very challenging for a DP vessel, espe- cially for a DP vessel with an offloading tanker connected.


Two training sessions were held at MARIN’s Simulation Centre in order to prepare the DP operators, mooring masters and tug masters with the specifics of tandem offloading operations in the Huizhou field, the Munin’s


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