editorial Dear Reader,


6 Four decades of DP innovation at Transocean Gurbachan Singh Virk, a Transocean Consultant and formerly Manager of Engineering,


Global Marine Drilling Company, is interviewed about DP innovations over the last four decades and Report asks how he sees the future.


9 Full depth TLP model testing no problem in MARIN’s


Offshore Basin With a 30 m deep pit, MARIN’s Offshore Basin is ideal for testing Tension Leg Platforms in ultra deep waters without truncating their tendons.


10 New initiatives probe thruster interaction effects Today, newly developed tools enable more detailed measurements and computer


simulations of the thruster on DP vessels. This has lead to new research to improve the understanding of thruster interaction effects.


13 Tandem offloading of LNG by means of DP SBM commissioned MARIN to perform model tests to investigate the feasibility of tandem


offloading of LNG from an LNG FPSO to a shuttle tanker kept in position by a full DP system.


14 CFD for offshore applications In 2009, MARIN took a major step towards the commercial application of Computational


Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools for offshore-related problems. Here Report outlines achievements so far.


16 Sharing knowledge, experience and costs through joint R&D Joint Industry Projects continue to form the backbone of much of MARIN’s work. Report


provides an update on the many offshore JIPs.


18 BigLift Shipping and MARIN in joint aNySIMpro operations In a joint project, MARIN and BigLift Shipping are investigating ways to optimise the


thruster replacement procedure.


19 INPEX’s eternal flame in Arafura Sea The Japanese operator INPEX asked MARIN to take on a wide-ranging role in the Abadi


gas project.


20 Fatigue Lifetime Assurance with Monitas MARIN is completing a specification and pilot application Joint Industry Project of advisory


monitoring systems for FPSOs. The envisaged project goals have now been successfully realised and the JIP team has decided to go ahead with linking the Monitas system with Risk Based Inspections.


21 Heerema’s DCV Balder instrumented for lifetime extension Heerema Marine Contractors contracted MARIN to design, install and maintain a Fatigue


Monitoring System for the J-Lay Tower of the Deepwater Construction Vessel Balder to extend its lifetime.


22 Bridge Simulator training for the Munin FPSO MARIN provided Bridge Simulation training for the Munin and again, this proves to be an


effective tool in preparing a team for a very challenging job.


MARIN always welcomes the chance to meet our readers to discuss the many interesting developments high- lighted. This could be at the OTC in Houston, the ITS in Vancouver or at ISOPE in Beijing. We look forward to meeting you!


Welcome to the traditional Offshore edition of Report. In this issue we highlight the many devel- opments in Dynamic Positioning (DP) innovation.


We were very pleased to talk to one of the pioneers of DP drillship, Gurbachan Singh Virk, Transocean Consultant. He takes a look back over the last four decades of DP developments.


As many readers know, MARIN has a long history in research into the performance of thrusters during DP operations. And there is continued interest in the subject. New tools enable more detailed measure- ments and computer simulations of the thrusters on DP vessels. Report looks into the new research initiatives.


Continuing with the thruster theme, we also have a joint project with BigLift Shipping. BigLift has been replacing thrusters on DP vessels and semi- submersibles in shielded waters. But our joint aNySIMpro project studies ways of optimising the thruster replacement procedure.


Report takes the opportunity to update readers on the many Joint Industry Projects we are involved in. A few years ago MARIN launched a specification and pilot application JIP for advisory monitoring systems for FPSOs - the Monitas JIP. This has been very successful and the JIP team has now decided to go ahead with linking the Monitas system with Risk Based Inspections. In 2009, MARIN also took a major step towards the commercial application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools for offshore-related problems. Readers can find an update on developments so far.


Arne Hubregtse President of MARIN


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